SARDE — Restaurant in Mexico City

Wonderful birthday dinner from this upmarket contemporary seafood spot. Could use a little attention around the edges, but still successful.

We started with crudos, which are their (mostly) raw options which stand in for starters.

Sardine on toast: masterful, I could eat 10 of these and still want more.

Chocolate clams: named for the color of the shell. In a vinigar, not quite mignonette, served in the half shell. First time, and they're quite good. A lot of textures and flavors. Excellent but just a bite or two, note the price is per clam.

Percebes: A kind of edible barnacle. Served in a light vinagar with tomato water. Interesting dish, new textures. Not my favorite but they were something new to try.

For mains we went with the fish and chips, and the octopus.

Fish and chips: Generous filet, perfectly crunchy. Served with tartar, but I'd prefer a malt vin or a riff on that. Tasty and tender, decent portion for this spot with a mountain of fries. These, I'd change out with house made chips (brittish thick fries), these taste like store bought. One of the misfires, I think this is an opportunity for a more interesting potato side at this price point.

Octo: magnificent. Charged bottom, flavorful ink sauce. Tiny portion, but very, very good.

Sides were peas and bread

Peas: a cold salad with squash blossoms, served over high quality ricotta. Really nice side, refreshing, resets the pallet.

Bread: Superb sourdough, but this should probably be an included freebie.

Dessert:

Lovely Basque cheesecake and a strawberry cake in a jar. Both were perfect endings to a really nice meal.

Service was wonderful and attentive. Wine list is large and very expensive even at the low end, this is a special ocassion spot.

All in all it was a great meal, and I'd come back. I do think that there are a couple of areas that could stand an update, but it's absolutely a...

I was very excited to try this place as I had seen it pop up in my social media as a recommendation from chefs that I follow. Let me start of by saying this: I really like what Sarde is trying to do, how experimental and delicious some of the offerings are. The oysters, totoaba, and fish and chips were some of the best dishes I've had in recent memory. However, in their pursuit of novelty, they sometimes lack the foundations of a truly excellent restaurant: timing, consistency, refinement, and identity. We were quickly served our first two dishes, and were surprised at the attentive staff - how friendly and informed they were. However, after this we had to wait 30 minutes for our next bite of food, which felt like an eternity considering our appetite had just been teased. Then, we were served an abalone dish that was extremely overcooked, almost inedible. The visit was saved by the next couple of dishes, and the staff offering us more wine on the house to account for the wait. I would suggest to be more detail oriented if they really want to take it to the next level. The problem, I believe, is that they try to act like modern fine-dining, asking the guest to judge them this way, but break too many conventions, losing themselves along the way. Overall, I think this is a wonderful place with exciting food and recommend anyone...

I came into Sarde because it was on a long list of recommendations from a friend of a friend, and I happened to be in the neighborhood.

I was so pleasantly surprised! The staff was incredibly sweet, and so quick on their toes with the service. During my visit here the power on the block went out due to weather. Even during this time they continued serving in candlelight, the kitchen continued to work with flashlights. Honestly I feel like this make the experience that much more fun.

All of the ingredients were so fresh, nicely selected, plated well, and the flavors were balanced. Each dish hit all of the notes that I personally look for in a well rounded dish. Good levels of acidity, fat, sweet, umami.

This was also my first experience with a tamarillo, my friend and I were in love. They were kind enough to send us home with some.

They also paired a bottle of wine really nicely with our meal, it was the best pairing I've received in a long time.

All in all, well worth the price point and I definitely will be daydreaming about my next opportunity to visit Sarde.

Thanks so much and I hope you all keep doing what...