- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Pazo Restaurant
Categories: Restaurants Tapas Bars Nightlife Bars Lounges Restaurants Mediterranean Tapas Bars, Lounges, Mediterranean [Edit]
1425 Aliceanna StBaltimore, MD 21231
Neighborhood: Fell's Point
(410) 534-7296
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 5 pm - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 5 pm - 1 am
Sun 5 pm - 9 pm
- Delivery:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Valet
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Music:
- DJ
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Trendy
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
189 reviews for Pazo Restaurant
Review Highlights
"They also have a very extensive wine list, which was great."
(in 9 reviews)
"My favorite is the Tonno Crudo."
(in 7 reviews)
"It is a converted old warehouse like many places you see in..."
(in 8 reviews)
Loading...
189 reviews in English
-
Review from Puneet M.
1/31/2012 Seated via OpenTable 2 Check-ins Here
Pazo the Italian word for Crazy... well you'd be crazy for not checking this place out!
First off, Pazo has valet parking which is great espically since parking in the Fells Point area can be tough and its included in your dinner price lol. Once you hand off your oh so precious car to the valet (hope he doesn't take your 1970 VW Bug for a joy ride) you step up in the restaurant and are greeted to a place where the sounds and smells of your up coming drink or meal abound from all corners. Once inside you happy to see a good lounge/bar area, allot of people sitting and chatting either at the bar or on comfy couches. A good sight to see, but we were here for dinner so we were escorted to a table where you could sit and people watch the bar area all day, but alas the food took precedence
Pazo offers a wide array of choices of food, drinks, and espically wine! :) :) We first tried our hand at their cocktails, a pear mojito and a bartender special were placed infront of us and each sip was better than the last. The drinks are top notch and well worth the price. (Their HH is $5 dollar cocktails which is a killer price for a 10+ dollar cocktail) Inbetween sips we some how were able to order food and a bottle of wine. All the food was spot on! Fresh, tasty, and surprisingly the portions were not too small. We def. stuffed ourselves on 2 types of bread with dips and 3 Tapas. The bread is baked in house so its super fresh and all the Tapas were as advertised and yummy. To finish off the night we had one of their heavenly desserts, the hazelnut Chocolate bars. Wow awesome dessert not overly sweet but very well done.
So overall the food was excellent, well proportioned, flavorful and well prepared, but the thing I enjoyed most about Pazo was the service. Most higher end places give you a server who doesnt care all that much about you and your exp... but at Pazo the server was top notch and helped alot when decideding what foods to order. Service at Pazo is a def. 5.5
I would recommend Pazo to anyone, looking for a solid HH or a romantic night with the Mr/Mrs... it can handle either. :)
So enjoy and Oh no! the men in white coats are coming to take me Haha -
Review from B B.
Silver Spring, MD
1/29/2012
I read the reviews and thought oh, let me see for myself. We went on a Friday early evening for restaurant week. The decor and location were very nice. I was disappointed to have paid to park after seeing the valet sign up against the building and not on the street when we drove by. I could not even tell who the valet people were. It was a little congested getting through the door as we were early for our reservations.
We waited and were seated at the time of reservation. To my disappointment the tables were tiny and the chairs were worn down (looked very cheap). We were seated at what had to be the very worst seat of the restaurant. Facing the kitchen, the serving area, the staircase, the waiter station, the back of the restaurant! I am not one to complain at a restaurant, I sat down with frustration and knew that this was not going to be good. .My husband asked me why had I not taken my scarf off?....because I feel like I am sitting outside with all the employees walking on all three sides of me! I digress.
The waitress came and told us about the menu and did not return for a good 15 mins as she waited on the tables all around us. Hunger headache setting in.......I ordered a glass of what I thought was Syrah but was bubbly and cold. When I asked was it a blend she said no and that reds are served at 50 degrees. I am not a wine guru, but I believe what I had was not what I usually order....oh well. The bread and hummus was good. The tapas were just okay, very basic. The best item of the evening was the broccoli a la plancha (can you really mess that up). It was good until I finished it. I was brought a second and a third serving. The dessert was more of a creme brulee with cinnamon.
As we were leaving the crowd was lined up at the door. It looked like a younger club crowd. More of a trendy, place to be seen crowd. Food was not a strong point. Would not have visited if it was not for restaurant week. Would not return or recommend. -
Review from Nina U.
1/29/2012 1 Check-in Here
I saw the three stars and thought maybe there were just harsh raters. I have heard a couple good things about Pazo and thought restaurant week would be the perfect time to check it out. I should have listened to yelp but sometimes you just need to experience something for yourself before you decide.
