Playa....not good

j0518

Finally tried the place for brunch on Sunday. I've loved Calle Ocho on the UWS for years and thought Barrio was decent. We had a drink at the back Cabana Bar a few weeks ago while waiting for a table at Al Di La and weren't too impressed, but perhaps Barrio could be a serviceable overrun option for Bogota....

The experience was awful. The decor is incredibly fake. the servers have no connection to the food they are serving. There is nothing worse than going to a latin restaurant and having your waiter try to phonetically spell out something like "picadillo" and failing miserably. The pan de bono, which is free at Calle Ocho, was $3.95, nowhere near as good, and tasted more of bacon than of bread or cheese. I order an arepa with eggs and pico de gallo, which is something a place like Bogota or Caracas could do an excellent job on. There was nothing about the arepa which resembled an actual arepa other than it being round and probably containing some sort of cornmeal. It tasted like some sort of burnt, tasteless pancake. At $8, it was smaller than an arepa at either of the above places as well, and more expensive. My wife did slightly better with a shrimp omelette, but just slightly.

You've got Bogota AND Palo Santo, two very different, but very good, latin-influenced restaurants just blocks away. You better bring it if you're going to offer competition to these places, and this place just completely misses the mark. I take no pleasure in lowering the boom here, but this place has no food and no soul. Lobo no longer has to feel bad, as there may be a worse restaurant on 5th ave.

The curse continues.

prezst

i went on one of the first nights playa was open, and knew i'd never go back. and here i thought it was just because they were getting their footing.

art1324321

I drove by the other day and it looked pathetic. Not enticing in any way.

zebra

Thanks for the report. Neither decor nor menu looks appealing to me. Restaurateurs seem to think Latin food is so easy but they're mistaken.

jeffrey

Playa hater.

#-o

longtimesloper

At this point, i don't expect any restaurant that opens in that spot to be good.

oneoneone

I can imagine the discomfort in having a meal that wasn't like others you had enjoyed previously at other restaurants.

Damn your server for trying to pronounce your order and the real tragedy here - not providing a 'serviceable overrun option'.

zebra

^^^ Yeah, it's much easier not to have any standards at all. And, yes, give the server a gold star for "trying to pronounce your order" and while you're at it, give the chef a gold star for at least trying to prepare what you ordered. And leave a big tip so that no one's feelings are hurt.

carnivore

jeffrey wrote: Playa hater.

#-o

WIN!

carnivore

Subject: Re: Playa....not good

J0518 wrote: ...and tasted more of bacon than of bread or cheese.

So you'd say there's something good about it at least.

MOD

^^^ this reminds me of lard bread, and makes me hungry.

slopehead

I've got to give them some credit for opening a beach-theme restaurant in the middle of winter. That takes some cajones. Hopefully they'll have most of the kinks out by the time warm weather is back. I ate there a few weeks ago and thought it was OK but clearly there was room for improvement - both service and food. Of course the first time I ate at Bogota it was a horrendous experience and now I can't believe how far they've come.

the chipster

Does Bogota do a yummy brunch?

christina

That corner is doomed. Also, Babouche is closed now (did I miss this thread?) - good riddance, but what's happening there, does anyone know?

slopehead

I believe Babouche is back open again - I think they cleared up the violation.

christina

Ah. I spoke too soon.

dracomom

I thought Playa was pretty good! I admit their lunch/brunch menu was awful, but they have the best ceviche! I also like their flan. You will have to go there at dinner time for good food selections though. Last time I went for dinner the place was reasonably packed.

j0518

loved the Playa hater comment.......I must say!