Chiles and Chocolate - awesome Oaxacan restaurant at 7th/Lin

Subject: Disappointed

I just walked in from eating at Chocolate and Chiles...it was one of the worst eating experiences of my restaurant-going life. it began by waiting fifteen minutes for an empty table (only after having the ONE choice table given to a man who came in AFTER we did) to get cleared off, and it only got worse from there.

We ordered black beans, rice, tortillas and green beans and the veggie absote dish. After waiting over 40 minutes for our food to arrive, we came to realize that "green beans" meant snow peas (yes, we know...not typical mexican fare), black beans meant "red beans" (which is what we were told we would get instead) but were actually brought cold, flavorless refried pinto beans, and rice (which was hard, cold and flavorless). We had to ask for a side order of guacamole because even though the menu claimed that the absote came with it, we were later told that the menu was wrong, and that the dish, in fact, did not. While we waited at least 15 minutes to make use of the house bottle opener (BYOB is happily displayed on the front door because, you guessed it! they have no liquor license) and waited at least 45 minutes for cold food and an order of warmed over tortillas that we were charged $5 for, the waitress stood in the back, swilling coffee and eating food (our food? who knows..it sure took long enough to get it).

while we understand that the restaurant is new and that we did not order meat (as we are vegetarian) or the featured dish - mole, is it too much to expect decent service, a menu that reflects what will actually be served, and warm, flavorful food????

i am completely baffled by the good reviews, i can only guess that you have never had the pleasure of eating real mexican food and therefore have nothing to compare the Chile y chocolate experience to.

I think they are working out their kinks (I've had take-out twice) and will be a great place very soon. This is not just Mexican food, it's Oaxacan food...a very regional cuisine. Cheers to to them for taking a chance here....

For the record, my intent was not to attack. In fact, I have never posted a negative review of a restaurant, but the overall experience was so exceptionally bad that I was moved to do so.

While I understand that we did not order the mole or a meat dish, which may be very good, we did have rice, beans, and tortillas as a part of our meals and these simple staples were flavorless (and cold and hard in the case of the $5 tortillas) and served 45 minutes after we ordered them. The fact that our simple, vegetarian food took 45 minutes to get to our table was not acknowledged by the wait staff.

So it was the combination of mediocre food, negligent service, and an oblivious staff that prompted my posting. I recognize that the restaurant is new and I am sure that some of these issues will improve with time, but it is very annoying to have to pay for such a disappointing experience.

Subject: 2 pesos

Well I have to add my 2 pesos in. I had high hopes for this place, but I too am among the disappointed-- I confess I didn't try the raved-about dishes. I had the chicken marinated in mole sauce, and it was especially dry (noticing a lot of posters mentioned dried-out food). The refried beans were tasteless, and the yellow rice was nothing special, and though I've not been to Oaxaca, I too was disappointed to see these very routine sides on my plate.

I gave it another go (was completely drawn in by the lovely signage and decor)--this time for brunch. Even worse. I had the scrambled eggs with cilantro, etc. The food was cold and really so-so.

Both times the place has been freezing but they were installing a curtain so maybe that will help.

Generally speaking, the staff seems well-meaning but overwhelmed. The owner/manager, who apparently owns Artesania too, was not on the premises. I'd think he would be welcoming people in during the restaurant's first two weeks.

It's a great idea -- hearty, homey regional food in a nicely designed little space. But so far I'm not impressed ... debating whether I should return once more for that coloradito...

PS I did like the flan ... it was particularly rich and creamy (is that Oaxacan flan? not sure ... and as the staff isn't Mexican, there's no one there to ask ..)

-WB