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Ardovino's Desert Crossing
Categories: Restaurants Italian Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch Italian, Breakfast & Brunch [Edit]
1 Ardovino DrSunland Park, NM 88063
(575) 589-0653
- Hours:
Tue-Sat 5 pm - 10:30 pm
Sat 9 am - 2:30 pm
Sun 10 am - 2:30 pm
Sun 5 pm - 9 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
20 reviews for Ardovino's Desert Crossing
Review Highlights
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"...permanent fixture in El Paso, Adrdovino's Saturday morning..." In 9 reviews -
"...scrumptious meatballs and the flavorful wood fired flavor." In 3 reviews -
"The pork chop was a little tough, but the sauce was..." In 3 reviews
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20 reviews in English
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Review from Anna M.
El Paso, TX
4/15/2012
Tis might be my my favorite restaurant in the area. We've been there for Sunday brunch, dinner, and a special event - each time the food and service has been outstanding.
Expect culinary delights that you might not see elsewhere - the prickly pear mimosa is quite delicious, and they served the only salmon dish I've ever liked, and the pearl pasta was also a small novelty I'd not seen before. You cannot go wrong here!
The property is eclectic with old style silver campers, and plenty of parking on both sides of the building. Also, the views of the desert sunsets are picturesque!Listed in: El Paso
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Review from Kat K.
San Jose, CA
5/22/2012
Made Mothers Day brunch reservations for my party of 5 based upon favorable Yelp reviews and was seriously disapointed.
First off- its located in the MIDDLE OF NOWHERE right on the border in a trailer-park city! Not difficult to find, but kinda awkward and not a great first impression. I expected this place to be a diamond in the rough based upon the Yelp reviews and the pricing ($40/person for a buffet!)
Resturant in itself is OK- patio tables outside were kinda nice (until its 100 degrees) but the tables are all scrunched together so its kind of noisy and the bathrooms are not very clean. The one good thing was the service. Very helpful, fast & friendly service from the hostess, valet, server and even management stopped by to check on us.
The resturant touts itself as "fine dining" with sophisticated food. Brunch was a typical buffet and the food was anything but fancy and far from delicious. Now, im not a snob and I can enjoy good scrambled eggs and ham just as much as prime rib and caviar.... but come on- when I am paying $40/person and the lamb is super dry and overcooked, the salmon is slimey and not cured properly, the fruit is tangy (getting old & rotting) and the toast tray doesnt get re-filled in over an hour- this is absolutely unacceptable.
I was really, really disapointed in the food. The simple dishes were awful and overcooked and the ingrediants kinda tasted old and not fresh. The meats were overcooked (all of them) the omlettes were overcooked and took 25 minutes to get out to us, the potatoes and grits were greasy and some of the trays were empty and never got replaced in over an hour. The ONLY two memorable items were the homemade chicken sausage (overcooked but good flavor) and the chocolate mousse spoons.
Overall- for a resturant to have such poor food on a flagship day like Mothers Day- is unforgivable and the mark of a resturant that will not earn my business ever again. -
Review from Matthew J.
El Paso, TX
12/19/2011
LOL!!!!! How on EARTH does ANYONE give this five or whatever stars?!?
How should I start?
1) The place is in the ghetto near the Mexico/US border. You literally drive past a disgusting, ghetto, trashy trailer park which is a stone's throw from the restaurant. Maybe 300 feet away from where we parked. Complete with the barking dogs chained up outside. Want to leave your car there?
2) The restaurant building/area itself is nothing special. The buildings look like a haphazard collection of random building materials. There's even some sort of breakfast burrito/coffee trailer parked right in the middle of the main courtyard. TACKY TACKY TACKY. Inside is "meh". We had 22 people in our party and sat in the cigar room area, which felt like we were sitting outside due to the coldness and lack of lighting. People were looking at the menu via cell phone lighting. It looked like a decent after work sort of place, but NOT an "expensive" restaurant.
