Galleria De Paco

Our first time tonight & it was worth every penny. Our new Valentines Day Tradition! From the second you enter you are greeted, treated like royalty. The drinks-​food-​service, spectacular. Raspberry martini was delicious. Lobster bisque & tuna steak is what I had & it was amazing. But nothing beats the scenery. Absolutely stunning. Would it be going to far to say that it was a spiritual experience? I think not. Phenomenal.

Returning after several years we were disappointed– food was ok but not what it used to be. Husband had instant mashed potatoes w/​his steak & my scallops were seasoned w/​Mrs. Dash. Great atmosphere & service but by no means gourmet– the chef has left the house! We live a few hours away & wont make a trip back– overpriced for what you get!

Super atmosphere. Awesome décor. Spectacular artwork. Terrific service. And the food is wonderful also. Just finished our first of what I expect will be many meals here. Must experience Paco’s to appreciate it.

I just had to put in a new review and let everyone know far and wide, YOU HAVE TO EAT at this place. Waterloo/​Cedar Falls people we have something really great in this restaurant. The food is fantastic. And to be greeted by Jackie (the owner) wow he makes it so special. Like I told him the other night. You feel so right at home when you are at his restaurant.
Great for a date night or a group of fun friends to meet. I can’t say enough how much we enjoyed this place, (once again).
Five Star pLus. Keep up the great job Jackie. You and your staff are fantastic

On the road all week for work, including over my 40^th birthday today, which I shamelessly told my server (who was excellent, by the way).
Loved the menu options. Loved my salad and soup. Loved my filet. And really loved my molten lava cake with «Happy Birthday» written in caramel :)
Yeah, the décor is unexpected in Waterloo, but that doesn’t take away from the experience. Food and service are top notch and I’ll definitely be back!

Wonderful atmosphere! We felt like part of the family while we were there. Jackie is a wonderful host and the food was awesome! Big portion so come hungry.

Stopped on a Saturday evening without a reservation on a whim. The host and owner politely informed us a reservation would have been better, but quickly carved a table for two for us in the midst of the supper seating. The menu was not extensive, yet had enough common and intriguing options to satisfy most tastes. The wait staff was well trained, detail oriented, attentive but not obtrusive. The meal I chose was simply delicious; the baklava for dessert was tops, but the lamb stole the show. This doesn’t take away from the lobster bisque or ravioli as both were also nicely done. The combination of the soft lighting, table setting with high back chairs, sistine-​like fresco and host’s warmth are what transforms this meal from good food to a lovely evening. It’s all about attention to detail, and that was evident in all facets tonight.

We have visited Galleria de Paco twice now, on return visits to my old hometown of Waterloo. It is heartwarming to see such a unique dining establishment in a town that is otherwise a shadow of its former self.
(Sorry, City Fathers, I know you’re trying, and hooray, but as went John Deere and Rath, so went Waterloo. I still have a place in my heart for my hometown, and get there 2 – 3 times a year to spend money, so please don’t be too indignant. If you ever bring back Robinson Crusoe’s Island, gimme a call.)
But I digress.
Galleria de Paco (we just call it «The Sistine Chapel») is an upscale establishment offering a choice of four-​course meals, or if you’re not that hungry, you can a la cartre a lone entrée, or add appetizer/​soup/​salad/​dessert as you wish. The food is finely prepared and presented, and the service is highly professional.
Owner/​Manager/​Maitre d’ Jackie is omnipresent and if you have the time, we recommend asking him to tell his story of exodus from Bosnia via Germany to Waterloo.
Guys, throw on a sport coat. Ladies, a dress and heels will not make you feel out of place. Such accoutrements are not required, but they fit well with, and add to, the ambiance of the Sistine Chapel. Er, I mean, Galeria de Paco.
If you want to experience the feel of a chic European hideaway-​style «cool people only» drinking establishment, get there early and go downstairs to the bar for a cocktail.
It’s a long drive from Texas, but we’ll be back!

Outstanding, great atmosphere, excellent food and service at affordable prices. I was truly blown away, words can’t do this place justice,

If you think the concept of this place is a bit odd, you would be correct. And if you think the photos of the décor look a bit tacky or gaudy, you would also be excused for thinking that. But this is a review of the food and service at what is certainly one of the nicest restaurants in the area. And in both areas I came away impressed. If you are thinking of giving this place a go, I would highly recommend it for a memorable experience.
Service was friendly and efficient, beginning with a Russian maitre’d who just exuded charm. My server was new, but they had a great team who filled in any gaps for her.
There is a nice selection of wines by the glass and also tiny split bottles of champagne. I got two flutes’ worth of a lovely Spanish Cava for just $ 6.
Though the food is not groundbreaking, it is definitely at least a step beyond culinary school standards. Everything was well-​presented and served piping hot. I have no complaints about any of the food I received, which is rare because I can be a harsh critic. It’s not Charlie Trotter’s, but you get four quality items on the prix fixe menu for just $ 28. It feels like an elegant meal. The best, most surprising part — honestly — was the butter for the bread, which my server said was infused with vanilla and honey, but I could swear there was more tang to it than that, even.
Take a peek or have a drink downstairs, which is much more my style. It has a bolder but thoroughly modern color scheme, and Paco’s original paintings are down there adorning the walls. I would have much preferred this upstairs, but there’s also something to be said for dining under a continuous spray paint rendition of famous Italian works.

