The Compound Restaurant

Absolutely one of my best dining experiences ever. Every course had the presentation of artwork with incredible flavor combinations. Truly an experience everyone should have! Highly recommended.

I went there alone on a Wednesday at 1 p.m., no wait time. Lunch was great and service was fantastic. I got a window seat, the sunshine accompanied my meal the whole time. It felt warm and comfortable. I didn’t have breakfast so I had a big lunch. I tried two entries: lobster salad and roasted salmon. Both really tasty. For dessert, I got the classic coke with ice cream. Fabulous. I didn’t know the still water I ordered was $10 until I saw the bill, this is probably the only thing I regretted ordering. But overall, a great experience! I hope I can try dinner some time in the future as dinner will be an entire different menu.

A classy Evening for our group of 9 all of our dishes were spot on tasty and well presented.It was really fun having the onion rings a blast from the past. The highlight of the evening was our server Kimi from start to finish her style was fantastic. Her banter was sprinkled perfectly throughout our meal. Kimi’s Wine service was incredibly polished. She has that special touch/skill to ramp up or down the wine service as she assesses the customer’s level of sophistication needed. Not liking to intimidate or show off we never mentioned to her that at our table were 3 sommeliers, with her confidence level. I don’t think telling her would’ve mattered anyhow. The rest of the team was also great the food runner never played food auction. The waite-assist knew just when to adjust, move or remove something. In closing hats off to the kitchen for classic dishes done really well. I wish I had taken more photos, but the evening was just too fun to think about documenting it.

The Compound Restaurant is by far one of the best eateries in Santa Fe. All aspects of the experience are meticulously perfected to give the customers the best of the best. Our waiter was extremely knowledgeable and friendly, the glasses were always full, and the food was beyond amazing. They even went above and beyond to come up with an off menu mock-tail since I don’t drink. The menu is pricey, this place is definitely “special occasion” kind of restaurant, but worth the expense for your special occasion.

One the best fine dining experiences you can have in santa fe. If the cheese soup is in season it's one of the best things I have ever tasted in my life.

The Compound Restaurant in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is a dining destination that stands out for its exceptional quality and culinary artistry. From the moment you arrive, the welcoming atmosphere and elegant décor set the stage for an unforgettable experience. The menu at The Compound is a testament to exquisite craftsmanship and a dedication to excellence. Each dish is thoughtfully crafted, showcasing the freshest locally-sourced ingredients and an innovative approach to classic flavors. The result is a symphony of taste that delights the palate and exemplifies the high standards of quality the restaurant is known for. Every bite reveals the care and precision that go into each preparation, making it clear why The Compound has earned its stellar reputation. The staff's attention to detail and genuine passion for providing top-notch service further enhance the dining experience, making every guest feel special and well-cared for. Whether you're a local or visiting Santa Fe, The Compound Restaurant promises a dining experience that combines the best of culinary innovation with the rich traditions of Southwestern hospitality. It's a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy an exceptional meal in a beautiful setting.

This restaurant has a great reputation and that is reflected in the reviews. Sadly my experience was not great. I went with a friend from out of state who asked me to pick the dining experience. She wanted to eat early as she anticipated being starving after her flight. It was a surprise that this restaurant offered an early bird prix-fixe meal and we both opted for it. That was a mistake. Quite possibly if we had stuck to the main menu we would have had an entirely different experience. We both had the corn soup and the steak. When we ordered the waiter made a show of checking his watch to make sure we were within the time window. When he told me my steak would be medium rare I asked for what that meant as different chefs have different ideas of how rare steak should be served. He said red but warm in the middle. I asked if it could be slightly more done than warm in the middle and he said no. The chef would determine how done the steak should be. I considered a moment then said ok, I trust the chef. When the steaks were served they were medium to medium well. Not medium rare. They also had no flavor whatsoever. No character. I asked for a steak knife rather than saw at the meat with a butter knife. The waiter told me I didn’t need a steak knife, but that of course they did have steak knives. I again requested the knife and he brought it over. It was not a true steak knife but a pointy tipped knife no sharper than the butter knife. The dessert was fabulous. A coffee mousse with a chocolate shell, a small circle pour of caramel and crushed pistachios. While we were having dessert parties were seated on either side of us and the noise of their chatter made further conversation between us impossible. I have asked myself several times if I would choose to go back and give this place another try. Each time I have thought nope.

We have heard great things about this restaurant over the years. We finally made it there with some friends recently and it was an excellent experience. Everyone had a wonderful time and was satisfied with the whole dinner. Our waiter was knowledgeable and professional. Every staff was efficient and helpful. And the food was creative and delicious. It’s a top notch restaurant and the prices align with the quality. Otherwise we would go back there frequently.

