El Jardín Tequila Bar — Restaurant in San Jose

Worst restaurant ever. I wouldn't even give it the privilege of being called a restaurant. I called three days prior to coming in to ensure that it wouldn't be any difficulty to seat 18 people for a birthday. The man on the phone ensured me that won't be a problem. Again, I told him we are coming Friday and I understand there's no reservations and I am willing to come an hour early To put my name down-but that I just wanted to make sure that they were able to accommodate a large party. I wanted to double and even triple check so that everything ran smoothly when I arrived. He said the wait is only about 55 minutes even on Friday's. I arrived Friday 90 mins before I asked my guests to arrive. Even when I arrived, I informed them that there are 18 of us and if it would be an issue. They ensured me it wouldn't be a problem and it Would just be one long table and up to a 90 minute wait. No problem-I put my name down and one hour passed by. I see that tables are emptying yet the staff keep seating new people. Over an hour passed by and I went up to the front to check in. The man in the front (I believe his name was Rudy) was extremely rude. He said that it's impossible to seat all of us because there's too many. I told him I called three days prior and even checked in 90 mins before regarding this-in which they told me the complete opposite. Here I am on my birthday with 17 other guests not knowing if we are going to have dinner like planned. I told him he knew we were going to have a large party over an hour ago so I do not know why he keeps seating other people in small groups when he should be keeping 3-4 tables saved everytime a table opens up to accommodate us. In a threatening and loud manner, he said he can't help us because we are too big of a group and he has to seat other people. He then said you can wait another 30 mins but we can't seat you all. How Does that make sense?!! After 10 mins of going back and forth and ruining the whole night, he said he can seat half of us and the other half can stand up. He proceeded to say he cannot control other people from freeing up tables. I understand that but there was a perfect row of 4-5 that opened up each a few mins apart of each other. Those should have been cleared one by one everytime time it emptied and prepared for the larger party (us). Especially since I was 1st on the live wait list, waited 90 mins-which they told me it was the maximum time it would take, and especially because they ensured me on two separate times that it wouldn't be a problem. Also-when we first arrived we asked them if they can place a small birthday cake in the fridge in which they don't have space for. What kind "restaurant" doesn't have room for a cake. Guests come here for all different occasions and you can't provide basic customer service to hold a small cake in the fridge so it doesn't melt while we wait?? The man was very entitled and has absolutely no customer service. He was extremely rude, unprofessional, and aggressive. The security also made negative remarks underneath his Breathe. I will ensure this place is known for the garbage that it is. Rest assured I will post and share this distasteful experience on every social media outlet and community to ensure this place completely...

You can search my reviews. I don't give a bad review lightly. I always assume the best about a particular experience and I don't rate by a particular server.

So consider that as you consider this review: there is something off at El Jardin.

Firstly, it's a wonderful setting. Nice environment, great location, and seating on a Tuesday was plentiful. In fact, if you wanted to come alone and have a drink at the bar, you could probably have a 5-star experience.

Secondly, the service was great. Our waiter was polite. Helped us make a few small choices with the menu. And he kept our waters full.

Thirdly, food was good. Not exceptional. I think it was teetering between authentic and Americanized. It was a nice mix. Missed on a few points, but totally enjoyable. Try the tacos carnitas, delicious little street-style tacos. Salsa verde is the better option of the two salsas.

However, the on-duty manager was openly disparaging, deceptive, rude, and unhelpful. I believe firmly that one leader can poison an organization, and El Jardin is going to suffer before long.

It was a Tuesday afternoon. We had friends visiting. So there were four of us, and we each had our kiddos. At their age, they are best served with standard-fare high chairs. We requested two from the hostess before being seated. "We don't have any, but I'll ask next door!"

Our manager in question then consulted with the hostess briefly and we assumed best efforts would be made.

After 5 minutes of no follow-up, I asked the hostess again. She had been told not to ask the attached restaurant for high chairs. I insisted once and gently encouraged her. Finally she went over, Zazil (next restaurant over) was happy to help. They cleaned up to high chairs and we were in business.

If nothing else happened, we'd be fine. But our female, lime-sweatee-sporting, manager came over to tell us repeatedly how hard this was and how "they don't usually allow it".

Now, if we are inconveniencing other patrons, I'd understand. Or, if the restaurant were full, I'd certainly be sympathetic. In this case, however, the space we were encroaching on was her "office" -- a four person table where she kept her bag and her jacket. Pic attached.

I leave the story at that. Maybe El Jardin is a 5 star place for you....

Summary - A great Mexican place to visit in the San Jose bay area. Great atmosphere, good food and overall lovely experience. Overall 3.5 star for food, 4 star for service and 5 star for atmosphere.

A bit about the location: skip if you are familiar with Santa Row.

El Jardin is located in an upscale shopping corridor of Santa Row. Santana Row hosts several high end retail stores and boutique shops. Tesla, LB steak, Valencia Hotel, Yard House are some of the high end showrooms, restaurants and hotels. This is one place in San Jose where you may be able to see several Lamborghinis, Ferraris and high end cars like Mercedes, BMW and more.

El Jardin is a high end Mexican joint. Food is very authentic and traditional dishes of Mexico. Cocktails are average but Margaritas can be extremely good. Try some spicy ones like mango jalapeno. Old fashioned was below average as it lacked the alcoholic smell and flavour and was overly sweet. Maybe it's a bad idea to try and American cocktail at a traditional Mexican restaurant.

The vide is excellent, outdoor seating with loud music and may be live music someday. It gives you a feeling of being in Miami where everything is unique and Latin and lively.

The lines can get really long especially on the weekend. Be prepared to wait at least 30 minutes to get a table. It's not that bad since the music is playing loud and you kind of enjoy the vibe.

The tables are placed everywhere outdoors on the street and under the trees. The furniture is low quality especially since this is considered a high end place. Decently wrapped cutlery is good enough for street food actually.

Order some tacos, asada and traditional chicken and pork dishes. The taco mole was good but there was too much excessive sauce.

Since the restaurant is so busy, there is so much delay in service but that was expected when we sat down. Be prepared to wait more than 20 minutes for your order to arrive. But order chips salsa or guacamole which can be appetizers fast delivered.

Overall a 3.5 star rated restaurant. But worth trying if you are in the area. It wouldn't be worth driving out of your...