09/25/08

BAD SERVICE, OK FOOD

by DrRobertSchein

After visiting a friend in the neighborhood regularly for months for lunches i finally began to wonder why we never ate at this restaurant - it looks like it might be good, but after MOVING to the neighborhood and trying it out a few times it all became clear - this place just isnt an option. The waitstaff all appear to be students or part-timers more concerned with making a little money than providing pleasant service while doing it - they were impatient and a bit rude, and we were greeted with dumb stares when we walked in. After asking if we should just seat ourselves (since no-one made a move to help) we were given condescending nods implying we should have known this. We sat in the crowded room, at a table that was painfully close to another - this place is too tight and could benefit from losing a table or two - i felt as if i was having my lunch with the couple next to us, who seemed equally as annoyed with the fact. The service is the kind you'd expect at a Chili's or TGI Fridays..

As with the other times i've eaten here, the food was fine, once it arrived, nothing spectacular, but nothing amazing either. Of course everything in SOHO is a bit overpriced, but the basic dishes here arent worth it.

Part of the reason i go out to eat is for the convenience of having someone else worry about the meal - these people made me wish i had stayed at home - for all the waiting and rudeness, i could have had a more pleasurable meal if i had prepared it myself.

• Pros: Is ok food a pro?
• Cons: Very cramped, rude staff

06/02/08

very impolite

by sayvny

I have never written a review before, but I now feel obliged to do so after how I was treated this morning. I went to cafe colonial at 10am on a monday morning. I was hoping to enjoy the atmosphere and have a latte while reading some articles for work. I planned to stay for no more than an hour. There were 8 customers and out of a total of 15 tables, there were 12 open tables. Within 25 minutes, I was approached by the manager and told that it was an "eating restaurant" and that I was required to eat or I should leave. I found this to be amazingly rude and inappropriate. If the cafe had been busy, I would entirely understand. But with only 8 customers and 12 open tables, it was outrageous. It's now not surprising why no one was there. I will certainly never return.

04/19/08

From Okay to Much Worse

by swissmiss001

Used to drop by this place after downtown events for its cozy atmosphere and tasty dishes. Last time I went, things had definitely taken a turn for the worse: prices were up and the food was not as good as I remembered. Tonight confirmed that this place is off my list. Terrible, unbalanced food (does the chef taste what they create? A $22 entree should be at least yummy if not delightful) and average service. Too bad! I like the vibe and location but the "Brasilian" has been taken out of the food. I'll miss the pao de queso, but otherwise can skip it!!!

• Pros: location and setting
• Cons: food (and its a restuarant, uh-oh)