Geronimo — Restaurant in Santa Fe

Life isn't fair, that much I know. But I'm upset about the unfairness that there isn't a single restaurant in all of New Mexico that appears in the Michelin Guide. Truly, if Michelin inspectors visited Geronimo, I have no doubt it'd earn a Michelin Star.

I have dined at dozens of Michelin-starred and fine dining restaurants, but I try not to take it for granted that being based in San Francisco allows me to have a plethora of excellent restaurant options. Geronimo has amazing ratings on review websites, but it wasn't until I tasted it for myself that I realized the exceptional cuisine and experience.

My group of five people received impeccable service from our waiter, Grant. We were somewhat of a rowdy bunch - at least by fine dining standards - but he accommodated us nonetheless and seemed amused in a lighthearted manner. We happily tipped 24%.

The food was nothing short of spectacular, and by the end of the night, I recognized that Geronimo is my second favorite fine dining restaurant, outperforming even restaurants with Michelin stars that cost multiple times more. My group shared our food with each other so we could have a taste of any many items as possible (well, we also generally share things with each other). From the first course, standouts include: Roasted Tomato & Basil Bisque; Wagyu Beef Carpaccio; and Wild Mushroom & Sherry Bisque. From the second course, we especially enjoyed Locally Raised Center-Cut Beef Tenderloin & Frites; Prime Beef Rib Eye; New Mexico Four Corners Grilled Rack of Lamb; and Tellicherry Rubbed Elk Tenderloin. We ordered three desserts: Apple; Fresh Meyer Lemon Crepe; and Toffee Creme Brulee - they were all so delicious that we could not come to a consensus which was the best. The cocktails, especially the Canyon Road Sunset, were also glorious.

Overall, the entrees were delicious. My friend who eats steak multiple times per week stated the rib eye was the best steak he's ever had. The elk tenderloin was not gamey whatsoever and was surprisingly tender and juicy. The only negative points had to do with their potatoes: The fries that accompanied the beef tenderloin was entirely too salty, and the scalloped potatoes that was part of the rib eye entree was not tasty and very mundane. These two would have been decent at some other restaurants, but with the high standards of Geronimo, they were somewhat disappointing.

The simply-named Apple dessert had depths of flavor and was constructed so beautifully it almost hurt to eat it. The lemon crepe was perfect as a follow-up to a heavy meal of meats. But speaking of meats, I was impressed that there is a Vegetarian Tasting menu for those inclined to avoid meat or follow a plant-based diet.

Geronimo is far from a hidden gem, as demonstrated by their near-perfect ratings. However, I still think it is under-rated - I'd make a 3-hour roundtrip just to dine at Geronimo for a special occasion. I cannot wait to return to New Mexico so I can be elated by the mouth-watering food of...

Geronimo is, arguably, the best restaurant in Santa Fe. I say “arguably” because the dining experience is always subjective. However, when you have so many who insist on naming Geronimo the best, then you have to take notice. The servers are good --- wait, let me say that differently. The servers are well seasoned, knowledgeable, personable, and obliging. And I mean all the servers, not just the one who takes your order, either. There is a team and each and every single one of them know their craft. The dress code is business casual, though I did see a few in smart casual jeans. I would suggest at a minimum that a collared shirt for guys and a skirt/dress or smart casual for ladies. Ties, jackets, dresses are not mandatory but certainly appropriate for the setting. Parking is valet so don’t worry about finding a parking spot. Reservations are mandatory (Open Table is a great way to do that, btw). There are no kiddie selections on the menu and I can’t imagine why anyone would bring a child to this upscale establishment: I don’t even think I would bring a child under 14 but that’s just me. The wine list is good and several pages. The menu is not filled with a million things but with a few options that are done exceptionally well. There is also a vegetarian fixed price menu but you may order a la carte off the entire menu, e.g., I ordered the mushroom soup off the vegetarian option as my appetizer and would probably fight you if you had tried to take it from me. It. Was. That. Good. And the vegetarian option has special wine pairings, too, and you would do well to take their pairing for the wine. There is usually a chef’s special (at least that is what I was told the one time I’ve been) but honestly anything on the menu is a good choice. I especially enjoyed the prawns and although the menu said they were “spicy,” I would disagree and say well seasoned with the perfect amount of bite. Definitely the best shrimp I’ve ever had bar none. The lemon custard with the limoncello is just indescribably good. Before you go, look over the menu and make sure there is something that interests you because, no matter how good it is, if you’re just not “into” those selections that night, you will be a tad disappointed. If you’re looking for an exceptional meal with fantastic service, this is it. Great for special occasions, an impressive date night, or just to enjoy a fantastic meal with a few special friends. The crowd had a few obvious regulars as the servers knew them by name but there were others who were there for the first time. Make the reservation. Go....

I wish I could say our recent visit to Geronimo’s lived up to the exceptional experiences we’ve had here in the past. Unfortunately, it was quite the opposite. My family and I have dined at Geronimo’s many times over the years and have always been impressed with the food and service. However, this visit left us feeling disappointed and frustrated, especially as it relates to accessibility and staff accommodation.

We arrived with my fiancé’s mother, who uses a wheelchair. Upon entering, the hostess asked if she could go up the stairs to a table on the second level—a puzzling question considering her obvious mobility limitations. We requested seating on the first floor instead, and the staff hastily set up a small table near the fireplace. This table was cramped, uncomfortable, and far from ideal. My father-in-law was seated directly next to where the waitstaff were working on their POS system, and he was bumped into repeatedly throughout the evening. Anyone would have been irritated by this constant disruption.

What made the situation worse was that another table on the first floor became available after we were seated, but the staff made no effort to move us to the more spacious and comfortable spot. The lack of effort or consideration was disappointing, especially given our past positive experiences at Geronimo’s.

The most insulting part of the evening, however, came as we were leaving. The staff suddenly produced a ramp to help my mother-in-law off the curb and into the road—a ramp that could have easily been used earlier to accommodate her for seating upstairs or to provide better access. The oversight felt dismissive and frustrating.

To their credit, the food itself was excellent, as it always has been. The staff also comped a $14 dessert, but considering our bill totaled over $400, this gesture felt more like an afterthought than meaningful compensation for such a disappointing experience. They also offered to add a note to our OpenTable profile for future visits, but that seemed like a Band-Aid measure compared to the pre-COVID standard of care we’ve come to expect at Geronimo’s.

We use to recommend Geronimo’s to all our family and friends, but after this experience, we no longer feel comfortable doing so. If you have mobility challenges or are looking for a restaurant that excels in customer service, Geronimo’s may no longer be the...