Bata

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1. DH

   DonnaH

   Minneapolis

   2 reviews

   2.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

   overall2food3service5ambience4

   I was so looking forward to dining here. The write ups in various publications touted Bata as a sophisticated new venue for Tucson. Unfortunately we found that it didn’t live up to the hype. Our wait staff was superb and the setting was industrial chic. The menu had many unusual and exciting options. However, when our small plates arrived we discovered that they really were not shareable due to the one or two bite portions. Some of the flavors were wonderful (like the chili infused halibut…although too much accompanying sauce) but others just so so. The biggest disappointment was the pork loin which came thinly sliced and seared but consisted of 80% fat and almost no meat. If it had been described as pork belly I would understand but paying over $60 for a lot of solid fat was very unappealing. Unfortunately, Bata’s presentation was very plain and unadorned. It felt like little bits of food on salad plates with little adornment and a thematically disjointed experience. We have been to other excellent restaurants outside of Tucson that successfully offer small plates dinners as an artistic expression both visually and gastronomically. While I hope they are successful, I have my doubts unless they flush out the concept. For now it feels like they are asking for premium prices for a mediocre experience.
   

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2. T

   Tucsonresident

   San Francisco

   38 reviews

   vip
   4.0

   38 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   overall4food4service4ambience4

   The foot was very good but over priced. Some of the ingredients were the same in different dishes. Menu the same from a few months ago. We loved it the first time but not as impressed the second time. We will pause for a long time before returning. Parking is non existent, must use valet which is not cheap either. Service was excellent and intimate ambiance even though it was full.
   

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3. a

   alonzo

   Phoenix

   5 reviews

   3.0

   5 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   overall3food2service2ambience4

   The urban decor was great.....service was cold, no suggestion when asked .... servings were not timely and the serving size was miniscule ...We ordered 5 dishes for the 2 of us and we left still hungry.....Watching other peoples expressions at other tables when served seemed to share the same thoughts......2 of the 5 dishes were great , the other 3 would not order again Someone should have a food truck across the street so when leaving you can satisfy your hunger...No one will ever walk out with a take home bag.........do NOT understand the hype for this place....Even on a Saturday night empty tables at 7 and 8 ....Curious how much repeat business they do ?
   

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4. RA

   RickA

   New York Area

   2 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Without a doubt, the best restaurant I’ve been to in Tucson in over 15 years of visiting. That’s saying a lot since there are so many other places I love in Tucson. Highly recommend for diners more focused on the quality over quantity of food. Every dish is close your eyes good. And I like the attention to detail at every step of the dishes from sourcing to cooking to serving. 10 out of 10.
   

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5. EH

   EvaH

   Phoenix

   7 reviews

   5.0

   7 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   For one, the food is fresh and Inventive. Lovely ambience, and the Service is outstanding.
   

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6. HM

   HughM

   New York Area

   3 reviews

   3.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on May 27, 2023

   overall3food3service3ambience4

   Bata is a nice place and I appreciate what they are trying to do both in unusual flavors and farm to table, but the portion size relative to the price is not sustainable. I can honestly say that charging >$15 for a small dessert is new high for me. I travel a lot and seek out fine and unusual dining and rarely find this imbalance. The service was good, although a little prescriptive and I had to ask twice for several items. Overall there are a lot of new/old delicious places to eat in Tucson and it will be a while before I return.
   

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7. GC

   GilChesterton

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on May 25, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Art on a plate and in a glass. Everything about our experience felt expertly curated and every bite of food was a decadent adventure for the palate. The staff gives world class service, even when the place is busy, and they seem to have an intimate knowledge of the ingredients and preparation of dishes.
   

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8. RY

   RobertY

   New York Area

   7 reviews

   5.0

   7 reviews

   Dined on May 25, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   The most interesting cuisine in Tucson. Japanese influence is evident in the ingredients described in detail on the menu. Highly recommended.
   

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9. M

   Monk

   Phoenix

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on May 21, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Though the size for each item is much smaller than other restaurants, each tiny bite was delicious. Nice for a special occasion splurge.
   

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10. M

    Maxine

    Phoenix

    12 reviews

    3.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on May 18, 2023

    overall3food3service5ambience5

    I wanted to love this restaurant - it has the best ambiance in town (beautiful urban modern) and our waitress was great. However, most of our food was mediocre and/or in really small portions. We had five dishes: malawach (a glorified pancake served with yogurt and jam which would have been good for breakfast), beef tartare (strangely sour), big-eye tuna crudo (fabulous but we only got three tiny one-bite pieces), Brussel sprouts (also sour), and halibut (very moist and tasty - the best of the bunch.). The wines we had by the glass were good but not great (and pretty pricey). The total for two of us including tip was $200. Definitely not worth it.
    