I was really disappointed because for the price and the hype, I expect fabulous. The ambiance with the high ceilings, nice decor and color schemes are pretty and I love the wrought iron/metal chandeliers. I did not enjoy the small tables for two that were tiny despite the extensions they bring out, nor did I enjoy the bass pumping music for dinner. I looked around and I have no idea how the older crowd, who obviously does not listen to this type of music on the normal basis, could digest their food...I was having a hard time. Normally I expect a dinner place to have more relaxing music at dinner and turn it up as it gets later in the night and turns into more of a lounge. The worse part was the tables are right up on one another. I can appreciate some good gossip but I don't want to hear about how the next couple's first date is going nor do I care to share my day with them. There are booths (can fit a party of 4-6?) and a loungy areas for seating that would be fun for a group but I am not excited about paying $500 for a group tapas order. Tapas in Spain are affordable and they are served with beer or sangria that tastes good. Our sangria needed more oomph. I was tempted to ask for sugar. The tapas were okay. Nothing to rave about and if I had to pay normal price I would have been even unhappier.
Best part of our experience at Pazo? We got our check in time and made it to the circulator (less than a block away) by 7pm, the last trip of the night!Listed in: Baltimore City MD
-
Review from Phil B.
1/4/2012
I bought some jamon in Barcelona, this past Sept 2011, just like the jamon iberico appetizer I got at Pazo. Shows their committed authenticity, I think. The food was terrific - small plates style is what I recommend since there is quite a variety to order. Can I recommend some patatas bravas - you wouldn't think but you should. The cocktails were also top notch, along with the service.
The ambience was trendy but welcoming, and I can see the inside turning into a post-dinner dance party at the drop of a hat. You'll spend a little more here and eat just enough. -
Review from Quinn W.
1/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
I am not sure what all the hype about this place is. I know that all the playa plays hang out here on the weekends, and this is where it is at...but I need a little more than street cred to get me excited for eating. The environment is actually really nice. The interior is well decorated for sure. It is kind of like Ra in the fact they are pumping cool music...although, I don't think the music matches the vibe of a chill tapas place.
I had a carafe of red sangria...and I was really disappointed. I almost didn't drink it all to be honest, but decided that money is money, so I might as well finish it off. We had quite the variety of tapas, and I would say for the most part they were pretty decent. Nothing to get excited about though. A nice selection, I think I was just expecting a little more.
My favorite things were the crackers that come with every table, and the hummus. It was quite tasty.
I think it definitely has a vibe, and I know it's popular, so I would say come for drinks, but I wouldn't come looking for a good meal. That's just me though. Now let me get my playa play groove on... -
Review from Miguel G.
Pasadena, MD
1/27/2012
I went to dinner here a few nights ago and it was definitely worth it. The inside of the restaurant was very cool. We sat at a table but the couches and big seats around us gave the place a lounge type feel.
It was a bit of splurge but worth it. We had tapas to start off. The goat chesse empanadas and ceviche were excellent. The pan de andalucia with the goat cheese mousse was tasty as well.
Main course was delicious. I had the Duck Marget and it was cooked to perfection. My fiance had the leg of lamb steak which she loved.
I highly recommend it for a night out on the town. -
Review from john f.
Baltimore, MD
11/19/2011
Not much to say here. This place used to be something special. We stopped going a few years when the focus had clearly shifted from quality food to providing a venue for the candy-martini and cocaine set to hang out and say deeply superficial things to one another. Tedious.
A real shame, as this used to be our go-to option for dining in Baltimore. -
Review from Alice W.
Baltimore, MD
2/9/2012
went there at the end of Jan. with co-workers. it was restaurant week, so we did 4 small tapas with desert and a bottle of wine. their mushroom and ceviche was great. loved ceviche. grilled shrimp and most other dishes were looking good. clam was good. but some are filling but some are not. because it is small dish, i understand the portion is like appetizer sized. but def. meats were bigger than veges.you can choose 4 different meats. didn't have to be 2 meat/seafood and 2 veges. service was good. Riesling was an excellent choice. just the steak as last dish, I couldn't help being disappointed with too burnt on top and served cold even though inside was medium rare, hard time of chewing because of the burnt part, was too tough to enjoy steak. steak is not my favorite, so i never had high standard, and that's why Im giving 3 star here. but decoration, service, wine selections are pretty good and big crowds seems like business is running good. it is ok to eat sometimes.
-
Review from Ariel n.
Baltimore, MD
12/6/2011
LOVEEEEEE the atmosphere
Dark scenery, soft couches to relax on.
Our waitress gave us our space and didnt bug us.
Recommend these to the guys that are trying to impress a girl for the 1st date -
Review from Miriam B.
