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Cariño
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Cariño
8.9
An Uptown chef’s-counter tasting menu that treats Mexican and Latin flavors like fine-dining material—masa work, smoke, and acid all dialed in. The room stays intimate but high-energy, with courses that land playful without losing precision.
Must-Try Dishes:
Huitlacoche ravioli, Michelada oyster, Taco omakase
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 8.7
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 9.4
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: A Michelin-starred, masa-forward tasting menu with bold Mexican technique.
Who should go: Splurge-night diners who want chef-counter energy.
When to visit: Weeknights for easier reservations and tighter pacing.
What to order: Tasting menu, michelada oyster, huitlacoche ravioli.
Insider tip: Book counter seats—watching the masa program is half the fun.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; metered spots nearby but can be competitive after 6pm. Allow extra time or use rideshare.
Dress code: Smart casual to dressy; upscale night out attire fits the room and experience.
Noise level: Moderate-lively; conversation is easy, but the chef-counter energy keeps the room buzzing.
Weekend wait: Tasting menu is reservation-driven; walk-ins are unlikely to be accommodated on weekends.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable – operates as a dinner-focused tasting menu.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes – can be accommodated with advance notice, though the experience is still chef-driven.
Vegan options: Limited – possible with prior communication, but not the restaurant’s core strength.
Gluten-free options: Yes – many courses are naturally gluten-free due to masa-forward cooking; confirm restrictions when booking.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you’re aiming high. It’s intimate, conversation-friendly, and memorable, but the price point and tasting-menu format make it better for a confident, planned first date rather than something casual.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Unlikely. This is a reservation-first tasting menu, especially for the chef counter. Last-minute availability is rare.
Is it kid-friendly? No. The tasting menu pacing, cost, and counter-focused format make it best suited for adults.
Best For
Better for: Chef-counter dining, refined Mexican technique, and a tasting-menu experience that feels both playful and precise.
Skip if: You want à la carte flexibility, lower prices, or a quiet, low-commitment dinner—this is an all-in, special-occasion experience.
Cariño
8.9
A Latin-inspired tasting-menu room with a chef’s counter energy—high technique, bold flavors, and a playlist that keeps it from feeling stiff. It lands best when you commit to the full progression: inventive masa work, playful seafood bites, and rich, layered mains that read as modern fine dining without losing warmth.
Must-Try Dishes:
Huitlacoche ravioli, Michelada-inspired oyster, Late-night taco omakase
Scores:
Value: 7.1
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 8.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: A Michelin-starred Uptown counter-driven tasting menu with taco-omakase swagger.
Who should go: Tasting-menu diners who want bold Latin flavors
When to visit: Weeknights for the calmest counter pacing
What to order: Huitlacoche ravioli, michelada oyster, taco omakase
Insider tip: Aim for counter seats—watch the team and ask questions.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only in the surrounding Uptown neighborhood; availability varies and can be tight in the evening. Allow extra time to circle.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy—jeans are fine if styled well, but most guests opt for elevated evening attire.
Noise level: Moderate to lively, especially at the counter—conversation is easy, but the room has energy.
Weekend wait: Reservation strongly recommended; walk-ins are uncommon and waits can exceed 60 minutes if space opens.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable—dinner service only.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes, with advance notice—the kitchen can adapt the tasting menu.
Vegan options: Possible with advance notice, but expect a modified experience rather than a fully parallel menu.
Gluten-free options: Yes, with advance notice—many courses can be adjusted.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you’re both comfortable with a long, interactive tasting menu. The counter setup and pacing encourage conversation, but it’s more immersive than casual.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Unlikely. This is a reservation-driven tasting-menu restaurant; check last-minute cancellations, but don’t count on walk-in seating.
Is it kid-friendly? No—this is an adult-focused tasting-menu experience best suited for teens and up who can handle a multi-course, extended dinner.
Best For
Better for: Chef-driven counter dining with bold Latin flavors and a cohesive tasting progression that feels modern but personal.
Skip if: You want a quick meal, flexible ordering, or a quieter, traditional fine-dining room—this is a committed, paced experience.
