Need a good vibe, well here's a great spot. From the time you walk in the door you want to just dance. Bar service is get the bartender gave off of few recommendations. We tried The Don and PAPAYA EN LA PLAYA. The Don is on the sweet side and the papaya en la playa is on the less sweet side but still that fruity taste. For the starters we did the ceviche and the blue crab tostada. Both 10/10. The tostada is a tad on the lemony side For the main dish we had the carne Asada and catch of the day. The steak was perfect great flavor but the salt added on at the top was a bit too much. The catch of the day was branzino it was really good the skin had a nice crunch to it the coconut sauce was good but more was needed. The fish comes by its self so ordered a side of rice and pink beans. Most of there dishes don't come with and side and to spend $42-$50 on a plate I should at least get some kind of side. read more

Chica & The Don - Hangar Steak - Latin American Near Me - New York, New York

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Camden was doing her thing running the whole restaurant including seating customers, taking orders, checking in and even doing the birthday shoutouts. She was very sweet, attentive and kept the wheels running on this thing. Brahim also made the experience super elegant with the presentation and concoction of the drinks. I wouldn't even say they were drinks but more so libations prepared by mixologists. They were pretty impressive especially the drink with the fermented milk. Food was also quite delicious. I noticed the menu was slightly different from a while ago. The shrimp with the tostones was amazing. The flavor of the juice was out of this world and paired perfectly together. The ambiance is also 'chic' and cute so very nice for dates, a night out with the girls, celebrating an event or birthday of course. read more

Chica & The Don - Latin American Near Me - New York, New York

We went to Chica and the Don to celebrate a friend's 25th birthday, and they truly went above and beyond to make the night special. They were so accommodating with our large group, and the service was incredible. I unfortunately cannot remember our server's name, but she was wonderful, and the working manager, Ibrahim, made sure everything went smoothly from start to finish. The food, drinks, and service were just as exceptional as the entertainment. Our appetizers came out shortly after the group settled in, which was impressive given the size of our party. The elite ribs, tuna tacos, and wings were all delicious, and no one in our group had a single complaint about the food. I ordered the elevated birria empanada and had a passionfruit cocktail, and both were so good. The energy was amazing with sparklers, a DJ, and even a Carnaval-style dancer in a big feathered, sparkly costume performing around the restaurant. It was festive, memorable, and over-the-top in the best way. Easily above a 10/10 experience. read more

The food here is PHENOMENAL! There was not one thing I tried that tasted bad. We tried their birria empanada, short rib quesadilla, the ceviche, elote corn ribs, the saffron garlic shrimp for starters. Everything was seasoned well. I could drink the liquid from the saffron garlic shrimp that's how flavorful it was. For mains I had the crab shrimp rice and I couldn't get enough. It was a little salty but it was soooo goood. The half chicken was juicy not dry at all. The vibes were great. Good music, they had a samba dancer and she got everyone to do the conga line. The service was good. The servers explain everything and give recommendations. It is a pricey restaurant but the food is worth it. read more

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I looooove when a place gets it right. I came here after seeing a show on Broadway because midtown restaurants around Times Square skeeve me out. Chat gpt suggested this place as a Latin gem and they seriously got it right. I ordered the tuna taco - wow - delicious. I also got the oxtail with french fries. I asked them not to add the fries and I guess they did, mistakenly. Thank god they did!!! The oxtail's sauce soaked into the fries and it was heavenly. Although oxtail can lean more Caribbean or Jamaican, this Latin oxtail was the truth! I loved my meal. I also got crab tostadas but I was so stuffed I couldn't eat it. I'll definitely come back for the oxtail and those damn fries. My friend ordered a delicious chimichurri steak and it also hit the mark. Lovely spot. read more

Chica & The Don - Oxtail omg delicious - Latin American Near Me - New York, New York

