Balata - Edwards

We had dinner with friends and choose Balata. The service was wonderful, the food was excellent and the ambiance and view beautiful.

Had awful experience on Sat. night dinner 7/26/15. At first, had high hopes given initial warm greeting and fantastic outdoor view of the mountains. But that 's where it all ends. From initial sitting to drink order took 10 mins. Then two bar drinks took additional 15 mins. to come to table, at which point waiter, who admitted to being spaced out tonight, finally took order. My wife and I both ordered from the dinner menu. I ordered their New York Strip medium rare after appropriate inquiry from waiter. Approximately 40 mins. later, a steak arrived that was clearly well done. Waiter summoned to table he quickly agreed after seeing mid section and me pressing on meat. Waiter took plate away promising quick correction, but then not 2 mins. later, brought plate back saying literally in the light of the kitchen, it appears more rare. The waiter however seemed to continue to agree that the dish was well done and not even close to being medium rare, and took the plate back to the kitchen. Gentleman from IL who was seated in a bar style table with his spouse commented after waiter left that he could see from where he was seated that it was CLEARLY well done. In interim, spouse and children continue to eat. My wife 's pork tenderloin, while edible, was mediocre at best. After 14 mins. (which should have been a sign), a fresh New York strip dish arrived...I had waiter wait as I cut mid section it was CLEARLY well done again! Waiter concurred and starting taking it back...at which point I said that we were done. No offers were made to substitute, etc. I was not charged for my entree. THEN, the manager who hails from Munich, Germany came to table and said that in the light of the kitchen, the meat appears more well rare than outside. No apologies. I have NEVER heard such a ridiculous statement from even a Denny 's, Outback...nay of course Morton 's, Capital Grille, ...or in fact ANY restaurant I 've visited. No apologies were given by manager. AVOID.

Location and service were great. Food was okay, certainly not the best but not bad either. The prices were good. Also, the menu was pretty standard, nothing special. The steak and duck were a bit overcooked and the lamb shank needed to be reheated. May be worth visiting in summer time. Their patio looks very nice (we were there in February).

This restaurant is part of the Sonnenalp Hotel property in Vail. It is at the golf course in Edwards and has a quiet, scenic location. The service was superb and the food wonderful. Flavorful meals, large portions and the choices were not the usual collection of meals but there is something for everyone and everything is great. This is a definite repeat selection.

We had a very delicious meal at Balata. There were 6 of us three adults and three teenagers. Everyone enjoyed their meal and the service was excellent. It was quiet on a Sunday evening in January and I'd expect it to be busier during golf season, although I doubt very much that would have negatively impacted either the food or the service. I would go back and would recommend it to a friend, but what else would you expect from a restaurant in a Sonnenalp venue?