I think this restaurant is having a severe identity crisis. They want to be a night club that also serves food. Which all in all is a great concept. This was my 1st time dining at Pazo. I was really looking forward to it because I adore authentic Spanish cuisine. What a let down. 1st off we ordered a pitcher of sangria that had no fruit tasted sweeter than Hi C and contained barely any wine. It was so awful we had to give it back to our server. That should have been a warning of things to come. We ordered cheese croquettes that normally I love but these were beyond bland and under seasoned( like the rest of our meal and a common theme I am seeing from some yelp reviews). For my next course I had the shrimp blt salad. The shrimp tasted old. Yuck. For my entree I had the scallops which were gummy and bland. My dessert was decent though a nut cake with chocolate ganache. The space is beautiful and the service is great but the food leaves so much to be desired. It's a shame.
-
Review from Danielle J.
Baltimore, MD
10/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
4.5!!!
(Yelp, when are you going to hop on the fraction train?!?)
This review is for happy hour.
I know it doesn't need to be said, but this restaurant is stunning!!
By far the best looking restaurant I've been to in this state!
This was on my list months ago for my next special date spot to bring my ex but it fell by the wayside. Bringing him here or the relationship? You might ask. I'll take both of the above for 1,000, Alex.
So I went on a Friday night, my description of the atmosphere would be young, twenty-somethings blended with chic urban after work crowd.
I had the greentini (?) which was ever so slightly too strong for my liking (I'm a "I don't like to taste the alcohol because it's balanced so well that I can't tell how strong it is" girl.)
But don't get me wrong, the greentini was a well-made cocktail, and for 5 bucks I was happy to not be drinking a well vodka with cheap juice from a plastic cup (Mosaic Lounge I'm talking to you.)
My friend next to me ordered a kettle one gimlet up...I'd never tried a gimlet so she made me taste hers..... WOW! I liked it better than mine.
Anyway, being tapas we shared a bunch of stuff... the empanada was good, the green sauce was delicious.
We had salmon tartare (a special, apparently it's usually tuna) and I loved it! I tried a bite of the pizza and a fried zucchini stick and both were good, but the first two were my favorites.
I will absolutely be back for happy hour again!Listed in: Harbor Eats? Harbor East?
-
Review from Julia R.
11/9/2011
Great drinks and setting.
Unfortunately, I think their food quality has gone down for what they're trying to push. There are way too many options, which I think has led to some sub-par preparation and presentation.
I have found a lot of the food to be too oily, underseasoned, or just very blah. And when lamb chops are blah, I go somewhere else!
Been here 10+ times and have been a little more disappointed each time. I no longer want to bring people there for the first time because I don't feel like it's worth it. -
Review from Chris S.
Baltimore, MD
1/10/2012
All I have to say about Pazo is GAVIN ROCKS!! Everyone should request him as their waiter.
-
Review from Bob L.
Recently, my wife selected Pazo for our 11th wedding anniversary dinner. Every year we try to find a special place to associate with our special day so we don't take the decision lightly. Neither of us had very much to go on other than what fellow Yelpers have said and a few reviews we managed to search out on the web. Sure, it sounded nice, it sounded swanky, but you can never really be sure until you've experienced it for yourself.
We arrived around 6pm on a Monday (took the scooter so no valet review) and upon entering we were immediately greeted by the maitre de and his team. It was early so the crowd was pretty sparse. We were escorted upstairs to a two-top toward the rear of the restaurant. It was cozy, secluded and just perfect. So what about the décor?
The old warehouse that Pazo has taken over has been transformed into something I can only describe in two words - swan ky. It was almost too nice for a guy like me, but I managed. The ceilings of the widely open space have to be 50ft high and all around are hanging these enormous wrought iron chandeliers with gently glowing faux candles. I couldn't quite put my finger on the vibe. Maybe upscale Spanish castle meets urban nightclub. There are giant vases and couches interspersed with tables and a DJ booth for the late night crowd. There are two levels to Pazo with the upper being more of a ring of tables that encircles and overlooks the lower. Both levels have their own bars. I loved sitting up top. You could look down upon the masses and secretly spy on them as they carried on.
The service at Pazo is among the best we've had in this or any other city. The servers, flitting around like a well-choreographed team of ninjas, are polite, very professional and our waiter, Jarod, was fantastic - he actually appeared to take pride in his work. If you're used to the half-assed, attitude ridden services running rampant through some of Baltimore's eateries you owe it to yourself to pay Pazo a visit. Part of the reason you're paying so much for your dining experience is the service and they killed it here.
The food at Pazo is amazing. The care the chef has taken in selecting the ingredients is clearly evident and the presentations were edible Picassos. The first bite you take is with your eyes and Pazo takes this to heart. Here's the rundown:
Bread Course (Fougasse with warm cheese fonduta)
I'm a huge sucker for bread, especially fresh-baked artisanal bread, and Pazo's in-house baker (Carrie Goltra) blew me away. The Fougasse, a bit like a hearty wheat soft pretzel, was crispy outside and soft, warm and chewy inside. The cheese fonduta was a smooth, melty beauty. Props for the Pugliese that was served with my meal, too.
