Ideya Restaurant

09/18/08

YES!

by DrGeis

There's absolutely NO reason NOT to go to this hip Cuban-fusion SoHo storefront. Get a table in front of the mid-restaurant bar, get the mojitos (light or dark rum, both terrific) and ceviche started, and chill. It's not flashy, or overly atmospheric - they're not trying THAT hard. Gets crowded on weekends, if you're into that, but weeknights are mellower. The food ( I happen to LOVE Cuban, growing up in SoFla) is very good - most iems being updated versions of Caribbean classics.

08/19/08

Deliious mashed yucca

by hpena

Ideya is an interesting little place... A little expensive, but tasty food. If you crave an empanada,

07/23/08

OH Ideya, you USED to be so great

by firestar515

A few weeks ago, Ideya was an amazing way to spend money like it was going out of style, and it was worth every cent. The mojitos were UNBELIEVABLE, the food, flavorful, piping hot and with excellent service, especially if you ate at the bar.

I went last Saturday. The Mojitos, weak and BITTER. If the mojitos just two weeks ago were a perfect ten, they're now about a 3, maybe a 4. Even the flavored ones couldn't be saved, the mango mojitos tasted bitter like you can imagine nail polish remover tasting, YUCK! The food was dry, especially the tostones rellenos (the whole, dish, not just the plantain) terribly disappointing as I was really looking forward to recreating my last wonderful meal there. Service was not even passable, even when the restaurant emptied out, I had to hail my waiter every time we needed something, which was everything: drinks, water, food, bring out the cake, could I have a spoon. Each time we ordered a drink (even when the restaurant was empty!) it took him forever to get it, I remember waiting 25 minutes for my first mojito. Water, something that any good waiter knows to have on hand for his guests, our entire table had empty glasses of water for over 20 minutes before I had to, yet again, flag him down to bring us water. One member of our party ordered a simple hard liquor, neat, and was brought some other hard liquor that was obviously wrong (like rum instead of scotch, what!?). Our plates were empty, again like the restaurant, for about 15 minutes before he came to pick them up. For some reason he could not be found before then. The only time he actually came to our table to check up on us was when he asked if we wanted the bill. I had asked for everything at this point, so for him to offer the bill seemed like he was eager to get the tip he clearly did not earn. Thank god we were just under the 8-ppl party limit or else we would've been charged a 20% tip. I still tipped 15, having been a waitress myself but he deserved 8.

• Pros: Mngr sent shots for the Bday girl, Thanks!
• Cons: Bitter, weak Mojitos, HORRIBLE service, mediocre food (food is usually fantastic), would've been good for groups but unattentive service

05/31/08

Good soho latin place

by aycaugur

Crowded friday nights..Loudy music dining..great mohitos (coco mojo is the best)..Special latin menu, not americanized..good food (salmon was delecious)..great atmosphere to get drunk with yoour friends..I enjoyed my food and atmosphere on friday night. The music was bit loudy and the service was bit slow but it worths.

• Pros: mohitos, people watching
• Cons: slow service

03/20/08

Best in Brunch Ever

by citilivin

This past weekend my boyfriend and I were walking around Soho and decided to grab brunch somwhere in the neighborhood. We had been into Ideya once before on a Monday night and such a great time listening to the salsa band and having mojitos so we thought we would check it out. We were not sure what to expect for brunch, but were so glad that we stopped by. The restaurant was busy so we were prepared for usual hour long wait for NYC brunch but they were able to seat us within 10 mins. The food was great and the atmosphere perfect-bright with a beachy feel! We will definitely be back!

• Pros: Brunch, Mojitos, Live music, We felt like we were in the Carribbean:)
• Cons: None

10/22/07

Great Mojitos, Fun Atmosphere

by bklyn13

My friend & I went for drinks & dinner on Friday - 10/19/07. Considering it was Friday night in Soho and was around 8:30, we walked right in & were seated promptly near the window - great for people watching. Water & plaintains with a homemade salsa were brought promptly to the table. We ordered the grouper fingers that came with a mayo based dip as an appetizer - they were very good. I had the braised beef & my friend had the pork chop. We ordered a side of braised kale. Everything was very tasty, although the kale could have used a little more salt to overcome the natural bitterness of kale. I had 2 of the grande dark rum mojitos made with fresh mint. It was probabloy one of the best mojitos I've ever had - & I've sampled plenty in my time. My friend had one of the flavored margaritas, which he really enjoyed as well. The portions were reasonable, albeit a bit expensive. Then again, you are paying for atmosphere & prime Soho location. The atmosphere is festive & the wait staff were attentive. Overall, this is a restaurant I would recommend trying at least once. I will be back again - the menu is seasonal.

• Pros: Great mojitos, prompt seating, attentive staff, lively atmosphere
• Cons: A bit pricey

04/17/07

Not worth it

by nycdario

I was there the other night with a freind and as nice the server was and as kool as the music and the decor was the portions were super tiny ,and overpriced .We tried ordering from the selections but they were out of 2 or 3 things.I would they would get at least the freaking mojito right and even that was watered down with some low budget rum.Man what a shame......

• Pros: good looking place for a drink
• Cons: bad place to eat

04/14/07

great brunch place

by futurepocket

We went as a grp of 4 without reservation late afternoon.... waiter was attentive.. they had run out of a lot of food.. but made great alternative recommenddations..laid back atmosphere, friendly staff.. easy going.. good food.

satisfying.. easy date place .. or good intimate hangout with friends.. not so super trendy.. but still with it

will be back..

06/12/06

banana mojitos at tropical getaway in Soho

by nhyman

This spot works best for couples or small groups--it's on the narrow side. Fantastic selection of mojitos (standard or 'mojos' blended with Goya nectars). The prices are reasonable and the staff was funny, friendly and accomodating. After an RSVP snafu my party waited a while for a table but it was well worth it. Pretty tropical decor perfect for lazy cocktail drinking, with paintings for sale by local artists on the wall. Make sure to order seconds of the freshly fried plantains and mango salsa.

• Pros: food, ambience, staff

06/11/06

Cute Place for Lunch

by creativelolita

It's expensive for what you get but the food is good and the staff is nice. Fun for lunch on a sunny afternoon.