Cariño
9.1
A tight, chef-driven tasting counter where Mexican flavors get pushed through a fine-dining lens—bold chiles, masa, and deep savory notes, plated with precision. The best seats are at the counter for the full choreography, and the meal shines when you commit to the tasting format instead of trying to build a la carte.
Must-Try Dishes:
Huitlacoche ravioli, Queso truffle quesadilla, Lamb tartare tostada (al pastor style)
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8.8
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: A Michelin-star tasting experience built around ambitious Mexican technique and flavor.
Who should go: Tasting-menu people chasing modern Mexican.
When to visit: Weeknights for smoother pacing and counter seats.
What to order: Tasting menu, huitlacoche pasta, taco omakase add-on
Insider tip: Book counter seats—watching the kitchen elevates the meal.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only in the surrounding Uptown blocks; availability drops significantly after 6pm. No valet.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy; polished jeans are fine, but most guests dress up a notch.
Noise level: Moderate-low at the counter; you can comfortably hear your date and the kitchen explanations.
Weekend wait: Reservation strongly recommended; walk-ins are rarely seated and waits can exceed 60 minutes if space opens.
Weekday lunch: Not offered; dinner service only.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes, with advance notice; the tasting menu can usually be adapted.
Vegan options: Limited; possible with significant advance coordination, but not ideal for strict vegans.
Gluten-free options: Yes, with advance notice; courses are typically adjusted rather than substituted one-for-one.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you want something memorable and focused. The counter seating and pacing create built-in conversation, but it’s best for diners comfortable committing to a long tasting experience.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Unlikely. This is a reservation-first restaurant, especially for counter seats. Walk-ins should expect long waits or no availability at all.
Is it kid-friendly? Not really. The tasting format, long meal length, and counter focus make it best for adults and older teens who can sit through a multi-course experience.
Best For
Better for: Chef-driven Mexican fine dining with a clear tasting-menu vision and strong counter interaction.
Skip if: You want flexibility, faster meals, or à la carte ordering; choose a more casual or traditional Mexican spot instead.
Cariño
9.1
A chef-driven Mexican tasting room where the menu flexes through chiles, masa, and seafood with fine-dining precision. The best experience is the chef’s counter: tighter pacing, more interaction, and an extra sense of choreography across courses.
Must-Try Dishes:
Blue Fin Tuna Tostada, Corn Ravioli, Lamb Tartare Taco
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 9
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 9.4
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: A tightly paced Mexican tasting menu built for the chef’s counter.
Who should go: Tasting-menu diners chasing modern Mexican technique.
When to visit: Weeknights for smoother pacing and quieter focus.
What to order: Chef’s counter tasting, Blue Fin Tuna Tostada, Corn Ravioli.
Insider tip: Book the counter for the fullest version of the menu.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on nearby Uptown streets; availability drops after 6pm. No dedicated valet.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy; jeans are fine if styled, many guests dress up for the tasting experience.
Noise level: Low to moderate—quiet enough for conversation, especially at the chef’s counter.
Weekend wait: Limited walk-in availability; 30–60 minutes only if counter seats open. Reservations strongly recommended.
Weekday lunch: Not offered—dinner service only.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes, but requires advance notice so the tasting can be properly adapted.
Vegan options: Very limited; possible with advance notice, but not the kitchen’s strongest lane.
Gluten-free options: Generally yes with advance notice; the team can adapt most courses.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you’re both comfortable with a structured, high-attention meal. The counter seats are intimate and engaging; traditional tables feel more formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Occasionally on weeknights if counter seats open up, but walk-ins are unreliable—booking ahead is the safe move.
Is it kid-friendly? No—this is an adult-focused tasting menu with long pacing and no children’s accommodations.
Best For
Better for: Guests who want a focused Mexican tasting menu with chef interaction, precision pacing, and a true counter experience.
Skip if: You want a casual meal, flexible ordering, or quick service—this is a commitment dining experience.
Hours
MondayClosed
TuesdayClosed
Wednesday6pm - 12am
Thursday6pm - 12am
Friday6pm - 12am
Saturday6pm - 12am
Sunday6pm - 12am