La Docena — Restaurant in Mexico City

NON SPANISH SPEAKERS BEWARE: We came here based on the reviews, however, we wish we read the lower star reviews as these reflected our experience.

We booked in advance and were quick to be seated and served. Everything seemed great and worth the extra $$$. There was a language barrier between us and the waiter, which wasn’t an issue, as he was very patient and polite. We tried to order fresh oysters but mistakenly pointed to the grilled section. When we tried to change the order 5 mins later, we were told we couldn’t change it and would be charged for the grilled oysters. After speaking with the manager, he graciously offered half dozen fresh complimentary.

We went to order our mains and asked what the fish of the day was. The waiter couldn’t tell us in English what it was, so we tried our best to translate from Spanish. All seemed well and we ordered what we thought was the FOTD. Out came a plate of ribs, the most expensive meal on the menu. We told the waiter we didn’t order this, but he refuted that and gaslit us saying we did. We are pescatarian and at no time even looked at the red meat menu in a seafood renown restaurant. After a little back and forth, he said he would speak with his manager.

No one came near our table for 20 mins while we sat there, night quickly on the decline as we faced to probability of being charged 980 pesos for something we didn’t order or want to eat. We asked for the bill so we could leave to go elsewhere and sure enough, the ribs were included. I ended up having to argue with 2 waiters and the manager about this. We offered to pay for everything except the ribs (including the fresh oysters and 200 pesos for 2 servings of tostadas). They said no and that even though we didn’t touch the ribs, it would still be wastage and we would have to pay.

I have worked in hospitality and understand how wastage works, but if a customer who doesn’t speak the native language is trying only pay for the food they ordered, it’s not hard to accept the outcome, especially as a successfully high end restaurant like this. Eventually the accepted our offer, but the night was well and truly ruined.

The worst part was, the waiter told us he would need to pay the difference out of his own pocket. Everything aside, this broke our hearts and he wouldnt accept a tip from us (he was understandably upset). I do really hope the restaurant would not make him pay the difference as this miscommunication shouldn’t cost service workers their wage when the restaurant makes...

Having been to 2 locations in GDL, I already had high expectations. The place was practicing great Covid measures. The place was no where near busy at lunch time. There were 4 of us and there was no problem getting seated or getting our drinks. Appetizers, salads and main courses were ordered. The queso appetizer arrived and was delicious. The 2nd appetizer never arrived. Hamburgers arrived for 2 of us while we were still eating the appetizer but no big deal. Then a delicious joven octopus dish and 1 salad. The last main course dish of aguachile arrived when almost everyone else was finished. This was even after waiting for the dish to arrive. Finally after we all were about finished the 2nd salad with oysters arrived. We were asked if we still wanted it and we declined. We were told that it would be comped and we could take it to go. We asked for the bill and had to have it adjusted for the missing appetizer. The comped salad was taken away and never appeared. What we did eat and drink was delicious and pricey as expected but the execution was seriously lacking. We had great company so we made the most out...

The service is absolute garbage as you’ll see in multiple reviews. Considering they had 9 people working the floor and 12 total people in the restaurant (we were there for 2+ hours); it is absolutely inexcusable that the service was so awful. We’ve been here several times and it progressively gets worse… we were served things we didn’t order then they tried to add them to our bill even after we sent them back, bought a magnum of Rośe THAT HAD A STICKER PUT OVER THE LABEL TO MATCH THE MENU (it was the wrong vintage), ended up pouring all our wine after the initial tasting, had to get up and ask for someone to clear our plates after 2 courses because nobody would come by, had to order the same item through 3 different people and nobody knew how the Iberico was served though they have 6+ legs of it hanging in the back… We ended up having 5 different people “serve” us. It’s an absolute joke. We’ve never experienced this level of incompetence… especially considering we dropped over $7500mxn on late lunch. We’ve been here about a dozen times and it just gets worse. Don’t waste your time, go to...