Richardson's Cuisine Of Nm

08/03/08

Great food, intimate ambience

by Nikenjeru at Citysearch

We arrived at 3:30 pm on a Sunday with our 10 month old in tow (this is pretty much the only time we can go out to eat anymore). The place was darkly lit, so much so that I nearly stumbled over some chairs. But, the decor was nice, and it was clean. We asked for a high chair, and they said they don't have high chairs. That should have given us some clue that parents with toddlers in tow are not their target clientele, but we were kind of aware of that going in.

They don't have many beers on tap, but they had Guiness, which was enough for me. Unfortunately, it was clear no one in the place knew how to pour a Guiness. I asked for one, and 10 seconds later I was brought a glass filled top to bottom with foam. Now, I don't expect everyone on the street to know how a Guiness is supposed to be poured, but if you are a bartender with Guiness on tap, you should be aware of how to pour it (you're supposed to slowly tap it over 1-2 minutes, so as not to accumulate too much foam in the glass). Of course, all of that is my particular issue, and I assume most people aren't that particular about their Guiness.

The above notwithstanding, the service was attentive, polite and fast. They were also nice to our son (who was sitting next to me on the bench). We had chips and salsa for apps, very tasty. The food was brought out very quickly. I had the Chimayo chicken, which was excellent, and my wife had quesadillas, which were also quite good.

All in all, the food was great, and the service was good. They're not exactly kid friendly (which we were aware of going in) and they don't know how to pour a Guiness (a lot of people don't know that though). We will return, although we will have to go back sans the kid next time.

• Pros: Food, service, ambience
• Cons: Not family friends, expensive

05/11/09

DON'tTchange your recipes!

by Christine85015 at Citysearch

Go to this restaurant often - went today and it was VERY HOT spicy - not the usual great food. Ate 3 bites and couldn't eat anymore. Waitress said owner told chef to "kick it up". Still charged me for a meal I could not eat. Not going back.

• Cons: Too Spicy

02/23/09

Way over rated

by knoxvilleDave at Citysearch

Read all the reviews and thought I'd try it; Maybe it was a bad day for them but the food was dried out and tasteless and way over priced; Not at all impressed; the only thing that was good was the margarita; food just didn't impress and neither did the ambinace and service; don't bother; can't hold a candle to z tejas.

• Pros: margarita
• Cons: everything else

02/12/09

Really good food, but not worth the loooong wait!

by npover at Citysearch

The problem with Richardson's is threefold: the place is way too small for the business they do, the price of both drinks and food is over-priced for what you get and the front of the house staff is pretty stuck up. You can show up at this place anytime and you will see that the crowd is a mixture of yuppies and more salt of the earth. Yet, the staff greeting you has no personality and sure seems to do a good job of catering to those customers who look like they have deeper pockets. If you are used to visiting typical Scottsdale restaurants that always seem to put this type of bimbo hostess in the forefront, you will have no problem feeling as if you are putting her at an inconvenience by merely asking for a table and that she is somehow better than you. I personally hate the Scottsdale scene because it's all so fake. If the food is great, it doesn't need a yuppie crowd and a sense of who's who, to add to the ambiance.

The reservation requirement of at least four people, also makes it impossible to get a table for you and your significant other. The sad part of all this is that the food is quite consistently good and gourmet in its presentation. But honestly, to wait in a crammed restaurant like this for a good hour, with no place to really enjoy an over-priced drink is simply not worth it. If you feel that you have got to be "seen" there and are willing to fight with elbows to claim your one square foot of space, while you wait under the loud din of the place, then Richardson's might just be for you. If the restaurant was bigger and they kicked the hostesses to the curb, I would give the place at least an "Above Average" rating, even with the high prices.

• Pros: Consistently Good Food
• Cons: Looong Wait, Small Size of Restaurant, Limited Parking, High Prices, Hostess, Loud Inside

01/23/09

Try another Place, Any Place

by urbanpeep at Citysearch

The service was so poor, we up and left. Our reservations were botched and the hostess and manager gave us unacceptable attitude. Please stop putting money into places that don't appreciate paying customers who love local businesses. I've eaten here before and the food is okay, however way over priced.

03/02/08

Favorite Resturant in Phoenix

by soulslulluby at Citysearch

My fiance took me here on one of our first dates and it has become my favorite place to eat. The service is always wonderful and the food delicious. Its become even better since the smoking ban in Arizona. We always recommend Richardson's to family and friends, and take out of town guest there. The copper table tops and table candles give the restaurant an inviting glow and the fire place in the winter keep it cozy and relaxing.

• Pros: The atmospher is enchanting
• Cons: There is very little parking

02/27/08

Best Brunch Ever

by lovestoshop009 at Citysearch

I love this place! As someone who was born in AZ this place is a classic and I go almost every Sunday! Everyone should go, and get a mimosa!

• Pros: Great Food and drinks
• Cons: Can be crowded

07/21/07

Bring your spray

by westvillagenotes at Citysearch

We have visited Richardson's on several occassions and while the wait is ridiculous and the music is too loud, the food has always been great. Right up until last week. As we waited for our appetizers to arrive, I watched something -you figure it out -climb up and over the back of the booth and drop onto my son's shoulder. When we notified our waiter, we were escorted back to the waiting area until another space opened up. The only comment we got from anyone there was "WOW, that was exciting wasn't it?" We won't be returning.

• Pros: Food and Service is good
• Cons: A bit expensive, Loud music, crawling things in booth

06/02/07

Great experience

by meintsm at Citysearch

Richardson's is just a great place to eat and enjoy life. I have read the reviews of people who get upset having to wait for their table. Well welcome to the city and a real restaurant., this is not Applebee's. From the outside it is very non-descriptive. But walk inside and your senses are awakened. IF you are short on time go aroudn the side and Try Dick's Hideaway, it is also Richardon's but more of a bar instead of sit down.

I can say that I love everything on the menu. The steaks and fish are to die for. The green chili potatos is a master piece.

Try the margarita's you won't be disappointed. Yes it is crowded but enjoy your company and the people around you.

• Pros: FOOD FOOD FOOD
• Cons: Can get pricey

12/30/06

Overbooking Tables is Owner's Policy according to Hostess

by cramermark at Citysearch

We reserved a table the day prior for seating at 6:30 and when we arrived we were told we would have to wait for an hour. The condescending hostess told us that the owner requests that they take reservations for tables they do not have, and that since he's been in business for 20 years that that's okay! We left and will never return!

• Pros: They have beer
• Cons: They are dishonest and condescending