Summer Bruchetta Small Plate
A line of militarily arranged crostini, each topped with a thin slice of fresh yellow or green zucchini, a quenelle of herbed ricotta cheese and a garnish of julliened fresh basil. Normally I wouldn't bother with such a dish (where's the meat?) but my wife convinced me to try it and I was impressed. It was fresh, light and a perfect balance of textures.
Sea Scallops Small Plate
A duo of perfectly seared sea scallops set atop a puree of locally sourced corn. The sweetness of the scallops went perfectly with the sweetness of the corn puree and the addition of a bit of lemon into the corn was an unusual and pleasant surprise.
Local Pepper Soup
Now, this is what soup is all about. Imagine a deep red creamy bisque that smacks you in the face with fresh bell pepper flavor and you're just about there. Now throw in a sea scallop, thinly sliced and topped with crispy pancetta, ringed with bright green chive oil and you've got it. Brilliant.
Creekstone Farms NY Strip
I was craving meat big time and this dish gave me my fix. I'm estimating about a 16oz NY strip cooked medium well resting atop a bed of olive-oil mashed Yukon gold potatoes and lightly plate-sauced with a smoky Spanish red pepper puree called mojo picon. It was definitely carnal love at first sight. The steak was tender, juicy and well-seasoned and I'd bathe in mojo picon if it were at all possible. It's nice to see a piece of meat that's not covered in some kind of sauce.
Sicilian "Brioscia"
Yes, we made it to dessert...barely. Pazo's take on ice cream sandwiches is definitely worth a try. You get three flavors of fresh ice cream, pistachio, vanilla and mocha, each in their own little sweet slider bun. The buns are airy, soft and topped with crunchy little sugar bits and the ice creams were all spot on. We barely managed to get through the whole thing, but the struggle was a beautiful pain.
I can't say enough good things about our experience at Pazo. It's a gem of a restaurant hidden within the masses of those that try too hard but, sadly, always seem to fall just short. There are restaurants where you go to eat and there are restaurants where you go for an experience; Pazo falls within the latter. We are already planning our return visit.Listed in: The Best of My Best
-
Review from Daniel p.
Woodstock, MD
12/24/2011
Really enjoyed everything about this place. The scene is awesome and the food is ok! I heard it was food was much better back in the day. I am no food guru, but food still tasted wonderful!
-
Review from Suzanne J.
Baltimore, MD
7/3/2011
If you've not paid a visit to Pazo because you'd heard its trendy, loud, and overhyped for what it is, I can understand. Restaurants that attempt to win over a crowd with a tapas-based menu are often hit and miss. However, I'd still recommend coming mid-week to avoid the crowds, try a few tapas and definitely a cocktail or two.
I hadn't been in a year or so, and found myself joining a group of friends for a birthday celebration. This time, I was pleasantly surprised. For a Thursday evening it was relatively quiet inside, enjoyed a cozy booth and ordered some of the newer seasonal items on the menu. The marinated beets were lovely, the manchego croquetas are always a highlight.
I'm here to rave about the cocktails this time around though, I tried La Vie en Rose (Moscato d'Asti, Soho Lychee Liqueur, Rose water) and decided to go for a second. This is the type of custom cocktail that would make me pay a visit to the bar just to sip on it slowly during this hot hot summer.
Much like it's sister establishments Cinghiale and Petit Louis Bistro, the service has always been excellent. Although I've not yet had to send something back to the kitchen at Pazo, I'm sure that they would be willing to oblige your request for a substitute if something wasn't to your liking. -
Review from Monsta J.
Brooklyn Park, MD
11/14/2011
Dont' go for the food. It sucks! Don't go for the music. Its sucks too! If you are going, it would be just to drink and look at nice legs, and ass. Maybe you would meet a skinny, 7 inch heel wearing, gold digger chick!!!
-
Review from Tiffani N.
Columbia, MD
6/9/2011 ROTD 6/29/2011
Fantastic restaurant/lounge near the Harbor. Perfect for a date, intimate birthday celebration or even a reception if you can afford to buyout the place. It's gorgeous in Pazo but also comfortable and relaxing. The Mediterranean/colonial Spanish ambiance and decor are unusual and definitely leaves an impact. I find going around late happy hour, sunset time is perfect for a little bit of light and then the place darkens into nighttime for a romantic, sensual glow.
I would avoid Fridays because the party goes all night and it's pretty loud/crowded. I actually felt super out of place when I arrived by myself to meet friends on a Friday. Unlike other happy hours, everyone around the bar was closed off and not very talkative but probably because they were on dates or hooking up. Once my pals got there, we had a blast. The sofas are extra plush and comfy, which may make it hard to snack on your tapas and sip on their delish martinis without spilling anything. Be prepared to pay $$$ for the atmosphere- the beautiful and sexy scene doesn't come cheap even in Bmore.Listed in: Single & So Ready to Mingle!…
-
Review from Diana L.