The Compound is where Santa Fe's old money goes to lunch like it's the twentieth century: Meals are leisurely here -- no one's worried about going back to work because they're either independently wealthy or comfortably retired. (Given the prices on the menu and the fact that the clientele's median age is well into the bracket that receives Social Security, it's usually both.) Like most restaurants in Santa Fe, the walls are covered in artwork. Unlike most restaurants in Santa Fe, this art is not for sale, so the art is actually good. A meal at The Compound is like dining in a small art museum. The food is refined, elegant, but not overly fussy -- one of the most beloved items are their delicious onion rings, which are simple but perfectly executed and worth every calorie. The most famous dish is the chicken schnitzel, a huge disc of breaded, fried chicken breast served with lemon juice and capers in the traditional Austrian style. Like those onion rings, it was both simple and perfect. I had the quail dish, with a boneless quail stuffed with a pork and pistachio sausage served on a bed on grits and greens, topped with a fresh fig. The quail was cooked perfectly, and the sausage was succulent, not overseasoned. The greens still had crispness, and, most importantly, the grits were the exact right texture, creamy and silky. My grits-loving Louisiana mother would have no complaints. The only misstep: The carrots were slightly undercooked. We were far too sated for dessert at our lunch -- maybe the one time I passed on dessert in Santa Fe. Maybe I indulged in too much of their delicious warm bread with soft butter. Service was gracious. It was a wonderful meal at a wonderful restaurant. The Compound really deserves all the plaudits it receives, and if one can only go to one high-end restaurant in Santa Fe, it should be The Compound.

Just dress up and get ready for a gourmet meal Great Bar Great Salad Great Fish And...the desert is excellent Pricey but worth it I am a regular

I always eat, and drink, in the bar! A cozy horseshoe shaped seating arrangement. The Compound changes their menu 4X a year, so check the menu for specials. I love all their steaks and chops, as I'm a carnivore! It's not an inexpensive place to eat, but once you eat there, you'll understand the pricing! If you want to sit in the bar, as I do, call a couple of days in advance!

I've heard a lot about The Compound Restaurant. So glad that I had a chance to sample it for dinner. Service was a 10/10! They know how to do it right Salad 10/10 better than I had anticipated The Pork Tenderloin was an 8/10. Prepared exquisitely. Presentation off the chart. Flavor was lacking. One of the people in my party had the Wild Alaskan Halibut, I wish I had ordered that for dinner. A friend who had visited recently was talking about the Sea Bass and that would have been nice too. However, it wasn't a special on the week night I visited. One of the great things about The Compound Restaurant is the consistency of its menu. I look forward to a return visit to find some of the flavor that escaped my main course on the first visit.

What a great time we had sitting in the Compound Bar having dinner and drinks. Make sure to have a reservation because the bar is very intimate and small but you definitely want to be sitting here. The drinks are great and so is the food!!

On a local recommendation, my sweetie and I were lucky to get a reservation at The Compound on short notice. It was suggested to us to consider dining at the bar, as it is an intimate setting. The bar area seats 12 diners, and the bartender works in a recessed area. The surrounding diners can watch the mixologist's work continuously. His hands and arms shake, stir, and pour drinks for the dining room, patio, and bar. The bartender also takes orders from the diners around the bar. Our appetizers of seasonal morel mushrooms in a delicious sauce with side bread and Colossal shrimp served over a bed of red sauce spaghetti came to the table quickly. The Halibut entree and Beef tenderloin were prepared perfectly. The dessert of a Hazelnut Butterfinger ice cream was a not-too-sweet confection to top off a delicious meal. So, why only three stars? Dining at the bar had a drawback. The bartender was overly busy. We received our appetizers and waited a long time for our entree orders to be taken. By the time our meals came it was 6:40. Having been told earlier the next seating was at 7 pm we felt rushed to enjoy our entree and dessert. Though the food at the Compound is excellent the service at the bar was a disappointment. Having the bartender mix drinks for the entire restaurant and bar area was too hectic on our visit to properly serve the bar area as well. On a future visit we will choose to be seated in the dining room.

Great staple in the city of Santa Fe. Ambience inside and out is so inviting. Great bar if you like to socialize. Two story restaurant provides for great date night venue or seating for larger parties. Recently was nominated for the prestigious James Beard award so we made reservations weeks in advance of our dinner. Staff was great. In advance reached out to us to ensure everyone in our party would not have issue with going up/down stairs to second floor table. This attention to detail was a prelude to a great dining experience. Great cocktails and extensive wine list helped to start evening well. Highly recommend the onion rings for an appetizer. By far the best onion rings I have had in my life. Lightly battered purple onions provided perfect consistency of onion to batter ratio. For dinner ordered the grilled black angus beef tenderloin. Served with grilled broccolini, red onion marmalade paired perfectly with the beef. Beef was perfectly cooked (medium) . Overall, great restaurant well deserving of a James Beard award nomination.

