Bandolero Cocina de Mexico is located in the Shopping Center on Double Tree and Scottsdale Rd in Gainey Ranch.  For those of you directionally challenged folks (like me) there is a Sprouts Market and Pomos restaraunt nearby.  We visited Bandoleros a couple of times, once for dinner and another time for brunch.  The restaurant is decorated nicely, lively colors and great music.  The drink menu boasts an extensive range of tequilas, as well as a nice selection of beers and wines.

Ambience:  Bandolero is nicely decorated with beautiful light fixtures, warm colors on the walls, and the artwork and decor is apropos to an upscale Mexican restaurant.  The music is  traditional Spanish guitars, Mariachi, and the fun, upbeat music you would expect to hear.  Not too loud, so you can easily converse with your table mates.  We sat outside on a rainy morning.  The patio has retractable covering, so you are protected from either the sun or rain.  It's a great patio that I can imagine spending many a summer time happy hour enjoying.

Quality:  Of course, if you are like me, chips and salsa are a dangerous starter to any meal because I have no idea how to stop eating them.  The salsa was very flavorful, not too spicy, and the chips were super light, freshly fried, crispy tortilla chips.  So good!  The Spicy Margarita packs a punch.  You can taste the jalepeno and lime, not too sweet or spicy, but enough to keep you warm.  My dinner, Brocheta de Res, a beef tenderloin skewered and cooked over an open flame, served with chili sauce and rice was plated beautifully and very tasty.  I didn't share one bite with Andy... he missed out.  The desserts have a nice, contemporary plating and are nicely sized for sharing. Tres Leches is always a favorite and the Flan is incredible.

Service:  Our experience with Bandolero's service has been hot and cold.  Conversations with our friends reveal the same.  Our dinner server was on top of it with refills.  He seemed passionate about service, was patient with my terrible Spanish, was happy to answer questions, and we had a great time engaging him in quick conversations.  Our next visit brought a more dissapointing experience.  Granted, I was among a large group of women and, of course,we each had our special requests, but it seemed our server was having a rough day or he may have been a little overwhelmed.  We didn't see him as often as we would have liked for refills, requests, and some of the group had to go to the bar to pay for their meals.

Value:  Although the food, margaritas, and desserts were incredible; I do find Bandolero to be a little pricey for the portion sizes. I understand this is a highend restaurant, but the quantity for price is a little out of balance.  This will not stop me from returning for a nice Summer happy hour or brunch with the ladies, but it does play into my decisions when it comes to budgeting my food and fun time.

Overall, Bandolero Cocina de Mexico does not dissappoint.  The atmosphere, menu, and especially the margaritas are exactly what I crave on a hot summer afternoon.  We love that we can bike or walk, stop for a nice snack and a cold beer or margarita (or two or three....), and head home happy.  We want to return to try more of the menu items and give the service a chance to work out the kinks.

**Photos courtesy of the Bandolero Cocina de Mexico website.