TJ Callaway Verified

Food: 3/5  Vibe: 4/5  Service: 5/5  Value: 3/5  Overall: 4/5

I have been to La Condessa a few times during the Stars playoffs and have had a good experience each time. So I am sorry to hear about the bad reviews.

The last time that we went the menu had changed and the server told us that they had just gotten a new chef. That day they had a special appetizer on the menu that my wife and I tried. It was a grilled garlic shirmp dish with a lightly breaded pan fried vegetable which if memory serves me correctly was Agave. It was excellent and a great way to start off the meal. I also had a shrimp quesadilla that had a Mexican truffle in it, (I can't rememeber the proper name as it is listed on the menu) this was excellent! The shrimp were cooked perfect and the truffle added a nice earthy complexity to the dish. The only thing I felt was missing on this was some cilantro as a garnish or some cilantro cooked into the cheese itself. That for me would have tied it all together.

On other visits, I have had the brisket tacos with radish salsa, (which was good but the brisket was cubed instead of shredded which was odd for a Mexican style taco and our server told us that it is noramlly shredded) and the Torta Burger. The burger was by far one of the best burgers I have ever had (this and Twisted Root's burger that is), great meat, cooked exactly to order with a spicy chipotle mayo, very good! I wish it would have been served with something more unique then fries though. Maybe a side of tortilla chips with a small side of guacamole to cool you off after the spicy mayo?

By the way, the Guac at La Condessa is one of the best Guacs I have had next to Cafe Annie in Houston and my own if I may say so. They garnish it off with a sprinkling of Cotija and diced tomatos and there is just the right amount of lime in it, very nice.

As for the drinks, this place is incredible! I recommend the house and blood orange margaritas (my wife's favorite) and the candied ginger Mojito! Expensive drinks, but hey, you are in Victory Park and where else are you going to get something like this? They do have a reasonable happy hour and game night price on thier beers so beer drinkers with foo-foo drink friends can go and still have a good time.

You can tell that a lot of thought went into the drink menu and that they prepare everything fresh in-house for these drinks from the blood orange juice to the margarita mix. I am not a Tequila connoisseur, but if I were, this place would no doubt be my home away from home. There is an entire menu dedicated to all the Tequilas they have there and a recent email said that they were starting Tequila Tastings soon.

The atmosphere at La Condessa is very cool, very open. I felt like we were out of Dallas and in upscale but relaxed Mexico City taqueria. I love the colors, the funky lamps, the tiles, the wood floors and bar shelves. My only complaint is to turn the music down a little. Its a restaurant/bar not a dance club and the music being that loud is a bit imposing and can make conversation difficult. Its a bit of a disconnect with the layed back atmosphere and decor.

They are new and have a few things to work out but, I think in time they will tie up the loose ends and this will become a great casual dining fixture in Victory Park.

2 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )