Tropica

02/02/2007 Posted by sandrayhan

I recently ate at Tropica and was really excited after reading all the great reviews. Unfortunately, my experience there was awful - the worst I've had in my 5 years in the city! The service was terrible - from the rude hostess to the aloof server who seemed tired and overworked. I ordered the filet mignon, done medium. The steak was rare, totally dripping, when I got it and pretty cold, as if it had been sitting out for a little while. I asked the server POLITELY if I could have it cooked medium and sent it back. The steak was returned to me medium-rare. I then again asked the waiter POLITELY if I could have it cooked a little longer. At this point, the waiter went off on me about how the steak was fine and ended his tirade by exclaiming, "What do you want?? You want it cremated or something??" This response was completely shocking, considering all I was asking was for the steak to be prepared how I ordered it. I have eaten at many fine steakhouses and always get my steak prepared the same way . . . so I know when it is undercooked. If the waiter is overworked, he shouldn't take it out on the patrons! I was so irritated by his outburst that I POLITELY asked the hostess for another server. She informed me that this rude and aggressive waiter was one of the restaurant's best. Clearly, Tropica does not put any effort in making the dining experience a pleasant one. I was so disappointed that I encourage anyone who is considering eating seafood or steak to go elsewhere - especially for the latter, go to a real steakhouse where they know how to prepare filet mignon.

Pros: prompt seating with reservations

Cons: RUDE service, kitchen does not know how to prepare steak

12/26/2006 Posted by mtnhopper1

In general, my wife and I enjoyed the food at Tropica. The entrees were well-prepared. Although the menu is not the most creative, the dishes are well executed. I wouldn't call it exceptional in light of the number of other options in Midtown, but overall we were not disappointed with the food. Our disappointment, however, began with the oysters. The product was very fresh and tasty, but were were disappointed by what was either an uninformed server or an outright lie. My wife and I are well-informed when it comes to oysters. Although this sounds pretentious, we often find ourselves knowing more about the product than the restaurant or rawbar serving them. That being said, when one is paying the menu price for oysters at Tropica, one expect something more for their money than just a fresh oyster -- namely a well-informed staff. On that aspect, we were disappointed. The menu allows you to choose east or west coast oysters, which are very different in taste. The waiter decsribes what is available in each category. We ordered a dozen east-coast oysters, which the waiter said would be "Falmouth oysters from Mass." We had never heard of Falmouths, so we decided to give them a try. When the Falmouths arrived, they were easily identified as WEST-COAST oysters by their rippled shells and dark marbling. I raised this curiousity with the waiter, who basically shrugged and said "the kitchen said they're East-coast" before walking away with a roll of his eyes. After doing some research, I found that Falmouths are from the UK, are brown-colored and have very fine ripples unlike any typical US oysters. The company that harvests them also farms a Pacific (WEST-COAST) oyster for US comsumption. I suspect this is what were were served. Do your homework, guys. Don't assume all of your customers are unsavvy tourists who will pay your prices and who won't care what you feed them. BTW: Teach your waiters to pour wine without dumping it all over the table.

Pros: Good food; Well-executed standards

Cons: Server was a novice who thinks he's a pro; uninformed & cocky