The Compound RestaurantGood food, good service, but noisyOverall, we enjoyed our dining experience. Pricey menu but fresh high quality ingredients. Beef and lamb were excellent as were the sides. The starter scallop with pork belly was too salty. The dessert was delicious but too small a portion for the price. The wine list has excellent expensive options. Although we had an early evening reservation we were seated in a room near the bar which was very noisy by about 8 p.m. (a party near us asked to be reseated because of the noise). The service was informative and attentive, but also a bit pushy. Whereas on prior occasions the wait staff and maitre d' were a tad snooty, this time they were a bit unctuous, perhaps a sign of a tougher economy. So a pleasant experience, but could have been better.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMI knew this was an upscale,I knew this was an upscale, legendary restaurant in SF. Food was very good. I have a problem though, when the least expensive glass of wine is $15.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMWe went at 6pm on a Saturay,We went at 6pm on a Saturay, so it was a little empty, but wonderfully quiet. The service was attentive without being annoying. The food was creative, beautifully presented, and delicious. We sat in the front room, which was bright, airy and sunny; the back room looked much darker and didn't seem to have any windows. The only complaint, and the reason for 3 stars for service and 4 overall, was that while our server suggested some great dishes, he pushed the alcohol really hard. We ordered two glasses of champagne and the waiter tried to talk us into a bottle of wine. When we said no, he tried to talk us into a half-bottle, twice. Then he tried to push booze with dessert. It should have been obvious we were not interested in drinking.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMOutstanding. Expensive but worth itEverything was perfect. The food, service, staff and friendly other guests.6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMI have always enjoyed theI have always enjoyed the restaurant, my last visit was exceptional on every facit!6/4/2013 12:00:00 AMBetter than Ever!The Compound has been in business a long time: prestigious awards; great PR; in and out-of-town 'buzz'.
It was Very good for a Very long time and then slipped: both food quality and service. It is back on top! Everything was superb:
food and service.6/2/2013 12:00:00 AMCelebrationWe celebrated our first anniversary here, and the food was outstanding. The service was also very good. I will definitely consider a return visit the next time I'm in Santa Fe.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food, mediocre serviceI really thought the compound was a nice restaurant, and our meal started off great. However, half way through it, our waiter abandoned us. The last time we saw him, was when he dropped off the bill. For a restaurant of that caliber, that is simply unacceptable.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent service and greatExcellent service and great food. No robls at all. Very prompt and friendly service.5/23/2013 12:00:00 AM37th anniversary with styleBeautiful decor , fabulous outdoor seating food is out of this world. Forever braised short rib ravioli best thing i have ever tasted.5/22/2013 12:00:00 AMNot What It Used To Be!Poor service for an 'upscale' restaurant. Clientele in shorts and sneakers at dinner. Food good, but not fabulous. Prefer Coyote Cafe for an elegant dinner.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMTook my mother to The CompoundTook my mother to The Compound for Mother's Day brunch and it was a wonderful experience. Food and service was exceptional making for a special experience. I had not been to this restaurant in a while and found that it was still very consistent which is a good thing. I would highly recommend it for lunch, brunch or dinner!5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMA Little AggressiveThe food and wine were outstanding however the waiter constantly tried to "up sell" us on everything. He wouldn't take no for an answer when my companion decided not to have an appetizer course. We shared a 1/2 bottle of a very good white burgundy and when I decided to have an additional glass of something else, I asked for a pinot noir. from their by the glass program. He tried to get me to order a 1/2 bottle of a Chateauneuf du Pape. Just too aggressive in selling which diminished our dining experience.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat restaurant, fabulousGreat restaurant, fabulous food! For the first time in a long time, the service was spotty. Our waiter kept disappearing for long periods of time.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMBest in Santa Fe?Have been to Compound several times, but this time was nearly perfect. From the sommelier to the servers to the buss team, the service was flawless and very professional. Whether I ordered a cocktail or glass'of wine, it never took more than 2 minutes for it to be brought to the table. The food was outstanding. Spring pea risotto, halibut, foie gras, polenta......wonderful. It was my wife's birthday and they ended the service with a plate of cookies with Happy Birthday written in chocolate. Perfect.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMRemarkable, inventive food,Remarkable, inventive food, beautifully presented, and excellent though limited wine list. Service was prompt and attentive.5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMSanta Fe traditionAwesome lunch spot on Canyon Road. Food was excellent and would recommend the soft-shell crab sandwich.5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMMade a special effort to eatMade a special effort to eat at The Compound on our 2nd trip to Santa Fe. Wonderful food and excellent service. The manager is very knowledgeable and an excellent maitre d'.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMLove the bar service. JustLove the bar service. Just a perfect setting and a great bartender. Thanks for a great evening4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMOur waiter, Javier, was wonderful.Our waiter, Javier, was wonderful. He steered us to a great bottle of wine, and also suggested that we try the scallop appetizer — it was easily the best part of the meal. We also ordered the risotto appetizer, which was a real disappointment (and is what prevents me from awarding 5 stars for food). A soupy/stewy rice dish with vegetables (and trace amounts of pork?), it certainly was not risotto in a traditional Italian form. Of course, that wouldn't matter if the taste were good! It was a bland dish, the sauce unable to tie the vegetables and rice together in any harmonious way.
