Chef Luis Restaurant

We walked past the door because it looked closed but we backtracked and found it open. When we sat down, warm bread and olive oil was placed on the table. The waiter then took our drink orders The menu was promising but was more interesting than tasty. I ordered duck l'orange which is something I hadn't had in years. It may be more years as the manager came back to say they didn't have it. So I ordered the pork chop medium rare but I was told that the kitchen would only make it medium well. So I decided on the beet salad. The manager said the chef could make it medium but not to worry because it would be moist so I agreed to the chop. It was probably close to 12 ounces and looked beautiful sitting in a soup of creamed corn and sautéed onion. The corn was delicious but the chop was too well and chewy, totally unpleasant. The steak ordered medium rare also could have used less time cooking. Bone end of the strip steak was medium rare but the other end medium well. The halibut in paperlotte was cooked perfectly. The order of scallops produced 5 scallops cooked properly but the accompanying sauce could have stayed in the kitchen

I recently visited chef Luis and was truly impressed! The atmosphere has transformed beautifully since my last visit, creating a much more open and inviting space. The food was nothing short of amazing—each dish was flavorful and beautifully presented. I can't wait to return!

Sadly, this restaurant staple has gone downhill. We were in for brunch on Sunday and the service was awful. The host never brought menus, rushed to clear the table before everyone was done, never asked if we wanted dessert. I ordered a salad and they forgot to add the chicken I asked for. By the time they brought the chicken, the meal was over. Salad was served in a tiny appetizer size plate. $20. My husband ordered salmon sandwich which was pitiful. Next time, go down the street to Rosie’s for a less expensive and larger meal.

What an amazing restaurant!! If I could give more than five stars, I would. The service was excellent! The food was phenomenal and the options were amazing. We started our meal with the calamares with chorizo in a spicy tomato sauce. It was outstanding. I loved start to our lunch. For my lunch entree I had the steak fajitas and my girlfriend had the Croque Madame and she loved it. The steak was cooked perfectly and it was so tender and flavorful. We will definitely be back to try their dinner menu.

We recently had a great meal at Chef Luis! Something cool that they have on their menu are these tortilla cups that the chef fills with all kinds of different things - some of our personal favorites were the lomo saltado and birria taco cups! He even did berries and cream in them for dessert! We also really enjoyed the Italian quesadilla and scallops we had that evening. The staff and chef are super friendly and welcoming!

The food was absolutely delicious, and the service impeccable. Chef Luis even came out and spoke to us and gave us a complimentary dessert. It was heavenly. I live in New Haven, but the drive to New Canaan was worth it. I will definitely go back.

Chef Luis is one of the most unbelievably kind and genuinely warm-hearted individuals you'll ever meet. He treats every guest like family. The atmosphere is cozy, inviting, and full of character. Weather permitting, there is indoor and outdoor seating available. The food is incredible. Every dish is made with creativity and heart, and you can really taste it. His burgers and ceviche are my personal favorite dishes. The drinks are just as thoughtfully made and pair perfectly with the food. If you’re unsure of what to try, Vanesa can surprise you with a delicious drink. This place is a real hidden gem in New Canaan. Definitely worth a visit!

The sweet potato "fries" weren't really fries. They were extremely small and looked liked a bird's nest of shaved potatoes. The salmon burger was good but had too much sauce and immediately fell apart. Had to eat it with a fork. There was no way it would stay together if I picked it up.

I had the Tamasco's Berkshire Pork Chop which is a 14oz bone in pork chop, creamed corn, butternut squash, caramelized onions. I am a regular here and usually order a NY Strip steak or the Halibut. This truly was the best bone in pork chop ever! The service was great as usual.

What an amazing restaurant!! If I could give more than five stars, I would. The service was excellent! The food was phenomenal and the options were amazing. We started our meal with the calamares with chorizo in a spicy tomato sauce. It was outstanding. I loved start to our lunch. For my lunch entree I had the steak fajitas and my girlfriend had the Croque Madame and she loved it. The steak was cooked perfectly and it was so tender and flavorful. We will definitely be back to try their dinner menu.

Chef Luis on a Friday night is a high energy eatery but not so noisy that it's difficult to hear your companions. Our spicy calamari as a starter for the table was a hit, as were the tacos with fish and pork, the burrata salad with arugula and beets, the quesadilla app and the chicken scarpiello entree. The service was prompt and very friendly, with smiles all around. We throughly enjoyed our dinner and will return.

Adorable little place, simple decor but awesome service starting at the front door . The hostess smiles at you and asks if you want a table or a seat at the bar ( it's difficult to find that these days ) people usually barely say hello . We sat at the bar and the bartender immediately came to see us , we had questions about the menu and he was very pleasant and knowledgeable , so that was a plus !!! They were also very attentive , if we needed another drink , water etc . The menu is small but the food is well seasoned and served with great presentation . sorry , I forgot to take a pic this time :( , we got the build your bowl and it was a very good choice . Would definitely stop by again if we are in New Canaan . P.S: just wish there were menu choices .

