Phenomenal service and food. My friend and I walked in and were treated like kings from start to finish. The recommendations, the humor, the pace was all excellent. I don't remember the name of the cocktail I had, but it was a smoky whisky cocktail and it was delicious and memorable. I had the seafood paellas negro for my entree and it was equally tasty and a perfect portion. I can't wait to return to this place again! read more

Ordered the Costillas, Pulpo and wish I had space for more food but was stuffed. Service was great, always refilling water and asking if we need anything more. We had a booth and our view was the curb, wasnt anything fancy but the place was vibin'. Would i come back? Definitely, ive already reserved a time for next week. The flavors on the food was exceptionally good, and price for value was on point. read more

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Great Food, we had Seco and it was so tasty. Small Portions but the taste made up for it. Then my Wifa had Flan for dessert and it was the best she ever had. (made in-house) We are Seniors and try to go to all the Peruvian Restaurant, from Sacramento to San Jose. I am Peruvian and been here for 65 years, and she is Salvadorean and knows her Flam. Our server! We wanted to take her home! She was so nice, attentive and Funny. She knew the menu and Suggestions. We are going Back for the Anticuchos and Aji de Gallina. It's only across the Bay Bridge for us. Worth it all read more

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This place came so highly rated that maybe my expectations were off. The server was INCREDIBLE. Great vibes, joyful, took his time with us. Cocktail was GREAT. We ordered a fried cheese appetizer (would not recommend), half chicken and alfajores. Chicken was good--not great--and the alfajores are for sure a skip. Would maybe go back if I was needing a spot in the neighborhood...but more interested in trying other places around. Easy street parking. read more

Came here with friends last night and had a reservation. We were seated on what looks like an addition and was up against the wall with a large bench, which worked out well for us. Tables had a mix of tea light candles as well as some led tea lights but it was pretty well lit and didn't need those table lights but does add a bit to the ambiance. We ordered several appetizers and small dishes that I missed taking photos of but came out pretty quick. We had ceviche (which I didn't have so not sure on quality but the table seemed to like it), Mac n cheese, yucca fries, Tequenos, pulpo,shrimp and tuna tartare. Mac n cheese was a standout and better than I expected, really creamy but not overly oily/fatty with a nice mouth feel. The octopus was nice and tender but nothing to special about it--could have used a nice sauce to pair with it and the tartare was just okay, not as fresh as I'd hoped. The shrimp was also a hit and the quinoa coating they put on it gave a nice textural contrast to the dish. For entrees, I had the pollo, which was nice and tender and it came with fries and a salad. The salad didn't quite seem to fit well with the dish. The greens were a bit bitter and honestly a bit soggy. The seafood paella was really good, seasoned well and the seafood was cooked to perfection. Overall an enjoyable meal but a bit on the pricey side. It's a nice date night or special occasion restaurant but a bit steep for a regular meal out. read more

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Summary: So much promise but I was let down! Went here with a group for weekend brunch. There was plenty of seating available though the restaurant across the street had a line. Location was decent. The service staff and the ambience of the place was great. Prices are not cheap but not too crazy, and the rest of my group seemed to like their food. I was a bit disappointed with my choices though. I got the lemon marscapone pancakes which were a bit dry. They looked amazing, so it was really a shame. I really wanted to like the salchipapas, but I was truly let down when I saw that the dish had French fries and not potato wedges as stated on the menu. I was so ready to have my over easy eggs drizzle onto some seasoned potato wedges and they stole that opportunity away from me read more

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I came here for a girls night and had a wonderful time. I got there early and was able to make it to their happy hour, really great drinks and apps. Al the dishes we got were really tasty and great for sharing. Highlights were the paella, the chicken and the octopus. Everything was super tasty. Ceviche sampler was on the smaller portion. Service was phenomenal, our waiter was the sweetest and checked in on us constantly to make sure we were taken care of. Highly recommend this spot for a date night or a group dinner. read more

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Had a lovely festive lunch yesterday celebrating on Mothers Day. We so enjoyed the sweet waitstaff, friendly and attentive. The empanadas, tropenos...Ali de Pollo and the scrumptious rib entree. The sangria was so tasty as well as the strawberry lemonade. The atmosphere was lively and conducive to sharing time with generations of a family. Enjoyed our time here!!! read more