3) The menu SUCKS. Honestly, this place tries SO hard to fool everyone into thinking it's some sort of fancy restaurant with it's odd menu choices. And the food that you do get is mediocre at best. For example, the spaghetti and meatballs comes with meatballs that have pine nuts and raisins in them. What a horrible idea. The filet sits on a cauliflower puree. YUCK. My wife got some sort of stuffed chicken that was barely stuffed and tasted like a giant clove of garlic. I ended up with a pizza since everything was so stupid (gnocchi with churizzo?????? some true Italian is throwing up in his grave with this naasssssttttyy menu combo) and it sucked too. It was no better than a thin pizza from the frozen section of Wal Mart.
I think the general consensus between all of the employees is we wish we had just gone to Applebee's or BJ's or something else that wasn't all the way in New Mexico by the casino. So you drive out, sit in traffic, waste gas, and eat at a nasty restaurant with a tacky decor. Have fun if you choose to ignore my review.
The only positive I took away from the night was the Kamikaze drinks from the bar were pretty decent. That way I was drunk enough by the end of the whole sordid affair to forget what a nasty restaurant we had just ate at. -
Review from a e.
Overland Park, KS
4/4/2012
You will either love it or hate it. Yeh it's in the Bario. It is nothing to look at. But for our group, we stopped in the bar first. The one Scotch drinker was very impressed with the scotch selection. I have to admit, I have never seen that wide of a variety of scotch except for maybe a very large good quality liquor store. For the rest of us, when that close to Mexico - Tequila was on the mind. We were not disappointed. The bartender -- who I did not catch her name, was fantastic with her knowlege of tempting drinks and what to drink straight was great. She started us off right. She had a great personality and combine that with her knowlege and we could have sat in there all night if we were not so hungry.
Who ever sat in the cigar room for dinner.....that's was a bad idea on the restaurants part. We took a peek in there and it didn't even look comfortable or appealing to smoke in there. Outdoors would have been better. The dinning area, it was what was to be expected. The wait staff was better than par. The food......no complaints. The food alone was not worth 5 stars, but it is a very unique environment and setting and no one in our group of 6 was disappointed with their meal. Have I had better meals in other establishments, sure. But it was worth the experience, and I would go back the next time I am in the El Paso area. -
Review from Ryan B.
7/6/2011
What a wonderful place Ardovino's is! The kind staff make you feel right at home and are incredibly accommodating, thoughtful and hard working. We had an impromptu party of over 15 people who gathered and the manager made sure we were a top priority even though we hadn't made reservations.
I love the interior of this place. It's got a very distinct vibe that hearkens to the 30's. It's dark, classy, but warm and inviting at the same time.
I had the absolutely HUGE blue cheese salad and the house specialty pizza. I fell in love with the scrumptious meatballs and the flavorful wood fired flavor. (Tip: When you walk in the entrance, make sure you glance to your left to see the very cool outdoor stone slab wood over where your pizza will be fired!).
Next time I'm in El Paso, I'm going to make it point of eating here and trying out their pork chop, which looked mind blowing. If it's as high quality as the pizza, I'm in for another treat. -
Review from caosmith S.
El Paso, TX
7/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
The restaurant is located down a beaten path. The outside doesn't look impressive, but the food is delicious.
We were there at 7pm on a Sunday night and the restaurant wasn't too full. We were seated promptly. After looking thru the menu, we decided to order jumbo shrimp and fried stuff artichokes. They were excellent. For entrees, we ordered spaghetti and meatballs, grilled salmon stuffs with goat cheese and seafood linguini. The seafood linguini has thick creamy sauce which prepared well and very tasty.
Service is attentive. We will be back to try more on the menu and definitely recommend this restaurant. -
Review from Misty C.
11/27/2010 3 Check-ins Here
Ardovino's Desert Crossing lived up to the hype. My party of 5 came for a celebratory dinner tonight so I got to sample several dishes.
First of all, our server Wesley was great. He was able to ask me one question and came back with a perfect pomegranate cocktail that suited my palate perfectly.
