07/05/09

WORST SERVICE EVER

by lynj21

This is a warning to anyone wishing to eat here who is not wealthy and Cuban. My family and fiance joined me at this location for what was supposed to be a celebratory dinner for the recognition of a great accomplishment. We were seated inside (5 of us caucasian and 1 African American) and every single table around us received wonderful service except ours. It took one half hour for them to take our order, we did not receive drink refills, and our appetizer came after two hours of waiting!! When we asked what was taking so long, the manager told us that the kitchen was very busy. Tables of 5 that had arrived after us had already finished their meals and gone home. I've never had to complain about racism before, but it was very clear that the complete lack of service was personal when the tables receiving the utmost attention were comprised of affluent-looking Latinos. I am embarrassed that this place is still in business.

• Pros: Menu looked good, although we never got our food
• Cons: Managerial staff is unapologetically unprofessional

09/22/08

Not Worth It!

by BusRisks

We've been there at least twice (mostly for the wine selection) and I must say it was not a bad menu, but don't bring your children because they are not welcome. Although we were the first customers during the late afternoon hour, and after a short delay (of no fault of ours) several guests began seating. Our 2 year old child tends to laugh and chuckle with a high pitched voice, but once our food arrived, the maitre 'd' and the owner decided it was time to tell us to take our child outside because he was being noisy. After that shock they dropped the bill on the table for the full amount. The waiters were more than apologetic, but unfortunately the damage was done. I called after we departed to engage in a tasteful explanation of why they chose to embarass us in front of our guests, but they were unremorseful (which would have made things slightly better) and tried to provide an unacceptable excuse.

Never going back and I would caution anyone who goes there to not bring their child or engage in loud conversations.

• Pros: Traditional island food and waiters
• Cons: Owner is not friendly and certainly the maitre 'd' has absolutely no finesse

09/07/08

AMAZING!

by G0G0G0

BEST PLACE IN MIAMI. I TRAVEL AROUND THE STATES MORE THAN I AM HOME, WHAT I ENJOY ABOUT TRAVELING IS ALL THE GREAT FOOD I CAN HAVE. FROM NEW YORK, TO CHICAGO, TO LA, MIAMI'S ALTA COCINA IS THE ONLY RESTAURANT THAT HAS BLOWN MY PALATE AWAY. I HAD A SEABASS THAT WAS IN A CURRY SAUCE, THE WAITER SUGGESTED SHRIMP AND RICE WITH THE DISH, WOW SHE WAS RIGHT. AMAZING. THE STARTERS WE HAD AT THE TABLE WERE ALL VERY GOOD, AND DESSERT WAS NOTHING SHORT OF GREAT! I READ AN ARTICLE IN THE MIAMI NEW TIMES THAT CUT THEM REALLY SHORT, FROM WHAT I READ,SINCE THEN ALTA COCINA HAS CHANGED DRASTICALLY.THE WINE LIST WAS NICE HAVING FROM LOW RANGE TO MIND RANGE PRICED WINE NOTHING TOO PRICEY. SERVICE WAS IMPECCABLE. FOOD WAS SPECTACULAR AND THE AMBIANCE WAS REALLY NICE. I CAN'T WAIT TO GO BACK.

• Pros: COZY PLACE