Historia Cantina — Restaurant in King

I had dinner here on May 7th. The decor, ambiance, and our wait staff was lovely. I was excited to eat here the moment I walked in. Upon entering the establishment there were only 2 other tables. I was with my significant other and father. My significant other started by ordering wine. Myself and my father since driving stuck to ordering 1 coke and water. We were told to order multiple plates and share. We proceeded to order a large shareable chicken dinner plate (22$), a salad (18$) and 1 order of shrimp empanadas (10$). The wine was 12$ for the glass and not sure what the coke was. The food took 50 to 55 min to be served. We happily waited with great conversation. The wait staff was also wonderful during this entire time. I did find this wait some what surprising considering it was slow roasted chicken which would have to be cooked slightly in advance, a salad, and 2 empanadas. We assumed from being the second day from opening they were just getting into the swing of things. When the food arrived it was very underwhelming. The large shareable plate was a chicken drumstick, the salad was very small and way too acidic (and lacked the beets and avocado that was supposed to be on it - 1 slice of avocado), and there was a single small shrimp per empanada. Keep in mind the breeding on this empanada was hugely disproportional to the 1 shrimp inside (Empanadas should be rich in filling and flavor). I also found the chicken drumstick on the dry side. We then had to wait 10 min for someone to come back over. The wait staff said they were going to inform the managers to come over and speak to us. We waited 15 min and still nothing. We then thought to order the steak shareable plate in hopes to get something that was more appetizing. Because of the wait my significant other had walked up to the cash to cancel this dish. We then waited and still nothing. Finally I went up to the cash and spoke to the owners of the establishment. I explained the situation. They asked me what was wrong with each of the items and I explained. I also explained that at this point we had waited so long everything was cold and we just want to pay the bill for the coke and wine and leave. (Based on amount above, assuming a coke is 5$ the total bill would have been 75.71$ with tax pre tip, leaving a 25% tip it would have been about 95$). They proceeded to say that this maybe is just not my style of restaurant and that we do not have to pay anything and we can leave. I tried very hard to pay for the coke and wine but they wanted us gone. I was hoping they would say something along the lines of we are very sorry and yes please pay for the coke and wine and we hope you can come back. They completely dismissed what we said and indicated the place was too busy for them to come to the table and speak to us. They also did not want to speak with me any further at the cash because they were too busy. It is too bad because had the owners handled the situation differently I would be returning on a regular basis as I do to other spots in downtown Schomburg (almost every weekend). I have eaten Tapas in Spain many times and this was not that at all. I wish them all the best but I will not...

After reading many positive reviews I was very excited to try this new restaurant. So let’s start with the good. They have done a beautiful job on the renovations. It is a lovely space. Our Waitress was also lovely.

Now let’s talk about why I will never be back to eat at this restaurant. There were three adults dining last night and I being one of them, was not very hungry and only anticipated trying a bite or two of the food. I did not even try a bite. We ordered a salad, shrimp empanadas and the quarter roast chicken.

We waited almost an hour for our food. Again not an issue as we had good company and they are a new restaurant figuring out the bumps.

The roast chicken was described on the menu as large plate - Shareable. It was neither of these things and for 22$ we did anticipate more then a drumstick.

The shrimp empanadas (2 in the serving) had absolutely no filling in them and each consisted of one shrimp. Perhaps the filling fell out during the fry but when they arrived at our table there was only dough and one shrimp each. The price and portion size were not the concern but the lack of filling was.

I can not speak to the salad as I did not try it. But again is was small.

What really coloured this experience was when we shared these concerns with our waitress she was kind enough to go get the manager.

The manager never came to our table after waiting a further 15 mins we went to the register to try to settle up for food which wasn’t touched. The manager proceeded to be very rude about the whole situation and advised she was too busy to deal with our concerns. We did want to atleast settle up for the glass of wine and coke we had finished but they refused and said we didn’t have to return to eat here in the future and that this food was simply not our style. So thank you for the glass of wine. We will not be back.

We understand small portions as we have eaten tapas in Spain. So if you are prepared to spend $70 per person for a meal then perhaps this is the restaurant for you. I can not speak to the quality of food being worth it, but my partner who did have a couple bites, was not impressed.

My concern was how the whole situation was handled by management. Very disappointing. And this alone is the reason I will not...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Historia Cantina, and I must say it was an absolutely fantastic experience from start to finish. This place exceeded all my expectations with its delicious food, delightful drinks, inclusive atmosphere, and stunning decor.

First and foremost, I must mention the tuna tartar—it was truly exceptional! The freshness of the tuna was evident in every bite, and the flavors were expertly balanced. It was a delightful start to our meal and left us craving for more.

Beyond the food, the overall ambiance of Historia Cantina was simply amazing. The atmosphere was lively and vibrant, creating a welcoming and enjoyable dining experience. The staff was friendly and attentive, ensuring that we felt well taken care of throughout our visit.

One aspect that truly stood out to us was the restaurant's commitment to inclusivity. Historia Cantina had gender-neutral bathrooms, which is a commendable and forward-thinking approach.

Moreover, the decor was truly captivating. The attention to detail in the design was remarkable for this suburban gem. The combination of traditional and modern elements created a unique and visually stunning ambiance. It's evident that a lot of thought and care went into crafting the atmosphere, and it greatly enhanced our dining experience.

Lastly, I can't forget to mention the drinks at Historia Cantina. They were simply phenomenal! The mixologists behind the bar are true artisans, as each cocktail we tried was expertly crafted and bursting with flavors. Whether you're a fan of classic concoctions or adventurous creations, the drink menu at Historia Cantina has something to suit every taste.

In conclusion, Historia Cantina is a gem of a restaurant. From the incredibly fresh tuna tartar to the awe-inspiring decor, everything about this place was outstanding. Not only does it deliver on culinary excellence, but it also fosters an inclusive environment and provides an unforgettable dining experience. I highly recommend visiting Historia Cantina, and I'm already looking forward to...