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Sontes
Category: Restaurants Tapas/Small Plates Tapas/Small Plates
4 3rd St SWRochester, MN 55902
(507) 292-1628
- Hours:
Tue-Thu 4 pm - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 4 pm - 11 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
22 reviews for Sontes
Review Highlights
"...go wrong with the chorizo stuffed dates and the scallops."
(in 3 reviews)
"Great wine selection and unique beers."
(in 3 reviews)
"2 fireplaces, nice lounge area."
(in 3 reviews)
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22 reviews in English
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Review from Amanda S.
Rochester, MN
5/13/2010
If you're visiting Rochester (or have friends visiting), go to Sonte's. the menu has a lot of variety (though it is not very vegetarian friendly) and you will probably try something that you have never tried before. My recommendation on the best way to do tapas: have everyone order a single dish and then pass it around and share it. Order a second helping of your favorites. Then keep it going.
The wine bar is quite extensive and they have an excellent selection of beers. They finally added variety to their cocktails, which is great.
Sometimes the food is stellar and sometimes it is so-so, but, I always have more fun here than anywhere else. In fact, for my birthday one year, I got to be a chef at Sonte's for the day. I worked in the back helping Chef Justin and the other chefs prepare for the dinner rush. Then, that night, we had dinner in the wine room and got to eat the fruits of our labors. It was so much fun!
Tessa, the owner, is usually wandering around. if something isn't up to par, let her know and she will fix it right away.
Overall - thumbs up, great for date night or groups of any size. If it's winter, grab a table by one of the fireplaces. -
Review from Graham D.
Barrington, IL
1/11/2012
Of course I look at this in a slightly different light than a native Rochesterian, but exactly how does a Tapas restaurant make it in Rochester? Answer: amazingly well.
Now, when you ask for this place remember to speak slowly and enunciate, or people will roll their eyes and tell you they don't have any of "those kind" of places!
Once you get here, you'll enjoy the attractive surroundings, and pleasant ambiance of the place. A nice bar lets you wait for a table-we didn't- and the wait staff is quite pleasant and reasonably attentive.
Skip the almond course, cause they're not what you think, i.e. Marconas, but everything else that approached our table was scrumptous. Average sizes are easily split between two people, so you can dine reasonably and sensibly.
A good wine list with a reasonable Spanish representation makes it easy on you, if you don't know the Spanish grapes.
All in all quite a gem in Rochester. I hope it survives, cause it deserves to. -
Review from Alison B.
Lake Villa, IL
11/28/2011
A very unique atmosphere for Rochester but I can't say we were that impressed with the food. Not a really large selection for food and they don't even have the chorizo stuffed dates anymore that seemed to be so popular.
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Review from Kris L.
1/22/2011
I was in Rochester, MN this week which was about as close to Siberia (at this time of year) as I have come. But the people we met were warm and friendly.
We went to Sontes based on the Yelp reviews and I want to thank my Yelp friends because it was very good. Its a tapas spot with a cool modern feel and a couple of fireplaces to warm us up on a cold January night.
Sontes has a good selection of tapas with some you wouldn't expect. We had;
Seared duck foie gras
Charcuterie plate
Chorizo empanadas
Pan fried dumplings with laughing bird shrimp
Raviolio with duck foie gras
Papas (patatas) bravas with manchengo sweet paprika and fennel
I was looking for a baked goat cheese but no dice. All in all we thought the food was tasty and we enjoyed the friendly atmosphere in town, this is definitely a good spot to check out when in Rochester. -
Review from Power N.
Sacramento, CA
5/23/2011
Came here to celebrate completion of board exams recently in May. Weather was nice so we decided to sit outside. Since the restaurant is near the medical center in the town, there were either ambulances or louder cars roaring about making it a bit noiser for outside dining. Restaurant has a mix of Asian and Spanish influences given the Asian owner.
We tried a couple of beers including the Duvel which I highly recommend.