We visited Paco’s this past week. My wife & I have experienced restaurants from every part of the USA. Some great and some not. The way we judge is not just the food but the entire experience. The service was exceptional. You are greeted warmly and our waitress was also exceptional. The food we ordered was served at the proper timie and was warm as in ‘just right’. The entire dining experience was just great. if there was a concern, it would be the wine list was a little ‘tired’. Overall, we give it a 9 on a 10.

This place is awesome. The ambience ia interesting. Spray can replica of the Sistine Chapel. But the food is really really good.
Steaks were awesome. The starters great. And th desserts fantastic. The flaming lava cake was amazing. And great drinks as well.
If you are in Waterloo, IA you have to hit this at least once.

My girlfriend and I were in Waterloo for a conference and we were delighted to stumble upon the Galleria de Paco. It takes a minute to adjust yourself to the unique Renaissance-​meets-​subway graffiti interior, but I found it charming. It’s definitely a love-​it-​or-​hate-​it style of décor. Regardless, reviews should focus on the food and the service, not the décor, and with that being said, I’d eat here if it had bare concrete walls and upturned buckets for seats.
I had the lauded filet and she had the chicken spaghetti as part of the Galleria’s four-​course meal. With a few exceptions (the filet was a slight upcharge), a four-​course meal including an appetizer, a soup or salad, an entrée, and a dessert was $ 27.99. My steak was served on top of mashed potatoes, with a bleu cheese butter that I asked to be served on the side, not being much of a fan of bleu cheese. Without the butter, the natural flavor of the steak shined. My favorite part of the entrée, however, was the mashed potatoes left over at the end. The juices of the steak had dripped through into the potatoes and made them that much more savory. Her chicken spaghetti was in a milder red sauce and made for a delightful interpretation of an Italian staple.
Our salads were also very good, and the baklava I had for dessert was the best I’d had in a very long time. The real star of the meal, however, was perhaps the most pedestrian. The tomato soup I substituted for my appetizer was just stunning. It had asiago cheese melted throughout and I’m sure a few other things (at least I hope — I’d hate to think that I’ve been missing out on soup this good if all it takes to make it is some grated cheese), and was amazing. I’m generally too impatient (and too hungry!) to appreciate soup, but I was scraping the bottom of the cup for every last drop of whatever magic was left in it.
Our service was good, despite a rush just as we came in. Our table had a slight wobble, as wooden tables often do, and our host took great care in stabilizing it, which we appreciated. $ 27.99 for a complete four-​course meal is more than reasonable, as well. You can’t beat that at a mid-​level chain restaurant, and good luck finding food half this good at one of those.
We recommended the Galleria to everyone we spoke to at the conference, and we’ll happily drive a considerable distance out of our way to visit again should we ever find ourselves in the area. Absolutely a top-​notch meal.

I live in the Washington, D.C. metro area, a place that prides itself on its great steakhouses. Ray’s, Morton’s, Capital Grille, Bourbon Steak, J&G, Ruth’s Chris — fine places, all of them, and they all try to outdo each other for the quality of their food.
The Galeria de Paco served a filet mignon on a bed of mashed potatoes, topped with a thick bleu cheese butter and coarsely-​chopped scallions, that left them all in the dust. It was without a doubt the finest filet mignon I’ve ever had in my life.
My father, who was dining with me, declared his salmon to be among the best he’d ever had in his seventy-​odd years.
The service was excellent. Our server, Kirstin, was on top of her game: she was consistently anticipating our needs and meeting them before we even had to ask.
I don’t know when I’ll be in Waterloo next, but the next time I’m within a hundred miles I’ll be driving to the Galeria. Yes, the food really is that good!