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11. MC

    MikeC

    Exclusive

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on May 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Unique dishes and preparations you won't find anywhere else, served in small portions intended to be mixed and matched. Menu changes frequently. Food is exquisite and the wait staff is over the top. A great place for foodies. Not inexpensive but you get what you pay for! Great place for a special date or celebration, like an anniversary or ???
    

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12. TF

    TheFoodie

    Phoenix

    25 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall2food2service3ambience3

    Food is mediocre and overpriced, very small portions. Not worth it.
    

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13. AK

    AdrianK

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    An amazing and creative menu, can't wait to go back!
    

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14. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    The most unique delicious recipes along with wonderful service .
    

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15. p

    pattimac140

    Tucson

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3

    Very imaginative food offering. The food was outstanding. My only complaint would be that for the price per plate, you could seat people away from other tables. The restaurant was not nearly crowded, yet they sat a couple directly (nearly with us) next to us. So much for a private conversation over dinner.
    

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16. i

    ilanam

    Phoenix

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 12, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5

    Meeting sons girlfriend who is vegan for the first time. Oliver was great. I would however advise him to say dietary preferences rather than restrictions bc being vegetarian isn’t a restriction it’s a lifestyle choice. We ordered about 10 plates. Some were excellent and some were just ok. For the price and hype I expected a little better. The sommelier was terrific!!! The ambiance and table ware including glasses were wonderful.
    

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17. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Phoenix

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    A foodie’s delight! We asked our server to curate a selection of dishes. He did not disappoint!
    

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18. JP

    JessicaP

    Nashville

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Okay Tucson...I see you. I loved everything about BATA; the aesthetic, the service. And of course the food! Definitely an elevated dining experience, which we don't have much of here. Our waiter was super knowledgeable about the menu and gave great recommendations. We loved that 90% of the menu is sourced within Arizona and everything else is still within a couple hundred mile radius. So knowing that this menu rotates def will make us go back often. The menu is made up of small plates. I think there were plenty of options but majority are more vegetable forward. I wouldn't recommend this for group dining, because the portions are small. I would say perfect for 2-4 to share and try a bunch of different things. We were hungry when we got seated and were nervous we wouldn't leave full, but we were happily proved wrong.
    

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19. SB

    SteveB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Innovative food, attentive staff. Great special occasion restaurant.
    

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20. KK

    KaseyK

    Phoenix

    9 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall1food1service2ambience3

    terrible food, beef skewer was terrible. My wife got sick from the food. This was our 1st-anniversary last night and we were not impressed at all. Service by Katie was mediocre only table touched a few times. I was a Chef for over 10 years and we are foodies, Will not be coming back.
    

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21. F

    Foodie

    Phoenix

    57 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    57 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall4food3service5ambience5

    We appreciated the restaurant’s accommodating our vegan guests with special menus. The restaurant was a big hit with them! Our server was the best we’ve had at Bata so far—a real winner. A couple of the dishes fell a bit short, but all in all it was a delightful experience! We’ll be back (we’ve already dined there a number of times and have introduced several friends to Bata. One problem: music needs to be turned down a notch. It was a bit nerve wracking to converse over it (especially since the tables are a bit too large for four.)
    

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22. J

    Jeff

    Kansas City

    5 reviews

    3.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience5

    Beautiful ambience....quite unique. Service was excellent. Food was a mixed bag.....limited and quite pricey. Willing to give it a second try but reserving final judgement
    

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23. JD

    JudyD

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    It was an experience for sure…. Staff very helpful, food interesting and delish….
    

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24. D

    Dmitri

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Excellent. Intense flavors! A very enjoyable experience.
    

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25. DD

    DomDom

    Tucson

    21 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on May 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    I took my foodie brother here for his birthday along with my niece and best friend. My second time here was even better than the first. First we had drinks downstairs at Barbata. It serves wildly creative cocktails and other delicious concoctions. Dinner was amazing. The food presentation and beautiful plating were outstanding and so delicious. We had 3 appetizers and 8 of the small plates for main courses and 2 desserts. Everything was so well seasoned and balanced and surprising as well. Kudos to he chef and everyone else that makes this restaurant one I will go back to time and time again.
    

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26. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Tucson

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 1, 2023

    overall5food4service4ambience3

    Overly pretentious- small plates, service off! Really wanted to love this, wont rush to return. Seriously underwhelmed.
    

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27. b

    barbarar

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 1, 2023

    overall2food4service4ambience4

    Constructive criticism...Every bite was perfect although the food experience was a bit ostentatious.
    