Washington, DC
12/27/2011
The food alternated between unseasoned and way too salty. We went the tapas route, and not one of our 6 dishes was good. The only acceptable thing we were served was the bread (pugliese). But even that failed because it was supposed to come with a warm cheese fondue, that wasn't warm enough to overcome the temperature in the freezing restaurant.
-
Review from Amanda K.
Rosedale, MD
11/1/2011
One of the most swanky fun restaurants in Baltimore. Great location, fantastic food, stunning decor. The service can be a little bit iffy, but their cocktails are unparalleled (nice and strong) and ambiance is perfect for a night out with friends or a quiet one-on-one. I dream about their side-cars. No Joke!
-
Review from Lia M.
5/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Pazo is a really nice restaurant and lounge, with dim lighting and a wide open interior. We ordered mostly ordered off the tapas menu and everything was great. Service was enthusiastic and professional.
I ordered a Torrontes wine, which I had never heard of, and it was light and refreshing. Here is what four of us shared, and it was more than enough, as we could not finish it all:
- Fougasse with fonduta
- Scallops
- Crispy Artichokes
- Ceviche
- Zucchini Cakes
- Goat Cheese Empanadas
- Roasted Beets (first, not tapas)
- Papas Fritas
- Espresso ice cream sandwich
The stand-outs were the ceviche, which was super fresh; the light and flavorful zucchini cakes; and the espresso ice cream sandwich, which paired rich chocolate cake with strong espresso ice cream. While nothing was bad (I enjoyed everything), these three were superbly memorable. Definitely on my radar for another visit. -
Review from Kimberly S.
Philadelphia, PA
11/1/2011 Seated via OpenTable
Upon designating Baltimore as the destination of my friend's bachelorette party, I was given the task of making dinner plans. As a dutiful, food-loving bridesmaid would, I began researching reviews, menus, websites and maps of the hottest dining spots in Baltimore. With a great looking menu, great looking atmosphere and great reviews, Pazo became the winner.
The atmosphere was gorgeous. I think the open two level layout of the restaurant and the vibe were my favorite aspects. It was "hopping" to begin with and as the night wore on, became even busier. The clientele were all well dressed and seemed ready to take on the night. The music was lively and fun without being overbearing. The bathrooms were clean and sophisticated, with a "French Country" feel, to quote my friend.
Both the food and drink menus were impressively long with affordable to expensive options. We were pleasantly surprised to see bottles of wine as low as $19/bottle, which is unheard of in the casual fine dining world. The food was good, but not as excellent as I had anticipated. We had opted for the tapas and appetizers to try a little bit of several dishes. The standouts were the crab bunuelos, zucchini cakes and sea scallops. Everything else was pretty average.
I thought the service was decent. Our server was amiable and accommodating to our bachelorette night. Although we weren't being too rowdy or inappropriate as some bachelorette parties can become, she was willing to take pictures for us and chit chat about her night. I was also impressed that both the server and manager offered to send over the in-house Sommelier. We aren't particularly progressive wine drinkers, but that adds a nice touch to a restaurant's service and image. The icing on the cake occurred after our dinner. When I made the initial reservation, I had requested that a bottle of cava be served and ready for us on the table when we arrived. For some reason, that request was never executed. I'm not one to make a fuss, so I didn't bring it up. At the end of our dinner, the manager apologized for not granting the request and proceeded to pour us a bottle of cava on the house. A manager admitting a mistake and making up for it, without the customer even having to bring it up, is definitely a good sign of a well run restaurant.
I would give 3.5 stars if I could, but I guess I'll round up. Everyone had a great time and I would love to come back next time I'm in town, I just hope they step up their food to match the service and atmosphere. -
Review from Chris K.
Boston, MA
5/4/2011
My favorite restaurant in Baltimore.
NOT the best food in Baltimore.
But the best food/drinks/ambiance experience in Baltimore.
Dined with 4 friends here last Sunday. It's slower on a Sunday, which is nice, but the kitchen closes early (9:30), which is not so nice (nobody likes to be rushed!).
Our waitress was amazing. Knew drink menu and food menu inside and out. She knew what our table was looking for, and she delivered. Her suggestions were spot on and the best choices we made. Attentive, excellent service all around.
The highlights were the fresh seafood - calimari (best I've ever had), spoons of tuna tartare, and ceviche. The roasted red beets were amazing (I don't like beets OR goat cheese, but they just work here). Both artichoke dishes were good.
I remember the pizza being good, but this time it was a low point (soggy, nothing special). The seafood stew is gross - we couldn't even touch it after the first bite, regardless of the big chunks of lobster. The wine was good but not as good as I expected for an over $30 bottle.
For dessert we had chocolate hazelnut bars (amazing), green apple tart (good), and creme brulee (watery; nothing special).
