BelAir Cantina — Restaurant in Town of Brookfield

Five years ago, this was a wonderful place to stop in, grab a drink, and chat over some dinner. Now, I can't say I recommend it. Each time I've visited with friends and family alike over the past few years, usually once every couple of months, the experience has notably degraded. While this location has always been busy, understandably so given the nice physical location in the heart of the Corners, it seems to be increasingly packed each time we visit with longer and longer wait times to so much as get a table. In the meantime, we typically swing by the bar, where we have purchased our own bottle of tequila, and order a few margaritas. The only issue with this is that the bartenders here are abysmal; not only are the drinks extremely inconsistent, the service is, at this point, a glaring scar on the establishment. Most recently, we were unserved by the bar staff after having our drink order taken; it took a good half an hour for a manager to nudge the bartender that took our order to walk over and pour drinks for us, almost as if we were being avoided. As semi-regular customers who spent the money on a permanent bottle at the bar, this was not acceptable service. After we had drinks in hand and got a table, we wound up with a server who brought water but no other drinks ordered at the time of being seated, be it alcohol or simple soft drinks, until after the meal and any dessert were finished, boxed, and paid. After coats were on and we were ready to go, the drinks that we would have liked to have with our meals appeared. There were few opportunities to ask again, as we were hardly checked on throughout the meal, for better or for worse, and the server gave us a "I really don't want to be here" kind of attitude that helped solidify that we were not going to be properly served. As a result, I'm not sure if the kitchen was slow or behind, or if the server didn't properly put in a ticket, but the food took ages to arrive, and a fair amount of it was lukewarm as opposed to hot. Unfortunately, the decline in service has been observed over time, and this most recent trip was not an isolated incident. In the past, we've also been kicked off of bar chairs to "make room for other patrons" despite being a party of three and still unserved and been blatantly gossipped about by the servers idling nearby our table. Generally speaking, we're fairly generous tippers, but there have been times where we have considered leaving no tip at all because the service has been that bad. Beyond the service and miserably inconsistent drinks, the food is fine for the price but hit or miss; sometimes we get a nice cut of meat cooked perfectly and other times we get subpar meat cuts that are cooked a bit too long. In the past, we would have food fall apart on us, but lately, this hasn't seemed to be an issue; props to BelAir for somehow making tacos a relatively clean experience. For those unaware, BelAir serves Mexican cuisine, and is generally of decent value. The prices aren't terrible, though they have gone up significantly recently, especially for Taco Tuesday/Thursday specials via a combination of discount reductions and menu item exclusions. All in all, I would expect to spend $15-$20 per person on a meal, regardless of whether you're showing up for a special or not. The location is super convenient, being right above the free covered parking garage and situated in the heart of the Corners (front and center for any events). BelAir also sometimes hosts it's own events; a favorite is definitely the ice bar. All in all, this place does a few things right that aren't getting better and a lot of things wrong that somehow keep getting worse; I'll probably be stopping in enough times to finish off the bottle, then finding a new go-to joint. If you're looking for a cheap enough place to get some food during a Corners event, don't mind waiting upwards of an hour, don't have children with you, and don't care about the service, this is the place to go. If you don't check all of those boxes, find...

I recently had the immense pleasure of spending an evening at BelAir, and I am compelled to sing the praises of their exceptional bartender, AB. From the moment I stepped into the stylish, ambient space, AB's warm and genuine presence set the tone for an unforgettable night. They truly elevated the entire experience, and I cannot recommend them highly enough.

AB's expertise and artistry behind the bar are nothing short of remarkable. With an impressive depth of knowledge about mixology, they crafted drinks that were both visually stunning and delectably balanced. Each cocktail was a masterpiece, prepared with precision and creativity. When I requested something unique, AB took the time to understand my preferences and concocted a bespoke drink that was simply divine. Their ability to blend flavors harmoniously, coupled with an innovative touch, showcased their remarkable talent and passion for the craft.

Beyond their technical skills, AB's personality and customer service are what truly set them apart. They have a remarkable knack for making every guest feel valued and special. Throughout the evening, AB engaged with patrons in a friendly and attentive manner, creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. Their genuine enthusiasm and charismatic presence made it easy to strike up a conversation, and their recommendations were always spot-on. Whether you're a cocktail aficionado or a novice, AB makes you feel right at home, guiding you through the menu with infectious excitement.

What particularly stood out was AB's commitment to ensuring that every aspect of the evening was perfect. They effortlessly juggled the bustling bar, maintaining a calm and composed demeanor even during the busiest times. Their attention to detail was impeccable; from the garnish on the cocktails to the cleanliness of the bar area, everything was meticulously handled. AB's dedication to their craft and their patrons was evident in every interaction and every drink they served.

The atmosphere at BelAir was undoubtedly enhanced by AB's presence. Their ability to create a lively yet relaxed environment made the evening truly special. It's rare to encounter someone who can make such a significant impact on an experience, but AB does so with grace and ease. They are not just a bartender but an artist, a host, and a friend to everyone who walks through the doors.

In conclusion, AB at BelAir is an absolute gem. Their exceptional mixology skills, coupled with their incredible customer service and genuine warmth, make them a standout in the industry. If you're looking for an extraordinary night out with unparalleled drinks and service, look no further than AB at BelAir. They will undoubtedly make your visit a memorable and...

Brookfield eats. We had heard good things about BelAir Cantina in Brookfield in the Corners of Brookfield. It's a newer area that the city has been building for the last couple years. Construction is completed now and almost all the retail spaces are full. We got there at about 6pm and I was able to find parking right next to the restaurant. Parking can be hard to find sometimes in this area. I had called ahead to see if they take reservations and they said they do not unless the party is over 8 people, we only had 4, so no reservations for us :/ We walked in and were able to get seated right away. I liked the look of the new building. inside they have garage glass windows and an open concept. I did notice that the bench seat for our table was already ripped and they had put some duct tape on it. This was surprising because the building is newer. It was 58F outside that night and the building inside temp had to be about 62F it was pretty cold. They must keep the HVAC on recirculate because we had cold air blowing on us for the duration of our time there. The waiter came over and brought us some chips and salsa to eat while we ordered some food. I ordered a shrimp. Shayla ordered a Korean beef burrito. A chip refill later the food came out and my order was right and ready to eat. Shaylas order did not look right at all and the waiter took it back for a remake of the food. The waiter said "I can’t believe the kitchen did that again. I seriously don’t know what they're doing back there”. My shrimp thing a ma jig was only ok, had some flavor and was a bigger meal just was not amazing to me. The menu said it was going to be spicy and I did not taste any spice and I even asked for them to crank it up, the shrimp tasted ok but it was bland. Shaylas corrected burrito was good. The Korean beef has a nice flavor, different from your usual beef. Our waiter said he was newer and used lots of words like interesting (while looking at a photo ID), bro, had no idea what was going on in the kitchen, it definitely kept us entertained. We had asked him what he liked to eat there and he said he was very picky and only had three things on the menu that he would eat. Over all it was an interesting night no pun intended. $$ 2 out of 5 stars due to a few things. It was really cold the whole time we were in the restaurant, one of our orders was wrong, even though the corrected meal came out hot, and the “cranked up” spice was...