Bourbon Grill — Restaurant in New Mexico

What a disappointment of what we thought would be a great evening. And on Valentine’s too! The place was packed as to be expected but we had reservations and got sat immediately. We ordered Chips and Salsa as well as Green Chilie Cheese balls. When those items came out we were surprised to see guacamole with our chips and salsa as well, but noticed that those around us with chips and salsa also all had guac, so we figured just a nice little add on for Valentine’s. Wrong, will tell why later. The apps were decent and the balls just ok, tasted like they were probably overcooked but who knows, our first time having them. When ordering our main course my wife inquired about the Chicken Schnitzel, we were shocked when our waiter said that he would only recommend if you like lots of salt, not normal to hear staff talk down on food, but totally appreciate the honesty. She ended up getting half roasted chicken and I got the Fish and Chips from a recommendation. We also observed and listened to the table next to us have their waiter telling the guy to get a different steak than what he wanted because the price would be more beneficial and “who wants there bill to be $70 for 2 people” . Customer looked at him like he was crazy telling him how to better budget his money lol. That took balls on the waiters part. Guy said I want the steak I said lol. Anyhow our food…. The chicken was very dry and and not appeasing at all to my wife. My fish and chips looked amazing till you started eating and realized all your getting is 75% breading and such little fish you don’t even realize your eating it. The fries were very good. There was no need in telling our waiter anything considering we never saw him. We ate what we could tolerate and against my better judgment I decided to get a dessert to go, wanted something good to come out of this. We got the bread pudding and I don’t know what the crap they gave us was. Burnt out of the toaster bread that was ice cold in the middle of the container on bottom.when we got the container home and actually opened it was hard as a rock. I honestly have no clue what this “bread pudding “ was, no way that’s why they really serve, not even warm??? Look at the pictures and see, just looks disgusting, wish it would allow the video I made of pick up the chunk of whatever it is. Got the bill, and back to the guac, our $7 chips and salsa I ordered ended up being $12 because of the guac we didn’t even ask for, pretty petty to just add that extra $5 bet they assume most won’t notice. All in all this place was a joke and we wish would would’ve...

I very rarely post a negative review, but I have tried to contact this restaurant multiple times over the last week about my experience with no response. I took a road trip to Santa Fe for a 4 day visit. Even with all the COVID restrictions, every restaurant, gallery and spa doing their best to be accomodating to guests. I ordered the lobster tail dinner by phone at 7:15 pm. It was to come with 2 sides and house baked bread. I asked for a baked potato and house salad. Bourbon Grill is off the beaten path and took me about 20 minutes to arrive, still well before closing. When I arrived, I checked the bag and asked if the bread was inside and was told, No. The chef wasn't making anymore till the next morning. The server said she could ask him to make me a garlic toast if I wanted to wait. I didn't. By the time I got back to my Casita, I knew the lobster would be getting cold, so ate it and the potato first. The lobster had no seasoning on it. No paprika, parsley, herbs...nothing. So with unsalted drawn butter, it was not exactly flavorful. Potato was fine, and then I ate most of the salad when I bit on something HARD. Much harder than a lettuce core (my first thought), more like a rock. I took it from my mouth to the sink and rinsed it. It's definitely something from an animal of some sort. The size of my fingertip with sharp, pointy edges and boney seams. I called the restaurant, but no answer. It was well after close. It bothered me a lot that evening and I sent a message through their website. The next couple days, I was extremely disturbed and concerned about this object that had been in my raw food and into my mouth, really gross! I waited a couple days and still never got a response from management so I sent another email to Bourbon Grill explaining the issue, including my phone number, wanting an explanation or apology or something. Still nothing. I still have the object and am interested in what the heck it is. I worked in restaurants for many, many years and understand things like bugs in lettuce, even a dropped twist tie, etc., but this animal product in salad is unacceptable. And yes, I did tip 20% and would never ask...

The restaurant has been nicely remodeled but it's definitely not as good as the Steaksmith was. Although the newspaper review stated they would make anything from the Steaksmith menu, including Spinach Cheese Balls, they only make a second rate version of the Spinach Cheese Balls, which is more like Spinach Chile Balls. No where near as good as the original version and incredibly salty. I asked for a side of chile with my baked potato and the waiter said it would be no problem. But I had to ask twice to get the side later on and then another server said they didn't have a side of chile but they did have a chile hollandaise sauce. My husband ordered prime rib. It came only with a side of baked potato, no veggies. The quote from the owner in the paper also said you would get a full meal for the price including all the sides. Either the newspaper article quoted him incorrectly or he did not mean anything he said. They don't even serve bread with your meal like the Steaksmith did. But the prices are a lot higher than the Steaksmith prices. Maybe the bar prices are worth what you get but we will be looking for another restaurant and won't be returning for dinner.

I saw the response from the owner on this review. I'm not sure how you can own the restaurant and not know anything about the menu items. The spinach balls ARE NOT THE SAME. The waiter even explained the differences to us when we ordered, warning us that half the people like them and the other half don't. There is no lemon cheese sauce. It's a chile sauce. Other reviews on other websites say the same thing so it's not a one night glitch. Now I'm thinking that the owner just makes these things up to sound good. His quote from the paper said the same thing, the spinach cheese balls are the same, made by the same chef. Let me know when they really are the same and we might try again. I also noticed there was no response about the quote from him stating that that you get a full meal for the price. I guess if you are a meat and potato only person, that might be a full...