James K.
Yelp
If you ever needed a reason to go to Tijuana, this restaurant is absolutely the reason by. So, if I'm raving about this place why only 4 stars instead of 5? Well, because Yelp doesn't give 1/2 stars. This is really a 4.5 and I'll explain later why I didn't give it a full 5 stars.
I have heard from several friends who have been and have been viewing the pictures which are so appetizing! Finally, an opportunity to go with one of my friends who lives in Tijuana. It's a quick drive across the border to "Distrito Gastronomico" (the food district) and Villa Saverios is down a side street in the middle of the food district. They have valet parking and private parking (very safe). We arrived for dinner but didn't need reservations. I don't know about weekend evenings or brunch so you might want to call ahead just to make sure.
The exterior is quite attractive and only a hint at the beauty inside. I was really taken by the decor. Very elegant and the type of place you want to go for a dinner with that special someone. Okay, even with your friends, neighbor.... just go by yourself! The food is incredible!
The servers are very professional and took us to a nice booth. The table was adorned with a bottle of wine and wine glasses. After we were seated our server presented us with menus, one in English for me and one in Spanish for my friend. I guess I look that much like a Gringo. The menu is absolutely overwhelming and I mean that in a good way. As I browsed the menu, I keep seeing dish after dish I wanted to try. There was a page of Cold Appetizers, Hot Appetizers, Soups & Salads, Pasta, Classic Entrees and Entrees. And everything sounded simply amazing!
Because the Caesar Salad comes from Tijuana (something I recently learned) I just had to try that to start. They brought out a salad just big enough for the two of us to share. The romaine lettuce was long, fresh and crisp with just the right amount of dressing and croutons. And the salad was sans anchovies which is how I like it! After the cold appetizer, we skipped the hot appetizers and went to a main entree; My friend had the Salmon confit baked in ginger, lemon and basil butter and I had the Filet Mignon in a Chianti sauce with fresh mushrooms. I had some of my friends salmon and it was simply amazing. It was probably the freshest salmon I've tasted. It was a large portion and cooked to perfection. My filet was probably about the size of a petite filet but certainly enough. I told them I wanted a warm pink center and there was a bit of confusion about this. They kept telling me that is "medium well" but I know if I ordered medium well up here... well, I'm going to get a piece of meat that you might as well slap between a bun and call it a burger. But I will say that having had the steak, if that is medium well, it is perfect! It was just the right amount of a pink center and the beef they use is so amazing. I swear they must have different beef down here in Mexico versus what I've had up in California. I really should have tried some other type of meal since I always have filet mignon in Mexico, but it's so hard to resist when it's so flavorful and cooked so perfectly. The only thing I would have done differently is ask for the chianti sauce on the side. I like my steak dry with the exception of occasionally melting bleu cheese atop. The sauce was quite good and the mushrooms in the sauce were exceptional but again, I would ask for this on the side next time. The steak came with some fresh steamed veggies on the side. Everything was perfect in presentation, preparation, proportion (can I think of another "p" word?). When I was finished I was completely satisfied but not so full that you feel uncomfortable or just want to go home and lie down.
I was curious about the desserts and when I saw creme brulee, I had to give it a try. They brought out a larger than average sized bowl with a beautifully crusted surface adorned with a sliced fresh strawberry and there were two small plates and spoons so we could share. As I pushed the spoon through the surface it cracked as you would expect but the consistency was a bit thicker and seemed more like flan than creme brulee. Disappointing. That was part of the loss of a full star and the other part came with the drink. I ordered an iced tea and having been to enough places in Mexico, I know the only place I can get a real fresh brewed iced tea is at a Starbucks, but I was hoping given the decor and everything else here being absolutely first class that they would have fresh brewed iced tea. But unfortunately, it was something like out of a can; a sweet tea like arizona iced tea. It's quite revolting and I wish places down here would catch on and make fresh brewed tea.
But phenomenal restaurant and I cannot wait to go back and try again. And last, while everything here is absolute first class, the prices are incredibly reasonable. Let me know if you want to go!