We recently had a great meal at Chef Luis! Something cool that they have on their menu are these tortilla cups that the chef fills with all kinds of different things - some of our personal favorites were the lomo saltado and birria taco cups! He even did berries and cream in them for dessert! We also really enjoyed the Italian quesadilla and scallops we had that evening. The staff and chef are super friendly and welcoming!

An "inspired" menu was promised .... A basic B brunch menu was handed to us. Almost left ... Should have left. $20 burrito was all potato. No ice bucket for Champagne was offered as then we saw them using to hoist up silverware tray. Simply disappointing all around. $19 egg and cheese was good food but just not worth it. Go to a diner for less. Maybe slap a linen table cloth on the table. Your charging fancy so you can atleast pretend.

Food 4.5 * Service 4.0 * Ambiance 3.0 * Prices 3.5 * While there weren't specific problems with our party of 6, somehow, spending a bit over $700 seemed a bit much for a performance, without a standing ovation.

Fresh organic food presented with an international flair. It was absolutely delicious

Ambience is fun and festive. The food is clean, creative and so good. Service was quick, the servers were polite and friendly.

I'm torn because I like this place. The food is very good. But the size of portions is a joke. It used to be fine. Now everything is literally half the size. Prices are astronomical. Equestrians are half what they used to be. Guacamole is a small cup. A fajita dish for $28 comes in a small skillet with 5 shrimp, 3 small tortillas and no rice and beans. Everything is extra. A dinner for two without desert and one drink each sets you back $160. I know prices are up but this is just insane. If you can afford it, great but for most of us it's prohibitive and frankly at these prices I'd rather go to for higher end restaurant experience.

Another lovely evening at Chef Luis! We had a delicious dinner, all of the food from appetizers to dessert was expertly prepared, fresh and tasty. The hostess and waitstaff are very friendly and accommodating, and the whole dinner experience is just right. Well done, Chef Luis!

The only comment I want to make about Chef Luis is that you should never order a Titos martini here. I did. It was by far and wide the absolute worst vodka martini I have ever had. I don't know if they just gave me a glass of vermouth with olives but it was so unbelievably bad that it can't be put into words.

Bday lunch alert! We came because the menu really popped! It was awesome! The service was great and we had the whole place to ourselves! (We came at 12 pm) The street corn was delicious! I love that it came in the glass!!! Didn't have to get messy lol. The nachos were also a perfect starter. The meat was tender the tortilla chips were perfectly cooked! It wasnt overwhelming with ingredients but I don't mind messy nachos lol!! The mussels were huge!!! Omg sooooo worth it! What a great bite! What a great surprise! The sauce was also great! The coconut in that sauce is a cherry on top! We had a great time! I had a coconut margarita! I loved it! My tres leche dessert was perfect ending to lunch! Can't wait to visit again!

Rest with good food for a group with the number of people from 2 up to I don't know what number nacho with spicy things on the side are the best ones there in opinion other than Philadelphia

Always knew this was the best sports bar in New Canaan. But stopped by for brunch today. I had huevos rancheros and my wife had avocado toast with salmon. Simply amazing. We will certainly make it our top brunch spot in town.

good food, service was shaky. Waitress was unsure what scotch was available, then when I when i ordered the halibut, she asked me if she shouild check to see if they had the halibut...the first three dishes were brough to table of 4 with no silverware so when i told my fellow diners tha could start without me, they wanted to but had no silverware... Overall, pretty bah service. The appetizer was good, The Halibut was not available so the Swordfish replacement was just ok. I'll be in no rush to return

A few months ago I was exploring New Canaan for the first time and I hadn't planned to visit this restaurant but was kind of lured here by the great live music coming from next door. The burger and Cesar salad were both very good. The outdoor seating was a lovely place to unwind and sip wine.

Love this place. The chef is genuine and attentive. It was great to have him come out to our table. The steak was divine. Try the Paloma, great drink. We'll be back.

Diverse, Creative menu w strong Southwest overtones. Great service and even better food. The calamari w chorizo was a creative twist and not too spicy. Watermelon gazpacho was great as were the salads. Many different kinds of Tacos and interesting entrees Only four deserts but didn't get to try any of them. Outdoor (sidewalk) dining and plenty of VEGAN options.

We went to Chef Luis last Saturday. There were ten of us and it had been a while since I had been there but I am now wondering why. The food and service were great! It was the best meal I have had in a while. I had the scallops paired with spinach and puréed butternut squash. It was just awesome. One of may daughters had a burger and she let me try some. That was a great burger. Another person had the salmon with teriyaki and he raved about it. The person across from me had a steak and that looked fantastic. (Notice, I didn't get a taste. I was too slow!). Everything on the table looked good. I'm definitely going back!

Food is fresh and inventive. Flavortown in your mouth for sure! Everything Chef Luis creates is just a perfect blend of all things good!

Fool me twice, shame on me... Had a pathetic experience over five years ago, thought I would give the place another try. Shame on me. Service was disjointed at best, grabbing unfinished drinks and plates off the table while others were still eating. Hey, it's not a race! Calamari appetizer was mushy with tomato sauce out of a can, pasta al vongole was lacked any seasoning or character. But the prices are right up there with New Canaan's finest! How the place stays open with so many other fine options on Elm Street is amazing.. No need or desire to ever go back.

