La Boca

"We came here for New Year’s Eve dinner and it was such a great experience. We had 8pm reservations and because it’s a small space, they were a little behind seating people. The management did a great job getting us drinks and appetizers while we waited. Overall, the service was great. We ordered quite a few tapas and everything was incredible. Very unique and delicious options to choose from. We’d definitely recommend coming here."

"Omg the paella. I've never had a more flavorful vegan dish. We were sat immediately despite not having a reservation (a welcome relief after being told the Shed had a 3 hour wait at 5:00 when they were supposed to be just opening). The hostess and server were both nice, and everything we ordered was delicious. My only regret is that I couldn't eat more. The interior was clean and modern and cozy. The coat racks were a very nice touch."

"I'm fortunate to have found La Boca at the heart of Santa Fe. I couldn't help but admire the ambiance - offering the cozy charm one craves in a dining experience, with an exciting addition of fabulous live music to top it all off. As for the menu, their selection of vegetarian and vegan options was impressive and welcomed. The flavors were lush, well layered and surprisingly stimulating. However, there might be a slight misstep when it comes to the vegan choices. Options seem to stem mainly from omissions, with nothing substantial added in return. It would be a delightful improvement to see a more imaginative take on these dishes, as they've brilliantly done with the rest of their menu. Despite this, the quality of the served food is undoubtedly above par, with plates holding rich and tasty combinations that seems to impress your palate with each bite. The service however, though generally good, had its downside. Our server was polite and attentive initially, yet there was a noticeable delay with my second drink which unfortunately never arrived. What was considerably more disappointing though, was the offer to bring it after all our dishes were cleared, and only upon asking for the check. Findings such incident could be easily avoided would visibly increase the dining experience. Overall, La Boca delivers a mainly satisfying experience with its innovative tapas, exciting atmosphere, and undeniably good service that could use some fine tuning. Despite some drawbacks, it's worth visiting. After all, no place is perfect and at its core, the food at La Boca is something that shines in Santa Fe."

"What an exceptional dining experience! Everything was just perfect. We had a phenomenally cheerful and friendly server who welcomed us into the courtyard. Her gorgeous smile and happy attitude were infectious. I really appreciated the ambience here and the laid-back vibe and mellow energy. The food is incredible. We sampled lots of different dishes, but some of my favorites were the artichokes and the roasted potatoes. The deep fried shrimp were tender and sweet. I can’t say enough about the desserts! It was a wonderful evening, and I extend my gratitude to each person who played a role from the purveyors to the prep cooks and head chef and Madison the host. Bravo team!"

"OMG ... why have I missed this place for years? My loss! We stopped by La Boca for dinner this evening after our final event of the annual Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta. Everything was fantastic... food, service, atmosphere, fellow diners! If this place isn't on your "must do in Santa Fe" list, you're missing out. Service: attentive but not intrusive... perfect! Atmosphere: think small tapas bar on the coast of Spain... perfect! Food: awesome! more below... Fellow Diners: like an intimate European cafe, the tables are arranged so that you can constantly interact with fellow diners while you're there. An amazing dining experience, as you chat with folks from all over and compare notes on food, beverages, lives, families, etc. Loved it... perfect! Food: we started with a Spanish Dry Martini, followed by a nice bottle of Albarino with dinner. We started the food courses with the roasted beet salad, which was terrific. Super fresh, the dressing was a bit tart, amazing! We followed that with the potato croquetas, "fried Bechamel" croquetas with Manchego cheese... delightful! Finally, we opted for one of the specials of the evening, a paella made with squid ink, squid and shrimp... wonderful... the shrimp was a bit "fishy" but overall, the dish was fantastic! We concluded our gastronomic journey with the Gateau Basque, a delightful light dessert, a super light crust, and little custard inside the shell, and marinated cherries on the top. A wonderful finish to a great meal! In case it's not obvious, we loved this place! Chef James Caruso was on the floor throughout the evening, keeping tabs on things and checking in with regulars. Loved to see that! Highly recommend La Boca, it's now on our "must do" list in Santa Fe, NM."