Comida Latin Kitchen

--> I have taken photos at Comida Latin Kitchen before, but wanted to capture the energy of the restaurant on a Saturday night. It's super cute, cozy, and intimate without being claustrophobic.

The food here is excellent, a blend of South American, Cuban, and Mexican make for a delicious feasting experience at a great price. The chef, Tom prepares delicious dishes in a kitchen smaller than most people's homes (even in Manhattan!) He doesn't complain as tasty, innovative inventions fly out of that tiny kitchen on this busy Saturday night.

His wife Lisa runs the front of the house and mixes up some delicious mojitos and cahpirinias while greeting incoming guests on a busy Saturday night.

They have a great outdoor patio

Hummus and Wine - NO PITA!

The other night, I went to a new restaurant in my neighborhood with Jenn called "Hummus and Wine". It's so new that it doesn't even have a website. It's situated next door to another relatively new restaurant called Bellini, which I have never tried. I watched them both get built and remember being excited for the Hummus and Wine place. Note to self: try it!

Now, hummus is almost ALWAYS served with pita bread. It's a tradition, it's the culture, it's the way it has to be. I have NEVER seen a place that had hummus without pita. Until Now.

Had I known that this newly opened place, carrying the word hummus in right in their title did not have pita bread, it would never been an option. However, I didn't know, went there, remembering my note to self and explored something new, completely new.

We ordered the sample plate of a couple of appetizers to start and then shared an entree. I know how all the servers out there hate that, but I'm unemployed these days, so I skimp out on myself but not the tip!

We ended up waiting quite a while and then our entree comes out. When I flag the waiter over to ask where our appetizer is, he starts blankly at me and blinks in confusion. He had absolutely no idea what i was talking about. It's not like it was something quick, like garlic bread, or soup. I had to actually chose 3 different things. We ended up getting it and after the entree, which was delicious, so we really didn't mind.

When the hummus, falafel and some salad arrived, I asked for pita and he said there is not pita, they haven't had it since they opened up. No pita? with hummus, i couldn't believe it. What are you gonna do? We ate it with the bread and I felt like a thousand pounds after. The waiter also obviously wanted to get out of there because when i looked over the entire restaurant was cleared out and the tables were bare.



Over all, good food, terrible service and no pita for the hummus. I don't know if i can get over that.

Crabcakes

It's just another night at the restaurant and my manager is running around trying to do a million things at once. An old woman wearing fur and jewels that adorned her entire upper body was on her way out when she stopped to say something to my manager. I stared at her face through her caked on makeup and reapplied lipstick, though she didn't seem to notice.

woman: you know, tonight, the crabcakes were the best I've ever had
manager: thank you, i'm glad...
woman: you know, i come here all the time and this was the best
manager: great (now getting edgy, wanting desperately to get rid of her)
woman: I remember when this place opened, when it was McMullens
manager: yeah, what was that like 15 years ago (starting to mess with her)
woman: when Joe and Bill were here, it was Mc....
manager: I sorry miss, i don't know any of those people

(it was here where I started to lose it, my huge smile not really hiding the fact that i'm laughing in her face. My manager is very skilled at speaking with people where they're so self involved that they don't even know he's mocking them. It's hilarious to watch.)

woman: don't you know the history?
manager: So you liked the crabcakes? (at this point, i'm cracking up out loud and she just goes with it, even though he completely changed the topic. I guess everyone is all ADD)
woman: yes, they were the best, i go to a lot of restaurants around the city and tonight
manager: thanks have a nice night (BOUNCE)

I stand by and watch this interaction with sheer amusement. This is a classic move, the bounce. When a situation drags on or you turn your head, he's gone. Known for his ducking, hiding, and creating devices to shoot at the bartender, this manager is one that can never be predicted.

The black AMEX

Wednesday day shift at the restaurant. 2 60-something men sit down at my table and order TAP.

me: are you ready to order?
men: yes
man 1: I'll have the turkey salad, no avocado, i hate avocado.
me: no problem sir.
man 2: I'll have my avocado, but i don't want beets.
me: sounds good gentleman, would you like to start with an appetizer to share? (must have at least one upsell tactic, a bill with no liquor and no appetizers? what will the company think of me then, how will i be scored on their reports?)

the meal goes smoothly and they end up getting decaf double espressos. what the hell is a decaf espresso anyway? isn't the whole point of an espresso for the caffeine, the immense amount in the little cup? Whatever, i put that order in and send the standard free cookies, which suck right now.

me: can i get you gentleman anything else?
men: just the bill.
(he notions for me to stay and wait for the card -

A BLACK TITANIUM AMEX
"The Black Card is reserved for the wealthiest and most privileged. Members of this mysterious group pursue unique access to extraordinary experiences. They travel often and stay at luxurious resorts. They are offered tickets to sold-out shows, games, and concerts. Arriving at events in chauffeured limousines, they receive advance seating in the finest sections. Owners of an American Express Black Card can obtain nearly anything that they desire by calling their personally assigned concierge. (http://creditcards.lovetoknow.com/American_Express_Black_Card)

The bill was $40. After seeing the bill and the black card, my coworker said that the man would give me $40, a 100% tip. I thought he was crazy and predicted that I would get the standard 20%, $8, especially since he has the prestige of the black card. Also considering their meal went flawless and they had a good time

me: thank you gentleman, have an excellent day and happy holidays
men: thank you, you too.

I pick up the signed copy of bill and go into the hutch to see what the verdict was. When I saw the result of my efforts, coupled with the "prestige" of this card, I began to hysterically laugh. And not that chuckle kind, but the outright loud, uncontrollable laughter. I see my coworker who predicted the 100% tip, rounding the corner with a grotesque look on his face (quite normal for the servers here, it's just impossible to hold it in sometimes) and wave him over. I open the book and he sees the result, $6. I guess the $2500 annual fee leaves no room for extra spending, especially once you reach the MINIMUM spending of $250,000 for that year.

Ah, times are rough and I guess even the rich have to make some cutbacks, like tipping. Thanks assholes.

Coconut or Pear?

Scene from the restaurant:

woman: we want the prefix
me: great.

(I take order and decide to discuss dessert options later. everything goes well, dinner is perfect, then comes dessert)

man: what are the sorbet flavors
me: pear, coconut, and lemon hibiscus
man: yuck! (making an obviously disgusted face)
woman: what's the walnut tart?
me: it's a walnut tart with a concord grape sorbet and concord grape sauce
woman: yuck! (making yet another disgusted face)
me: i'll give you two a moment to decided

(i go away and give them some time to decide, meaning the woman to decide what they wanted.)

me: have you decided?
women: I'll have the creme brule and an english breakfast tea
me: great.
man: i'll have the tart, but with coconut sorbet instead
woman: PEAR!!! he wants pear
me: no problem
man: and a black coffee
woman: DECAF!!! make sure it's decaf
me: (to man) guess she doesn't want you up all night, (wink)
man: nothing gets me to sleep

(i put the order in and somehow my brain was working on automatic. what a surprise. I put in the order and carefully put all the modifications saying that the man wanted coconut instead of the concord grape. it was not until i went over to the couple that i realized my mistake, though i was the only one.)

me: how are your desserts?
woman: good
man: great, this is so much better with pear
me: excellent, enjoy. Please let me know if you need anything else.

( i walk away and realize that he didn't' even know what he ordered, or what was better. He initially wanted coconut and that's what he got. He was happy, which made it all a success.)

Sometimes the initial choice is the best one. Or maybe it doesn't even matter. As long as it all works out in the end