The Kitchen

I hesitated to review The Kitchen because I don't want to wreck a local secret but I also felt like the one star review left for it made me feel a little sad so I thought I should at least help out by clarifying expectations because in my opinion, there ought to be a level of respect for what is being done at The Kitchen that borders on reverence. Reservations are likely a must, but worth it. We contacted them on a Thursday looking for Friday lunch and were able to get in on Saturday. Definitely worth planning our day around. The setting is beautiful and everything about the experience is special. There is handmade pottery all around, including the salad serving and sharing plates. The chef selects what she is preparing for lunch and that is the menu for the day. This is a slow food experience (almost two hours for us) so expect to spend some time here, and please, please plan to stay through and for dessert. The meal was beautiful and delicious and one of the best dining experiences I've had. My favorite part was being able to witness the love for the food, land, and community here in Santa Fe first hand. The hugs and handshakes of friends bumping into each other here, the patrons bringing gifts for the chef from their own gardens, and the joy and love that filled every moment and every inch of space.

Tried to eat here but beware, you need a reservation so we were turned away:(. Too bad, it looked really good with happy diners and a nice atmosphere.

The best. Fresh, delicious and how can a veggie meal be eye candy. Make reservations, place is small and fills up quickly

A delight! Lunch at The Kitchen was fantastic. The food, made lovingly, was uber fresh, bursting with flavor, healthy and prepared with obvious care and thought. Thank you for a truly memorable experience!

It pains me to write this review, because I want The Kitchen to stay a secret... perhaps it's too late. The serene, peaceful setting of the beautiful adobe structure that houses The Kitchen (nestled in the Plants of the Southwest nursery) is unsurpassed. Chef Olive's healthy, delicious offerings vary daily and with the seasons. Call ahead to learn what the meal and dessert of the day are, but even if they sound unfamiliar, give The Kitchen a shot and I'm sure you won't be disappointed. But shhhhh, please don't tell anyone else!

I tried the Kitchen today at the suggestion of a friend and after reading the positive reviews online. Unfortunately, almost everything about the experience was bad.The space is small and cramped with all hard services. As the dining room filled up, the noise level rose to the point that my friend and I both found it physically painful. She actually used earplugs and still had to leave quickly due to the noise.The service and flow of food were really slow and awkward. The whole restaurant filled quickly and there were more guests than the one waiter to attend to properly. He was friendly and did his best, but it was not could not be everywhere at once. It seems that even though everyone was going to eat the same salad (more on the food in a moment) Olive prepared the salad for each table separately. I understand the desire to serve everything fresh, but this meant that it took almost an hour for us to receive the first course, even with a reservation. This seems excessive.There there is the food itself. To me, the menu was uninspired and the preparation substandard. The salad was 95% cabbage. I like cabbage, but it needed to be balanced with some contrasting flavors and textures. There was some daikon, which was similar in texture, a dressing that was mostly oil and some salty olives. It was ok, but not interesting in any way, definitely lacking in acid. Then the main course was a bean tostada -- already an uninspired choice and then really poorly prepared. The tortilla was thick and hard. The beans had a one-note tomato sauce that was overly sweet. The tomatillo salsa was intensely sour. The individual flavors were lacking and they did not combine well. I chose not to eat it.When I asked the waiter to take away the plate with my tostada, he asked "what was going on," but did not express any concern that I didn't like the food and wasn't eating. He did not ask my friend her thoughts. She also found the flavors and quality of the tostada wanting.So, we spend almost two hours and $60 for a meal that neither of us enjoyed in an environment that we both found physically painful to be in. Perhaps they were just having an off day, but if this is indicative of the overall quality and experience, I would say avoid this place at all costs if you have knowledge of how food should be prepared and served.

The most amazing vegetarian meal, plain and simple. Olive, the chef and owner, is an artist, really, and so pleasant to boot. We have eaten here many times and have loved the food every time - salad, entree and desert.

This is my first review on Google and I had hoped a different outcome would've taken place but as I never got a returned phone call from the owner or an email I decided to go ahead and post publicly my experience.I had the pleasure of discovering PSW last season and had three enjoyable meals there.At the beginning of this season 2022 I wrote as requested to text in order to make a reservation and was told there were none available which I found quite odd as they had just opened and the season is quite long.I wished the Chef congratulations on her successful business and to let me know if anything became available.. never hearing back.. only to find out a couple of days later that four different friends of mine were successful in making reservations.After that a girlfriend of mine showed up for a confirmed reservation for 1 person at PSW and was told that they did not have enough food and she was turned away.My friend was very embarrassed and left in tears.I texted the chef to relay my experience and my friends' ...thinking that I might get an apology or an explanation or an invite back.Instead this is what she responded..And this is an EXACT copy of the text I received."Your self indulgent, white lady entitlement & threats gave me the best laugh I've had in an ageBut you are absolutely delusional....to the extent of believing your own very crafted scenario, which is probably true for everything single thing that goes on in that entitled brain of yoursAnd your harassing meShame on you...AND your tiny bird friend"Meanwhile this Chef does not know me nor she does not know what race I am and I found it EXTREMELY offensive.I might add I never harassed her... Simply texted her relaying my experience & my friends' and honestly was quite shocked at her response.To date I have never heard back from the owner and I think my experience at PSW is disgusting.I would never frequent this place again I can assure you and for any professional to be in the capacity she is, I find absolutely deplorable.

Truly amazing fresh, local vegetarian dishes. Sourced locally, in some cases from gardens and trees right next door. Everything I have eaten has been exquisite. They only make one or two selections a day plus a dessert. You will not be disappointed.

I hesitate to let people know about this wonderful place. I'd like to keep it to myself, really. Everything is perfect - best salads ever - and I'm not a salad person, normally. Can Alice make anything that is not delicious?