Our entrees were delicious (thank God, after that risotto!) — the beef tenderloin was perfectly cooked and plentiful, as was the pork tenderloin!4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMWhile on the expensive end,While on the expensive end, the food is fresh and delicious. Our waitress was happy to accomodate specific requests. The tables are not overcrowded but the noise level is a little high.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMPricey menu, but the experiencePricey menu, but the experience and the ambiance simply enhance the outstanding food. Well worth a special night out - try the manhattan, all local ingredients and one of the best I've had!4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMMeal was wonderful! Can'tMeal was wonderful! Can't say enough about the special touches put forth by all involved. We ordered the Osso Bucco and still can't stop talking about it. I wouldn't doubt if the meat was braised for days because it was so flavorful and so tender- fabulous! Wait staff was nothing but courteous and professional- would highly recommend!!4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMA perfect location and menuA perfect location and menu for a birthday luncheon. The crab and lobster salad is always a hit.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMIt was great as always. JustIt was great as always. Just needs to get a more varied wine selection.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was our first time atThis was our first time at this restaurant and the food was very good, however, I ordered duck and it was very tough and chewy (the only thing that was not up to par). The wait staff tried to tell me that this type duck (Hudson Valley Duck) tends to be chewy. Then why serve it. This will not keep us from returning, everything else was very good, just won't order the duck.4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMLove It!Our favorite place for a special lunch. Everything about The Compound is outstanding! We love it!4/8/2013 12:00:00 AMSanta Fe SpecialOur one night in Santa Fe, en route to Taos, NM, we chose the Compound to dine with friends from Holland. We were late arriving in Santa Fe, and they were kind to seat us rather late. My husband described it as an outstanding experience. Wine and food, service and ambience were lovely. A great American experience for our Dutch friends.4/8/2013 12:00:00 AMFabulous FoodThe food was the star here. The richness of the sauces to the beautiful presentation of each dish. The service was alright but not outstanding. Maybe because it was a quiet evening......4/7/2013 12:00:00 AMThe best of the bestThe Compound is always wonderful. We live in Santa Fe part time and find that this restaurant by far has the best quality food.
I am not a vegetarian - but tried the soft polenta with wild mushrooms. It is the best of the best.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent place for a specialExcellent place for a special occasion, but I preferred Geronimo for food, ambiance, and service.4/2/2013 12:00:00 AMIt was amazing. The foodIt was amazing. The food - incredible! I'll be back again and again!!3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMThe menu is not very inspired,The menu is not very inspired, but the execution is flawless and delicious.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMIn my lifetime top 10The Compound is an experience not to be missed. The food is fabulous (I am a chef myself), the service is attentive but not excessive and the ambiance is perfect. Pricey but worth it.
M. Atherton3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was good, wine list wasFood was good, wine list was fine, a little pricey. Service was excellent and ambience was nice and quiet.
Check your bill carefully. I was charged for 2 bottles of champagne when we only had 1.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMClassy and Vibrant Lunch SceneClassy, vibrant lunch scene tucked in among the Canyon Road art galleries. The martinis and wine were flowing freely at every table. A very fun and relaxing lunch. Highly recommend it.3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMWhile in Santa Fe recentlyWhile in Santa Fe recently we ate the following dinners: Pink Adobe, El Farol, Santa Cafe, and The Compound. The Compound was BY FAR the best dinner we had. Filet was excellent cut of beef, lamb was excellent as well. Appetizers were beef tartare and the scallops served with brussels and bacon. Absolutely will return anytime I go to Santa Fe.2/22/2013 12:00:00 AMWe have visited the CompoundWe have visited the Compound several times in the past few months and the result it always the same...A delightful Evening! Wonderful ambiance, great food and friendly service. Good wine selection too. Recommended!1/1/2013 12:00:00 AMDelightful experience. FirstDelightful experience. First time to experience the Compound and it is highly recommended. Service was outstanding and food very good. Soild wine list. Friendly white table cloth establishment. We greatly enjoyed the upscale dining.12/17/2012 12:00:00 AM