To the owners: the menu has changed from tapas-focused to appetizer/entree-focused. I do not like this change. Pazo is famous for their tapas, and the whole eating experience that goes with ordering tapas. Every other restaurant has the traditional first/entree/dessert deal. Why even go there? In addition, some menu items were removed in the switch (I was craving the eggplant dip but the spicy eggplant salad is nowhere near as good), and the tapas no longer have descriptions on the menu (I assume due to space limitations). I wish Pazo would stick to what they are good at - tapas!!! -
Review from Kathryn C.
College Park, MD
11/29/2011
I went on a Saturday night (around 7 pm) with a small group of friends. Despite the fact that the place seemed very busy, we were seated immediately in a booth in an intimate corner of the restaurant. I really enjoyed the ambiance. I had no problem conversing with my friends over the music. I noted the DJ upstairs and I was looking forward to hitting the dance floor, but at the time the floor was full of seated, eating customers. :(
I enjoyed prompt, courteous service (and delicious seeded crackers). I originally intended to try the tapas, but my party was hungry, so we ordered a 3-course meal (along with two bottles of the best Riesling I've ever had). My husband ordered his standby: Long Island Iced Tea. He said it was a bit strong, though I thought it was delicious--clean and crisp.
Here's what I ordered, and my verdict:
Ceviche - I didn't expect the seafood to be diced so finely, and all I could taste was lemon, which covered the fishiness well. I won't order it again here.
Shrimp Salad BLT - Fresh tasting. A little heavy on the mayo for my taste. Overall, I liked it.
Duck Magret - The duck was delicious! Melted in my mouth. The chard was cooked and seasoned perfectly. I had never had swiss chard that was not bitter in the least. Until I visited Pazo.
Cajeta Sundae - *womp womp* My husband (as well as our server) talked up the cajeta so much that everyone in our party ordered this dessert.... and sadly, we were all pretty underwhelmed. I love dulce de leche, and wished I had tasted more caramel. To me, this tasted like vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup stirred together until it's soupy. Not a bad thing, just not what I had expected.
Overall, I very much enjoyed Pazo and look forward to visiting again to try tapas. I heard there was a Thanksgiving Eve special with $5.00 drinks and tapas. ;) -
Review from Joe I.
10/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
Was here for a business meeting as a client with a vendor. The restaurant staff are AWESOME. The food is exceptional, with the singular exception of dessert, which was something that was clearly made the day prior and had just been chillin' until it was served. I'd go back here for the soup alone in a heartbeat. Thumbs up!
-
Review from Tony S.
San Francisco, CA
6/16/2011
I'm surprised at the 3.5 star rating. I've been here twice and have had a great experience both times. The 3 course meal is a great deal at around 35 per person. I had the pasta, lamb, and apple butter pie. All were good. Lamb was slightly overcooked but it had excellent flavor.
The place is big enough to host a larger party, they have a great bar area as well as a lounge. The space is huge and wide open, you can make a reasonable amount of noise without disturbing other tables. I'll be back whenever I need to host others. -
Review from Rob N.
4/17/2011
I can't believe I've never written a Pazo review. Now, unfortunately, I have nothing to update or compare against so it doesn't appear as if I'm just being a crank.
Pazo used to be solid 4-star territory. Nice space, good food, good wine, good service, etc. The kitchen wasn't knocking them out of the park 100% of the time, but they were a bunch of solid clutch hitters you could count on for a solid base hit and an RBI.
Now, Pazo has slipped into a rut. Service is still really good, and the space is still a dramatic, great place to eat. The kitchen, however, is popping flies and hitting out to the infield more often than not. Every. Single. Dish does not need to be drenched in infused olive oil - raw tuna, grilled mushrooms, hanger steak, duck. Every one was oiled in one way or another. In the case of the steak, a perfectly decent plate was swimming in pimiento oil that turned the whole thing into a slick.
It's great that they prepare all your grilled meats to medium-rare. Fantastic. But, please warm the plates so that the medium-rare proteins aren't cold within minutes of arriving at table. Romesco sauce... wasn't - it was a pile of sliced almonds and diced tomato, and not functional as a sauce whatsoever. Grilled scallions were stringy and tough, and both they and the "sauce" ended up pushed to the side.
Would I go back to spend $80/person for this meal? Probably not. Pazo has decided that they want to be a nightclub that happens to have restaurant service, more than being a good restaurant that happens to club up on the weekend.Listed in: Your purpose in life...
-
Review from Chaka C.
5/4/2011
Fantastic ambiance. Great place to go if you're willing to get a little fancy and enjoy the attractive "views"? lol.
On to the food, I've mostly enjoyed my time during happy hour. The drink menu is unique and I've tried almost every one. My favorite drink is the Wild Strawberry Caipirinha, it's very refreshing and when you order another, you don't feel like you're going to end the night drunken or disorderly... The Pisco Sour Cherry is also very tasty, but doesn't seem as "girly" as the caipirinha.
