Ugh, after 2 exceptional dinners here last year, my GF and I arrived on Saturday expecting an awesome date night experience. We were sadly disappointed. The new location (right next to a cattle ranch) starts you off with the smell of manure and then continues the stench for almost the whole meal. The place looks cool, and the open outdoor kitchen and seating seemed like a good idea, but it was cold, smelly and gusts of wind ripped through. We ordered one dinner from each option and hoped to share. The first course arrived - the beet and cheese/basil. It looked and tasted amazing! This is the only item that garnered a star in this review because things quickly went downhill. A very large platter of meat, most of which was overcooked and not very flavorful, arrived. The wind gusted through and toppled a fake plastic tree almost onto our table. The smell of the ranch wafted through. Many dogs wandered about, and while I normally love dogs, when a large one sat a couple feet away sporting drool down to the floor and a red rocket to boot it was so bad it was funny. The staff was basically ignoring us aside from setting down plate after plate of less and less appetizing food. The roasted onions weren't roasted and were cold by the time they go to us. Raw onions, yum. The poor pulpo, which had been overcooked, was also cold by the time we touched it. The queso flameado, which we had been eagerly awaiting, arrived and looked like a giant pile of refried beans with cheese crumbs on top. That plate was so hot the waiter set it down with a towel and walked away without warning my girlfriend, who burnt her fingers reaching for the plate. Pretty soon, our appetite was gone and we sat staring at probably 2 or 3 lbs of meat and about 5 plates of food which weren't going to be eaten. We felt sad that so much food and meat had been poorly slopped onto our table and it was all going to waste. We understood why the dogs were there now. It was actually really a big bummer. We guessed there was enough food LEFT for 4-6 people! Date night was a bust, the nice meal we had hoped for never arrived. We ended up asking for the desert to go, but they never even made that happen. A nice manager took my criticism in stride and offered to remove the roasted meats dinner from my bill. But the damage was done. Can't say I'll risk the effort and money to every try Pitaya again. Truly saddened because what I saw this year at Pitaya was night and day from last year's experience. Hopefully it was just...
   Read moreHeard such amazing things about this unique farm to table restaurant near La Ventana. Was unfortunately super disappointed in our experience. The good first. The setting is awesome. Views of the ocean and a really cool set up for the tables under the stars. We had a couple nice appetizers (ceviche and sashimi) and the cocktails were solid. The bad. The service was nothing short of a disaster. Not enough menus for all 7 at our table. The waiter would take a single drink order, then leave the rest of us and come back a few minutes later. At one point 2 of us had drinks and the other 5 didn't even get to order. After getting our apps it was a huge delay before mains and at one point a different server came over to ask if we wanted to order anything else and was shocked when we told her we didn't get our mains. 3 of us ordered white fish dishes and the others steak and octopus. All 3 fish were extremely overcooked and super dry. The chimichurri sauce was such a small amount that you basically ate plain fish and the vegetables under it were cold (not meant to be) and flavorless. One friends steak came out cold as well and our other friends ordered the tomahawk to share and it came so late that the other 5 of us already finished our meals. Pitaya charges a clear premium compared to other nice restaurants in the area so it's fair to expect better quality service and food. Maybe it was just a bad night but tbh a friend who lives in Ventana warned us before we went that the service was terrible. We figured we would get great food so could be more forgiving of bad service given the location. But it was seriously comical how bad the service was and we all spent over $80pp (with a couple bottles of wine) so this was a...
   Read moreRestaurant Review: Pitaya
I recently had the pleasure of dining at Pitaya, and I must say it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. The moment I walked in, I was greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere that set the tone for the evening.
The highlight of my visit was undoubtedly the service provided by Ibzan, the manager. His attention to detail and genuine passion for hospitality made a significant difference in our dining experience. Ibzan was attentive without being intrusive, ensuring that our needs were met and that we were enjoying our meal. His recommendations were spot on, and he took the time to explain the menu, which made our choices even more enjoyable.
Now, let’s talk about the food. The menu at Pitaya offers a delightful array of dishes that showcase fresh ingredients and bold flavors. I started with the ceviche, which was perfectly marinated and bursting with flavor. For the main course, I opted for the grilled fish, and it was cooked to perfection – flaky, tender, and seasoned just right. The accompanying sides were equally delicious and complemented the dish beautifully.
The ambiance of the restaurant is also worth mentioning. It strikes a perfect balance between casual and upscale, making it suitable for both a relaxed dinner and a special occasion. The décor is vibrant and reflects the essence of the cuisine, creating a lively yet comfortable dining environment.
In conclusion, my experience at Pitaya was nothing short of phenomenal. With outstanding service from Ibzan, delectable food, and a charming atmosphere, I left the restaurant feeling satisfied and eager to return. I highly recommend Pitaya to anyone looking for a memorable dining experience. You won’t be...
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