So close to a great experience, but The Compound is just lacking in a few key aspects - I think if they just tightened up these few things, they could qualify easily as a 5 star experience! Firstly, the food was excellent. I can see why they were recently nominated for the James Beard Foundation's Excellent Restaurant for this reason. Chef Weston Ludeke and team did a great job on all our dishes. For starters, we ordered the cold cucumber soup, melon and prosciutto, heirloom tomato salad, onion rings (AMAZING), and lobster and bay scallop. All were thoughtful, well plated, and delicious. For mains, we ordered the halibut, the half chicken, and 2 orders of the pork chop. The halibut and chicken both had excellent browning, and all the mains were cooked to tender perfection, and very well seasoned. The food was markedly better this visit than our previous visit, so the new Executive Chef is definitely making a big impact in our opinion. For areas of improvement, I think the main area I have constructive feedback on is the FOH (front of house) experience. Our server was excellent - very warm, friendly, helpful, responsive, but not overbearing. A+ for him. However, the food runners were another story. They couldn't keep track of who had sparkling vs still water at our table, which honestly isn't a big deal at all, except they would talk and gesture over our heads to other runners/bussers to try to figure it out. At a "normal" restaurant I honestly wouldn't have even noticed, but at a fine dining restaurant with a $10 charge per bottle of water, this is a bit of a gaffe. My cold cucumber soup was poured table-side - this is the other hilarious experience where the lack of finesse on the part of the food runners was especially evident. They place the beautifully composed bowl with dollops of sauce and little shaped balls of melon carefully in front of me, but then the food runner takes the bottle of soup and dumps the soup pretty aggressively and unceremoniously into the bowl over everything. I've dined at several Michelin star restaurants that serve soup table-side, they pour in a circular motion and in a purposeful and non-noisy way (no "glug glug" sound to be found lol). If you're going to pour so carelessly and aggressively, please don't even bother with pouring table-side - I honestly wouldn't have noticed if the soup was brought out already poured! The soup was DELICIOUS, but this type of careless presentation at the finish line was hilarious. I saw the GM, Rodolphe, make the rounds to warmly greet all the other tables dining at the same time as us. However, I saw his eyes glance over our table multiple times, and he clearly deemed us "unimportant" - he didn't even smile or acknowledge our presence. Again, at a non fine dining restaurant we wouldn't have cared at all - but it does suck to be the only table to be passed over, it was noticeable to me and honestly pretty rude. A small note about the desserts - I agree with other reviewers who noted that the opera cake lacked intensity. The other gaffe was that we ordered the Peach Tart based on both the server's rec, and the description - the menu clearly stated that there was a frangipane element as well as a Pâte Sucrée crust. However, when it was brought out - it was just peach compote in a ramekin dish with some crumbles and ice cream on top? As a baker, I was really excited to try their frangipane and the Pâte Sucrée crust (things I generally am too lazy to make myself) - so the fact that they brought out what was clearly NOT a peach tart with no explanation (if they ran out, or perhaps made a last minute substitution, we would have been totally fine with it! Just communicate with us please!) was disappointing. The pastry program could use some tweaking for sure. Lastly, when I made the reservation, the restaurant asked if we were celebrating any special occasion. I marked down that it was my birthday! When we arrived, the host said "Whose birthday are we celebrating?" and I answered "Mine!" with a grin! Then.... nothing. There was zero acknowledgement of my birthday. I have seen other photos of desserts at The Compound having "Happy Birthday!" or "Happy Anniversary!" written on plates, so I know this is a thing they do. But for me, they didn't even verbally acknowledge my birthday, let alone write it on a plate, or comp a dessert etc. If you're not going to bother to do anything with it, maybe don't ask if it's a special occasion? Definitely made me feel a bit sad. I think my husband and I were the only ones to notice all these "lacking" elements. My parents loved the attentive service of our server, and the food, so they were happy. We definitely didn't make a fuss at all, and were an easy-going table who tipped big (we always do). The only reason I want to point out these aspects is because I really feel like The Compound could be as excellent as they purport to be! The things they fall short on are easily actionable.