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Run don't walk! This place was absolutely incredible, everything from the vibes as soon as you walk in, the staff, and most importantly the food and drink! The plating of the food and presentation of the drinks complimented the overall experience which made it a place to remember! We ordered the blue crab tostada, garlic and saffron shrimp, and elote ribs to start. We were surprised to find that the elote ribs was actually corn on the cob but it was surprisingly delicious! For a main, we shared the catch of the day which was a red snapper which came in a coconut sauce which was very unique. Because I was expecting meat on the ribs, I was a bit hungry at the end so also ordered tuna tacos which happened to be one of my favorites alongside the blue crab. However, everything was top notch and each bite got better and better! The waiter recommended the churro donuts for dessert but I ultimately passed as I'm trying to stay away from sweets. I got the Halekulani cocktail as part as happy hour and it was very refreshing. I saw others get cocktails that had smoke created probably by dry ice which looked amazing! When I come back, I definitely look forward to trying that! read more

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Had an amazing experience here when I came for date night with my husband. The vibes were immaculate, service was excellent. They also had live performers mid dinner. Amazing food excellent cocktails! I cannot wait to go back! We ordered: Garlic & saffron shrimp Blue crab tostada Chicken empanadas Tiger prawns arepas Blue crab + shrimp fried rice (yes, it's as good as it sounds) Sipped on: The Meloncito (summer in a glass) Lychee martini (smooth operator) Discoteca (this one danced on our taste buds) read more

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I would like to give a special shout out to our waitress because she was absolutely amazing. She took the time to walk us through all of the items on the menu and give recommendations. She was super knowledgeable on how everything was made, which was especially helpful for me given my gluten allergy. She even went out of her way to recommend that we come on Friday or Saturday night because they have Samba performers. The restaurant itself is absolutely beautiful and perfect for a special occasion or a girls night or just a good time. Now moving on to the food, I ordered the Ropa Vieja and it was very flavorful. Although for the price, I do think there could have been a bit more to it. Since I have my gluten allergy, I couldn't have the sweet plantains that it came with and I did ask if I could have the plantain chips instead since those were gluten-free, but they told me I would have to pay additional for it, which was a little bit disappointing since most restaurants are usually accommodating when it's an allergy. I also ordered a margarita and it was very tasty. The girls I went with all enjoyed their food and drinks. So overall, a great place but do you think the portion sizes could be a bit larger and it could be a little bit more accommodating to allergies. read more

Chica & The Don - Food Menu - Latin American Near Me - New York, New York

Everything tasted amazing! The atmosphere/music was Afro beats/latin such a fun vibe! Big shoutout to my servers Kenny & Lilly! They were so attentive and helpful throughout the night, have to come back!! read more

Chica & The Don - Blue Crab & Shrimp Fried Rice - Latin American Near Me - New York, New York

This restaurant is absolutely exceptional. Every drink and bite of food we had was 10/10, the only thing that was slightly disappointing was that they were out of so many dishes. Regardless, here were my favorites: -Tuna Tacos: must-try tapas -Chicharron: SO good; the acidity balances everything very nicely -Quesadilla: Phenomenal and the largest portion -Oxtail: My friend loved his oxtail dish and they had delicious fries soaked in the meat sauce in addition to his rice For drinks, I enjoyed the Lychee Martini and Chica. As you can see in the picture my friend got "The Don" which had herbs arranged in the glass. He loved it! To top the night off, they surprised us with a dancer. Definitely a perfect spot for a splurge dinner (shots are $20). Very atmospheric and lowly lit. read more

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We came in for an early reservation and everything was AMAZING! Full of flavor, amazing presentation, and fantastic staff!! Do come & show them some LOVE!!!!!!! read more

Chica & The Don - Quesadilla Short Rib, Red Snapper ceviche, and Chicharron... ALL DELICIOUS! - Latin American Near Me - New York, New York