As far as the tapas go, my favorites were the Potato & Manchego Croquetas, and the Goat Cheese Empanadas.
But overall, the experience was delightful. Our waitresses have always been very personable and easy to talk to, and on one particular occasion, whenever another servant got an order wrong... we magically had free tapas in front of us. Two thumbs up! -
Review from Alyce D.
9/16/2011
Atmosphere! This place is all about the atmosphere. See and be seen. Great happy hour! FREE valet parking. Awesome location in Harboreast! Great place for a group as dishes are for sharing. Kinda feels like you're in NYC when you're in there. Great spaces for a private party, too!
Listed in: Good for Groups
-
Review from maria t.
Odenton, MD
9/23/2011
WOW! This place is amazing.
I went on a Sat evening with a group of friends. We parked a distance away and walked over. I was wary on the walk, and not impressed when I saw the outside. I walked in and it was magical. We were greeted by staff members who were as kind as they were beautiful.
We started off with a bottle of wine on a couch on the first floor. I have never been so comfortable in a restaurant. We finished the bottle and were taken to our table upstairs. Our waiter came over and we all felt we had known him forever. His knowledge of the menu and the ingredients was incredible. The menu is extensive and I was having a hard time deciding. One of my friends suggested I allow the waiter to order my meal...I took them up on it. He courteously asked me if there was anything I would not eat, did not like, or was allergic to. After that is was all a surprise.
I started with the Maya shrimp, best shrimp I ever had. I also had something that I do not remember the name of...it was a small sandwich type appetizer with no crust and with a cucumber-based ingredient...delicious.
My main course was the NY strip, cooked to perfection. That likely would not have been my choice if I had chosen, but it was fantastic all the same. The roasted vegetables that came on the side were amazing.
For dessert I had an short-bread apple tart with caramel sauce and cinnamon ice cream.
The wait staff was incredibly attentive yet unnoticeable...you hardly know they are there yet you never have an empty water glass or a crumb left on the table. If for no other reason, go to this restaurant to experience the amazing wait staff...they set the standard for every restaurant on planet earth.
I would recommend Pazo to everyone and would go again and again and again...Listed in: Favorite Dinner Spots
-
Review from rupa d.
West Long Branch, NJ
Most beautiful restaurant I've ever been to. Best Sazerac I've ever had. The food didn't quite live up to the splendor of its decor, but was still very good. Liked the empanadas & ceviche in particular.
Fantastic place to take a date. Coming here in midsummer and watching the lights go down as I got progressively more tipsy and full of good food made for an absolutely perfect evening. -
Review from debbie a.
5/3/2011
I think this place described as... "great bones" (TAPAS review only)
The restaurant has an awesome design inside. You will find yourself drawn to looking at the ceilings of the huge lofted space while lounging on the couches in the center of the floor. The menu items are all great in concept, but the problem is ... its not amazing for what I pay. Each dishes seems to be missing something.. like more salt/more acidity/less oil... ya know??
If you want to try and charge NY/LA prices, then live up to the dishes - be on pointe every time.
Service - They try to provide great service, but its been a hit and miss.
this place is great for a date.. Restaurant is gorgeous and it seems posh without being pretentious... DONT go here if your date claims to be a foodie though.
upside? NIce drinks =)
Ceviche was good
Wood-grilled Mushrooms were boring
Braised short ribs - great (but its such an easy cut of meat to work with)
Bianca Pizza really good.
this place is great for atmosphere and drinks...
skip the tapas if you are planning on Foodie Heaven. -
Review from Yuansheng T.
East Baltimore, Baltimore, MD
good food, good place, reasonable price (restaurant week)
-
Review from Erica C.
3/27/2011
The service is excellent, the food is good, and the valet parking is complimentary. Need I say more?
The owners also have a connection with locals. The Putty Hill premiere party was excellent. The Christmas Eve buffet was also fabulous. Plenty of creative offerings.
You can just go for drinks and dessert/tapas, or a meal. The short rib was a favorite and the ceviche is delicious.
Fabulous setting! The lighting creates a deep ambiance. It is a great date spot. The addition of lounge sofas really makes for a good time. -
Review from G B.
Baltimore, MD
10/30/2011
Wow really disappointed, after hearing all the hype I thought this place would be fantastic. The pizza was okay but seemed too doughy. Everything else was not worth the prices they charge.
-
Review from Pasquale R.
Chatham, NJ
9/21/2011
Only went here for drinks. Very pretentious and trying real hard to be upscale. I walked in looking very casual (just getting back from the Italian festival). Place is real nice inside. Super high ceilings, multi floor dining, chic couches/tables, attractive people all over. Its very wide open but not as loud as you would think. Looked over the menu (although didn't eat anything) and prices were high as you would suspect. Alcohol prices are outrageous. The people watching is fun especially first/2nd daters and the guy trying really hard to impress.
