Reviews & Ratings for El Cocotero

11/19/10

LOVED IT!

by agoldin

We all had patacones. They were dee-licious. Prices very reasonable. But what was best was the atmosphere. The two waiters were the friendliest, most attentive wait-persons I think I've ever met. They both took turns taking care of us. It was like going to a party at their house and they made sure everyone in there was having a good time. I think anyone who said the service was lousy probably went in there with a pissy attitude to begin with, 'cause we thought this place was a DELIGHT and can't wait to go back!

06/22/10

Excelente Venezuelen food!

by rosablanca5

I have gone to Cocotero quite a few times and everytime I have a great time. I was warned the very first time I was taken there that sometimes the service was not the greatest but the food made up for it. So my expectation was set. I always go when I have time to enjoy and I really do enjoy.

I always get a cheese empanada, an arepa (my preference carne mechada) and an avocado salad. I accompany it with a pitcher of sangria for the table.

In the past, I've had the mandocas maracuchas, churrasco, and green plantain crostini. I've loved it all! I am actually going today and although i'm eating a yummy lunch I am looking forward to it!

• Pros: Sangria is always yummy and food is always good
• Cons: service slow at times

06/17/09

Best Arepas in NYC

by Moni112

We walked by this place one late night, saw the menu and finally went a few weeks later. We were upset that we hadn't gone sooner because it was GREAT. the arepas and entrees are delicious. The staff is so friendly that it feels like you've known them for years. The environment is fun yet chilled. The owner has been there the 2 times we've been in the last 3 weeks; and the 2nd time- he was our server! We decided it's a favorite restauarnt of ours and a place we'll take our out of town visitors. Try the mango juice w/milk; the Miss Venezuela arepa, el pepito, tres leches dessert, and the shrimp entree. That's what I've had so far and all was sooooo goooood

• Pros: friendly staff (like family); delicious food; easy on the $$
• Cons: None!

10/20/08

Good food, super-friendly service, terrific coffee

by eat_club

This Venezuelan food was BETTER than I had in Venezuela. The Arepas were more like latkas!

And friendly??? The staff was so nice, we felt like kissing them good-bye when we left the place.

You should start with an arepas appetizer, then go to the steak... thin sliced mildly spiced. I had the mechada (chewed? mechanized?) beef and it was delicious. Polar beer is served bien calliente. After get the coffee. Try coffee Negro and enjoy the great black stuff for it's own taste. And the staff?? Kiss 'em for me when you go! --Eat Club is a roving group of NYC gluttons

• Pros: super-friendly staff, good food, terrific coffee
• Cons: don't expect spicey! That ain't Venezuelan

09/15/08

El Cocotero is El Cocotero

by eva_cuarse

El Cocotero is what it is people. Yes, its a people's place, chill, relax, not uptight, good authentic Venezuelan food, fresh! Yes you have to wait sometimes, yes sometimes its understaffed. Who cares? You get excellent food for what you pay. Go there if you are not in a hurry or in a bad/diva mood. One of the few restaurants left in the city with the "european attitude" where they DO NOT rush you out or stuff your bill down your throat right after the dessert.

El Cocotero serves excellent tasty and authentic Venezuelan food at very good prices. Dont expect "Le Cirque" or by any chance "Cirque du Soleil." Sit there, order, chat with your waiter, wait for your food, eat it slowly, chew it, ask for the bill and pay whenever you want. I like it!

• Pros: Great AUTHENTIC Venezuelan food. Fresh!
• Cons: A bit slow in service (this is not a fast food rest). Understaffed sometimes.

08/19/08

Rude staff. Whats all the commotion about?

by hpena

Went there for dinner. The waiter took forever to take our order. Did not ask us if wanted water - we had to ask after sitting there for nearly a half hour. I finished my Corona and waited, and waited to ask for another one, but the waiter was too busy talking to some folks at another table. By the way, the owner was there entertaining some people. Now can you imagine what the service would be like if the owner wasnt there? Dont recommend Cocotero. HORRIBLE service and ok food. I've had better.

07/12/08

Tasty Latin Food Served in a Relaxing, Nicely Appointed Environment

by nycinephile

Five members of the Thrifty Gourmets Meetup Group and I field-tested this restaurant on Tuesday, July 8th, at 7:45 PM. There was no host on duty, but the one waiter who was busily working the floor greeted me in a friendly manner and with a warm smile. Our reservation for 8 PM had been held and our table was available about 10 minutes beforehand. The waiter, although a bit harried, was courteous and professional as he took our order. All but two of our dishes were delivered promptly and correctly. I ordered the cheese stick as an appetizer. It was thick, soft and chewy, with a light crust and a subtle, herby flavor. I also ordered the arepa with stewed flank steak as my entree. Its filling was moist, hearty and richly flavorful. I also enjoyed a potent drink made with dark rum and passionfruit and mango juices. I was still somewhat hungry after finishing my initial order. Had one of my fellow diners not shared her entree with me, I would have selected another arepa. I commend El Cocotero?s managers on the attention that they pay to the restaurant?s interior design. Unlike those found in many smaller, inexpensive restaurants, the bathroom here was clean and decorated in a style consistent with the restaurant's Latin theme. An exposed standpipe was thoughtfully enclosed in a glass box and decorated with greenery and photographs.

• Pros: Friendly, efficient service; attractive design; relaxing atmosphere
• Cons: Limited staff

04/24/08

Love Cocotero!

by Franklinfth

I've walked by El Cocotero with friends numerous times but had never gone in, until recently. Unlike the last reviewer, we found the service to be excellent. More importantly, the food was delicious. I had never eaten Venezuelan cuisine before but now I'm a fan. We'll be back

• Pros: Food, Service

03/28/08

Horrible Service; Bland Food

by cinnamonxgirl

My co-workers and I decided to try this place out for lunch?what a mistake! The place was nearly empty, but it still took over 10 minutes for the waitress to even come over to our table. We asked for water and did not receive it until our food arrived. The waitress was flat-out rude and seemed to think it was funny that I actually asked a question about the arepa filling. She was completely inappropriate, seemed resentful, and her behavior was the epitome of poor service. The food itself was bland and unimpressive. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone. Don't even bother putting up with the attitude...the food isn't worth it!

• Pros: none
• Cons: Rude waitress, bland food

03/01/08

the best food..............

by lololife

I thins this place is a wonderful. .it is a best service good food too . I would like to try again I like it.

yo estuve en ese lugar: me trataron muy bien. el menu esta muy espesifico, la musica es muy tradicional.

es reucido el lugar pero pienso que para comer me unas aprepas buenas no nesecito tanto espacio!

vale la pena esperar por lo bueno...