We started with one of their outdoor oven wood fired pizzas, the Rustico, and the mushrooms. Both were great in flavor. The pizza was very good. The mushrooms may have been a little overdone for some folk, but I thought they were great. I especially liked placing the mushrooms ON my slice of pizza.
Then we received our entrees. Literally everything we had was good. Like Casy, I ordered the Frutti di Mare. It was definitely the let down of all the plates on the table. The flavor wasn't bad. In fact, the quality of fish I received was excellent. I have only had such tender squid twice before. I just didn't receive much of any fish. There were two shrimp, a few mussels (mine were sized fine), one tiny baby octopus, and some calamari spread throughout. Again, the flavor was good and the fish was prepared very well, there just wasn't much on the plate.
They brought back the stuffed salmon which was excellent and served over this ball stuff that was awesome. It wasn't risotto...I don't know what it was.
My sis ordered the gnocchi. The texture was great as was the flavor. My favorite dish of the night had to be the special. My mom got the Veal Osso Bucco. She never had to lift her knife since the meat was so tender. My bite was so savory it is making my mouth water as I relive the memory of it.
The grounds are cute and very retro. There are beautiful views of the city lights from pretty much every part of the restaurant and we were also treated with a very talented live band. It was a great evening!Listed in: El Paso Gems
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Review from Victor S.
El Paso, TX
12/26/2011
Why is it that all of the five star ratings sound suspiciously similar???
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Review from Joeyl L.
El Paso, TX
4/24/2012
I have been there twice now. And on recommendation of people, I had the Martguerita pizza both times, once with grilled chicken added. The crust tastes good, and the ingredients seem to be very fresh, like the creamy mozzarella cheese and the ripe tomatoes on the pizza. They are also wood-fired so there is that smoky component to it. I had one other dish which was a chicken dish, and the flavors were nice and delicate, but the portion was small. I would take small portions with great taste any day. Service is so-so, not great, not bad. The first time the waiter was a bit awkward, like trying too hard to impress with his knowledge of the dishes. It was also suspicious that he recommended all the expensive menu items when asked for his opinion. The second time, the server was nice and quick to respond to our needs. The decor inside is ok, a little bit dark at night for eating, the outside patio is nice for Sunday brunch when the weather is not too hot or windy.
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Review from Casy M.
Frisco, TX
10/24/2010
With only a handful of fine dining establishments in the El Paso area I was really exited to try Ardovino's Desert Crossing as it is highly recommend by quite a few people.
I can so that it was also a let down. I had the Frutti di Mare which is fettucini pasta with calamari, mussels and shrimp. The biggest let down was not so much the flavors as they were okay. The size of the shell fish was if nothing more than an utter joke. I've never seen mussels that small or even shrimp that size especially at a place that charges the prices they do.
As far as the service like most places in the El Paso area are mediocre at best. The ambiance of the place is in desperate need of a renovation. All in all I was not impressed with this establishment in the least bit. -
Review from Katie T.
9/13/2009 2 photos
If I was a more permanent fixture in El Paso, Adrdovino's Saturday morning farmer's market would absolutely be a more permanent fixture in my life.
First off, they have at least one organic grower. He's an older gentleman and had a good variety of veggies and some herbs. He also sells awesome smelling organic smudging sage, which I have to admit I was tempted to buy even though the smell of burning sage makes me gag. I ended up with heirloom eggplant, chard, bell peppers and squash from him and some tomatoes and lemon cucumbers from the master gardener stand. I think the total for all of it was around $10.
Aside from the restaurant, they serve breakfast out of an old airstream trailer. Good breakfast burritos and amazing looking pastries but weak, watery coffee (hence the lack of a fifth star).Listed in: A California Girl in El Paso
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Review from Daniel W.