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28. b

    barbinarizona

    Phoenix

    32 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    32 reviews

    Dined on May 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    What an outstanding meal. So inventive and tasty. Service was very good…our waiter appreciated our patience as one of the othe tables he was waiting on was jus too precious for their own good…don’t be a waiter hog!
    

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29. KK

    KenK

    Tucson

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    BATA has become our favorite restaurant in downtown Tucson. The food is excellent and the combinations and physical presentation are always creative. We are fortunate to have a restaurant of this quality in Tucson.
    

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30. AR

    AbsoluteRavingFan

    Dallas

    175 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    175 reviews

    Dined on April 30, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    Finally, a “non-Tucson” Tucson restaurant. Very cool, minimalist atmosphere, yet warm. Creative, unusual food….think braised purple Brussels sprouts, lions mane mushrooms, fermented potato bread, halibut with wonderful cream sauce. Small, yet smart wine list. VERY international selections. Service was knowledgeable, interactive, and friendly. This is definitely a go to in Tucson
    

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31. L

    Lainiebc

    Phoenix

    38 reviews

    4.0

    38 reviews

    Dined on April 30, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    Had an enjoyable dinner particularly because Roxanna waited on us. She is charming and knowledgeable. The food was well prepared, presented and seasoned but the halibut and brussel sprouts had more sauce than we would prefer. The best critique is that our overall experience was fine and we will be back. Thanks, Mort Cederbaum
    

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32. TS

    TomS

    Phoenix

    4 reviews

    2.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on April 29, 2023

    overall2food2service3ambience3

    Meh. Wanted to like this place, but it was a heavy lift. The so-so food didn't live up to the pretentiousness and condescension. When the tastiest part of the meal is the cheese-stuffed olive in your martini, you know there's a problem. While the Bigelow Martini was decent, and the green beans very good, the beets were just like beets from a jar, despite the underlying plethora of ingredients, and the char on the beef pork bites was fighting with the very pungent dill garnish (and I like fresh dill). The waiter seemed disappointed we didn't order more items. I guess we didn't hit their $$ per person target.
    

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33. I

    Idonthaveareviewsnicknam

    Charleston

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on April 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Very creative and beautifully prepared. Unique vegetarian-forward menu, with options for carnivores. I would say most dishes would be considered small plates, and nothing is padded with bulk items like rice, potatoes or pasta, so you end up ordering more plates. Everything was delicious. Pricey, but perfect for a special occasion…if you’re a picky eater, go somewhere else
    

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34. J

    Jmtuts

    Chicago

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on April 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    We knew a little about what to expect, but were very happily surprised at what unfolded. First, the service was exceptional, everyone from the hostess to the wait staff and the servers were all obviously well trained. They knew the menu, explained the process ( a bit different from a more traditional restaurant) and would take the time to do so as the rest of the team would cover for any staff member who was with another table. The food was great, although the menu is, again, not as traditional but the flavors, the presentation, etc were wonderful. Our favorite was the steak tartare, but everything else was just as delicious. We will definitely be going back.
    

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35. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New Mexico

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on April 27, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    Great food, great service and wines that compliment the menu. Small plates, think tapas, with just a couple larger offerings.
    

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36. LS

    LindaS

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 23, 2023

    overall4food2service4ambience4

    So little to pick from and I mostly eat vegetarian. Great majority of dishes didn’t even appeal to me. Ordered duck tureen in shell crust which seemed like cardboard, uncuttable. Would not recommend or return.
    

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37. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    London

    2 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 22, 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience5

    Some items, especially the veggies were creative and delicious. Halibut was awesome. Duck breast was a hockey puck. Service was intentionally reserved. Not worth the high price tag.
    

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38. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Phoenix

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Best meal in Tucson hands down! Every plate was perfectly crafted and always and left us wanting more;) Dessert blew our socks off can’t wait to go back and try a different menu.
    

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39. TD

    TucsonDoc

    Phoenix

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on April 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Having lived in Tucson for thirty years, this is, hands-down, now the best restaurant in town. It's reminiscent of, but even more creative than Janos Wilder's first place at the Museum of Art. The menu offers basically small, shareable servings. Our party of four seniors got by with two per person, but younger folks may want more. Everything, particularly the fish, was outstanding. The cocktails are equally creative. The service was terrific and we followed our waiter's suggestions with great results. Bata is appropriately expensive by Tucson standards, at least $100/person, but a comparable experience in a foodie metropolis would be 1.5-2 times that. We have gone twice this year and plan to return.
    

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40. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Western NC

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on April 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Menu changes every day. Our waiter made great suggestions on what dishes paired well.
    

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