You have to try the flaming roasted chicken at @chicathedon -- they literally light it on fire right at your table. This spot serves up refined Latin American street food with a twist. Don't miss the blue crab tostadas or tuna tacos -- both are flavor-packed and totally crave-worthy. Pair it with their stunning cocktails, and you've got a full-on experience, not just a meal.The vibe? Gorgeous. The decor? Straight-up swoon-worthy.Perfect for date night, a glam dinner with friends, or when you just want to treat yourself. If you're into bold flavors, killer drinks, and Insta-worthy moments -- this is your next go-to spot. read more

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Great spot ... warm greeting on arrival. Sat at the bar waiting on a friend to arrive ... bartend had great suggestions and conversation. Lighting, decor and aroma were on point. Waitstaff was amazing and worked together as a team. We tried several appetizers ... the short rib quesadilla is a must and the garlic saffron shrimps need to be offered as an entree ... bucket size lol ... I MEAN FANTASTIC ... the lychee martini was delish ... the branzino was fresh and seasoned nicely and the ropa viejo was as well since neither one of us did much talking during diner. Aside from FIFA being shown on a huge pull down screen which was awesome ... the Carnival dancer came out and danced for every table which was so special since we were there to celebrate a birthday. We had a wonderful experience! read more

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Went here for my anniversary, and I can say this experience really made our day. The decor was beautifullllll. Customer service was on 1000!!! I'll go back just to I can have the same waiter. ASHIF WAS AMAZING! He was so attentive and caring, seemed like he was celebrating our day with us. All of his recommendations were A1, as if he was reading us. The food was so flavorful and creative. I have no notes. read more

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Food was really good, but prices were over the top for what appeared at our table (and yes, I recognize I'm in NYC). $22 for a margarita that was literally equivalent to a shot's worth of liquid in a glass full of ice where cubes were sticking so far out of the top of my glass that I had to remove some to physically be able to drink it. (Also, weak pours - everyone's cocktails were extremely weak.) On a positive note, food was delish. Though what's up with the potato chips served with guacamole?! Service was good. But with the entire city at my doorstep, I can say with full confidence I won't be back. For a party of four ordering tapas/apps only, our bill was over $500. Not worth the $! read more

Last dinner in NYC and Bestie surprised me & took me to @chicaandthedon since she knows I'm a foodie. Ofc it's going super popular on social media. Sad to say the although the food was good but the service was 0/5 soo disappointed the waiter never even brought us water, never checked on us once. we had to ask multiple people to get any sort of service. yet when we asked for the check, he stood behind us waiting for the bill the only time he actually spent some time by the table. Straight up rude while talking at us extremely loud this is very unfortunate and we won't be back. Other than the lack of service, the food is decent I'd say 3.5 stars. I'm a huge fan of ceviche and their ceviche is on the sweet side. I'm not sure why it taste like that. Sadly, no one at the table really ate it. The food taste good but it is definitely overpriced for what it is. The top is are small plates. The ambience is really nice beautiful decor. I wish we had a better experience, but probably would not be back. read more

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5 stars for the food (truly exceptional), 4 stars for the ambiance (cool vibes, modern), 3 stars for the service (needs some work). The restaurant itself is fairly big, with a large bar (and photo booth) in the front and a large room full of tables in the back. The decor is tropical/jungle themed with small golden statues of different animals (jaguar, sloth, monkeys) placed throughout. My only complaint is it was pretty loud, but in a way that is a good sign as it means they are busy and tables are packed. The service was disappointing. It took 15min just to get a waiter to place our order and awhile for a food to come out (both apps and entrees). I am not sure if they need more staff or if the staff they have is just not very experienced. The entrees (we ordered 3) all came out 5-10min apart (one dish, 5min then another, 5min then another) which was not great. However, the food was so good I can overlook the lackluster service experience. For appetizers we ordered the guacamole (very good, comes with plantain chips), yuca fries (best I have had), chicken empanadas (absolutely delicious), birria empanadas (tasty but the chicken were better) and elote ribs (who doesn't love mexican style street corn?). The plates are small (2 empanadas per order, 4 strips of corn etc), but good for sharing as you can try a bunch of things. The entrees are massive portions and are definitely meant for sharing. As a group of 4, we got a side of tostones (delicious and not greasy, very thin) a whole chicken (comes with rice and beans), the catch of the day (red snapper) and the ropa vieja. Everything was extremely flavorful and cooked perfectly. The chicken was moist and coated with seasoning, the ropa vieja was exactly what you want it to be (beans, rice, maduros and slow cooked short rib) and the fish was arguably the best dish of the night. Super moist flesh inside, crunchy outside, served with a delicious coconut sauce. We had about 2/3 of the chicken left and 1/2 of the ropa vieja that we took home. The food really stood out here and while the prices are a bit high, you definitely get what you pay for (especially for the entrees) in terms of flavor and size. I would get fewer appetizers next time and focus more on the entrees. We will definitely be going back! read more