We ordered some tapas including the roasted beet salad, yucca fries, paella, and market vegetable tagine as well as a flight of cheeses. Tagine and paella were tasty and we ended up ordering seconds of the yucca fries which I highly recommend. The waitress was fairly knowledgeable about the menu given we were looking for some gluten-free choices although she did have to check on a few. The recommended cheeses were also quite tasty.
Service was decent and we were checked on fairly frequently. Despite the expected higher prices of coming to a wine and tapas place, we had a pleasant dining experience here. -
Review from dennis h.
Carson City, NV
10/18/2011
Saw on the news Sontees won an award for best wine bar. I had planned on going to Chesters sister place Pescara tonight. Ok lets's do both a couple of small items at each place. The place is nice , great bar, white table linens. Loved the wine selection, nice choices. The menu items Did not excite me. We ordered the chili rellanos, arrived very quickly. It was so hot with spices it burnt our mouths, the inside had something very cold like they just defrosted it and not all the way. The salads were good as they should be. It's a nice wine bar that needs menu help.
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Review from JP S.
New Orleans, LA
9/5/2009
Don't let the soft porn music vibe on their website fool you, this is ALMOST the best place to eat in Rochester (#1 in my book: Pescara), but pretty damned close (do they say "damn" in the midwest?)
The food is a...maz...ing. Inventive, but not so crazy that you feel like a lab rat vs a patron.
Not sure about the Midwestern appetites, but this Texas transplant (to Boston) left quite sated on the food AND the wine side. We actually had to cancel a few orders because we got so full.
Favorites: Rabbit confit (best I've had...ever); Crab corny dogs; meat plate; and chorizo dates (my rel loved the hangar steak, too).
Misses: Wouldn't do the cheese plate again. Good, but, eh. And the foie gras tasted like it really wanted to be a blueberry pie instead of foie gras (now that's probably a much more pleasant life, but then...just be it!!).
The amazing photo over the men's urinal is almost worth the entire price of admission (get your heads...or whatever else...out of the gutter...it's a photo of everyone's crazy grandma) -
Review from Myles M.
Scottsdale, AZ
7/11/2011
We were in Rochester, MN this week and were looking for, not only good food, but somewhere that had some style, soul and not a commercial box restaurant! We were quite simply....surprised with the elegant presentation and the fine food, service by the staff at Sontes Wine Bar and Tapas. Great collection of wine to choose from around the world. I would with out a doubt, recommend this restaurant to friends or family! If you want ambiance, this is only the place to go!
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Review from Jessie C.
Niles, MI
1/9/2010
As their menu states, "To eat 'Tapas Style' is to eat whimsically, liberated from time and rule" and that is what we did.
When I heard there was a tapas place near us, I could hardly believe it. My only tapas experiences had been in New York, so I was anxious to try Sontes with my husband.
What a wonderful experience! We ended up having 11 "courses" as we wanted to try many different things, including two desserts and several cheese offerings. Plus, I'm not quite brave enough to do the tasting menu, so we created our own. The menu has changed since we've been there, so I won't go through what we ate because it isn't available anymore.
However, I will mention that the couple next to us ordered the kobe beef sliders and I was CERTAIN the man was having a sexual experience when he ate the slider. I was a bit uncomfortable, but if we hadn't been almost stuffed from our food, I would have definitely ordered them.
The atmosphere is warm, inviting and nicely done. It did transport us away from southern Minnesota.
If you are expecting large serving sizes, you should go elsewhere as this is meant to be an experience, not a buffet. -
Review from Mike R.
Chicago, IL
3/24/2009
I love the atmosphere here..it reminds me a bit more of a big city, which is what Rochester needs more of (and has been getting). Their food isn't too bad either, I have had a lot of good food from here, but it's a little expensive for what you get. I can understand why a few dishes cost so much, but some I can't.
Anyway, good wine selection and pretty good beer selection (and other selection). I love hanging out here at night really. Could work on their prices for some stuff though, and they should get even more wine.
Worth the experience to go here though. -
Review from F U.
Dallas, TX
6/25/2009
Without a doubt, the best place I have eaten so far.
