Phortal Restaurante — Restaurant in Baja California Sur

We randomly got recommended this restaurant by a couple staying at our resort and loved the idea of the tasting menu concept (no menu at all- chefs discretion). My husband and I had never experienced something like this before and wanted a date night out before leaving Cabo.

Our taxi driver had trouble finding the place but as long as you pull up Google Maps, it is very easy to find. I love the idea that the outdoor entrance is not super flashy (which we learned from our experience is because the food and dining experience speaks for itself).

We were immediately welcomed with open arms when entering the dining space and the concept felt warm, simple and classy. Alejandro (GM) introduced the concept and asked if we had specific dietary preferences or food allergies. We said no- give us it all! We had the option to choose between 3 or 5 courses and we chose 5. Honestly, I had to tap out half way through the meal! It was SO much food but such a great deal for the price! When I return, I’ll probably choose the 3 course option.

An alcohol beverage was included (they did ask if we drank alcohol and that mocktails were available). See photo- it was delish!

Alejandro and Alejandro Jr came out with each dish and explained in detail the ingredients and what to expect. The food was literally spectacular, but the service and hospitality matched. We chatted like they were our friends. We had everything from tuna, smoked burrata, shrimp and cheesy risotto, mole empanada, corn puree with sesame crusted shrimp balls, seabass, steak, grapefruit panna cotta and desert! Every bite was an explosion of flavors I cant even describe. When chatting with the staff we had mentioned we were celebrating our anniversary and they came out at the end with a thoughtful desert.

This experience was one we will never forget and we cant recommend it enough. The chef, Alejandro, deserves every ounce of praise. The GM, Alejandro, is a master of explanation and taking the time to make you feel special and appreciated. His son, yes you guessed it, Alejandro, was so kind and sweet throughout our whole meal.

Thank you to everyone at Phortal for being wonderful at your craft. You have created such a special and...

After reading numerous glowing reviews about Phortal and its innovative concept, we arrived with high expectations for a memorable dining experience. Unfortunately, the evening fell short in nearly every regard.

Upon arrival, no prices or detailed explanations were provided about the two dining options—a three-course and a five-course tasting menu. We both opted for the five-course menu, and I noted my gluten allergy to our server, who assured me the chef would accommodate without issue.

Early in the meal, I was told my gluten-free bread would be a few minutes delayed as it was being baked fresh—a thoughtful touch, I initially thought. Twenty minutes later, instead of bread, I was served a small basket of tortilla chips with no accompaniment and no explanation for the change.

From there, the meal continued in a confusing direction. The amuse-bouche, a ceviche on a soggy rice cracker, had an oddly familiar flavor reminiscent of fast-food burger sauce. It was an unexpected and perplexing start. The following courses suffered from similar issues: inconsistent textures, flavors that clashed rather than complemented, and, most concerningly, multiple instances where gluten was served to me despite the clear allergy note. Only on the third course did the server catch the mistake and brought a corrected dish.

The highlight of the evening, somewhat ironically, was the cranberry compound butter served with the regular bread. It was balanced, layered, and full of flavor—proof that there is technical skill in the kitchen, even if the overall compositions lack cohesion.

While the concept behind Phortal is intriguing and the team’s ambition and technique is evident, the execution simply doesn’t align with the acclaim or price point. Having dined at Michelin-rated establishments, I can confidently say this experience did not come close. There’s potential here, but it needs refinement, attention to detail, and a stronger understanding of balance and hospitality to reach the level...

THE BEST RESTAURANT IN SAN JOSE!

Hands down, this was the best dining I've done in all of Baja. Tasting menus are my favorite thing, and I've done many of them all over the world, and the experience I had here at Phortal was by far and away the best dining experience I've ever had.

This place is UNIQUE - There is no menu. You have two choices, 3 course or 5 course, with two price points (very reasonable for the experience and food, I might add). The chef creates the menu depending on what is fresh and interesting that day.

Here's how it went - we stopped in for a cocktail. I'm always on the hunt for great places to have a cocktail, and I saw the signs out front and asked my love if she was interested. We ordered something off their cocktail list because they were unique and different. They were fun and so interesting! The chef brought us out a little special empanada and said "we thought you might like to experience our food, in hopes you would like it enough to come back"

Needless to say, we booked a reservation for the following night.

From the moment we arrived, the whole experience was SPECIAL. It was truly a meal I will never forget. We met the chef and the owner, it was truly truly special. I will make a trip back to San Jose simply to eat here again. We chose the 5 course option, which was more like 11 courses, and everything was simply perfect.

Someone give them a Michelin star already.

If you enjoy special dining experiences, this place should be at the top of the list. They're new in town, and they're offering something really special. Do yourself a favor, stop reading this review, and call to reserve a spot for...