If you're looking for a place that checks all the boxes -- flavor, vibes, and a sprinkle of "ooh la la" -- look no further! The food? Absolutely delicious. From the yuca (yes, please!) to the spinach and cheese empanadas that low-key stole the show, everything had us doing a little happy dance in our seats. The ceviche was fresh and zesty, the tres leches hit the sweet spot, and according to him, the steak was fire (his words, not mine -- I'll take his word for it). Service? On point. Our server Ezequiel a.k.a. "Mr. Argentina" was charming, attentive, and had just the right amount of flair. Seriously, someone give this man a raise... or a reality show. Ambience? Gorgeous. The kind of place where the lighting makes everyone look good and the music dares you to get up and embarrass yourself with a few salsa steps (no judgment -- I was tempted). Even the bathrooms were a vibe. I found myself thinking, "Should I redecorate my house to match this restroom?" The only regret? We didn't try the oxtails -- but don't worry, we definitely will on our next visit because they smelled ridiculously good. Like, "lean over someone else's plate and pretend you're just admiring the garnish" good. Whether you're out on a date night, a girls night, or wrangling the fam for some quality eats, this spot delivers. 10/10. Would recommend. Will return. Probably wearing looser pants. read more

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{Overall: 4; Food: 4} Ambiance: 4; Service: 4 So glad I tried Chica and The Don. The food was bold, flavorful, and fun--though very rich, so keep that in mind when ordering. The tapas were the clear highlight, while the mains were less memorable. Food (* = recommendation): - *Guacamole: Creamy, tangy, and well-seasoned with just the right amount of salt. - *Short Rib y Maduro Quesadilla: So cheesy and satisfying. - Shrimp and Snapper Ceviche: Fresh and bright, but ultimately skippable; not particularly memorable. - *Shrimp Empanadas: Deliciously decadent--stuffed with cheese and a ton of sauce that drips down your hand. - Birria Empanadas: Just okay; the beef inside was a bit dry. - Oxtail Saltado: Oxtail in a light stew sauce. The meat was incredibly tender once you got it off the bone, but that was a bit hard to do. The dish also had a ton of fat in it, which can be good or bad depending on personal preference. - Ropa Vieja: A bit lacking in flavor. Ambiance: Beautifully decorated and vibrant. The space was smaller than I expected, but thoughtfully designed. It really transports you somewhere else. The bar area is especially nice, with great happy hour specials (note: happy hour isn't available at the tables). Service: Friendly, laid-back, and attentive enough to keep things flowing smoothly. read more

I had another amazing night thanks to the incredible cocktail program! Had El Cafetín, Remedio, &' Noche Azteca &' every drink was perfectly balanced, creative, and full of flavors I can't stop thinking about. Bryan absolutely crushed it behind the bar made each cocktail with so much passion. Ashif was great energy and charismatic! This is my second visit, and once again it exceeded expectations. Late night Happy hour is a total Vibe! If you're looking for a spot with unforgettable cocktails and top tier hospitality this is the place! Always a hit! read more