A visit to Santa Fe combined with a birthday celebration! The Compound got several accolades for wine lists and cuisine...we better try it! The reservations were set, for the birthday lady, and we made it a date. Parking areas were packed in, but we found a spot without waiting too long. The Hostess and manager greeted us at the door.... Such a nice touch and a pleasure to meet you both! A table upstairs awaits (please tell the reservationist if you have anyone with physical limitations!) in the private dining room. Our server, Javy, and henchmen, were on the ball. Our glasses never went empty as well as our bellies. Outstanding service staff, in the house! The food...oh, the food! The Tuna Tartare, the Risotto Nightly special, Crab Louie, and other starters---phenomenal! Entrees like Duck, Grass-fed Beef, Elk, Pork Tenderloin, Halibut, and others--all perfectly cooked and plated for our party of five! The desserts... Chocolate Opera Cake, Peach Cheese Pie (Toasted pine nuts!) and some sorbets, as well as coffees and after dinner drinks (Grand Marnier and other brandies/cognacs) were a great way to finish the evening. Special events like birthdays were meant for this place and vice versa. Absolutely a wonderful dining experience! Strongly recommend this place as they are accommodating in every way. This is one of my highlights of the trip. Call, make reservations, and enjoy the experience. Well done, Chef and staff!

The food was perfectly prepared, beautifully presented and enjoyed by everyone in our party of four. Service was top notch, waiter answered all our questions, he offered descriptions of the offerings with ingredients included. It was seamless and very professional in the serving of our meals. The ambiance was very pleasant, clean, music was low, wait staff was attentive and moved about the restaurant efficiently and quietly. Overall, I highly recommend The Compound for special occasions.

I agree with other reviews that the ambience here is wonderful. As soon as you walk in there is no doubt that you are in a high class joint. The steak medallion I had was probably the most tender cut of beef I have had in a long time, and was just full of flavor. The onion rings were great, and the quantity was such that our party of three was unable able to finish them. So why only a three star review? It's all about the pricing unfortunately. Even my parents, who have dined here periodically and rarely flinch at the cost of a nice meal made a comment about the increase in pricing. Business appeared to be slow when we arrived at six in the evening, which begs the question of whether people were eating there less due to the pricing or if they increased their pricing due to people eating out less. At any rate for three entrees, one appetizer and two glasses of champagne the end tab ran at $250, for a total of $300 with tip, which definitely puts this place into the category of somewhere I'ld take my wife on our anniversary but certainly not for a weekly or even monthly meal. I get that everything is more expensive now with inflation but it kind of kills your business when the cost of the meal starts approaching a monthly car payment.

Celebrated my mother's birthday for lunch and great place. Food is fantastic. I had the chicken schnitzel and it was delicious and way more of a potion than I expected. Had a very light dinner later. Our server was great and friendly and attentive and was hard working. Very unique location right by Canyon Rd and a unique ambiance. A very enjoyable experience all around.

I usually have a great meal here and appreciate the staff. But, sadly, they were off NY's Eve. Waiter was rude and food wasn't as good as usual. But I'll be back!

Restaurant was a cool setting. Entrees were good,good size portion Service was good Manhattan was good

Beautiful location, some good food, excellent service was the highlight of this dinner visit. Couldn't go wrong in any items in the menu, well made and served with love.

As usual, everything was great! Food, service and the vibe is best of Santa Fe! Always include the Polenta/mushrooms as it is the bomb! Best in class!

If you want a fine dining experience, this is your place. We had several of the first courses plus dessert. They also have an extensive wine list and delicious cocktails. A very nice, leisurely dinner.

Fantatic restaurant! Winner of the James Beard award. Chef just turned over the reins to a new chef 6 months ago. Wouldn't have known. Every course had several unique combinations. The restaurant is on Canyon road on the expensive art area. Ironically the restaurant was started befort it became an art mecca. For the first course my wife got the vichy soisse. It was on the original menu 22 years ago. See the picture. I got the lobster and scallop. You need to read the menu and see the pictures to learn the details. For dinner we both got the halibut. Please read the menu. For dessert i got the chocolate coffee mousse cake any my wife got the pear dessert. Go there!

We had high expectations for this restaurant but ended up being disappointed. Beautiful dining room with polite staff. Service was extremely slow. It took about 20 minutes for one member of our party to get her red wine. My wine took a long time too, and I waited to eat my duck. My friends were almost finished their dinner by the time my glass of red wine arrived. We were seated upstairs, and the staff had a problem getting things in a timely fashion to our table, but this was something the restaurant needed to figure out. The food was good to very good. Not outstanding, which was expected given the prices and the recent James Beard award. The onion rings were wonderful; the asparagus soup, excellent; the burned sugar ice cream, delicious. But it simply didn't knock us out given the sticker price.

Wow! This place is a local secret, white table cloth, fine dining, amazing service, delicious flavors location in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Chef Mark Kiffin exceeds expectations with his fresh and flavorful dishes. After the meal, he comes out and speaks to his guests to make sure everyone had a pleasurable experience. I definitely had a more than pleasurable one! We ordered the butternut squash soup (not photographed because I devoured it immediately) and it was the best soup o have ever had in my life. It was so fresh and you could actually taste the flavors. I missed the beautiful presentation of pouring the soup over the bowl with an espresso cream in the middle. I consumed every ounce of that soup. I would come back just for this soup. For my main dish, I got the shrimp dish and it was also very delicious! My family ordered various dishes and we shared bites of each meal, everything tasted phenomenal. Especially the onion rings were amazing!! I recommend this place for anyone looking for a nice, classy meal for a beautiful day in Santa Fe. Their lunch menu is very affordable and the service is just amazing! The servers were ironing the table cloths! Highly recommend and will definitely be back.

The carrot ginger soup was extraordinary and beautifully plated. The polenta was delicious and also beautifully presented. You'll find the perfect pastrami sandwich there as well. The staff members were expert and professional while also friendly and warm. The atmosphere was elegant and cozy.

So much better now. I had a damn near perfect lunch last week. Beautiful food, impeccable service. I will be back often.

Our other fine dining-ish experience in Sant Fe was happily a success. We went here on a weekday when they weren't so busy so we were able to score excellent seats. Service was very friendly and we were digging the dstinctive architecture. But on to the food... Our favorite dishes were the quail, which was excellent, and the agnolotti. But all of the dishes were at least tasty. So why the four stars instead of five? Well in our opinion the food, the presentation, the menu itself were all a bit "tired", even though they were well executed. You ever get the feeling that you've had the same dish and the same taste like a million times before? Yeah like that. But still tasty food and a good experience.

Justifiably famous. The charming interior designed by Alexander Girard (the angled booth seating is unique and comfortable), the charming staff... And the superb food! Came here for lunch. First comes the fresh bread and butter--yum! Next, the onion ring tower (lightly battered, almost like tempura). I had the house-made pastrami sandwich--toothsome, tender, with Beer-Braised Sweet Onions Horseradish- Mustard Mayonnaise, house made chips and coke slaw. My friend had the edge salad with Bleu cheese and bacon. Dessert was heavenly Molton chocolate cake with blood orange sorbet. The staff is so nice, they don't rush you. This is a very special place for a memorable meal! TIP: Reservations are a must!

Thoroughly enjoyable. Good food, excellent service, fascinating and pleasant historical setting. It was challenging to get a reservation and almost gave up but glad we persevered.

Our server's name was Eric and he was phenomenal! We were a party of 10 and everyone felt the same way. The whole party had questions about multiple dishes and his knowledge of everything on the menu was extraordinary. The food was awesome and there was plenty of it! Thanks so much to the staff and Eric especially! Definitely recommend to everyone visiting the area!

The service was low key and wonderful. We were in Santa Fe for 4 nights and this was by far the best meal we had. Lobster risotto and halibut were excellent.

An Excellent experience! Truly a magical beautiful place right in the heart of the arts district. We were a party of 20 coming for a bday. Our meal and service was excellent! The only complaint was the private dining room upstairs was literally freezing. They couldn't regulate the temperature in there for the room remained at 62°. This should be a simple issue to get fixed as it is a crucial part of the restaurant. Made a normally perfect experience very challenging. Overall the ambiance was so alive and had so many nice nooks and cranny's to enjoy yourself. Tables were set beautifully.

To keep it short, food was good, service was just simply awful. The 2stars are for the food. Chicken schnitzel was very good and plentiful. Just couldn't get past the terrible service, no excuse for a restaurant this nice and as much history as this one. I doubt we will be back. We did raise our concerns, but were not comped a damn thing, or even offered. The tables around us got better service than we did and we think it's because we were the only table in our section that wasn't drinking. They screwed themselves out of a good tip. The bad service seemed very deliberate. I hope management sees this. So disappointing since we've been coming here since 1988. (From Oklahoma.)

We have been eating here alot lately and unlike geronimo the service hasnt slipped. Àfter 40 years still a 5 star restaurant. James Beard Award winner

The Compound has long been our favorite Sante Fe restaurant and over the years we have celebrated many happy occasions there. Usually our hotel --quite a nice one -- has made the reservations for us and we've been treated very well. This time I made the reservations myself. Don't know if that was a factor but my husband and I were seated at what had to be the worst table in the restaurant (despite other empty tables), back in a remote corner and offering a view of the bank of computer monitors lining the server's station. There we witnessed the comings and goings of various waitstaff checking in at their screens, but apparently oblivious to our presence, since none even glanced our way. After 15 minutes or so of feeling invisible and shunned, we picked up our coats and walked out.

