665025 Thu Nov 05 15:10:51 -0800 2009 9 18 Manhattan 0 5159284 I've never been and always wanted to go. have a group dinner coming up and managed to reserve a table for 8 people on a friday night. From some recent reviews, it seems like it's gone downhill? Also, is it a good place for a group? i'm a little worried, having to wait a while even with a reservation, etc. Thanks! Thu Nov 05 15:10:51 -0800 2009 22041 chundi 1 5161682 Its very small, so a party of 8 might overwhelm them -- the reservation was a good idea. I haven't been in quite a while, but I enjoyed it when I did go. The staff were very sweet and it felt very homey. The food was good but didn't blow me away (I live on the next block over and haven't been back in well over a year). However, I'd blame that more on me than on them -- I'm just not that into Cuban food, but as far as Cuban food goes, this was some of the better stuff I've had. I had the Vaca Frita, and I remember the portions being generous. Fri Nov 06 12:56:11 -0800 2009 5159284 221979 _emilie_ 2 5161812 _emilie_ your comments made me laugh. I went here about two years ago with three other people. I ordered the same thing you did, and *hated* it. I was so disappointed. The other dishes were decent but mine was nearly inedible. I chalked it up to an ordering mistake. But the fact is, I've never been a fan of cuban food either. Or maybe I've just never had good cuban food. Fri Nov 06 13:37:29 -0800 2009 5161682 94227 egit 3 5166620 Yeah I can see the Vaca Frita being polarizing. I'd really like it in small portions, like maybe in a taco with a bunch of other flavors going on to balance it -- something spicy, something bright and fruity, more mexican style than cuban -- but a whole plate of just that is just too much of one taste and texture (and the standard cuban beans and rice don't really lighten anything up). I have the same problem with Puerto Rican and Domincan food. Mon Nov 09 06:20:07 -0800 2009 5161812 221979 _emilie_ 4 5167703 thanks! anyone have a recent experience, or experience with a group going there? Mon Nov 09 12:25:10 -0800 2009 5166620 22041 chundi 1 5171007 I went with a big group and was seated in the back room. We were about 12 people. Service was pretty slow, but they were hustling to accomodate our table (which was bigger than reservations were made for). The food was fine/good, but too expensive for what it was and not memorable enough to return. This was about June this year. Tue Nov 10 14:26:59 -0800 2009 5159284 10216 Lucia 2 5172424 thank you. how expensive? i know it used to be reasonable but i guess they've raised their prices? for example do you remember how much the churrasco was? i think it used to be around $17. they've taken prices off their website and menupages. could be a dealbreaker for us... Wed Nov 11 07:17:46 -0800 2009 5171007 22041 chundi 3 5172448 when they first opened the poor service and LOOOONG waits were excusable because everything was so reasonably priced (and reasonably tasty!) but having looked at the increased prices i'd say pass... Wed Nov 11 07:26:49 -0800 2009 5172424 50017 El Tigre 3 5173931 I didn't have the churrasco. From what I remember, everything was in the $20's for main courses. Wed Nov 11 15:23:51 -0800 2009 5172424 10216 Lucia 4 5175244 Yikes, I had no idea it was so pricey now! I wanna say when I went everything was in the low teens. Thu Nov 12 07:02:52 -0800 2009 5173931 221979 _emilie_