Chica & The Don - Bathroom - Latin American Near Me - New York, New York

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Chica and Don immediately set the tone with great ambience the moment you walk in. The service was good, and the dancer really helped set the vibe for the evening. The drinks were delicious, but unfortunately overpriced for what was served. There was an excessive amount of ice, which made it feel like we were paying more for ice than the drink itself. Cocktails should be properly chilled and shaken instead. The appetizer was excellent -- I could eat the red snapper ceviche all day. However, the Lomo Saltado, which I was most excited to try, was a disappointment. The dish was overly salty, and no one in my party was able to finish it. The rice was also undercooked, with hard grains throughout. read more

Chica & The Don - Lomo Saltado, Rice and Maduros - Latin American Near Me - New York, New York

Loved, loved, loved it!! The decor, the food!! And the service, All 10/10. There was nothing we ordered that we didn't truly enjoy. My favorite were the prefect yuca fries, they are perfection!! The empanadas were delicious as was the shrimp and chicharrón. Highly recommend and I'll def be back and try some more dishes. read more

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Really loved the atmosphere of this place. It was colorful and vibrant and they even had a dancer come out at one point. The bar area is beautiful and all the seating is couches. My only gripe is it was outrageously dark throughout the whole restaurant. It was clear that this is definitely a place you go for a celebration to party. The weight staff was really attentive and lovely. For drinks, we got the don and their tropical drink. Then Don was definitely better, but I don't feel like their drinks were that boozy or anything right about. My husband got a second drink that was like a purple color in the accidentally also brought us a lychee martini that we didn't have to pay for due to the mess up. He did not like the drink that he got and wanted of drinking lychee martini. For appetizers, we got the guacamole, the birria empanadas and the elote ribs. The guacamole came with plantain chips and was plentiful. Definitely recommend the loaded ribs were also really great and came with a side of the cheesy sauce to put on it yourself. The birria empanadas were huge however, I think they messed up the order because we only got one meat and the other one that my husband had had potato in it. Would definitely get all of these again for entrées. I got the oxtail which was the most fall off the bone oxtail I've had and there was an insane amount of it in my dish underneath it where you got fries that were just like soaking in the oily goodness and it also came with a side of rice. my husband got the ropa viaja that came with rice and sweet plantains and even that was incredible. Overall, would recommend this place for a good time. I can see the bar scene there being a lot of fun. read more

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10/10 for Chica and the Don. I planned a birthday dinner here that exceeded my expectations. I originally planned for a large group and they were very helpful with working out those details. When my group size decreased, they happily assisted me with still booking a regular reservation. The restaurant itself is very chic and cute. Perfect for photos and an ideal location for a date night or even a night out with friends. We were originally going to sit in the main area, but then they offered a table in their back area which worked out because it was someone private with only a few groups back there. The staff were super accommodating and so friendly. They made me and my friends feel special. The food was superb. My favorites were the ceviche, the oxtail saltado and the quesadillas. The drinks were also delicious. I've heard brunch is a vibe so I will be returning for that. I would go back again and again because they surpassed my expectations. read more

Chica & The Don - Latin American Near Me - New York, New York

Yuca Fries was very mushy, lost the yuca texture. Birria Taco - not bad Shrimp - okay Cocktails were batched, they were fine, but just stick with regular many for $2 more and more options. read more

