Jardin de Asia has gone downhill.

by Steve Baker
(Santa Cruz, Bolivia)

Last weekend, my wife and I dined at the tappan at the Jardin de Asia restaurant,near Los Tajibos, owned by the same people. The restaurant is also huge. Japanese. This was probably my fourth time there, because I had enjoyed it the other times.

Something has changed. Now it's much worse. They make guests wait outside, standing, until 15 minutes after the time you were to be seated, with strict instructions at the time of reservation not to be more than 15 minutes late. Bolivia.

The expensive (100 bs. per person for food only) steaks were all lomo this visit--with no fat, because they don't give corn to cattle in Bolivia, and not aged, because I guess they don't age meat in Bolivia. Sure makes it tough to get a great steak. There isn't even really a word for steak here, and don't get me started about rare and medium rare.

My wife had a marinated steak that was tender. Not worth the money, but not bad. The ambiance and entertainment are also worth some points. My first steak was tough and chewy. I had them do another. Just as tough and chewy. No thanks. No offer of money back, though. Bolivia.

My advice: If you want steak, for half the price you can go to Los Hierros on Monseñor Rivero and have a much better steak that is huge, plus you get a pretty darned good salad bar.

Where are the garlic toast and baked potatoes, please? But, then, I'm more used to Chicago steakhouses and Japanese Kobe-style beef.

Comments for Jardin de Asia has gone downhill.

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Oct 03, 2015
Rating
starstar
Not worth the money
by: Carissa

The food is not worth the amount it costs. You will pay a minimum of $20 a person to eat and have 1 drink. I had the Ojo de Bife with mashed yuca with cheddar cheese. The beef was small with fat down the middle of the fillet. The yuca was delicious but I do not come to an asian restaurant for the mashed yuca. The sushi was average at best. Sushi Bar by Slätkis is far better and much cheaper 65bs a roll. l have been to Jardin de Asia three times now hoping for improvement but they have not won me over with their food.

*The staff was nice. A kind waiter did return my wallet when I dropped and lost it at the restaurant.

Mar 29, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
family
by: vimisha

I was there with my family during the month December. I got angry about their service. They staffs are lazy and the orders are approaching very late. I posted a complaint about them in the twitter. Soon the manager called me and said apologies.

Jul 24, 2013
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
It has!
by: Anonymous

Did you try the aged Argentinian beef at Los Hierros (even more expensive!)? Punta del S is always tough! So is Jardin de Asia's overpriced Bolivian lomo! But to each his own. Jardin de Asia has a nice ambiance when it isn't cavernously empty as it is most nights. And, myself, I want that big, rare steak for LUNCH, when Jardin de Asia and so many other big Santa Cruz restaurants are not open. Then I have a chance to digest, instead of eating heavy at one of these late dinners, where the food just sits all night. Not healthy! But that's just me.

Jul 22, 2013
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
JDA
by: Anonymous

I disagree with all of you. I went to Jardin de Asia twice this past week and everything I ordered was delicious and very flavory. The sushis were wonderful, the entrees very tastful and the main course lamb very soft and with a lot flavor. In the other hand i went to Los Hierros and their punta de este was tough and had no flavor at all. Prices were probably as high as Jardin de Asia and the place is not as comfortable.

Apr 05, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Jardin de Asia - agree not so good
by: Anonymous

True, I was there last weekend with some friends. It took them nearly an hour to serve us sushi on the open back patio and it was tiny and not so good. Really has gone down in quality and up in price.

Dec 25, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
date of article
by: Steve Baker

first week of December, 2011

Dec 25, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Date of visit to Jardines del Asia
by: Anonymous

Please indicate the date the article was published and the date that you went to Jardines del Asia, so we, the readers, have a better point of reference.

Thank you.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Restaurant Review.