Hacienda Ajijic

[mjedugas]

My husband and I ate at the Hacienda Ajijic last weekend. The food was very good but the wine prices are outrageous. We ordered a main course and asked for the weine list, the waiter brought us 4 bottles of wine, put them on the table and asked which one we wanted. We chose a Santa Anita Merlot...When the bill came it was 790>00 pesos for a main course and a bottle of wine.

We asked to speak to the manager, someone came to the table...and said that the wine was 350.00pesos...way to expensive for that bottle of wine. The fact is that they did not give us a wine list etc...

They took 15% off the bill...out of principle we will not go back, should we wish to spend that amount on 2 main courses and a bottle of wine we would certainly go to Number 4 instead of the Hacienda...

[Doolittle]

The last time we were at Hacienda we asked for the wine list and were shown 4 bottles instead. We were told clearly the price of each bottle and chose accordingly. I know the horse is out of the barn but why didn't you ask the price? We've always found the wines at Hacienda to priced reasonably. At Number 4 all drinks and especially wine are way over-priced. That's why we don't go there.

[newinajijic]

serene - Was that $ 790 for Two Main courses? Did you have appetizers or salads? You should be clear in your post. How much was the wine?

I don't think you know drink or wine prices at Number FOUR as they are outrageous compared to other restaurants in Ajijic. Also, Number FOUR'S food prices are the highest in Ajijic and the food is inconsistent and nowhere nearly as good as HACIENA AJIJIC.

We were at ROBERTO'S on Friday night and he charges $ 45 - $ 50 pesos for a mixed drink which is too high.

You're a newbie here and need to experience the restaurants to get a better feel of things. Buen provecho!!

[Doolittle]

IMHO, Roberto's drink and wine prices are just fine. I don't know where you'd get a less expensive mixed drink, good service and good food. If its out there please let me know.

[slumdog]

Meh.

[Sailor]

My husband and I ate at the Hacienda Ajijic last weekend. The food was very good but the wine prices are outrageous. We ordered a main course and asked for the weine list, the waiter brought us 4 bottles of wine, put them on the table and asked which one we wanted. We chose a Santa Anita Merlot...When the bill came it was 790>00 pesos for a main course and a bottle of wine.

We asked to speak to the manager, someone came to the table...and said that the wine was 350.00pesos...way to expensive for that bottle of wine. The fact is that they did not give us a wine list etc...

They took 15% off the bill...out of principle we will not go back, should we wish to spend that amount on 2 main courses and a bottle of wine we would certainly go to Number 4 instead of the Hacienda...

Five friends went there last night and asked for the wine list. Didn't have one. They asked what white wine they had and they brought one bottle -only one choice and it was 360 pesos. The same bottle is at Paz for 80 pesos. I know that restaurants charge more --double would be ok, triple maybe, but quadruple?? They got up and left and went to La Taverna.

[Guest Gringal]

Five friends went there last night and asked for the wine list. Didn't have one. They asked what white wine they had and they brought one bottle -only one choice and it was 360 pesos. The same bottle is at Paz for 80 pesos. I know that restaurants charge more --double would be ok, triple maybe, but quadruple?? They got up and left and went to La Taverna.

Voting with the feet generally gets the point across. And yes, this passed the point of no return on wine markup. This is not an endearing quality in a restaurant...........no matter if our John puts it at the top of his restaurant list. Getting a top notch rating should reflect the whole picture. Getting taken to the wash on wine gets demerits.

[Kevin K]

I agree wholeheartedly Gringal. Wine is not part of the culture here but neither is Continental cuisine. Anything beyond 2-2.5 times retail is usury.

One of Ajijic Tango's many strengths is fair wine pricing. We had lunch there with friends the other day and paid 140 pesos for Concha y Toro cabernet, which split between four people cost little more than beer and went far better with the delicious steak sandwiches. Other places that work hard to have fairly priced wine lists and (perhaps even more important) good house wines by the glass include El Jardin de Ninette, La Taverna and Pizzeria Toscana. At the other end of the spectrum, we'd rule out spending a cent at Hacienda or Number 4 without a major change in their markups. Better to charge a fair price for your food AND drinks rather than trying to use one to make up for the other.

[Doolittle]

Other places with reasonable wine prices include; Roberto's, Pedro's, and GO. Number 4 does not. How about $2500pesos for a $600peso bottle of Champagne? When I saw that on their wine list I knew I was in the wrong place.

[newinajijic]

I will go and look at Hacienda Ajijic's wine list next week. I will personally speak to the Owner Jorge, if he's there and if not, I will speak to Omar the Manager. I will lodge the complaint and tell them of your dissatisfactions and that they are losing business because of their prices.

They both know me well from bringing the group there and one of our Dinner group couples dine there a lot, so they know we're friends.

[Guest Gringal]

I will go and look at Hacienda Ajijic's wine list next week. I will personally speak to the Owner Jorge, if he's there and if not, I will speak to Omar the Manager. I will lodge the complaint and tell them of your dissatisfactions and that they are losing business because of their prices.

They both know me well from bringing the group there and one of our Dinner group couples dine there a lot, so they know we're friends.

Good plan, John. Since they know you, they may pay attention. It's a shame when a restaurant's reputation is tarnished unnecessarily by an unwise markup policy. This is a small town with one prominent liquor store where everyone is familiar with the off-the-shelf price of practically everything, from Padre Kino on up, so it's not like the restaurant can pull off an outrageous markup without the customer knowing it.

[bournemouth]

Good plan, John. Since they know you, they may pay attention. It's a shame when a restaurant's reputation is tarnished unnecessarily by an unwise markup policy. This is a small town with one prominent liquor store where everyone is familiar with the off-the-shelf price of practically everything, from Padre Kino on up, so it's not like the restaurant can pull off an outrageous markup without the customer knowing it.

And to add to this, the "other" steak place in town has very pragamatic wine prices, marking up about 50% over purchase price on the wines we drink there.

[Bisbee Gal]

Good plan, John. Since they know you, they may pay attention. It's a shame when a restaurant's reputation is tarnished unnecessarily by an unwise markup policy. This is a small town with one prominent liquor store where everyone is familiar with the off-the-shelf price of practically everything, from Padre Kino on up, so it's not like the restaurant can pull off an outrageous markup without the customer knowing it.

And one would expect restaurants are at least getting 'case prices' if not some other sort of volume discount on their vino.

[Doolittle]

And one would expect restaurants are at least getting 'case prices' if not some other sort of volume discount on their vino.

They get the same discount you can get, 8%.

[kindred]

NOTE TO NEWINAJIJIC -- FYI--I spoke with Jorge last week and he has given Omar (his manager) two months off for vacation as they have been working very hard on their new Chapala restaurant. I recall him saying two months which seems excessive, perhaps he meant two weeks -- you will have to check. Jorge seems to be working diligently to create a lovely atmosphere, good food, fair prices and outstanding service. Perhaps a little coaching from an "expert" as you seem to be will help that entire process vis-a-vis so called excessive wine prices. As he is improving the bar and will have more outside seating shortly, he would be well served to have reasonable drink and wine (by glass or bottle) prices. Just my opinion, folks.

"CRUISE DIRECTOR W/O A SHIP"