12/11/08

WARNING -- DO NOT GO HERE WHEN IT BECOMES A CLUB AT NIGHT

by worldtravellerplus

Looking over the reviews, I wish I could comment on the food at Colors because it appears to be great. Sadly, my friends and I made the unfortunate choice to go to Colors late in the night Saturday Dec 13th when they were having a special reggae dj spin. My two good friends are Jamaican - so we were even more excited to experience Colors as a club. Upon our arrival, we were met outside by the Head of Security: a hostile, extremely large, man who began the evening combative and continued to yell at us throughout the night. We were told - in 28 degree weather - to wait outside. We waited for about 10 minutes - noticing groups of men (who arrived at the same time) be escorted in while all the women were asked to wait outside. So we waited. And waited. Finally, we decided, no this is not right. We'll just go (as there were only 5 women standing and waiting). 3 minutes later, as we walked away, we noticed a woman who was behind us go inside - so we followed her in...She in fact asked the staff to help us because she was waiting with us. When we came inside, the same Head of Security came over and proceeded to yell in our faces. GO OUTSIDE RIGHT NOW. I TOLD YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO WAIT IN HERE. GET OUT. GET OUT NOW. I looked at this man and said excuse me, but sir, it is very cold outside, let us wait in this atrium area He was having none of it, and threw us outside immediately. No, sorry, not threw...PUSHED us with his body. Mind you, this is right after each of us (there were 4 in total) were asked to pay a TWENTY DOLLAR COVER.

I'm sorry, folks, but we are HUMAN BEINGS. Not dead rodents - allowed to be swept aside like dirty trash. This man treated us like we were beneath him, was extremely verbally abusive, and above all, vile in character. NEVER. NEVER will any of my friends go to Colors - particularly while this burly, belligerent, miscreant is working the front. LADIES, BEWARE. He only targeted the women.

04/17/08

WOW

by cutiefoodie

I had my anniversary party at COLORS for a group of 20 and it was superb. We reserved a few months early and were fortunate enough to have the private dining room. When my husband and I arrived a few minutes early I was a little disappointed to see that they had two other large parties that night and I of course wanted all of the focus on us. My disappointed changed very quickly. Our two waitresses Leslie and Celia took such good care of us that I honestly didn't remember there were other people there until I had to use the ladies room.

We ordered tapas family style - calamari, flatbread pizza, crab rolls and shrimp. Everything was cooked to perfection but everyone went crazy with the shrimps. My one pregnant guest claimed since she was eating for two she needed more shrimp than the rest of the guets.

For an entree I had the citrus crusted salmon with a mafungo cake (think plantain pancake) and green beans, I was pretty full from the tapas but it was so good I had to eat every bit of it and left my plate clean.. I was able to steal a bite or three of hubby's hanger steak and it was tender and seasoned perfectly.

Our friends drinkers so we had several pitchers of sangria and threw in a few martinis just for grins. Everything was better than I expected. I've eaten here before and always thought the food was good but they really made our 5th anniversary special. The highlight was the chef coming out to wish us a happy anniversary and a special anniversary version of his chocolate molten cake. It wasn't cheap but you get what you pay for and we got it all!

• Pros: Eclectic menu, you can find something for everyone
• Cons: Garage parking is pricey, a few friends were able to find parking on the streets -- read the signs!

03/28/08

Enjoyable dining experience

by DredScott

I had dinner there earlier this month. The service was attentive and the different courses of the meal were well prepared. The duck was tender and paired with a sweet potato pudding and collard greens. It was a great meal that was a different take on soul food. The drinks were also good. I will be back for the duck!

• Pros: good service, well prepared meal

03/27/08

Good Service, Not the first choice on Food

by foodsamplerqueen

I went there for dinner with friends, the waiter was great.. he was patient and kind. However when the food came , some of the food was not cooked. I know we had a large party but that should not have been an excuse. The dessert was great.

The facility was very accommodating...

Its a bit pricey, I wouldn't make this place a first choice

• Pros: Service
• Cons: Food

07/25/07

worst dining experience I've had in New York or anywhere else

by koshty

I waited.........................and waited............................I took a nap.....................then I waited..........................Our waiter finally showed up. Then we waited.......................and waited.....................then our food came and it was burnt, so we sent it back and they sent it back BURNT.