We had high expectations for this restaurant but ended up being disappointed. The first impression is a classy, white tablecloth restaurant. The staff was courteous, and their service was good. The food was however not up to par. The citrus and endive salad was not impressive. Onion rings were just okay. Roasted scallops were just decent. My husband had the quail for main course and liked it. My daughter and I had the special "pasta with peas and chicken". The quality of that dish was not good. The pasta was in a plain buttery sauce and the chicken was very salty. For dessert we just had the $5 ice-cream. We already had spent way too much money on food that did not deserve to have the listed price.

Marjan and I noticed this restaurant well back, almost obscured, from the street, while visiting the many art galleries on Canyon Road. We were intrigued by the lunch menu, and the proudly displayed James Beard award for excellence. So, almost nearing the end of our quest for art, we phoned for a lunch table. This is a popular restaurant, and reservations are recommended. But the walk in patron may gain a seat, waiting in the queue, upon their opening lunch hour. Entering the restaurant, we were immediately greeted by the hostess and shown to our table, seating in the front of the restaurant. There are additional tables down an aisle, opening to a larger dining area. The scene is very elegant, contemporary design, white table cloths and formal table setting. This is not a tee shirt, flip flop restaurant. Patrons were elegantly dressed, some in business attire. (Marjan and I vacation in dressy style, she beautifully accoutered, me with linen jacket and collar shirt, for reference). There is a beautiful dining patio, tables shaded with bright red umbrellas and bordered with plantings, but this ideal lunch patio was not open when we visited. The staff were, everyone, dressed with white shirt and tie, black slack or dress. Rounding the tables attentively was the maitre'd he also elegant in his black suit and tie, speaking with french accent. Remarkable to Marjan and me were the patrons themselves. There were literally troupes of ladies filling the various tables. This is apparently the frequent destination for the "successful senior ladies for lunch bunch". Not intending to eavesdrop, their conversations were entertaining, amusing, and at one table, self absorbed. We were intrigued! So, with the setting appropriately described, now for the lunch. We began with brunch champagne, the refreshing liquid very welcome and tasty on a warm afternoon. There were off menu items offered, but Marjan chose the roasted Scottish salmon. The portion of fish rested on a bed of vegetables: corn, squash, tomatoes and beans, midst a tomato vinaigrette sauce. In truth, the poor fish was overcooked, and the dish was in desperate need of salt. I chose the tuna poke. Here was served cubes of delicious yellowfin, on a bed of rice, cuccumber and avocado, bordered with edamame, and topped with arugula. A mayo dressing, sesame mayo dressing, painted the dish throughout. This entree was just excellent, we both agreed. Our waiter, Aljavin, was polite and attentive, as was the balance of the staff that we observed. In preparation for the review offered, we were surprised with the diametric impressions of different guests. Some sung 5 star praises, some offered the admonition to never visit the restaurant. We are "in between". Marjan thought the setting and, most particularly the patio, very special. We think the overcook for the salmon, the dish also lacking a basic salt seasoning, a disappointment. But on the other hand, the tuna poke was stellar. Would we return should we visit Santa Fe again? Yes, but we might prefer patio seating, weather permitting. Enjoy yelpers!

The menu was horrible. None of the 6 options were any good, and the sides pared with it didn't make sense. Kept an open mind and still tried the Bass, 4 out of 10. Brought me the dessert menu and again horrible 6 options. Birthday dinner was disappointing. The atmosphere and service was excellent

Check 5 stars for all three! Truly the highest class restaurant for over 40 years! It is elegant dining in a beautiful setting and No loud obnoxious guest like other highly rated are famous for! All of the Best! To a great owner/manager and well trained associates! C. Dews

One of the first things I noticed about The Compound's menu was the typo. "Tenderloin" was missing a "D" so it said "Pork Tenerloin." It was a sign of things to come. I went ahead and ordered the Pork Tenerloin and sure enough, found it dry and bland. In fact, the whole meal was off. The server took forever to get to our table. I ordered dressing on the side of my salad. It came on it. My father ordered Corn Vichyssoise. They didn't give him a spoon to eat it with. The Crispy Fried Onion Rings were more like Sad and Pathetic Onion Rings. And I never got a steak knife to cut my Pork Tenerloin. (However, I did get a good arm workout using the butter knife.) First world problems, I know. But at a $$$$ Santa Fe restaurant , you expect more than the elevation to be at a higher level. On the bright side, our server, once she got to us, was extremely warm and friendly. The wine was superb. And my parents enjoyed their meals - the Grilled Australian Rack of Lamb, and the Maine Lobster & Bay Scallop. All in all, not bad. But not amazing either. The Compound could easily get their groove back. They just need to pay a little more attention to the etails.

