Rio MarExcellentGreat empanadas, ceviche mango okay, hanger steak was very good, cheese cake with guava outstanding6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMRio Mar Father's DayAmazing food, service, etc. I invited my parents for an early Father's Day dinner. They were hesitant because they don't like to try new things. I told them that they would not be disappointed. They had an amazing time and were extremely thankful. I am sure that they will be dining here more often!6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMWe ordered the selection onWe ordered the selection on small plates. Most were excellent. This is a place where I'd like to try everything on the menu and go with a group of fun friends who love seafood.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMI have never had a bad mealI have never had a bad meal at Rio Mar. The waitress and kitchen were kind enough to "super size" our tapas dishes so we wouldn't have to order two of everything.5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMWorth the VisitMy wife and I booked a reservation to this restaurant based on its reputation and proximity to Howlin' Wolf. Although we found the appetizers and entrees to be a little pricey, they were flavorful and well-executed. Our server was efficient and extremely helpful in explaining the menu and suggesting wine pairings. The restaurant's decor was fairly basic and lacking pizzazz. The noise level was modest and we had no difficulty carrying on a conversation.5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful tapas lunchDelicious seafood and perfect tapas lunch. Creative and tasty!5/22/2013 12:00:00 AMStrongly recommended!This was my second visit in 2 weeks. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience both times. From making reservations through dessert, everything went exactly right. The wait staff are knowledgeable about all aspects of the menu, the caipirinhas were tart and refreshing (especially after a walk in NOLA), and the tapas can be easily shared. The food was excellent, too. Two of our party had the gulf fish special, I had gambas al ajillo, and the fourth person had the empanadas. All of us enjoyed our meals!5/21/2013 12:00:00 AMDelectable grilled fish!We had a grilled gulf fish, red snapper and it was fresh and delicious. If you are realy into fresh seafoods, this place is must-go place. Only downside was the price was not on menu and it was quite pricy - $50. Just make sure to ask upfront what the market value is...5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food, great night!We were in town on business and a local co-worker recommended Rio Mar. We were not disappointed. The dining experience was fantastic. Great food, great night!5/16/2013 12:00:00 AMWeird ordering policies, great foodThis was a great restaurant - once we got past the hostess. The restaurant apparently has a policy that you cannot be seated untli your entire party arrives. When we asked why, the hostess informed us that the kitchen 'likes to get the entire table's order at once'. Even drinks??? Doubtful. Much of this would have been better if the hostess had better people skills.
Fortunately, once we got to our table, our waiter was outstanding, personable, and acknowledged that the policies were bizarre, especially given that one specialy is ceviche (why can't you order that first, then your cooked food???). The food was delicious, flavorful and well done. We thoroughly enjoyed it and would go back, but will warn friends about the strange policies.5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMCeviche has always been theCeviche has always been the strong starting point, and the choices seemed the same as before the recent chef and ownership changes. We get the tasting foursome, delicious with somewhat different fish in a few (shrimp was ubiquitous) and quite different heat. The grilled octopus on potato was excellent; the corn fritter-type was tasty, though a little dry; the stuffed peppers delightful, a nice wine, remarkable cocktails, and a few other lovely dishes, along with bread and first-rate olive oil left no room for the sweet, sweet deserts. Slammed on the Saturday night of Jazz Fest, so the kitchen was behind, but the waitstaff tried valiantly to keep us up to date and pleased.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food here was surprisingThe food here was surprising good. We had the serviche sampler which was delicious. I had the 'fish of the day' eschbeche which was perfectly cooked and flavorful. They could use a little help with the ambience. Also, not sure what is going on in the bar. We had a glass of wine while we waited for our table and the bartender didn't know if we could eat at the bar or not. What? get a bar menu, at least.5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways fabulous!!!!I have been to dinner here multiple times over the past few years, and the food is always fabulous! The service is impeccable, and the ambience is wonderful.5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Sea Food creativityDefinitely great sea food. Not just the normal fare, but really creative use of flavors. The chef truly creates a fiesta for your taste buds.4/29/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was delicious. OurFood was delicious. Our waiiter was very knowledgeable and heipful. Creative and fun.