San Francisco, CA
10/25/2009 19 photos
Ardovino's Desert Crossing is just a short drive from Sunland Park Casino, yet it really feels like a secluded ranch far away from civilization. We were greeted by the hostess who was extremely friendly as was everyone we encountered through out our visit. Once seated in a comfortable and high-backed booth(middle booth on the right from the entrance to the main dining area, to be exact) we did sit for about 10 minutes before our waitress came up and asked if we were being helped, and when we said no, you could tell she immediately and genuinely felt bad, and shot a look towards the hostess area as if to say "I can't believe you sat someone and didn't tell me!" That was the only snafu during our experience.
We ordered a bottle of Petite Syrah which hit the spot...not being total wine snobs, I can't really critique the wine. We liked it, and a bottle was only $24. We also ordered the artichoke hearts which are stuffed with goat cheese and battered/deep fried, not too heavy and not too large.
For our entrees, the wife had the Eggplant alla Parmigiana("Herb and parmigiano-reggiano breaded eggplant baked with mozzarella and marinara sauce served atop handmade pappardelle tossed in herbs, garlic and olive oil") and I had the Pork Chop Ardovino("Honey and sherry marinated, center-cut pork chop, char-grilled with whole mustad pomegranate molasses glaze, with baked sweet potatoes and fresh Kentucky green beans.") The eggplant was the best by far, the pasta was heavy on thyme, but that didn't overpower it. The pork chop was a little tough, but the sauce was fantastic. I have never had Kentucky green beans, but they were crunchy and earthy and complimented the dish perfectly.
For dessert we had the spumoni, which is two scoops in a waffle bowl, with a drizzling of chocolate fudge on the plate. Forgot to take a before picture and the after picture is never pretty.
The bill came to $96 after tax and tip, but very worth it. We will be back, not too often but definitely have to try the pizza next time.
One footnote, while we were dressed very casual(tshirt/shorts), the majority were business casual or better. Next time I will dress a little better. -
Review from Timothy R.
Tolleson, AZ
2/4/2009
The drive to Ardovino's is miss leading, you drive up a dirt drive and if there isn't enough parking in the main lot there another lot at the bottom of the drive and someone in a golf cart will be waiting for you to drive you back up to the front door.
When you enter you will be greeted by a pretty smile and asked if you have a reservation. If you tell them no they will do their best to get you seated. To the right as you enter is the bar with a very good selection of wine and live music. To the left is a cigar lounge and straight ahead is the main seating area that is well lit and romantic over looking New Mexico; at night it is very beautiful to look out the window and see the light of town. The servers are very attentive and quick. After they take your order the server will bring you a basket of bread and olive oil to dip your bread in.
I ordered Australian Barramundi which is delicious it stimulated ever taste bud and sent chills through my body. I got the salad first and it was a nice little salad and it full of flavor and fresh, not like the salads out of a bag. The Australian Barramundi came on a bed of saffron risotto and topped with string vegetables. The fish (barramundi) was perfect and full of flavor. The serving sizes of the salad and entree are perfect it doesn't leave you over full or wanting more, you are left satisfied.
If you would like you can have dinner in another dinning area where the live music is being played or you can just have a few drinks at the bar or other side tables next to the fire place while you listen to the live music as you visit with your date or friends. I found they have a good selection of wines. I had a semi-sweet Riesling wine called J-Lore, I wish I knew where I could but this in stores but I haven't been able to find it :(. -
Review from Morgan H.
1/24/2008
It really is an oasis of good food and wonderful atmosphere in an otherwise industrial area - Beautiful inside and out. The Barramundi is wonderful. The specials are always worthwhile. The lasagna is decadent, even for lasagna. My son enjoys the Spumoni, which is very nice.
The musical acts are fun, as are the owners. -
Review from Ricardo N.
Ocean Springs, MS
Updated - 3/21/2011 2 Check-ins Here
this is as good as it gets in el paso (so far for me, at least - i haven't been to the original magic pan yet...). desert crossing is top notch. i went again with my mother and a lady friend and i got the gnocchi - again. killer. my friend got the lasagna, which was a perfect combo of vegetables and meat and it wasn't loaded down with excess cheese. perfect.
my mom got the cannelloni, which was outstanding. the ladies shared a caesar salad, and i was impressed by its presentation: a whole romaine in tact, drizzled with dressing, and then served with a parmesan custard. probably one of the best caesar salads i've had.
since the weather has now turned, we sat outside and it was delightful. i was so full i forgot to get a shot of La Pinta.... great service as well. i've yet to find faults at desert crossing.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/14/2011
first off, they have La Pinta in the bar (pomegranate infused tequila - fantastic!). great… Read more »
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Review from James W.