The food was bland. The first course salad was plain. The chicken uninspired. Halibut over cooked. The tablecloth was stained and wet. The service was attentive but our drinks came at the same time as the first course. Flies kept buzzing--glass had a dead fly stuck to its side. Corking in the wine glass. There was a customer talking too loud about inappropriate topics and the wait staff said nothing. Very disappointed with the experience but now know what a prostrate massage is and does--wish the wait staff had said something!! No stars.

The food The service The ambiance It's all 5 star fine dinning Hidden up on Canyon Road is the wonderful surprise Enjoy

Beautiful restaurant, delicious food. Chicken schnitzel and onion rings are to die for.

We ate at The Compound for a birthday celebration. It started off well as the appetizers were delicious. Unfortunately the all three of the entrées were terrible. The polenta was greasy and served lukewarm with a cold sauce. Our waiter never returned to ask us how the food was. There are too many great restaurants in Santa Fe. I would not waste my money on this place.

We are through visiting the Compound We've eaten there once a week or at least once every 10 days or so for probably 10 years ! We we live two blocks away so it's easy . Now they require a credit card even for their long-term customers who live two blocks away so you know what we're through ... I understand it if it's a table of six or eight but two people at the bar I'm sorry it's just ridiculous. Plus we heard Mike is no longer working there as bartender ... he was was half of the atmosphere !! If they don't care of the old customers, we're not gonna take care of them there are too many other good restaurants in Santa Fe!

Finally dined for a celebratory occasion at the epitome of a world class operation of The COMPOUND restaurant. Dining in a Covid world can be challenging these days, but not once did I even think about any of the uncertainties, as you are transcended into the beautiful serene patio, professional, impeccable & impressive service and exquisite #cuisine that dazzles your palate and Sexyfood is of the standards. Noteworthy dishes: 1 Seared Diver Scallop Non Cream-Cream Corn Smoked Bacon, Tomato, Baby Onion Vinaigrette (ORGASMIC) 2 Grilled Natural Reserve Black Angus Beef TenderloinSeared Cepe Mushrooms O'Brien Potatoes & Foie Gras Hollandaise (Mouthwatering & Foie Gras was addictive 3 Yellow Tail Snapper (Special) 4 Tuscan Lettuce Salad Candied Walnuts, Breakfast Radish & Danish Blue Cheese Crème Fraiche Dressing (Lovely) 5 Summer Strawberry Tiramisu Layered Strawberry Mousse Strawberry Sorbet (Refreshing and a lovely night cap to close out the evening) Speaking with proprietor/Chef Mark Kiffin he celebrates his 20th anniversary as owner of The Compound restaurant a corner stone of the culinary landscape in Santa Fe, located in the Arts District on Canyon Road. Mark also celebrated James Beard award winning Best Chef of the Southwest 2005. It's very apparent that his passion, dedication & commitment shows in how he operates this landmark. And no wonder why they won restaurant of the year. Thank you Mark & The Compound staff for a flawless & unforgettable dining experience. Ciao Bellab_sexyfood

This review is meant to inform, and enlighten what I believe the service team of this restaurant should address before implying a $150/head. First, reservations should be flexible 15mins both directions. My party of 5 had traveled from three different city/states for a birthday that was excited to try this AWARD WINNING restaurant. We started confused because as we typed directions into Maps it let us know the restaurant would close at 8:00, though that was when our month long reservation was also scheduled for; 8:00. We ran over quickly to investigate, and were met with more confusion. The table wasn't ready, we were early and there were only three seats at the bar and the other two could hover.... On a recessed bar that's sunken two feet into the floor... we elected to return to the waiting room where the dirtiest stained single chair was our option to wait, I was in white pants and we opted to go for a walk instead. We returned at our reservation time and were told it's still not ready. At this point, a server comes up to the host returns his chit and says "nononono, I'm swamped, and can't take that table" The host said "that's too bad, they've been waiting, it's a birthday" he said "I can't." And then began the limbo of finding a server. We were eventually combined and sat in the back corner of a inclosed patio at a table of five- then because of the server confusion- let's all go look at the table, but not talk to it. I watched as blazers, servers, bussers, and even one chef walk through our room before someone spoke with us. The bussers managed water immediately (thought Still Water is still ten dollars a bottle) and we were left again. Over 20 minutes until all guests had cocktails, 40 minutes to bread and ordered apps, 50 minutes to our bottle of wine being opened, 1:15 to starters on the table. At 9:30 I stood up to address the manager as at this point my table is concerned, frustrated, and frankly embarrassed that so much work had gone into this dinner and we couldn't get anyone to engage with us. We were waiting on mains and I wanted to confirm the notes for the severe allergies had been addressed before my partners food came to the table & that I understand overlaps, gaps, and mistakes but as someone who has also managed restaurants of this caliber, I really hoped the service team could readdress our table and get us back on track. Then, management elected to move us and our beverages from the back patio to the front room, where we were watched and accompanied as the last table in the restaurant, to no fault of our own. The food was beautiful, and the steak was some of the best I've ever had. But by 8:00 they were out of the lamb which is what the birthday guest was hoping for, perhaps we should have preordered. Either way a table of five came out to over $800 with tip, there was no service recall, no comp dessert for the birthday or the troubles, really the bare minimum from this entire service team. Any version of "we apologize for the evening, we are happy you chose to celebrate your birthday with us, I gotta ask, where did everyone come in from?" Any effort to connect with this table after such an evening would have been appreciated. Truly an embarrassment for this place with a James Beard Plaque on the wall. The manager and the host both watched our table fall through the cracks and it took myself standing up and asking as a guest of the table, not the host, that things be addressed. I hope that this can be understood as hopes for your team to display the same level of service that's been advertised. Take this restaurant off your list.

