Cantina Caliente - Cocina Latina — Restaurant in Amsterdam

Disappointing experience overall. We had booked a table, but when arriving, there were “reserved” labels all over the tables, which none had obviously been cleaned. It doesn’t give a good impression on first hand. We had ordered drinks, a starter to share (nachos) and main courses; I explicitly asked the waitress to have first the starter and then the main courses, but they arrive all at once, without the drinks. No apologies, the only reaction of the waitress was to make sure it wasn’t her mistake but the on e of another waitress. We still hadn’t received the drinks, so I asked when they would come (I always expect drinks to arrive before food) and the waitress seemed annoyed. Nachos were disappointing: for this Latin American place, you expect a high quality price ratio, and not just “pub-type” nachos, especially for 12€. Also, the pulpo was actually a tapa, not a real dish, and cost 16.5€, which is too expensive for what you get. Beef tacos and patatas bravas were nice though. Overall, the service was either too fast (food) or too slow (drinks), food is overpriced, so I wouldn’t recommend this place in...

Went in to the bar, asked one of the waiters if I could have a beer, the manager or the chief bartender or whatever they're called butts in and goes 'yeah you can have a beer but we're crazy busy so it's going to be a while'. I say 'I just want a beer' with the intention to just pay for it at the bar, then go outside and enjoy it quietly without having to wait for the waiter. 'Everybody wants a beer' he says in the rudest of tones. First of all, that cannot be true. Some people want wine, some people want a cocktail and I imagine others want other sorts of beverages that are not beer. Then he proceeds to pour some tasteless random beer without even asking me which kind of beer I wanted. Never going to this place again in my life, unless the so-called manager/chief bartender leaves or gets fired or minds the way he speaks to his customers. And secondly, you'd think that after 2 years where they've been closed on and off they'd appreciate people spending their money in their establishment and not complain like a little b that they're busy on a...

My first time here with a friend who said it was recommended. It's near the zoo in Oost, not far from the Amstel river. I found the entire evening very nice, cozy and the food was delicious. The food was full of flavor and service was very friendly despite being very busy. It's an all English speaking menu and staff, so great for expats or tourists. It's a LOT of space. Sizes seem small but honestly, two "tacos" and maybe another snack is enough.

The side potatoes (patatas bravas) were absolutely amazing.

Their beer selection is very good. I don't write that lightly!

We got here right at 18:00 on a Saturday so it's difficult to judge a place the first time with this rush-hour. I was pleasantly surprised.

They get extra "kudos" for another successful evening when they are forced to close at 20:00 hours due to the latest restrictions. This is a very compressed timeline but they remained pleasant and...