We have nothing but good things to say about Caminito, and were a bit surprised at the low ratings posted by other users. We have been going there for dinner/special occasions for the past 3 years or so and have never had a bad experience.
First, we have found it is always best to make a reservation, especially on the weekends. During the week we have stopped in on a whim and have gotten a table very easily, but the restaurant holds maybe 50 people at the most all at once--it really makes for a great cozy atmosphere which is part of what we love. That being said, we saw diners that did not have reservations made get turned away due to the fact that the restaurant was booked during peak dinner hours.
When it comes to service, I can only remember being impatient once in the years we have been going there (and it was waiting for the bill). Our most recent visit found a very friendly host who seated us right away, and a waitress we have had a few times who was also very friendly and on top of her service. She didn't come over every 5 minutes (which we hate), but she checked in often enough that if we needed something or had a question it was addressed quickly and efficiently. There is also a classical guitarist after 7pm on weekend who helps create a great mood without playing too loudly to disrupt conversation.
And now, the food....
Amazing is just not enough of a word to describe the food from Caminito. Between the wood-fire grill, fresh ingredients, and simple yet seemingly complex flavor combinations, you never want to stop eating even after you've reached your limit of food intake.
To start you get warm, soft, pull apart bread with a fresh and spicy chimmichuri sauce. This also pairs well with the Provoleta, a ramekin of grilled provolone cheese drizzled with olive oil and finely diced tomatoes. But the real star of the appetizers is the lobster ravioli...we have had lobster ravioli at other places but this is seriously THE best we have ever had. The rosemary browned butter gives it a slightly smokey flavor which can only be described as heavenly (I would have posted pictures, but our party dove into them before they even hit the table!). Other appetizers we have tried that you won't be disappointed with are the esparrago con prosciutto, chorizo, and empanadas de carne. We have yet to try the others as often the lobster ravioli takes over our decision-making.
Salads are fresh with tasty ingredients. We've tried them all, most recently the "wedge" along with the spinach, pear, and beet salad. The homemade dressings are great (especially the buttery-tasting walnut vinaigrette!), and we often get the salads to share. The caesar salad is large enough to share between 2-3 people as an appetizer or your entire meal!
For entrees, anything from the grill is worth it. Our most recent visit included the bife con gorgonzola and the lomo a la mostaza. Both pieces of meat were cooked exactly how they were ordered, and the flavors from the gorgonzola butter and mustard creme were simply sublime. If you are looking for something other than beef, the salmon a la naranga is a lighter choice with bright flavors and a crisp skin with simple salt and pepper seasoning.
Other great entrees we've tried include the beef "el gaucho", costilla de puerco, pechuguitas al champignon, milanesa caminito, crepes de espinacha, and noqui. I'm sure that anything else is fantastic, we just haven't tried them yet.
As for dessert, highly recommended are the panqueques and mousse--both are great ways to end the meal with a little bit of sweet.
Definitely recommended to anyone willing to try some amazing food--and the sangria is a must! read more