The food was delicious at this spot! The ambiance is very cozy and warm, really cute deco. Staff is very friendly and the service was great, they're all very sweet. Would definitely recommend! read more

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For me, Mochica is dishing up my perfect version of aji amarillo. Each seafood element was cooked perfectly. The salmon (non-traditional, but delicious) had crispy skin, but tender and flaky flesh. The cephalopods had a nice bite, without being rubbery. The mollusks were sweet and poached lightly. The only overcooked thing was the hard-boiled egg (traditional), which had a grey ring around the yolk. The sauce itself was very rich with a nice, punchy kick from the aji. I loved the char on the potatoes. The appetizers were just ok for me. The pulpito was a bit chewy, and the mashed potatoes were a bit dry. The tequenos were just ok. While I didn't love any other menu item, I would be excited to come back for the aji amarillo con mariscos alone! Also, the server we had was very funny and made sure we were enjoying our meal. Mochica made for a good weeknight dinner! read more

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We were in the area and the restaurant looked interesting. We were there around 5:30 on Saturday night and the restaurant was not very busy yet. We were seated immediately. The restaurant had moderate amount of seating with plenty of space between tables. There was a Banana soccer game on the tv which I never knew what it is. The staff was kind enough to explain it. We got the pork shoulder and beef steak. Both were very good. The steak came with rice, French fries and some tomato. It was very tender. My pork shoulder came with several pieces of yucca fries and onion/cilantro that balanced the flavor of the pork. I wish there were few more fries and not as salty. read more

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Great place! The food was incredible and service was great. The place has a great vibe... nice bar setup, lively and fun. Lots of natural light read more

I have always been looking to try this Peruvian place from the reviews. Reservations are free on Opentable, and even if the place may be booked on that website, you can always call to ask for availability. We were promptly seated on a Saturday night dinner around 6:15PM even though they were booked online until 7:45. Service was pretty quick and friendly, but you could tell they were trying to push us on selling drinks/appetizers. I felt like the service staff's mood might've changed a little after we were fine with only water (shocker I know, we usually don't order $17 cocktails...). Other appetizer menu items were similar in pricing if not more expensive than entrees themselves. I ordered an Arroz con Mariscos and a Pollo a la Brasa, and was pleasantly surprised with the portion sizes given the upscale restaurant vibe. I was expecting a lot less food, but turns out they gave regular portions, and boy were they GOOD. The paella is a standard paella, and it was very flavorful. Although it came with only a couple shrimp and other seafoods, the portion was still fulfilling for 1 person. To be fair, it's not really portioned to share unless you order a ton of other dishes. The half chicken was one of the best chickens I've had. The seasoning on the skin and the crispiness from the oven perfectly compliments each other, and my mouth is watering as I'm typing this. It's pretty savory, and the flavors soak through into the breast, so you know it's been marinating for a while. The fries reminded me of McDonald's fries cuts, and the salad was sweet and sour. An appetizer wasn't necessary for us, but if you're hungry, then definitely consider ordering one. The vibe was very cozy, but I couldn't shake off the feeling that since we ordered only 2 dishes, the service team kinda rushed us after ~45min of sitting and dining. To be fair, other tables had at least one cocktail per person, but at close to $20 per drink, we could not justify the price. A solid 4 stars! read more

Mochica - Pollo a la Brasa - Peruvian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Great food! Lots of flavor and seafood was fresh! Loved the flaky empanadas. Service was great and staff were friendly. Ambiance was really cute, the vibes were so nice. Was a little more expensive than I feel was expected, especially for smaller appetizer portions, but overall satisfied. read more

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The chaufa and empanadas were so delicious, still thinking about it. Their complimentary chips too. I think I finished everything in less than 10 minutes. On the spendy side but the taste and quality is very much there. Will be back to try other things from their menu. No wait on a weekday evening. read more

Mochica - Peruvian Near Me - San Francisco, California

Great first experience. All the boxes were checked. Food and service were excellent. There are times I have lots to say about bad restaurants and very little to say about great ones, and this is definitely one of the great ones. I would love to return to try their brunch. BB read more

