Como Como - a newcomer worth a visit.

[ProfessorPibil]

Originally Posted by Heather

I've eaten at Como Como twice and the food is excellent. The service, however, is pretty bad. I actually find it somewhat offensive to have a 'fancy' restaurant and not bother to train your staff well enough to match the atmosphere and prices you're after. I don't blame the waiters, really--they're not unfriendly or not trying. They just don't know any better, so they let you sit forever without thinking to offer a drink menu, or they stick their thumbs all over your plate, or they clear your plate before you've finished, or they never notice you need another glass of wine, or they really have no idea how to present a specials list.

But like I said, they're not mean or unfriendly, and the food's great.

Yeah, we were just having the same discussion this morning - they really do have the best intentions. Our waiter was taught to pour while holding one hand behind his back and tilting a bottle from its base. When he poured my water, his aim wasn't very good and it spilled all around. He was so distraught by the incident (because he's really nice and friendly and trying to keep his job) that he grew increasingly wary of pouring our wine, until eventually he waited for a moment when the manager wasn't looking and just dumped whatever was left in the bottle into one glass.

There were other service gaps - one of the waiters was taught to recite the specials in 5th Avenue English - that is, he mastered pronouncing "Kumamoto oysters" and "Veal shank Ossobuco" with a good enough accent that makes you think he speaks the language while in fact he just knows the sounds of those words and can't understand a response.

But this is Como Como, PDC, not L'Ambroisie, Paris, and sitting outside was pleasant, the handsome tables sported chilewich place mats, not dirty orange on white tablecloths, they weren't pulling any upselling tricks or trying to become my buddies to jack up the tip, the wine was much better than it's $40US price would indicate, not Chilean swill, and the interior design was sweet:



As for the food, we started with six oysters - three small Kumamotos and three of a variety I didn't quite catch. All nice and fresh, shucked without any shell shards, but also without any of the water, I think they might have thought that's the right thing to do. These were served after the other two appetizers. Not a bad deal at about $2US per oyster.

An appetizer of pan-fried octopus, olives, potatoes, peppers and onions was large, tasty, but all over the place in terms of flavor as it had so many ingredients. A second appetizer of Boquienete Carpaccio was sauced with arugula, green olives, capers, olive oil. I think the fish was frozen to be able to slice it extremely thin, or maybe it was just in a really cold fridge after slicing. Anyway, it was really too cold and needed about 10 minutes at room temp, then it was just dandy, especially when loaded on their white bread, which I think is the best bread I've been served in Playa.

For main courses - spaghetti with sea urchin - delicious - I don't know the origins of the sea urchin they're using and it was certainly not like any I've ever had before, but the combination with garlic, oil, a bit of chili and perfectly cooked pasta just worked.

I had veal shank, cooked (but not cut) as Ossobuco, with mashed potatoes and red wine sauce - very good bistro/osteria type fare, and quite gygantic.

For dessert we split a completely unnecessary millefeuille with vanilla cream and strawberries, an espresso, and shots of limoncello from the house.

For some reason the menu has calorie counts on the menu. Far from me to say they're nonsense, but I really admire their ability to produce substantial pasta main courses with 300 calories or less.

Prices are around $100 for apps, $140 for mains. (our mains were specials and only slightly more expensive than average, I think $160 each)

[ProfessorPibil]

We went back. Service continues to be bad. Our waiter told me the fish fillet was Mero, but it was Red Snapper (not Boquinete, but good old Red Snapper). I wasn't in the mood to confront him about it, but if this were a place where fish is sold by the kilo I'd be rather unpleasant about it... (even though, again, I think it's just lack of knowledge/training and not bad intentions)

[angelhouston819]

Originally Posted by ProfessorPibil

We went back. Service continues to be bad. Our waiter told me the fish fillet was Mero, but it was Red Snapper (not Boquinete, but good old Red Snapper). I wasn't in the mood to confront him about it, but if this were a place where fish is sold by the kilo I'd be rather unpleasant about it... (even though, again, I think it's just lack of knowledge/training and not bad intentions)

this makes me uneasy as i only have 8 nights in Playa and seeing that i eat relatively healthy at home...the restaurants i chose to eat at while in Playa are very important to me. i have a reservation for Como Como when i come in May and i'm really second guessing it as there are a few that i eliminated in order to go to Como Como. hmmmmmmm.....