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMWhy have to order all at once?Really enjoyed Rio Mar, especially the empanadas and the stuffed peppers. Only comment would be on the timing of service. Although our server was extremely friendly, they would not let us order tapas in 2 rounds. We wanted to get the ceviche taster for the table as an appetizer then move on to the hot plates but we were told we had to order everything all at once and had no control over which came first. It just wasn't how we usually enjoy eating tapas. The fun of tapas is ordering a few small plates, seeing what you like, then ordering more. We ended up with a bowl of ceviche left over b/c it came mid-dinner and everyone was focusing on the hot foods. Otherwise, everything was great. Nice wine selection and friendly atmosphere.4/22/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was one of the best mealsThis was one of the best meals I have ever had. I went with a large group and the service was excellent. I highly recommend the drum fish. Very good. Our group sampled many appetizers and desserts and everything was first class. Kudos to Helena, the GM, who was wonderful.4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMWe enjoyed the meal exceptWe enjoyed the meal except for the noise. Towards the end of our meal it was really out of hand.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMReally enjoyed dinner. ThereReally enjoyed dinner. There were several large groups in the restaurant, and it was LOUD! But the food was great, service was good, and the experience was enjoyable.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMThe fresh seafood and wineThe fresh seafood and wine selection was excellent! The waitress was knowledable about the dishes and which wine to pair them with. The portion sizes were just the right amount, not too much and not too little like other eating establishments give. Would definitely go back there and try another of the chef's special!4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways excellent food andAlways excellent food and wine. The service is always attentive and knowledgeable.4/8/2013 12:00:00 AMOur best meal in New OrleansThis restaurant is in the Warehouse District near the Convention Center so it can be busy during a big convention. We made a reservation and were offered free drinks from the bar when our table wasn't ready when we arrived. The dinner was leisurely, and service was attentive. This was our best meal in New Orleans.4/8/2013 12:00:00 AMRio Mar still excellentI am a long time fan of Rio Mar. I once lived a few blocks away, and was a regular. This was my first time dining at Rio Mar since Chef Adolfo Garcia's departure. I have to say, Chef Miles Prescott has continued where Adolfo left off. Many favorites were kept on the menu, and a few items added. Among the new: Jamon Iberico with almond-stuffed dates as an appetizer - it was exquisite! Everything else we (party of 3) ordered was fantastic: special app of snails, gazpacho, diver scallops, oysters Rio Mar, steamed mussels in white wine with chorizo, and the lechon followed by flan, tres leches, and dulce de leche ice cream! Get on over there.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had an early dinner onWe had an early dinner on a Friday night when the restaurant was not very crowded. The service was attentive and friendly. The food is very well prepared, plated beautifully, and delicious. The menu was primarily seafood, which we love, but there was a steak option for a non seafood lover. There is a nice mix of small plates and large plates. The ceviche was excellent. As the evening progressed the restaurant became more crowded and the ambient noise level increased. The bar scene seemed quite active. We really enjoyed our experience and will definitely come back.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMLoved it - what a find - willLoved it - what a find - will dine here again when we return to New Orleans.3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMEven though we had an issueEven though we had an issue with a waitstaff other than ours bringing someone else's food to our table, management was gracious enough to correct the problem, then go that extra mile to make the experience even more enjoyable by bringing us a dessert sampler!3/25/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent friendly and professionalExcellent friendly and professional staff. Interesting different menu. We all had fish which seems to be a speciality and which was uniformly excellent.3/25/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat local find. They listGreat local find. They list their food as Spanish & Latin-American cuisine but I would just call it delicious. Just a short walk from our hotel in the CBD, this place, list most New Orleans restaurants, has a very questionable view from outside, but in was a place with great food and vibrant flavors. Do yourself a favor and look at their menu online and come ready to be pleased.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMVery refreshing to see ourVery refreshing to see our Gulf Coast seafood used in these Spanish/Tapas preparations.
Presentations were appealing portions most satisfying. The Al Fuego Ceviche was so delicious and the popcorn so much fun. Order anything with the pickled vegetables; I could eat a bowl of those alone. Service was gracious and friendly.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent restaurant withExcellent restaurant with great food and wonderful ambiance!3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMThe ceviche tasting plateThe ceviche tasting plate was excellent. This is a seafood restaurant, but I went ahead and ordered the pork and it was fabulous.3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMDelicious food; great menu.Delicious food; great menu. Don't let the view from the outside dissuade you.3/12/2013 12:00:00 AMWarehouse District GemRio Mar was a last minute decision. The Spanish influence is a refreshing addition to New Orleans cuisine. We will definitely be back.1/1/0001 4:00:00 PM