We had an amazing family meal at this restaurant. Literally ever dish we ordered was fantastic. Luis came and introduced himself and he was so kind he treated us to a dessert. It was off the charts. We have since come back a lot and really it never goes wrong the food is consistently good.

I ordered Flower's Cacio e Pepe. Menu description was " Flowers' Cacio e Pepe Tagliatelle, grana Padano, crush black pepper, olive oil, parsley, fried meatballs" Although traditionally in cacio e pepe there are no meatballs, I figured they would be on the side. Imagine my surprise when instead of a dish consisting of cheese and pepper, it was covered with tomato sauce, with the meatball on top. The pasta was mushy, there was not even a hint of cheese, and the meatball was too salty to eat. A big disappointment and a waste of money. As for the garlic broccoli I asked for on the side, it needed more cooking. The ladies bathroom - the toilet did not flush, the water in the sink could not be turned off, there was furniture shoved randomly in there, and the floor was a mess. C'mon, surely it is someone's job there to keep the facilities clean and functional! The service was haphazard - overly anxious to clear before all had finished eating, but a long delay between courses. Will not be going back.

I enjoyed the food at this restaurant very much. I've eaten here on 2 occasions so far and tried many of their dishes which were prepared well and tasted delicious. Our table greatly enjoyed the salmon dish, eggplant rollatini, salmon & chicken dishes were all very tasty. I also enjoyed dining in the back room that has the fireplace; it's cozy, fairly quiet and comfortable.

My sister recently moved nearby and has a very limited diet (vegan- almost). We rarely can share a meal that both of us enjoy, but she loves this menu filled with a meilay of recipes and I now know why. My chimichurri steak sauce was perfect. Our side orders were lovely and we both left with a takeout box, so their servings must be substantial. I'm a foodie and experienced cook of 'Latin' foods - the food here tastes authentic and fresh. The quality of service matched the food.

We found this restaurant and it has quickly become our favorite. The quality of food is amazing I do not think there is a bad meal on the menu. The cocktails are also top notch. Go here you will keep coming back and you will love the owner and his family.

Came here for lunch on a sunny day. Delicious food. Great atmosphere. Wonderful service & location.

The food was absolutely delicious, and the service impeccable. Chef Luis even came out and spoke to us and gave us a complimentary dessert. It was heavenly. I live in New Haven, but the drive to New Canaan was worth it. I will definitely go back.

Excellent food and service and a safe set up. Great place. Will come again. Tacos were excellent and the meat was very tender and flavorful

Amazing food and service. Will definitely be going back! Had an absolutely delicious halibut dish. Great atmosphere and service. Will definitely be going back!

Some of the best food in Fairfield county. The absolute best calamari I have ever had and their black peppercorn steak is to DIE for. Chef Luis is great and the only negative is that it's so far from where I live.

We stopped in last week to visit this new incarnation of Chef Luis. We were disappointed. No one was at the hostess station so we wandered about a bit until the bartender just told us to sit where we wanted. Tables were littered with dirty dishes. It seemed forever before we got a menu and another forever to place a drink order and even another forever to place a food order. Once placed, the food arrived quickly. We ordered his tacos which we have always loved, and I will say the tacos were OK. However, they appeared to have less than a teaspoon or so of protein in them and for this, they were $25 for three. Both Back End and Tequila Mockingbird have more substantial tacos for less $$. My martini was less generous than it should have been and my husband thought his wine was not the one he ordered. Everyone was very pleasant and the food was more than decent, but the general sense of disorganization and the price tag make the value proposition not so great. This is a fixable problem, maybe he can fix it.

Beef taco was underwhelming. Ground beef instead of chopped tenderloin. Mexican mix cheese out of a bag instead of Monterrey jack, no salsa Roja in sight. For $20 you expect more.

Used to be good, but going downhill fast. Ordered steak which looked and tasted like pork, smothered in peppercorns and tough - was basically inedible. The service is attentive and nice, but can't make up for the dismal food.

We were excited to try Chef Luis as we have been to all of the other NC restaurants a zillion times (most of which are excellent). We shared a bunch of dishes and were hopeful in that the tacos and the salad were actually quite good. However, what followed in the subsequent dishes was inedible at best. The pasta was wildly oversalted, overcooked and fishy, The 'crostini' was basically tomato paste on lightly toasted italian bread (the kind you are typically served with individually wrapped butter at a diner) - with what was probably shredded trader joe's cheese melted to a crisp on top - overcooked unappealing fajitas which was resembled a plate of slop and was also oversalted. It was awful - not just in comparing to other restaurants - but worse than making something out of whatever was left in the fridge after 3 weeks of not food shopping - add some salt and cook twice as long as you should.. voila. Unfortunate as we really try to support local business and there's always room for quality in this town. I'll go literally anywhere else in New Canaan which is known for having great cuisine.