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Review content:
Note to self: never rely on friends of friends for recommendation.
8:00: My date and I arrive at La Bodeguita. The band is already cranking, which makes dinner conversation a difficult proposition given the unmitigated tile, brick, and concrete interior. We are seated cheerfully and right away.
8:15: Someone filnally shows up to ask whether we'd like something to drink. I order a mojito.
8:25: Nearly a half hour since we've ventured through the door, I finally get a wet one. The waiter disappears before I can tell him my date has decided she'd like a sangria, and without a word about food.
8:35: Waiter returns, we order appetizer salad and entrees. He interrupts us to tell us about the specials.
8:45: Oscar, the cheerful manager drops by to introduce himself, asks how everything is going, says he'll check on our food.
8:55: Almost an hour after we arrive, our server brings the entire order at one time. I ask him to keep the rest warm while we have our salad, and order a glass of Cabernet, not because it goes with the food, but because by this point, the dismal experience warrants the extra alcohol content.
9:05: I have to go find the waiter to ask him to bring the rest of our food. My date is ready to walk, but I'm hungry. Food shows up five or ten minutes later, room temperature. No cabernet in sight.
9:25: Chicken's almost gone, still no wine. I go talk to manager, something which I am loath to do, having been in the business myself at one time. I explain, he apologizes. We wait. Wine comes. Inside of glass is foamy, tastes like burnt rubber. Manager makes excuses, takes 25 percent off of check. Check never comes, I find waiter and ask for check. I hand over hard-earned money, wish I'd spent it somewhere else.
9:45: As we leave, a mile away our movie is starting. Will never go back. Nice people, clueless service, cold food, insipid wine. Buena suerte!
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