Menu for VARA Winery and Distillery in Albuquerque, NM

The tasting room is right on the wine cellar, well spaced and clean. The Vara sparkling wine was good with tapas. Arugula salad... was excellent, fresh and tasty. The patatas bravas was ok, a bit too crispy brown and small (over fried), not like the chunkyones in Madrid. The truffle popcorns were excellent. Very creative. The chicken pintxos were ok, over cooked and brown outsideand not as tender on the inside. While the wine is excellent, some tapas could use more care. The staff was attentive andfriendly. Read more

I came here for a bachelorette dinner with a group of friends. The atmosphere is nice for a quiet meal with drinks. We sat in... the inside area and got the popcorn, spinach salad, tapas board, papas bravas, grilled asparagus, and the chicken pintxos. WhenI made the reservation I was informed that there was a limited menu due to there being only one chef in the kitchen, but youreally couldn't tell. The food came out quickly and was so delicious. The group ordered several different cocktails and the bareven offers Bubly and some of their cocktail as mocktails- which was great for our group because half the ladies don't drinkand I'm pregnant, so it was nice to get to order something besides water. The staff was polite and welcoming. I like the giftshop at the front as well and the outside seating looked very peaceful. I don't live in ABQ, but I would come here again when Ivisit. Just FYI they do not have high chairs, so be prepared to hold your smaller kiddo/s if you happen to bring them with you.I brought my 1.5 year old daughter and she sat on our laps which wasn't a problem for us. Read more

We were rudely greeted by the hostess. She berated us about not having a reservation twice and kept saying they were short... staffed. (Nowhere on the website does it say you must have reservations and I called an hr before we arrived and no onementioned this requirement). When we looked in the main dining area there were only 2 tables seated, it was very empty, and noone was seated outside. During our meal, we witnessed 3 staff members engaging in a 15 min non-work related conversation, theywere rather loud. Perhaps they wouldn’t be short staffed if all the employees were working? The appetizers were exceptionallysmall considering the price they were charging and the online menu doesn’t match their newest offerings, so get yourexpectations in check. We won’t be going back. Read more

What do you see as a waitstaff… I see empty glasses. Would have loved to have had them Refilled but no one asked for 20... minutes. They did remind us at the beginning they were short staffed, but as we sat there we could count no less than 8 waitstaff and only 5 indoor tables. Staff looked over and past us more times than I can count. Chef was funny, food was okay. Disappointed to say the least, we had wanted to try this place for a long time. Off to fill out glasses elsewhere… Read more

First experience. Absolutely loved it. I had the wine flight. Husband had the Classic Old Fashion. Food was very flavorful. ... We will definitely be back. Read more