I would love to give this historic and ideally located restaurant a good review. I have hesitated to give a bad review because they are in my neighborhood and I love to support local. Not to mention, I have been going to this restaurant for over 20 years. My main recommendation: don't go! The food is mediocre for the price, as is the atmosphere. They also could use a HUGE lesson in hospitality...as they have zero, except to make you spend more money. Spend your time and money anywhere else: sazon and Geronimo are some of my favorites in the same supposed category- although Sazon and Geronimo far surpass this failing restaurant in food, decor, price point and hospitality. I hope they can turn it around but until then go anywhere but here.

Excellent dinner! Although I wished they would offer, perhaps, one simple meal option for kids/teens, we enjoyed the evening. (Just spent way too much for a half eaten plate) **Next time, adults only - and I would definitely go back. I had the grilled Polenta with wild Mushrooms, my mother in law had the Shrimp something and the teens had the Quail. Nice atmosphere. Tables were spaced out very well.

First time at the Compound. Had heard good things. Lots of parking -- a plus for Canyon Road! Nice atmosphere -- an old house. Friendly staff -- everyone smiles and talks to you. Good, quick, efficient service. One slice of bread per diner, plus butter, brought to table. Appetizers (crab louie and corn soup) were good, though portions are small. Main -- Black Angus -- good, very tender. Yukon gold potato fondant was just cooked slices of potato. Good, but why the fancy description? Main -- wild mushrooms and polenta -- good Desserts -- sounded good on the menu -- apricot frangipani tart, torta della nonna -- but both were bland. Did not care for them. Two soft drinks (we don't drink). Bill without tip: $178. They don't list prices on the website. And I knew in advance that it is an expensive restaurant. But the price is a deal-breaker for future visits, and is the main reason why three stars. A little rant -- and this is my opinion -- no more over-priced "elegant" restaurants with fair-to-good food when there are so many good moderately priced (or even inexpensive) places in Santa Fe.

I've eaten here for a couple of years now before writing this review and it's consistently excellent, offering some of the most delicious, well-prepared and well-served food in northern New Mexico. The Compound has a menu that always features some old favorites - schnitzel and a pastrami sandwich to name two - but it never fails to include new dishes which are reimagined and which one wishes could become mainstays. I recently had a lobster salad here which was divine - beautifully poached lobster served with a lovely dressing and crisp lettuce. It's dishes like that which keep one coming back for more. Malva Pudding - ever heard of it? It's a pudding in the English sense, meaning more like a cake for their American cousins, but to make it even more confusing, this is a South African dessert. In South Africa it's typically served with a runny custard over the top but at The Compound it's served with a beautiful, rich caramel and crunchy toasted hazelnuts. Absolutely spectacular. This is a mainstay on Canyon Road and something that shouldn't be missed for locals and for tourists alike.

My food arrived very cold. I asked our server if they intended to serve the duck and potatoes cold, which would have been fine and just not my preference. He said no and took my plate. The manager brought my plate back, which was hot but the food was not, also fine. He then mansplained me how duck can never be hot because it would be overcooked. I didn't need a lesson with my very expensive, inedible food. Disappointment would have been sufficient.

Overall a very pleasant experience with great quality food. Service was exceptional. They were all extremely prompt and professional. They were very accommodating to our parties needs. Food was very high quality with the chicken schnitzel being an unexpected star. This item is not on the menu but they usually accept requests. It was buttery, crispy deliciousness. We are early so it was quiet and we had the patio pretty much to ourselves on a Friday evening. It was definitely much busier and more lively when we were walking out. If in Santa Fe make a reservation and experience this great restaurant.