We visited last week while my husband and I were in Miami for a little getaway, and I wanted to…read moretake a moment to share our experience.
The food was pretty good overall. I had the conch fritters and an arugula salad. The salad was fresh and delicious--a 10/10. The conch fritters were about a 5/10 for me. My husband had the oxtail with white rice, beans, and what I believe were plantains. He practically cleaned his plate and said he really enjoyed it, so that was a 10/10 from him. We also had spirit-free drinks, which were also good.
Our server, Chris, was pleasant and accommodating without being overbearing, which we appreciated. The establishment was clean, and the ambiance was cool.
Unfortunately, the overall experience was affected by the energy we encountered from a couple of staff members. The host who greeted and seated us came across as particularly cold. She also made a comment to someone that my husband could not hear, but the tone and energy of the interaction made us uncomfortable. Shortly afterward, another server approached us asking if we had been helped. When I explained that we had just arrived, his expression and demeanor also struck me as somewhat dismissive. Thankfully, Chris came over shortly after, and the energy immediately shifted.
I can't speak to anyone's personal beliefs or intentions, and I don't want to assume what was behind these interactions. However, as a Black woman and an educator, I am very aware of how race, perception, and social identity can influence interactions between strangers. Unfortunately, I left feeling as though we were being viewed or treated differently, and that made it difficult to enjoy the experience fully. It was clear they were the Votaré por Donald Trump, type. To speak plain, self hating LatinX people who hold prejudice over other people of color. Plain ignorant and miserable haciendo sus trabajos modestos!
It's also worth noting that the host's political expression was very apparent, which I found particularly interesting given that she was the first person guests encounter. Whatever someone's political beliefs may be, I believe that anyone working in a customer-facing role should make every guest feel welcomed and respected.
Overall, the food was good, Chris was wonderful, and the space itself was nice. But hospitality is about more than food and decor; it is also about how people feel when they walk through the door. I hope the owners take that part of the guest experience seriously, because no restaurant benefits when customers leave feeling unwelcome.