The menu always changes, everything is made with love, the staff is young and energetic, and they genuinely care about every aspect of your experience. I read some of the criticisms about pricing relative to portion size, but these are tapas, they are meant to be small, succulent bites that go alongside wine. If you are looking for a value, order a pizza, like their Chicken Tikka Masala Pizza, the best Indian food I've ever had in the Midwest. Their entrees are called something different but they are priced more than fairly and all feature top notch local meats or overnight coastal seafood. Beer menu rocks, they have every French wine you could ever want. Artisan cheeses from the US and beyond.
The chef has skills, but I hope he never reads this and let's his ego get the best of him!
And yes, this is a real, objective review. My only bias is my stomach. -
Review from Colin S.
Smithfield, RI
12/29/2009
If you are expecting the classical midwestern sit-down with lots of food, then do not bother with Sontes.
If you are looking for a dinning experience with a expansive wine list and excellent food, then spend a few hours or evening at Sontes. The wine list is superb and there is approximately 40 wines available by the glass (there is also enough turn over and a nitrogen storage system to prevent bad glasses.) The food is solid, but the portions are designed for tasting and exploring. Also, the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. -
Review from John G.
Rochester, MN
2/9/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Very cool, mod place. 2 fireplaces, nice lounge area. Great wine selection and unique beers. Great tapas, although some of the dishes are a bit pricey for what you get. For a combo of service, style, ambiance, and food, you can't be this spot in Rochester.
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Review from Syl P.
Rochester, MN
11/7/2010
This is my favorite place in Rochester! It's a great place for drinks and dinner. The service is always amazing and the quality of the food is quite good for the price. You can't go wrong with the chorizo stuffed dates and the scallops.
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Review from Bob S.
Los Angeles, CA
2/12/2011
Five Star good. Katie P gave us great service and her suggestions were spot on. From the wine to the best choices of Tapas and cheeses were excellent. It was a very cool little place with lots of ambiance. Perfect for sharing an evening with friends or family you want to talk to.
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Review from Ginger W.
Chicago, IL
11/11/2008
As a frequent visitor to Rochester, I was happy to see Sontes Wine Bar and Tapas as a nice addition to the restaurant scene. Have I had better tapas? Without a doubt. However, the tapas here are not bad. I would like to see more options but what is on the menu is satisfactory. I believe that the focus of the restaurant is really on its wines. I found the wine list to be quite extensive and varied. The waiters were quite knowledgeable about the wines they offered and made some great suggestions. The environment is warm and friendly. The fireplace is a nice addition for a restaurant in a city that seems to stay cold 10 months out of the year.
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Review from amy s.
Rochester, MN
3/26/2010 2 Check-ins Here
The Tapas are great!! They have lots of really unique dishes and although they are pretty expensive its worth it for a special occasion or date night. The ice cream sampler for dessert was amazing!! Although the flavors sound really weird, i highly recommend trying them! The bowl of fluffy chip things that you get at the beginning are great! I wish i could buy those in bulk! :) Great wine selection although it too is very pricey. When we go here we get one small plate at a time so that we can enjoy each one as it comes and can have a nice slow relaxing dinner. The atomosphere is nice, they have live music sometimes which i really like, and the waiters have been GREAT!
Listed in: Local Cuisine
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Review from Allison M.
Washington, DC
Updated - 5/29/2010
Sorry Sontes, you get knocked down a peg or two. I was here this winter, and all your dishes seemed to have chorizo in it. Not that I don't like chorizo; but where is the creativity and dynamism I fell in love with?
The service was friendly and helpful as always, but nothing on the savory menu gave me the 'wow' factor it had in previous visits. The food was all good but it was standard, even cliche. I worry that due to a lack in business they are toning down their flaire to appease the masses.
Overall, you should still try it out. But I am going to be very tentative about going back.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/5/2009
Don't let some of the other reviews scare you off, this is the best stuff there is in Rochester or… Read more »
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Review from Elizabeth K.