I ordered the Pan con Pescado for lunch with sweet potato fries. The food took longer to come out than expected, but it was hot and crispy so no complaints here. The fish in the sandwich had crispy light batter with soft tender fish. The slaw on the sandwich had a good tang but I wish there was more on the sandwich. It tasted great and was a satisfying amount for mid-day meal. The fries were crispy and good for sharing with friends. The restaurant itself is a bit dark and the service took a while, but it did feel like more of a dinner spot so maybe we just weren't there at an optimal time. read more

Mochica - Pan con Pescado with sweet potato fries - Peruvian Near Me - San Francisco, California

Mochica is such a treat -- if you haven't been, you're seriously missing out. I skipped the usual lomo saltado this time and tried a few other dishes that totally delivered. The seafood paella was packed with flavor -- saffron rice cooked perfectly and loaded with shrimp, mussels, and calamari. You can tell they don't cut corners on ingredients. The seared tuna was a standout too -- super fresh and beautifully plated, with just the right amount of seasoning and a nice little kick from the sauce. I also tried the grilled salmon, which was perfectly cooked -- crisp skin, tender inside, and paired with a light, zesty salad that balanced it out really well. And don't sleep on the burger! It sounds basic, but it's far from it. Juicy and flavorful -- kind of a hidden gem on the menu if you're not in the mood for seafood or traditional Peruvian. Service was great -- friendly, attentive, and they really know the menu. The vibe is warm and relaxed, and it's a great spot whether you're on a date or just grabbing dinner with friends. Definitely coming back -- still so much on the menu I want to try read more

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I very much enjoyed dinner at Mochica! We ate good and all the dishes we ordered were a 4/4.5 especially the salmon entree and the empanadas. We made a reservation last min and were seated right away. The service was good and it came out great timing the way we wanted. I would go back to try more. Food 4.5/5 Service 4/5 Ambi 4/5 read more

Mochica - Peruvian Near Me - San Francisco, California

Dinner review. Peruvian. (Highlight) Anticuchos 21 Peruvian style skewers, chili panca paste, crispy potato, Peruvian corn, Ocopa Corazon Costillita de Chancho 19 Crispy pork spareribs, Inca Kola-BBQ sauce, jicama salad Tequeños 16 Crispy wontons stuffed with Oaxaca cheese, avocado, tamarindo sauce (Highlight) Chicharrones 19 Fried & crispy, marinated in our special sauce, rocoto aioli, lemon Chicken Elite de la Calle 11 Mexican sweet corn on the cob, chimichurri butter, feta cheese, charred lemon, and Chile powder Pescado a lo Macho 31 Seafood bouillabaisse, pan roasted fresh Salmon, Chupe sauce, coconut rice Chaufa Pork Belly 24 Peruvian fried rice, pork belly, egg, asparagus, hoisin, aji Amarillo, wild mushrooms Overall, "I'm a fan." read more

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Came on a Saturday night with a group of friends and it wasn't busy. There were empty tables so we were able to sit immediately. The staff was very attentive and kind! I ordered a lomo saltado and a sangría. The steak, tomatoes, and onions in the lomo saltado were cooked to perfection and full of flavor. The fries were freshly cooked. The sangría was very good too! This restaurant is on the pricier side, but worth visiting if you want to try Peruvian food. It never disappoints! I will for sure revisit this spot! read more

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Came back here for their happy hour with a friend! I got their Chicha Morada, and we split their Cebiche de Pescado with Yucca Chips as well as their Crispy Cebiche. Chicha Morada: 5/5, always love this drink both for its beautiful purple color and sweet yet not sugary flavor. Cebiche de Pescado with Yucca Chips: 5/5, my personal go-to since it's always so refreshing. Love the sweet potato in it, and the chips add a nice contrast of saltiness. Crispy Cebiche: 3/5, not a super standout dish. It was well-fried but didn't have a ton of flavor. Servers were friendly as always, extra attentive even since we were one of the only parties there that early. Overall, a great happy hour option that is worth the money. Will be back! read more