-
Review from Victoria R.
Baltimore, MD
1/24/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Long, long ago (late Summer) I stopped into Pazo with my SO for Cupcakes and Cocktails on a Thursday night. It was 9:30PM and it was loud, and crowded. For a couple, it wasn't a good scene; but we enjoyed the cupcakes and cocktails and thought "maybe we should come back for dinner, when it's quieter and hasn't turned into a night club yet".
Well, we finally did that on Friday for restaurant week, and boy, am I ever glad we did. The atmosphere for dinner was fantastic, and I was sure glad I dressed up for the occasion.
First things first. The RW menu is mainly tapas, and is only $5 cheaper than their non-paired Prix Fixe menu. Based on that, we decided to order off their main Prix Fix menu to have more choices, and this was definitely a great decision. I had the Brisket Ravioli, Classic Paella, and Arroz Con Leche Brûlée(as it is my mission to eat my way through Baltimore in Crème brûlée, or brûlée of any sort, really). The boyfriend ordered Prime Beef Tenderloin Tartar, Sea Scallops (I think), and Creme Catalana. You know we shared desserts (or rather, I shared his and maybe let him have a bite of mine). It was all fantastic and I was really glad we ordered off the full menu. I'd love to try the Tapas at some point, too, as well as the rest of the menu (and thus I will be 500 lbs, hooray!).
We ordered a bottle of Rioja that was fantastic. The sommelier came over at some point while my SO looked over the extensive wine list, just to make sure we had no questions.
The kicker? We waited a bit for our meal. We didn't mention it, because we figured "hey, it's Friday, the first night of Restaurant Week, of COURSE It's busy and thus a little slow". Plus, we were having a nice date night and were enjoying each other's company. When we ordered dessert, my SO asks if I want a glass of Port with my Brûlée (because I almost always pair the two), and the waiter said "Well, actually, my manager would like to pair a drink with your dessert because your dinner took so long to come out."
Win. Any place that gives me a free glass of Tawny Port with my dessert, just because the kitchen took 5-10 minutes longer than normal wins my overall affection and dedication. Free booze after a great meal? You have won over my inner alcoholic. Well done, Pazo, well done.
At this point I am a HUGE fan of Foreman/Wolf establishments. They can do no wrong, as far as I am concerned. -
Review from Keith W.
Baltimore, MD
8/14/2011
This was my first time to Pazo after living several blocks away for three years. All I can say is DELICIOUS! We went for Baltimore Restaraunt Week and started with the pugliese bread and kiko hummus; both were excellent. My second course consisted of the shrimp pintxo (wonderful fresh zesty taste), crab and corn bunuelos (tasty balled treat), wood-grilled chicken pintxo (the best surprise of the night, very flavorful) and lamb ravioli (one of the best raviolis I have had). My dessert was the crispy chocolate hazelnut bars (would have been perfectly paired with a pinot noir or expresso). I tried my date's potato and manchego croquetas and waternelon sorbet; both were terrific. The ambiance was as advertised and the service was spectacular. I can't wait to go back!
-
Review from Pia A.
Germantown, MD
1/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
I went here to celebrate a friend's birthday. Key tip - do the prix fixe dinner. The prix fixe was not off a separate menu, but you get a choice of starter, main and dessert from the entire menu. Some restrictions of course, add a few extra dollars for a good cut of steak, but well worth it. And do it with the wine parings, the extra $20 is worth the 3 glasses of wine paired for each meal you select.
I ordered the steak tartare, and it just melted in my mouth. I had the lamb chops and that too was divine. The portions on both were pretty generous. The dessert, however, was just odd. That was my fault as I did not really look at the description closely. Ice cream hamburgers came to mind. Just odd.
The inside decor was good. Great for dates... especially if you don't really want to see them, yes, it was a tad on the dim side. The clientele.... it's Fells Point for crying out loud! There's the main strip off Broadway two blocks away. People were acting snooty.... but you're in Fells Point! The buildings next to you are spray painted warehouses, and you wouldn't park your fancy car in some alley.
Overall, I'd go back again for the food.... people watching was interesting. -
Review from Jen L.
1/30/2011
This is my 2nd time (in 2 years) Restaurant week trip to Pazo's.
Restaurant Week menu included a hummus appetizer and 4 tapas and a dessert. You could 4 out of a list of about 30 tapas. It was really tough narrowing it down!
This is not a good place if you are in the mood for large portions. But if you are in the mood for good food and great ambiance, Pazo's is the place to be.
The prices are a bit steep, but its worth it for a great food and great ambiance. They also have an extensive wine list and very knowledgeable wait staff that could help you with your wine selection.
Valet parking is free with validation.Listed in: Maryland Food Favs
