A simple corner cafe bursts Brazilian, in Nolita

by Melanie Berliet

Loyal customers are willing to wait for a table during weekend brunch--primetime at this eatery. That's because service is quick and the tasty fare is reasonably priced (for this ‘hood, anyway). If beverages like Sao Paolo sangria and dishes like Xinxim de Galinha (chicken breast cooked in a dried shrimp peanut sauce) don't remind you of the restaurant's Brazilian roots, the large, colorful map of South America will. Other than that the decor is bare-bones (small wooden tables surrounded by brick walls painted white), but the atmosphere is lively thanks to the chatter of satisfied customers. In warmer weather, sidewalk seating is an added draw.

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)

04/17/08

Never Again

by NyBuoy

I would love to know why this supposed restaurant is still in business and also why the food tastes like it has been already heated and re-heated numerous times. I don't really see myself going back considering that the service is waaaaaaaay below average and also the owner has a nasty and bitchy attitude

• Pros: Nothing
• Cons: Everything

10/09/07

Avoid at all costs

by cfate2000

after a few years, returned to colonial this past weekend for dinner with a friend who is visiting from out of town. the corn as appetizer was great as was the bread pudding for dinner. however, entrees were horrendoes. our steaks were inedible. they might as well have served pieces of tires - tough, overdone, dry and completely tasteless. my wife had the chicken dish - dry and also tasteless. the experience was truly a disappointment. when i mentioned the deplorable quality of the food to one of the servers, he didnt apologize or offer any sort of compensation. we paid $120 for 3 people. never returning here ever again.

• Pros: Good appetizer and dessert
• Cons: BAD entrees, poor service

05/10/07

Terrible service--threw out my food!

by engage

I had eaten at Cafe Colonial once before, and had a perfectly OK experience, so I came back, bringing a friend for dinner. I ate half of my steak salad and asked for the rest to be packed up for me to be taken home, so I could eat it for lunch the next day. I had a long conversation with the waitress about how my friend and I ate all the fries, which wouldn't be any good the next day, but I saved half the steak which would only taste better a day later. She took half of the meal I paid for away. Forty minutes later, having ordered a second glass of wine, my takeaway had still not arrived. I finally got the waitress's attention and asked, "Weren't you having my food boxed?" She said "yes!" and left. 15 minutes later she was back to report "I told them to pack it but they threw it away. Normally they'd make you another one, but the kitchen just closed." No apology, no offer to comp my second glass of wine (which waitresses can ALWAYS do), nothing. Basically, they stole my lunch for the next day. I don't know who ate it. I just know I won't be going back.

• Pros: Tasty food
• Cons: Terrible service

03/08/07

Good Bread Pudding

by toma43

I've had inconsistent service experiences, but I keep going back for their bread pudding. The buttery top and the chocolate at the bottom- you'll just have to go to try it. I've never eaten their entrees, but I've heard this place is good for brunch.

• Pros: pudding and coffee
• Cons: don't know

02/13/07

Horrible food, Incredibly Bad service

by petuniam00

WOW!!! incredible how these people are allowed to work with such a foul Manner. The Owner who I guess also works on the floor was disgusted when i asked for some more water. The brazilian omelete was not done that way I ordered and she got incredibly upset when i sent it back. My friend had told me an experience he had with the Lady Owner before i guess i shoulg have listened and not gone to Cafe Colonial.

• Pros: none
• Cons: Service, ambience

01/19/07

Meh

by manhattan_foodaholic

Had heard some good reviews but wasn't too impressed. Also, the waiters were a bit on the rude side, but the coffee was great!

• Pros: Coffee
• Cons: Service