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I used to love this restaurant and have had amazing experiences here in the past. Unfortunately, after today's experience I will never be going back. They lost two loyal customers tonight. We had a reservation at 5:30 for a valentine's/anniversary dinner. We made the reservation at 5:30 specifically because we were going to see a show before and wanted to time dinner with the show without having to rush. When we arrived at 5:25 we were informed by Armando, the general manager, that our reservation had been canceled because he had decided to implement a policy for Valentine's Day that you had to arrive 15 minutes early for your reservation or it would be canceled. This is ridiculous, what is the point of making a reservation for a specific time if they are not going to honor the reservation time and want to change it after the fact? Still, he claimed that he messaged us this policy in advance and we agreed to it. So, I checked what he messaged... If you see the screenshots attached you'll see it says they "kindly request" you arrive early (nothing about it being a requirement or the reservation being cancelled). They asked me to confirm my 5:30 reservation, which I did, then at 5pm I received a reminder that my reservation was in 30 minutes, not 15! At 5:23 we received the text that the reservation had been canceled and when we arrived at 5:25 they acted like WE were in the wrong for not reading to the "policy" we had supposedly agreed to. It is not our fault that they overbooked their reservations and now are trying to accommodate more people than they can. The fact that we arrived before the time of our reservation and were still turned away for being "late" because of the manager's "new policy" is absurd. Furthermore, the restaurant was completely empty AND they seated the woman who arrived and checked in after us who also had a 5:30 reservation - and her whole party wasn't even there. I have never experienced such horrible customer service and I will never ever go back here. read more

Chica & The Don - Screenshots of communication with the restaurant - Latin American Near Me - New York, New York

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I had been looking forward to visiting Chica & The Don for a while... especially given their Best New Restaurant in NYC designation. My friend and I went for brunch, the ambiance couldn't be more charming or authentic. I love the travel posters. The server recommended an excellent Watermelon Margarita which is one of the best frozen Margaritas I have had. While the restaurant is new to brunch and there were a few hiccups, I would certainly visit again to check out the nightlife! read more

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I want this Resturant a better than great review.My son-in-law had a a party for my daughter for her 45th Birthday. * The greeting by Manger Victor, Assistant Brahim and Bartender Josh and his assistant (so sorry I do not know her name,) was warm and inviting. All the staff that I met were professional and informative. *The food( oh my goodness) the empanadas ( every variety) so, so, delicious, crab tostadas, yummy, the chicken wings, ceviche, tostones, elote ribs of corn, OUT of this world. * The drinks were well made with several varieties. * The Samba dancer was so much fun. This is a place I would recommend for an evening date ( impressive for a first date), fantastic for an event. * The Birthday cake so delicious. * The guest enjoyed every moment. * The rest room was very clean. I will be returning with friends and family. Thank you all for all read more

Service was quick. Good delicious!Nice server! The passionfruit margarita was a little tart.. next time I'll get a sugar rum. Switched to mango margaritas w/tajin rim for the next round tasted better. read more

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Food and ambiance were great. Service could be better and more accommodating. Management was friendlier than staff. Drinks were pricey. Definitely paying for the experience. read more

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The food was OK. For $50 i would expect the steak to melt in my mouth and be really good but NO, it was so chewy and hard to chew. Had me chewing for 5 mins on a piece of steak. And the strawberry lemonade is so MID. It was way too sour and for $18 i could have got something fire somewhere else. Stay awake fr read more

I went to Chica & The Don determined to try everything on the menu. I was really looking forward to the chicharron, but unfortunately, they didn't have it that day, which was a bit disappointing. The salchipapas were a twist on the traditional version--not bad, but I still prefer the classic style. They were thin, crispy fries topped with chopped chorizo. I also tried the lobster and shrimp empanada, which was just okay. But are you ready for the highlight of the meal? The CAMARONES AL AJILLO! The saffron butter and white wine sauce was absolute crack!!! I'm not kidding--I ordered two just for the sauce. Forget the shrimp, I was dipping everything, even the tostones, in that sauce! The waitress was super friendly and gave some great recommendations. The lychee martini was solid! I finished with the carne asada. The chimichurri sauce was amazing, but the steak was a bit dry. Will I be back to try the rest of the menu? Absolutely! read more