When hearing about this place I was given a variety of mixed reviews. Some people loved it, some thought it was just okay, and some hated it. I took both of my parents to celebrate my mother’s birthday and they were both very impressed. We were happily greeted at the door by a very helpful and nice host. He seated us, got to actually know us a little and then told us to enjoy our meal. Our waitress was extremely nice and very helpful. She walked us through the menu and got us our drinks. We all decided to do the 4 course meal for $ 25.99 which by the way is a beyond excellent deal! My dad and I both had the Brie for an appetizer (excellent and not too filling), we all had the bleu cheese apple berry salad (very fresh and nutty), my dad and I had the fillet mingon and my mom had the sirloin (both were extremely juicy and tender, the sides were flavorful and robust), and my mother and I finished off our 4 courses with the chocolate molted lava cake (beyond amazing, it is a chocolate cake with hot fudge in the middle and a liquor and chocolate «dressing» with a dollop of vinilla ice cream to top it off, they literally light it on fire in front of you… heavenly and amazing).
The staff was extremely professional and courteous. At the end of our meal while having coffee the host came and visited us for about the 4^th time making sure our meal was up to our standards and that our stay was excellent, he also had us sign the guest book to record our stay and tell him about the restaurant.
If the décor of the restaurant isn’t amazing enough just wait for the food! The minute you walk into the building your breath is taken away by the literal Sistine chapel painted on the walls and ceiling. The tables are small and intimate but when put together for a large party they make it feel homely and welcome. The large wooden and cushioned arm chairs make it feel like a very relaxed atmosphere. While talking with my parents my dad brought up the point that they really want you to enjoy your meal and take your time… that it isn’t a normal restaurant but more of an experience and it really was.
The price is a bit expensive but for the food and the experience it is well worth it! You absolutely have to try this place… it is a piece of Italy and New York smashed into the heart of Waterloo… if I could give it a million stars I would have!

Took my wife to Galleria De Paco for her birthday on a recommendation of a friend. It was a great recommendation. The hospitality and the food were great! Everything could not have been better. The beautiful painted ceiling added to the hospitality and good food.

My family, BF and I dined here last night for the first time. From the start, the service was exceptionally welcoming. The host, I’m assuming is also one of the owners, took all of our coats for us and hung them up on one of the coat racks and then lead us back to our table. Our server was a young lady who was very pleasant and you could tell was genuinely very polite and personable. We ordered a few bottles of wine and all decided to order off of the four course meal portion of the menu. For 25.99, it was really an awesome deal!
Each person is served an individually portioned appetizer, salad or soup (or both soup and salad if you don’t want one of the appetizers), a main course and a perfectly portioned dessert. A couple of the entrees, like the prime rib and the filet, have an additional charge which is between 4 and 7 dollars depending on the dish.
There are several appetizers to choose from, three salads, two soups were featured, and several wonderful main courses and desserts, plus a featured dessert that night.
I had to ponder what to choose from for a while, but ended up ordering the mushroom ragout for an appetizer, the Caesar salad, halibut with brussel sprouts, apples and almonds for the main course, and the traditional baklava for dessert. Everything was FANTASTIC! Everyone at the table loved their meals and they were perfect portions. BF was kind enough to let me try some of his prime rib, and the mushroom sauce on the steak was, again, absolutely delicious. All of the dishes were cooked perfectly and our server checked in throughout the meal to make sure everyone had whatever they needed.
This is not a place to grab a quick bite before a movie. You come here to enjoy a meal. There is a lounge/​bar in the basement besides the dining room. The ceiling spray painted like the Sistine Chapel is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. It has been featured in newspapers from all over the country. I don’t think many restaurants, especially restaurants in Iowa, can say that, so job well done! The whole restaurant has an ambiance and a welcoming atmosphere that is unmatched and again, the food is GREAT!

I’ve been here a number of times and due to consistency Paco gets 5 stars. It’s probably one of the only places in Cedar Falls/​Waterloo I can count on for a great dinner every time. The four course meal is well worth it.
Tips:
The Oven Roasted Pork Chop with sweet and spicy sauce and a side of crispy diced potatoes is amazing. Listen, I’m from Iowa and I usually try to stray from «meat and potatoes» when I got out to a nice restaurant… forget that. It’s on another level.
The Grilled Tiger Shrimp is another excellent choice.
Also, there are some great deals in the lounge during happy hour. If I lived in Waterloo I would be stopping by more often.

Iowa is a vast wasteland in terms of decent restaurants, so in a way, this place is good, if you compare it to other establishments in Iowa and specifically in Waterloo.
The spray painting is interesting because it is there to take your focus off of the just OK food. I ordered fish which came with risotto at an extra charge. But, problem is, it wasn’t risotto, it was rice with a pesto sauce and olive oil.
When asked by the owner how my food was, I mentioned that the risotto wasn’t good and he replied that it must be me who has the problem!
I live in Chicago, so I am spoiled when it comes to availability of good restaurants, if I lived in Waterloo, maybe I would think this is a good place, but trust me, it’s just OK. I dined with six others, and they found their food to be just OK, not good, not bad.

One of the more unique dining experiences I’ve ever had. Totally unexepected from relatively small-​town Iowa.
The owner and wait staff were extremely friendly.
The interior is amazing. I would loved to have watched as it was being done with hundreds of cans of spray paint. There’s a clip from ABC News on this page:

The menu had a wide variety of appetizing-​sounding possibilities.
I went with the Apple and Bleu Cheese Salad, followed by the Oven-​Roasted Rosemary Pork Chop. The generously-​sized entrée was cooked perfectly and accompanied with nicely done red potatoes.
Salad was included in the price of the entrée, a pleasant surprise as the menu looks at a glance to be a la carte.
This is definitely a place to put on your dining schedule if you’re ever anywhere close to Waterloo.