Cava Veinte33--new restaurant that ROCKS

[queencityfan]

Originally Posted by Heather

CavaVeinte33, yes. I'm a very forgiving person who spent about 20 years working in the service industry in some capacity--I don't mind cheerful ineptitude. But when the table to staff member ratio is equal, I do at least expect that someone will greet me.

Don't they realize I was trying to give them money?

This is exactly why I walked away from Byblos in January, I have the same backround in the business and to simply be ignored when I know the staff knew I was there is unforgiveable in my book, way too many other good choices to put up with that.

[Dalle]

Thats so strange Heather, I have always had excellent service at Cava.. And i have been there quite a few times. I really like the food and the ambiance there. It's one of the few places I frequent when I go out. It's especially nice if you're not that hungry, just go and have a cheese platter and some wine before hitting the clubs, nice and relaxing.

I have some pics from when they had just opened, I guess I should remember to post them.

[Heather]

Dalle, I liked the place so much and had such good service the first time I visited that I wrote an entire thread about them and posted their menu in an effort to help promote their business.

Last night really put a bad taste in my mouth, though--it would have been different if they were really busy, or perhaps did not notice that we'd sat down. But all three staff members who were outside saw us come in, saw us sit down, and then let us sit there for well over five minutes without so much as nodding their heads at us. It was insulting and dismissive. Even when we got up from the table, we lingered a bit to give them another opportunity to speak to us, but they just watched us walk away.

*shrug* there are plenty of other places to eat in Playa.

[Heather]

btw, anyone can have a bad night. I'm sure after I've cooled down about it a bit and some time has passed, I'll be willing to give them another shot. Hope they're still in business by then.

[duffey]

Originally Posted by Heather

I tried to eat here again tonight and brought a friend to whom I'd talked up the restaurant. There was a table of two and a table of four already sitting when we sat down. A waiter looked at us, then continued to busy himself with sidework--arranging some candles in wine bottles, helping a cook (!) fill the torches with citronella. Someone who seemed to be a manager poured a bottle of wine into a decanter for the nearby table.

We sat and waited--after over five minutes with no one even deigning to say hello to us, much less offer to let us look at a menu, we left. All three staff members watched us leave without a word.

I guess they don't need the business, so I'm not sure I'll be back--especially after going out of my way to try to help promote them. I enjoyed their food when I had it, but I can't help a business that so clearly won't help itself.

I wouldn't hesitate to bring this to the attention of the owner/manager.
I have before at restaurants here at home and elsewhere.

[Heather]

Originally Posted by duffey

I wouldn't hesitate to bring this to the attention of the owner/manager.
I have before at restaurants here at home and elsewhere.

I got the impression that one of the staff members outside *was* the manager--but you're right, I should give them a break and go talk to them about this.

[duffey]

Originally Posted by Heather

I got the impression that one of the staff members outside *was* the manager--but you're right, I should give them a break and go talk to them about this.

Heather,

You're a tough girl from Chicago.
You deserve better treatment.
Go get them

[kathy.web]

nevermind...

[sonofdob]

Originally Posted by Heather

I got the impression that one of the staff members outside *was* the manager--but you're right, I should give them a break and go talk to them about this.

Heather...was it either of these guys...the one on the left implied to us that he was the manager...sonofdob

[Anna Banana]

YUM YUM!!! Thank you for writing teh emnu, it looks DELICIOUS..I'll just have to drag myself there and stuff my face now!!!

Originally Posted by Heather

My good friends were in town last week, staying at Mahekal Beach Resort on Calle 38. I love when friends come to town, as it's really the only time I get a chance to get out and about, explore what's new in the tourist area, and try some new restaurants.

We had lunch at Cava Veinte33, which is a new restaurant on Calle 38 just east of 5th avenue. It's next door (to the west) to the popular Italian restaurant, Piola.

It was fantastic! Everything we tried was made with fresh ingredients that were attractively presented. The menu was creative and inventive--I was really impressed.

The decor is chic, the service was attentive and friendly, and the prices for a 'higher end' meal were very fair. I will definitely go there again--in fact, I am dreaming of it right now.

BTW--the burger was to die for...better than any other I've had in Playa. The bun (sort of a non-sweet brioche-type of fresh bread) was hollowed out a bit and filled with carmelized onions. They asked for my desired temperature, and what's better is that they GOT IT RIGHT.

I got curried potato salad on the side with my burger and it was delicious--still warm. My friends split the Cheese Bomb for dessert and gave me a taste--OMG, it really was the Bomb.

Here's their menu (I asked them to email it to me so I could share it here; the misspellings are theirs, not mine):

APPEITIZERS

DUCK TACOS $ 85.00
Duck confite with onion and coriander seed, served with mole sauce

CUITLACOCHE RISSOTTO $ 85.00
Oaxaca cheese, cuitlacoche sauce and thyme butter, served with corn & dry chili oil.

