I am a huge fan of Juan Chipoco and his restaurants. Tonight, at 7pm, my wife and I went to Ceviche 105 and Pollos y Jarras only to find they are temporarily closed. We then decided to go to a 3rd restaurant of Chef Chipoco, Yuca 105. This was my first time visiting this concept. Beautiful atmosphere and ambiance as usual. Very sexy and elegant, just like the rest of the concepts. My negative experience regarding this visit is not only due to a foreign object in my food, but the way the situation was handled. I ordered a fish ceviche with the habanero sauce, along with a few other dishes to share and a cocktail. I began to eat the ceviche when I noticed there was an ingredient, or, a garnish I did not recognize, sitting right on top of the ceviche. It was a ball of threads or hairs, loosely clumped together. It was falling apart into the rest of the dish in tiny specks which I mixed into the dish. I thought this was saffron or some other spice I didn't know about. Again, the object was so prominently displayed on top of the dish that I was sure it was a garnish. I flagged down my waiter and asked him what this ball of "hairs" were. He was unsure and took the plate away to the kitchen to ask. The waiter came back after about 2 minutes and let me know a mistake has been made and my dish would be remade. I was genuinely surprised and I asked "why?," the waiter told me that the foreign object was actually NOT a part of the dish and was "mugre", or "dirt" in Spanish. It dawned on me that I have eagerly been consuming hair, and immediately asked for a manager. This is unfortunately where matters took a further worse turn. I asked to confirm with the manager the situation. He explained that a mistake was made and somehow a ball of hair landed on top of my food. Not A hair. A BALL OF HAIR THAT RESEMBLED AN ACTUAL TUMBLEWEED. I told him this was unacceptable. He told me that mistakes happen and that the ball of hair could have come off of an air-conditioning vent or a piece of kitchen equipment. This only further indicates to me a dirty kitchen. I told him I work in the restaurant industry and that there should always be an expeditor or a chef to wipe a plate and confirm the dish is correct before a guest receives it. Instead of answering that he simply said, "Well sir if you work in restaurants then you know mistakes happen." I agree, mistakes DO happen. However, to redirect fault to a dirty kitchen or air conditioning vent made things worse for me. At that point I asked to leave immediately as I was both embarrassed and disgusted. At that point we got up and left across the street to eat at Chalan. I have been visiting Chef Chipocos restaurants for over 10 years. I often recommend it to tourists and locals alike. Unfortunately, the lack of hygiene and hospitality that was exposed tonight has put me off and I can no longer make this recommendation. My advice is to retrain your leadership on the subject of accountability, guest recovery and...
Read moreYuka105 is a gem of a restaurant that masterfully blends Cuban and Peruvian cuisines, creating an unforgettable dining experience. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with a warm and inviting ambiance that set the tone for a fantastic evening. The menu at Yuka105 is a testament to the creativity and skill of the chefs, who have successfully fused the vibrant flavors of Cuban and Peruvian dishes. Each dish is thoughtfully prepared, bursting with bold and harmonious flavors that celebrate the best of both culinary traditions. One standout was the Ceviche with Coco, a refreshing and tangy dish that perfectly balanced the zest of lime with the sweetness of coconut milk and fresh seafood. The codo a Rabo dish, a classic Cuban dish, was given a Peruvian twist, resulting in a mouthwatering combination of tender, slow-cooked beef with a rich, flavorful sauce. Our dining experience was elevated by the impeccable service provided by our waitress, Daniela. She was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about the menu. Daniela’s recommendations were spot-on, and her friendly demeanor made us feel right at home. The attention to detail at Yuka105 is evident not only in the food but also in the presentation and overall dining experience. The fusion of Cuban and Peruvian elements extends to the décor and music, creating a vibrant and enjoyable atmosphere. In conclusion, Yuka105 is a must-visit for anyone looking to explore the exciting fusion of Cuban and Peruvian cuisines. With its exceptional food, warm ambiance, and outstanding service, particularly from Daniela, it promises an unforgettable culinary journey. I can't wait to return and explore more of their...
Read moreI honestly cannot say enough good things about YUCA 105. We literally came across this place because my mom was craving yuca and this restaurant came up on google maps, which I’m forever thankful for. From the gorgeous ambiance - the details in the restaurant are amazing, to the impeccable service, and finally to the DELICIOUS food, I would recommend this place to anyone and everyone. We had the following (many recommended by our amazing server who we are grateful to!) the Feliz en los cuatro ceviche plate (four different ceviche plates served on a massive bed of ice and a lobster - already cut for you) truly amazing and unique flavors, wish I could have this every day the Lomo sushi roll (AMAZING) the lechon asado (we all agreed the best we’ve ever had - perfectly marinated) and finally the ropa vieja which was good but the other dishes definitely out shined it For drinks we had the crazy Cuban (five stars) traditional mojito (one of the freshest ever had) the Nutella old fashion (I now believe every old fashion should have this) and finally the passion martini (delicious as well) Truly cannot wait to go back, one of my favorite...
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