Chica & The Don - Latin American Near Me - New York, New York

The food, ambience, service, and overall vibe is excellent in this place. I got there a bit before my reservation, and hung at the bar for short while. All the bartenders were very friendly and conversational. After I was seated, I ordered tapas: short rib and maduros quesadilla (excellent combo of flavors, large portion -- def shareable), chicken empanadas (good, stuffed well), and yuca fries (good dipping sauce). I have nothing bad to say about the food -- it was great and pretty good portions). My only warning is that it's definitely not cheap. Come knowing what you want to eat beforehand because you can easily spend $200+ on dinner for two if you're not being conscious (including cocktails, taxes, tip) -- which is fine, if you're ready to spend that on dinner. Wish I would've taken more pictures! read more

Chica & The Don - Discoteca cocktail - Latin American Near Me - New York, New York

Great meal and service. In the 75 minutes, we were there five different parties were celebrating their birthday, so it seems to be a thing.

The food was delicious and the service was wonderful. It has a very festive feel inside. I found it a bit too dark inside for my liking but everything was good & I had a lovely dining experience . read more

Chica & The Don - shrimp empanada - Latin American Near Me - New York, New York

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I couldn't love Chica and the Don more! It's got a fantastic pan Latin vibe. We sat at the bar and had amazing drinks, including an espresso martini that is served out of a Greca (IYKYK). Their bar food is excellent as well and I'm sure that their full menu is as delicious as the bar snacks we had. read more

The vibes in here are incredible and it will be felt as soon as you step inside. The staff is attentive, thoughtful, and friendly which exceeded my expectations especially on a day the majority of NYC had been quietly processing recent news. Got a quesadilla, solid option for 2 people who were mediocrely hungry. Looking forward to trying more! Wrap up your visit here with a session in the photobooth, you won't regret it. read more

Food is good but somewhat pricy. The environment is also attractive, although it can get a bit loud.

My second time here and it was just as wonderful as the first ! Sat at the bar and was attended by Bryan the head bartender. His hospitality was exceptional and his knowledge of the menu made for a great experience. We ordered the saffron shrimp which was easily one of my favorite items on the menu, as well as the short rib quesadillas. For entrees we had the ropa vieja and it was delicious and filling. The drinks were amazing as well. The environment was very welcoming and cozy, makes you feel relaxed and comfortable. Looking forward to coming back and trying more things from the menu ! read more

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My friends and I came here last night to celebrate a birthday, and unfortunately, I would recommend considering somewhere else. From the moment we walked in, the experience started off poorly. Several staff members looked our way, yet no one greeted us. The hostess, who was near the tables, saw us enter and walked away without any acknowledgment. After about five minutes, we had to go out of our way to tell a server that we were there for our reservation just to be acknowledged. We were then told to wait at the bar before being seated, despite multiple tables being open. One of my friends asked if we could be seated at one of the center booths, as it would have been more comfortable and accommodating for our party of four. We were told those tables were reserved for larger parties, which seemed reasonable. That is, however, until we watched a table of four and a table of three be seated in those same booths. That was extremely frustrating and made us feel dismissed. The food itself was enjoyable. We ordered drinks, appetizers, and entrées, and everything tasted good. Our waiter was kind, but as the night went on, he became increasingly difficult to flag down. We were informed ahead of time that food would come out as it was ready rather than all at once, which I appreciated being told ahead of time. What felt uncomfortable, however, was how rushed we felt throughout the meal. Staff would ask if they could clear plates and glasses while already pulling them away. Yet when we needed boxes for our leftovers, it took asking four different staff members before someone finally brought one. When the check arrived, we split it between three of us. It wasn't until one of my friends asked for a printed receipt afterward that we noticed gratuity had been automatically added without any mention of it. As a result, we tipped significantly more than intended. I've been a server and bartender for the past 10 years, and this was one of the most disappointing service experiences I've had. Overall, it felt like the focus was more on turning tables and collecting money than on guest experience. Automatically adding gratuity without informing guests only reinforced that feeling. After reading other reviews mentioning similar issues with staff, it seems like this is an ongoing problem. You would hope that the owners or management would care enough about their business to address it, but unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be the case. If you're considering going, the food is great, but it ultimately doesn't make up for the lack of care the staff has for your experience. read more