BAGUIS $ 75.00
Baguette Trio served with arugula & goat cheese; prosciutto & cheese; cranberry jelly & Brie.

CREMA CONDE $65.00
Black bean cream with chipotle served with tortilla, fried banana, avocado, cheese and sweet corn.

TUNA TARTAR $90.00
Fresh tuna dressed with fine herbs & lime oil; served with avocado, lime foam and chipotle mayonnaise.


SALADS

CEASAR SALAD $70.00
Roman lettuce, cherry tomato, croutons, parmesan cheese in a Caesar dressing
With Chicken $95.00

SPINACH AND APPLE SALAD $80.00
Mix Lettuce, caramelized nuts, apples and tossed in an apple and cinnamon dressing.

TUNA SALAD $95.00
Tuna sashimi, mixed lettuce, sliced cucumber & jicama dressed with sesame & soya vinaigrette.

PROSCUITTO SALAD $95.00
Mix lettuce, prosciutto, and Ramonetti cheese served with a strawberry vinaigrette.

CAPRESE SALAD $110.00
Fresh Mozarella, sliced tomatoes, served with a basil pesto and arugula.


SANDWICHES


HAMBURGER 33 $ 90.00
“Certificated angus beef” Sirloin (200 g) with tarragon mayonnaise, caramelized onions, arugula, Ramonetti
Cheese, served with curry potatoes or mixed salad.

SANDWICH DE ROAST BEEF $ 95.00
“Certificated angus beef" Rib Eye (130 g) with mustard, fine herbs, arugula, avocado,
Caramelized onions & served with mixed salad.

MEXICAN STEAK SANDWICH $ 120.00
Beef steak (120 g) with refried beans, and avocado served with curry potatoes or mixed salad.

SERRANO HAM SANDWICH $95.00
Serrano ham with Ramonetti cheese, served with mixed salad.

CHICKEN SANDWICH $85.00
Chicken with chimichurri, mozzarella cheese, served with mixed salad.

VEGETABLES AND CHEESE SANDWICH $75.00
Sautee Vegetables, fresh mozzarella cheese, served in a homemade bread.


MAIN COURSE
MACARRONE AND CHEESE $95.00
Macaroon Pasta with Ramonetti double cream cheese, truffle oil and fresh black pepper.

PEANUT CHICKEN BREAST $ 130.00
Grilled chicken breast, served in a peanut and spices sauce.

GRILLED SALMON $ 160.00
Served in a capers sauce, served with mixed vegetables & lettuce, dressed with a fennel vinaigrette

EPAZOTE CHIMICHURRI BEEF STEAK $ 190.00
Beef Steak served with an epazote chimichurri, rustic mashed potatoes, and Mexican goat cheese.

TUNA STEAK WITH “RECADO” $ 180.00
Pan seared tuna, served with fresh vegetables, in a “recado” sauce.


SIDE DISHES
BLUE CHEESE SPINACHS $70.00

RICE OF THE DAY $60.00

SAUTEE MUSHROOMS WITH CHEESE $70.00


DESSERTS


HOME MADE ICE CREAM $ 60.00
Papantla Vanilla
Traditional Mexican Chocolate “Abuelita”

CHEESE BOMB $ 75.00
Cream cheese mousse with a red Mexican wine and blackberry reduction, covered with chocolate.

CREAM TEQUILA CREPES $ 70.00
Crepes stuffed with tequila cream mousse, served in a hibiscus flower reduction.

PUFF PASTRY & APPLES $ 70.00
Puff pastry covered by baked apples with cheese & cinnamon, served with ice cream.

[Heather]

Originally Posted by sonofdob

Heather...was it either of these guys...the one on the left implied to us that he was the manager...sonofdob

Yes, the guy on the left, I think, was the one I assumed was the waiter.

[Heather]

I just sent an email to the person who had originally sent me the menu for its inclusion here.

[ProfessorPibil]

Originally Posted by Heather

Yes, the guy on the left, I think, was the one I assumed was the waiter.

Because...

Just being cheeky.

[Heather]

Originally Posted by ProfessorPibil

Because...

Just being cheeky.

There was a guy in a black apron who I assumed was the waiter, a guy in a chef's jacket who I assumed was a cook, and a guy in street clothes pouring wine for table, who I assumed was the manager. I'd have asked them to confirm my assumptions, but none of them deigned to speak to me.

[ProfessorPibil]

Yeah, I can't say the service there is very caring (although we hadn't experienced what you're describing), except if a table of their friends shows up.

Like Baremar, Luna Maya, Pachamama, Guacamole, El Facon... I wish them luck but they need to do much better to attract the number of tables they'd require to survive. They're also quite good at hiding the fact that you can buy wine & cheese in their retail store, what's on offer, the prices, etc.