9/28/2010
Food was decent, at least stuffed salmon and ahi tuna salad were ok. Took literally 40 minutes to get our drinks, but the manager was nice enough to comp us one drink. Watch out for the mosquitos if you sit outside. Haven't been to too many restaurants in El Paso yet, but I suspect this is one of the better ones.
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Review from Tamara M.
9/30/2007
Not to be confused with Ardovino's Pizza in El Paso, Ardovino's Desert Crossing, on the New Mexico side of the border is a hidden oasis. El Paso can feel like hustle, bustle, dust and heavy industry, but this airy place is just the opposite. The atmosphere is casual, yet high-end. I've never tried the wood-fired pizza, but the fish special I had was lightly seasoned, flaky and delectable. Also at the table: Red Mender's Tender, a fillet with Green Goddess sauce, tumbleweed onions, baby potatoes and grilled veggies. Thumbs up on that as well. If the weather is nice, be sure to eat out on the patio, where a gentle breeze sends eclectic live music by as you eat. The Mecca Lounge inside seems like a hip place for drinks, with funky decor and a casual feel.
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Review from Stan L.
1/2/2010
cool secluded restaurant near the el paso, mexico and new mexico border.. their bar is stocked with plenty of single malt scotch which is always a big plus for me..
service was a bit spotty.. and the bread was stale... however the rest of the meal was pretty good.. my house salad was quite flavorful... i also ordered the rack of lamb which was cooked to perfection.. it did however need some salt.. my fiancee's pizza was cooked nicely... although she thought it needed more heat... some dried red chile pepper flakes saved the day..
for dessert.. i had the tiramisu which was quite good.. plenty of espresso flavor.. my fiancee had the special dessert (poached pear) which was undercooked..
overall.. this is one awesome place if you're tired of getting mexican food -
Review from Ardo E.
Washington, DC
7/5/2010
I attended a wedding ceremony/reception at Ardovino's Desert Crossing a week ago, and I was thoroughly impressed.
Despite the less-than-scenic trip to the restaurant, once you get there, you'll be pleasantly surprised. The locale is quaint and well decorated. The staff are professional, friendly, and very efficient. The food was delicious and very well presented.
I will be going back next time I'm in the area, for sure! -
Review from JeFF T.
Fremont, CA
2/11/2007
Hidden near the hills, just southwest of El Paso, on the New Mexico side, is the biggest little Italian joint in the area. It's by no means a hole in the wall, but unless you know where to look, you won't find this on the main strip. It's almost like heading to a spa in the middle of nowhere. Driving up to the restaurant, you'll notice the large patio area which looks like it gets a lot of use during the spring/summertime. The outdoor woodfired pizza oven sits glowing with red embers, as staff pull out some woodfired goodness. Entering, you'll find the bar/lounge immediately to your left. The place is decorated with a lot of local memorabilia, which seemed to fit the modernized setting. A jazz band played background music, without being a bit overbearing. The main dining area was decorated in crimson hues, custom booths, and custom light fixtures that stood out. I decided I needed to try out the pizza, because anyone who goes to the trouble to keep a woodburning oven on the premises, must know a thing about pizza. It was in fact very good, but I think my Pazzia experience trumps it. I also order the Chicken Diavalo which came with mini roasted potatoes and sauteed vegetables. Dinner was fabulous and the bar also knows how to make a good Greyhound. The wait staff were in top form and catered to our every need, although there was little to be asked. There's also a banquet facility for special catered events by the restaurant. If you're tired of all the Mexican specialties, this is the Italian restaurant to go to.