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My first time here and it's such a great place, I love everything from the menu, they have a good selection of sea food, and other protein dishes, I think we try most of their appetizers, and my favorite was the pulpo it was just simple delicious, fresh and well prepared,their ceviches were also delicious, we tried 3 of them, cocktails were also amazing! They were able to change the base on all of them as we requested and they were still exquisite, what I have to point as my best and favorite thing was the service we have this very helpful and friendly guy his name is Melvin, and he was just the best, he new everything about the menu he dis great suggestions and he made our night just perfect. The whole restaurant is nice, the have 2 areas inside to accommodate people and large parties and also a bar area. Well done guys. read more

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Went here for work dinner, my pisco was yummy , ceviche also tasty, and the chips and dip they served were amazing read more

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My boss gave me another food rec, which was Mochica. I hadn't been here since they moved from Soma, so I figured it was time to try them again. Plus, it was Restaurant Week (RW), so it was the perfect time to try their menu. The three-course menu was $55 and the portions were large! I started off with ceviche. It was delightfully citrusy and with nice contrasting textures between the fish, sweet potato, and yucca chip. I wish there were more chips because I love a good crunch. My friend and I both started with that, and we probably could've shared it. But tbh, it was so delicious that I'm glad we each got our own. We added the Mac and cheese as an extra to our RW dinner. It was rich and cheesy with the right amount of truffle oil. I'm not sure where the aji amarillo sofrito was, but it was still good. I wish it had breadcrumbs on top, but I love texture so that's just me. I would totally order this again. Next up was the arroz con mariscos, which was savory and comforting. It had a lot of seafood, from mussels to squid to fish. They did not skimp out. They unfortunately ran out of flan, so I got panna cotta. It was tart from the passion fruit, but was calmed by the coconut. Though I would've loved to try the flan, ending the meal with a light dessert after a heavy entree balanced the dining experience. The restaurant is divided into two spaces and we sat at the left space (if you're facing the restaurant). Not sure about the right space, but the left space can get really loud. The ceilings are tall and conversations get amplified. But that's part of the vibe - food with bold flavors to experience with friends. Also, the Pinot noir I ordered was delicious! Def check out their wine list. Service was good. I had some questions about the RW menu and the waitress was super helpful. One thing I'd comment is to make sure you address your allergies. I put mine and my friend's allergies on the OpenTable reservation, but unfortunately the dessert she ordered had an ingredient she couldn't eat which wasn't listed as one on the menu. Some restaurants do go over what's listed on OpenTable, but just be sure to state any allergies in the beginning. Parking is difficult so take other means of transport or allot some time to find a spot. I would totally come back here for the ceviche alone. read more

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Best service best food very friendly!! Come and try Mochica and you will love it anything you try best Peruvian food read more

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I'm not a fan of leaving bad reviews, but at some point your patience is tested. I live in the neighborhood, Mochica has been my go to spot for brunch for the last 8 months. Food is delicious and you get a seat very quickly in comparison to other spots in the area... it's quiet and cozy. I love that. My go to breakfast every time is the fig lemon pancakes, every time. Its absolutely delicious. I ordered my usual but something slightly different came out. What was in front of me was not what I initially ordered, no biggie... there are two pancake dishes, I understand confusion happens. When I mentioned it to the server, he at first didn't understand that I asked for the fig. He went back to view the menu to clarify what I was talking about. What frustrated me the most was when he tried to tell me 1st that the dish I ordered was the fig. He said but sometimes they put berries in it... if thats the case, mention that to me when I order, what if I had an allergy? I sat there for a while debating on what to do, I was insulted, the dish that I have eaten plenty of times was not in front of me and the server tried to gaslight me into thinking it was. When he noticed I wasn't eating anything, he made his way back and asked if something was wrong. I kindly let him know that this wasnt what I ordered as the triple berries were obviously on my plate... he then told me, they do the triple berry compote when they dont have fig... again, mention that to me at the beginning perhaps? At that point i was annoyed enough to simply send the food back that I didn't touch and paid for the only thing I consumed which was coffee. Had he just been upfront and honest with me, I wouldn't be writing this novel. I would have eaten my meal (though slightly disappointed) and went about my day. Instead, I walked across the street to Cracked and Battered and had breakfast there instead. I would say this left a bad taste in my mouth, but I didnt even eat the food, so there ya go. read more

Mochica - Trying to find figs but its berry berry berry hard. - Peruvian Near Me - San Francisco, California

