Zarela Restaurant

I have been going to Zarela's for the past 12 years whenever we have an early out from my office. Yesterday 12/23/2009 I visited Z's with 3 friends At about 2:30pm...We ordered margaritas and Flautas..everything came promptly. However, as the clock began to strike 3pm, it seems that we had overstayed our welcome. The Asian- Russian speaking bartender (I miss the other guys that were normally there), seem to vanish and when one of my friends showed up at 3:21, it took about 5 minutes before she came back to the bar to get him a drink. Now 5 minutes at a bar may not seem like much, but if that is why you are there..it is a long time. Anyway, when she got the drink for him, she also made another drink for another friend & cleared away my half full glass of margarita on the rocks. When I pointed that out, she said it was just ice. I explained that it was still half-full which is why I did not order another one when my friends did. She seemed pissed..she then proceeded to make me another drink..and guess what..she gave me a half full glass of margarita with more ice than drink and almost no alcohol. My buddy that came in at 3:21pm wanted to eat something, but we were told that the kitchen was closed, even though the staff seem to be cooking and eating for themselves as we were there. Bottom line is that if you stay at the bar past lunch time, do not expect much service and the new "hip" bartender knows absolutely nothing about customer service. I have never been cheap at Z's & have always advocated the merits of going there to the people in my office. However, it seems that the original staff and management of Zarela's is no longer present and service is not a major consideration. Sometimes when you like a place, you dont want to admit that it is going downhill, but looking back at the last two visits and the visit yesterday, there is something def not Mexican about Zarela's. Anyway, we left Zarela's at about 3:40pm & went to Zocala's in GCT.good margaritas & good food. no more Z's 4 me & my friends. more

spring is almost here. for those in the mood for a refreshing margarita (and willing to pay a bit more for one), head up to Zarella's. there's not much room at the bar, but you and a couple friends can always find some room to squeeze between some patrons to order up one of their famous margaritas for around 10 bucks each. cool and refreshing, each margarita is plenty strong and just the right blend of sweet and sourness. just two of these and you are set for the night (trust me, just ask my wife), while you munch on some of the complimentary tortilla chips and watch the restaurant patrons watch you get tipsy. if you want cheaper margaritas, there are plenty of options elsewhere in the city (check out the LES). i am no margarita fan, but i do admit that Zarella's makes some mean ones. more

I thought Rio Grande in Murry Hill had the strongest margaritas in NYC... well was i wrong. Zarela not hold that title. The bar scene down stairs is good, but the margaritas are even better. The food is alse very good. Try the tuna and the grilled shrimp. The guac is ok.. but over priced as usual. more