Modesto, CA
9/12/2010
Sontes is great... wonderful atmosphere... delicious drinks... helpful friendly waiters... good live music. They would earn a full 5 stars if they only had a few more vegetarian or vegan choices on their menu. If I lived in Rochester I'd definitely be a regular here!
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Review from Billy N.
Tenafly, NJ
9/12/2009
Over priced. We've eaten there once and never again. The pizza dish was more of a cookie than pizza. haven't been back
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Review from Melanie L.
Hoboken, NJ
12/24/2010
I'm originally from Rochester and went to Sonte's when I was home on holiday. The wine was great and the food was good. I would agree with previous posts that it's a place where you can get something unique in Rochester and it was good. However, I wasn't "wow'd" by the food (aside from the shrimp toast thingy, that was delicious). It is a lovely place to go with friends and enjoy some wine and some nibbles. It was quiet, so I would also say it's a nice place to go for a business meal.
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Review from David D.
Tacoma, WA
8/1/2009
A cultural adventure, Sontes will most likely introduce you to a wide variety of new meals. With an ever changing menu and new experiments by the chef, Sontes ought provide a different dining experience from each visit -- whether it's worth the price depends on how much you're willing to trust the chef.
Tapas can be a slightly different dining experience -- though it is intended to be a variety of appetizers, the American adaptation has become more of a full meal (over the course of many smaller meals), designed to be shared among the guests, who in turn are meant to discuss and let the meal linger longer instead of expecting to consume over the course of their course. While Sontes absolutely accomplishes the first two tasks, your mileage will absolutely vary with the third.
Since the menu will change, it is difficult to rate Sontes' food. The cheese and wine selection is appropriate, and while delicious and ideal for the price, I get the sense that the subtlety of the tastes simply aren't enough to carry over to most people. (That being said, I'm not much of a cheese and wine person myself) This brings me to the rest of the menu -- peeking at the online menu, I can see that they have changes relatively recently from when I last ate at Sontes, with a few of the staples still remaining. The Maine Diver Scallops, the restaurants' premiere tapas (I think that is what was suggested), are quite delicious, and present chocolate in a much more "normative" way than most of us are used to. Not to say that it will be too bitter for most people, but that it will be different. Spicy instead of sweet, but sweet enough to be familiar.
While I could go through the menu and update whenever Sontes does, this is missing the point, to a degree, of tapas dining and of Sontes. Sontes isn't looking for what you want and how you want it, and while this may seem like a ridiculous concept, hear me out. The food is going to be prepared differently (most likely) than most diners are familiar with. Not necessarily in weird ways or with bad combinations, but it's going to be prepared as the chef deems proper. A lot of trust is needed to go with a meal at Sontes, trust that the chef and their staff understands flavor and trust that you will enjoy the food and that those in your party will also have a fair idea of what they want. Sontes is going to take you out of the comfort zone of dining and ask you to try things differently. Your best bet is to look at the menu, find an item your familiar with and one you aren't, and just order. Try and experiment.
Now, that's a big request at a high price tag, but Sontes is offering something which really isn't available elsewhere in Rochester. The chef, from my experience at least, has proven competency in their meals, and I think you'll find a similar result.
The interior and the staff can be summed up as "modern" -- everything rings of a modern art piece, and while it's certainly beautiful, it's somewhat jarring in terms of what you might expect from the area. I'd suggest dressing up in something that can be described as "__Blank__" - Casual, as it will match the interior nicely. The staff is fairly polite, but as of this writing, I can't tell you if they'll be able to help you with much on the meal besides what they like. Subsequent visits may prove otherwise.
Visit Sontes as an experience. Treat it as a trip and a meal rolled into one, because you really will be in for something different. Feel free to talk to the waitstaff and other guests, get comfortable. If you aren't sure on something, ask their recommendation or the recommendation of the chef. If they're doing their job as servants at a Tapas establishment, they should be ripe with suggestions.
Sontes probably won't be the weekly or monthly meal for you. But, the rare occasion when you feel like something new and special, Sontes most likely has updated to give you a new experience.