[absoluteAL]

Originally Posted by angelhouston819

this makes me uneasy as i only have 8 nights in Playa and seeing that i eat relatively healthy at home...the restaurants i chose to eat at while in Playa are very important to me. i have a reservation for Como Como when i come in May and i'm really second guessing it as there are a few that i eliminated in order to go to Como Como. hmmmmmmm.....

If Baremar isn't on yourlist of "go to" places, maybe switch Como Como for Baremar or Luna Maya.

[angelhouston819]

Originally Posted by absoluteAL

If Baremar isn't on yourlist of "go to" places, maybe switch Como Como for Baremar or Luna Maya.

i have heard great things from a few people from Baremar. question....i'm a somewhat picky eater when it comes to certain things.....no raw tomatoes, no raw onions and no cucumbers. i LOVE seafood and i know that is what Baremar specializes in. do they have really great items without the above mentioned "my picky" items? thanks so much!!

[StevedeSD]

Como Como is the best dinner in town for the price. A recent special was a boquineta filet with clams and mussels for 160 pesos or the daily beef filet 170. Give me the food. I am used to Playa's hit or miss service. Byblos is my second choice and Pachamama third.

Baremar seemed to verge on small, fast food dishes. The upstairs place has Wickys' prices.

[angelhouston819]

Originally Posted by StevedeSD

Como Como is the best dinner in town for the price. A recent special was a boquineta filet with clams and mussels for 160 pesos or the daily beef filet 170. Give me the food. I am used to Playa's hit or miss service. Byblos is my second choice and Pachamama third.

Baremar seemed to verge on small, fast food dishes. The upstairs place has Wickys' prices.

i've kept Como Como on my list for May!! already have my reservations!!

i love Byblos as well. definitely going there and i also have Pachamama on my list.

Baremar will be maybe an appetizer....

thanks for your input!!

oh....have you eaten at El Bistro Bites or Season?

[Heather]

The mussels at Como Como are delicious--I've had them twice and the broth they are served in, mmmmmm

[angelhouston819]

Originally Posted by Heather

The mussels at Como Como are delicious--I've had them twice and the broth they are served in, mmmmmm

i LOVE good mussels!!! thanks for the recommendation, Heather!!

[ProfessorPibil]

Originally Posted by StevedeSD

Como Como is the best dinner in town for the price. A recent special was a boquineta filet with clams and mussels for 160 pesos or the daily beef filet 170. Give me the food. I am used to Playa's hit or miss service. Byblos is my second choice and Pachamama third.

Baremar seemed to verge on small, fast food dishes. The upstairs place has Wickys' prices.

The upstairs place is great, but makes the big mistakes of putting the "Wicky's" priced items in the center of the menu. Everything else is Como Como prices.

[angelhouston819]

Originally Posted by ProfessorPibil

The upstairs place is great, but makes the big mistakes of putting the "Wicky's" priced items in the center of the menu. Everything else is Como Como prices.

when you say upstairs place are you referring to Luna Maya or another restaurant?

[lolabella]

Originally Posted by angelhouston819

i've kept Como Como on my list for May!! already have my reservations!!

i love Byblos as well. definitely going there and i also have Pachamama on my list.

Baremar will be maybe an appetizer....

thanks for your input!!

oh....have you eaten at El Bistro Bites or Season?

95% sure I am having dinner her on Wednesday night! I'll let you know how it is!

[angelhouston819]

Originally Posted by lolabella

95% sure I am having dinner her on Wednesday night! I'll let you know how it is!

cool. i know we like a lot of the same restaurants/food in Playa, so can't wait to hear what you think!!!!!

[StevedeSD]

I like El Bistro but the prices have crept too high and it is not special. With the discount for staying there and the convenience it is nice. Seasons is so - so.

[angelhouston819]

Originally Posted by StevedeSD

I like El Bistro but the prices have crept too high and it is not special. With the discount for staying there and the convenience it is nice. Seasons is so - so.

are you referring to El Bistro at La Tortuga or El Bistro Bites on 5th between 22nd and 24th that is owned also by La Tortuga?

might try to do Seasons for a few appetizers the last night in town before heading down to Bad Boys.

thanks!!