Those prices are through the roof. and I ended up at two boots pizza on bleeker 3 minutes after we paid bill.

DO NOT EAT HERE

• Pros: NICE DECOR
• Cons: TERRIBLE FOOD BUT A VERY LONG WAIT FOR IT.

06/22/07

SWEATSHOP-FREE FINE DINING

by cguerra

For all you ethical consumers out there- this is the place to enjoy an upscale dinner. When you think of all the abuses and exploitation that goes on behind the scenes in restaurants, it feels good to support a place where the workers are the owners, and even the dishwashers have an equal say in decision-making. When you walk into Colors, you immediately notice the diversity of races, ages and genders amongst the staff. The food and the decor equally matches the diversity of the staff, with dishes that span the globe. I thought the service was excellent- the best I've ever experienced in NYC. Maybe because everyone is an owner, everyone truly takes pride in service. My friends and I ordered items from the tapas menu, which were reasonably-priced and perfect for sharing. Instead of cringing when it came time to pay the bill, I actually felt good about supporting a place like Colors. I'll definitely return!

06/04/07

Birthday Dinner for 7 People

by aszeto

My friends and I (a group of 7 people) went to Colors to celebrate a birthday because after all, even leftist, not-for-profit friends deserve expensive birthday dinners. After reading the negative reviews on this site, we decided not to expect much. A few of us even ate beforehand. The restaurant was not even half filled on a Saturday night so we all buckled down for a so-so meal.

However, we were pleasantly surprised by the quality and quantity of the food. The tapas were enormous and tasty, particularly the plantain chips, potato samosas, and ribs. Everyone enjoyed their entrees, with the exception of the pork tenderloin, which was overcooked and dry. The chef even accomodated a vegetarian friend who wanted a entree sized portion of the polenta. Dessert was not particularly imaginative but still delicious. The drinks were wonderful (I would recommend the ginger margarita.)

The service was very attentive. I got the sense that they were trying very hard. Perhaps they are trying to improve their recent reviews. If that is the case, they definitely won me and my friends over.

• Pros: Plaintain chips, potato samosas, ginger margarita, lychee martini
• Cons: Dry pork tenderloin.

05/22/07

Avoid This Restaurant Unless You Want to Spend a Lot of Money for Bad Food

by diner33

I can tell you one thing abou the two previous reviewers: I never want to eat at any restaurant they recommend. What was bad about my dining experience? **Surly host **Waited for 15 minutes after being seated without being asked for drinks. Finally had to flag down aforementioned Surly Host **Calamari appetizer that was chewier than beef jerkey **Beef short rib entree that was so filled with plastic-like fat I ate less than a quarter of it **Main dining room with cheesey decor **Lame crowd. Not even B&T. The grandparents of B&T. And this was Friday night! **Expensive for the quality level. Over $200 for 3 people for crappy food. **Dulce de leche donut with almost no dulce de leche. This restaurant is not going to stay in business long. At 8pm on Friday night it was less than 3/4 full. On the plus side they had great drinks.

• Pros: Drinks
• Cons: Food, Service, Decor, Crowd, Ambience. That's all.

05/12/07

Great Start, Lately Needs to Step it Up

by pyvarjan

My gf and I have gone here half a dozen times since it opened. Each time we have appreciated the eclectic menu and the varied and value-laden wine list. The service is consistently good as well. Unfortunately the last two times we have been very disappointed. They need to go back to offering bread to diners rather than the bland, disappointing corn chip things they have been providing. Also, the wine list has suffered a sharp reduction in offerings which has proven a disappointment. I will be back again as I love their food and support what they are doing, but my next time may be my last if I continue to feel as though it's losing the little things I love about the place.

• Pros: Good food, attentive service
• Cons: Corn chip things are outright bad, wine list used to be better

05/08/07

Great concept that tastes good to support

by jhandy420

Drinks were good, food was good but not outstanding, service was very friendly. Atmosphere is subdued and quiet; made for a great dinner with girlfriends bc it was easy to hear each other speak. I would go again.

• Pros: Quiet, service, location