Great service, great food. A bit overpriced but still delicious and great portion. Lots of parking, not busy on sunday lunch time. Would come back again :) read more

Mochica - momo - Peruvian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Came here again recently for my friend's birthday dinner (this marks my fifth time dining here)! I love this restaurant - the food is always perfectly tender, flavorful, and colorful; the service is great; and I love the ambiance as well! Will definitely be coming back again to try their brunch (bottomless mimosas)! :) read more

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Bunch of us decide to try Mochica for brunch on Sunday. Great food and relaxing atmosphere lead to some interesting conversation. The best dish was the Pescado a lo Macho...Seafood bouillanbaisse, pan roasted fresh salmon, Chupe sauce with coconut rice. it was sweet and savory! Had my taste buds dancing. Food arrived at a decent pace and our coffees were refilled without having to be asked. read more

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Our go-to restaurant. Always enjoy the pisco sours and the civiche. After all these years the quality has not diminished even though the location has changed. read more

I first knew about Mochica was years ago when I lived in San Francisco. Back then, it was located in SOMA, but after closing, it reopened in Potrero Hill--a quieter neighborhood I rarely visit. I'm glad I finally made it here. Mochica is one of several restaurants owned by Chef Altamira, whose other spots, like Paradita in Walnut Creek and Emeryville, and La Costanera on the coast, I've enjoyed. He also has a new one in his namesake Altamira' restaurant and bar. This was my first visit to the "new" Mochica, which has actually been around at this location for about 10 years now. The interior feels modern, updated, and culturally relevant. I appreciated their convenient hours: on weekends (Friday to Sunday), they're open continuously from noon through dinner, offering both brunch and the regular dinner menu. On weekdays, they serve lunch and dinner. The neighborhood is peaceful and quiet, with relative easy street parking, and the view of the downtown skyline is spectacular. The food was excellent, with generous portions. For appetizers, we tried the "ceviche pescado" and the "plátano maduro frito" in reduced tamarind sauce, which was delightful. The "bolitas de yuca" were decent but a touch too salty and mushy for my taste. For mains, the "1/2 Pollo La Brasa"was beautifully marinated, with tender meat and a refreshing side salad. The "arroz con marisco" was packed with flavor. The standout for me was the Peruvian classic, "lomo saltado"--it looked right, was prepared perfectly, and tasted authentic. The drinks were equally impressive. The "pisco sour trio"--featuring the classic lime, chicha morada, and passion fruit versions--was aesthetically appealing and well-balanced, with a pleasing mix of tartness, sweetness, and a hint of bitterness. Service was exceptional--friendly, knowledgeable, attentive, and professional. The dining area had a great layout, with well-spaced tables creating a cozy yet lively ambiance. Mochica is a true neighborhood gem, serving honest, authentic, and upscale Peruvian cuisine. While it doesn't generate the same buzz as La Mar, it's exactly the kind of place that keeps diners coming back for more. read more

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I came here with a friend. I'm intrigued by Peruvian places ever since I went to Peru last year and this place has so many Peruvian favorites! Lomo Saltado, Aji de Gallina, ceviche, Chaufa, and many others! The service and decor atmosphere is top notch too and it's in a part of Potrero hill with some nice views. Since it's just my friend and I and it's a bit $$ we just had these- - tuna tartare / ceviche - this is Japanese style and it's very well done. It's served as a cube with plantain chips which are top notch. - Aji de Gallina - done just as I remember it being done in Cusco. Very smooth yellow sauce. Soft chicken with good texture. Very pleasing. - grilled corn - really good with the lime butter they serve it with. It's a great place and I would come back for sure. It's on the $$$ side but maybe it's just food in SF is really $$$ these days. read more

Service was excellent, friendly and knowledgeable. I ordered the filet mignon with jasmine rice n fries. Steak was tender n tasty with au jus. The portions was generous enough to split for 2. Their home made chips was crispy /crunchy. The atmosphere was fun n mimalist. read more

Mochica - Filet mignon with fries n jasmine rice - Peruvian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Came here for brunch during restaurant week and was slightly disappointed. I got the chicken and waffles, pancakes, and the dulce de leche cookies. The waffles were incredibly soft and not toasted long enough. The chicken was good though. Would like to come back to try their dinner menu read more

