Cucharamama

Delays wreck very good food

by Scoop NYC

The food isn't quite as good as its fans claim. "South American" isn't really a cuisine -- each country has several semi-distinct cuisines of its own -- and no kitchen can turn them all out well any more than one kitchen can turn out great Italian AND great Polish food. (Venezuelan and Argentinian aren't much closer.) A fair number of the dishes are thus on the menu because a "South American" place is "supposed" to have them, and they're pretty half-hearted. The more familiar you are with a dish, the less good it will be.

That said, a lot of the food is really, really good and the atmosphere inside both attractive and comfortable. It has the vibe of a really well-run restaurant, which is why it's a shock that everything is so incredibly slow.

It generally takes the waiter 10 minutes to even present the menus or take a drink order. Another 15 minutes will pass before he takes your order. (Now this is not necessarily a bad sign -- if your party is actually looking at the menu that long and debating its options. But a professional waiter in a restaurant that charges $25 an entree needs to notice when menus get closed and come shortly thereafter.) And on it goes.

A typical dinner, if you arrive before the real rush at 8, will run just over 2.5 hours if you get dessert. Arrive after that and you're looking at an easy 3 hour meal. (Again this is fine -- desirable even -- if your party really wants a leisurely meal. But again, a professional waiter needs to be able to figure out which tables want 2.5 hours, which want 60 minutes and which want a normal 90 minute dinner.)

Actually, I'm not sure how much of the blame goes to the kitchen and how much to the waiters. It's been warm enough for outdoor seating both times I've been there, which means a kitchen that's probably only designed to serve the number of people who can sit inside has to deal with at least 50 percent more guests.

But the service is clearly much of the problem. For example, the only way to get water their is to physically wave your hand over your head (because that's the only way to catch the eye of a wait staff untrained to look at their tables in case customers actually want service when they're not expecting it). Then you have to ask for a water refill. Then you have to wait a few minutes for that water to arrive. The refill that should take no time at all because your water gets refilled BEFORE you finish it, ends up taking at least five minutes and a fair amount of effort, distracting you from your meal and your companions.

Besides, excess summertime tables is no excuse for slow food delivery. If the kitchen is unable to keep up with so many tables, it's up to the management to leave a lot of the indoor tables empty to avoid overtaxing the cooks. And if the restaurant staff is likewise overtaxed, it's up to management to hire more.

True South American Cuisine!!!!!

by vodkalima

Two thumbs up for the ambience and athmosphere, excellent dishes from all over South America, Tasteful appetizers, Delicious Dulce de Leche IceCream, try the croquetas yummy, outdoor seating a big plus for summer. A bit noisy at street for the hospital a block away, but relaxing for drinks or appetizers (Ceviche, Croquetas, Empanas, Serrano Pizza, Calamar) and a BIG 10 for the main entrees (Argentinian Steak, Pata Chancho, Salmon)

• Pros: Food, Atmosphere, Drinks (mojito)
• Cons: a bit noisy outside

ONE OF THE BEST IN HOBOKEN

by samanthanyc

I have been to this place many times and the quality and service has been consistently wonderful. The appetizers are amazing and you can make a meal of several of them. The entrees are equally tasteful and the desserts are decadent! Plus you have to try the Florida mojito. I love the ambience and will be coming back for more.

• Pros: ambience, outdoor seating, table are not cramped
• Cons: not much of a waiting area except for the bar

Make a Point to Go

by rowland

Great atmosphere and a great value, plus an eclectic menu and wine list. I have been numerous occasions and have always found the food good and the service polite and very good. I have occasionally had to wait 15 minutes or so to be seated, even with a reservation, but it just gives us a chance to enjoy a drink in their "Moroccan Corner." Plus nice outdoor seating in the summer. The place is addicting.

• Pros: Atmosphere, Wine List, Menu

Terrible service descent food

by jslagg

Been there a few times, first time food was very good, service so so......second time THE WORST SERVICE I have ever had in a restaraunt. 8:00 reservations - not seated till 9:30 with nobody being cordial enough to tell us how long it will be in the meantime. I had to track down the manager, who disappeared and then she just made excuses. Terrible way to treat paying customers who pay their salaries. I would have been embarrased to have worked their. They had better become more customer orientated otherwise this establishment will fall quickly out of sight.

• Pros: atmosphere
• Cons: , SERVICE, Lack of English Under