Ambiance was great ! lively fun place. The empanadas was amazing ( beef was my fav) the ceviche was also really great ( tuna was the best) u have to buy chips separately and the ceviche it's self is already $29 so idk if worth price ? the chicken was very very plain don't rec the chicken but everything else was so good !! read more

Mochica - empanadas - Peruvian Near Me - San Francisco, California

Walter was an amazing server! The food was so delicious, I definitely recommend! Very accommodating and patient too

Five stars all around. The parking in this area is fairly easy. The restaurant is vibrant and bright. The drinks are so creative and delicious. The service is A+, delivered with a genuine smile and fast. The food, omg. Everything we had was delicious. The kids loved the steak. The chicken was pretty good except that the breast was a bit dry. The ceviche was yummmmmmmy, the coconut shrimp is the one to get. This is gonna sound silly, but my favorite was the side salad that came with the chicken. Glad I doubled the portion of the salad, it was so vibrant and fresh, all the veggies had a good crunch, there was the perfect balance of dressing. read more

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Mochicas is the only restaurant that came to mind to celebrate my sons HS Graduation. Chef Sebastian and his staff set up a lovely spot for our family. Their entire menu is delicious. All the Peruvian flavors are spot on and the plating is artfully presented. Bravo and my family thanks everyone at Mochicas. read more

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Early Sunday dinner, seated but waiting for one person. Our section was practically empty. Server immediately brought menus and asked if we wanted to order! We told her we were waiting for one person (as evidenced by the empty place setting with a menu on the plate). She asked if we wanted drinks, we needed a few minutes. Server back after 2 min, we ordered drinks. Immediately, as our final person was sitting down at our table, the server came to ask if we were ready to order! The late person asked for an off-menu cocktail; our server said we could only order what's on the cocktail menu; that the bar couldn't accommodate other requests?! So our diner ordered a glass of wine. Server returned with the wine, and again asked for our order. Again, we needed another few minutes to decide. By this point, more tables were seated, so we had time to look at the menu. When she returned, we gave our appetizers order and she asked for entree order. A busser brought out 2 appetizers in approx. 5 min, then one more a few minutes later. We had the empanadas, the tequenos, and the bolitas de yucca. All were very good. As we finished the apps, our entrees arrived (the tuna nuovo andino and the aji de gallina) and we asked for a bottle of the albarino. Entrees were good, but only warm, not hot (they'd been at the pass too long). At this point, our section was full. Our server never came by to see how everything was. Someone from the bar arrived with wine glasses and opened the bottle we ordered. About 20 min later, when we had finished our entrees, our server returned and we asked for takeout boxes. She took our plates to transfer and quickly returned with the boxes, but still never asked how the food was. A busser cleared the rest of the table. By this point, our server was overwhelmed with the full and noisy section. As we tried to flag her down, we noticed other tables also trying to get her attention. When we were able to get her attention, we asked for a dessert menu. After 5 min, she dropped them at our table. Another wait, and we ordered the alfajores (really good) and the suspiro à la lemena to share (and seeing how busy she was, I asked for the check). The dessert order arrived within 5 minutes. After she dropped them off, we saw the spoons she brought were too large to fit into the lip of the tiny jar which held the lemena dessert! After searching for her, one of our group stood up and leaned over the partition separating the bar area from the dining section to flag her down and ask for smaller spoons. She returned in a minute (!) with 2 spoons (for 4 people), saying there were no more clean spoons available!! We ended up scooping the dessert onto a plate so we could all taste it (with assorted spoons!) She did bring the check with dessert, and we were able to pay cash and leave; eliminating another wait to have a credit card charged. Our dinner took about 2.5 hours, most of which being the uneven service. We went from feeling rushed at the beginning, to feeling abandoned as the section filled. The room got increasingly loud as it filled with diners, making it difficult to hear conversations. Around 7:30pm, as we finished our entrees, a 4-top with a small "vocal" baby, was seated directly behind us, adding to the noise level. (We won't even get into people bringing babies to restaurants at 7:30pm for dinner!) The tables in our section were 2-tops pushed together. Our combined "4-top" table heights did not match, one being 3/4" taller than the other. The food was good; but the service and ambiance, not so much. read more

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