Casa Mono — Restaurant in New York

We had an 8:45 reservation for Casa Mono, and knowing it's popular, we expected a bit of a wait. The hostess was polite and directed us to wait outside, right in front of the bar next door (which seems to be part of the same group). However, things got a little awkward when a server came to clear a table my friend was standing near. While we understood he needed to clean, his tone felt genuinely annoyed and frustrated. Then, when we asked if we could sit there afterward, he practically shouted, "No, there's a group of customers inside who wants this table, but if you get a bottle of wine, we'll seat you here." That felt not only calculated but honestly quite aggressive to all of us. Even though my friends who've been before raved about the food, this initial interaction wasn't a great start.

Thankfully, we were finally seated after a bit of a wait. We got our menus and ordered.

The sommelier, whose name I couldn't catch over the loud music, completely turned things around with a fantastic, fruity wine suggestion. His hospitality was a breath of fresh air, and the wine itself was delicious! I'm actually a little sad I didn't catch the name of it.

Then came the food – and wow. That first bite of the razor clam was just heavenly. And the open sandwich with tomato and garlic underneath? Also absolutely heavenly. Not to mention the burrata with grapefruit and oil? Ooooof. And that fish with coconut sauce? Ooooof. It instantly made sense why this place has a Michelin star. Seriously, those dishes were that good. Everything else that followed was also exceptional; I have absolutely no complaints about the food itself.

The vibe is very New York – tight quarters, servers occasionally bumping into you (par for the course), and loud music that can make conversation a little challenging at times. But honestly, that seems to be part of its charm – bustling, busy, and that quintessential tight NYC energy. It would be a great spot for a date where you really want to feel that New York buzz.

The bathroom was also surprisingly clean, which is always a plus.

This meal was a treat, so I'm not sure of the exact cost, but based on a quick look at the menu, it definitely doesn't seem like the most budget-friendly option. However, it's definitely a place I'd consider returning to for a special treat...

Deeply Disappointing Service at Casa Mono (Michelin 1-Star)

My recent dinner at Casa Mono on May 26, 2025, was unfortunately a profoundly disappointing experience, particularly concerning the service. It fell far below any acceptable standard, let alone what you'd expect from a Michelin-starred establishment.

While several servers brought dishes to our table, there was a complete lack of explanation for any of the food presented. Each dish was simply placed down without a single word about its contents or preparation, which is truly unusual for a restaurant of this supposed quality.

A particularly jarring experience involved an African American female server, who appeared to be a floor manager. She placed a dish on our table so carelessly that it landed with a noticeable thud, almost seeming to drop it. She did this without making eye contact, offering a smile, or saying a word. This detached and unwelcoming demeanor was consistent throughout our meal.

Water service was also nonexistent. Despite having a bottle of sparkling water on our table, our glasses remained empty for extended periods, with no one bothering to refill them. In fact, no one checked on our table at all from the moment the food started arriving until we finished our entire meal. This complete lack of attentiveness and engagement was shocking.

The poor service culminated during the payment process. When we requested the check, there was no "thank you" or any form of polite acknowledgment from the staff. The same African American female server/manager brought the POS terminal for payment. Again, she never looked at us, said nothing, and simply placed the terminal on the table before walking away without a word, not even a "thank you" during the transaction.

This level of inattentive, impersonal, and frankly rude service is not only unexpected but unimaginable at a Michelin-star restaurant. For a restaurant that has held a Michelin star for nearly a decade, the experience at Casa Mono was a stark contradiction to the standards and hospitality one anticipates. I left feeling utterly undervalued as a customer.

With a dining history spanning over 50 Michelin-starred restaurants internationally and extensive visits to NYC, this was objectively the poorest service...

Well, for starters, I am not a big fan of this place in terms of deliciousness. The service is okay, the tables are tight but considering the available space here around Union sq, it is understandable. A very great touch of the restaurant is that they have sommeliers who will give great advices on wine pairings. Maybe adding that will enhance the palate experience, but for someone who is severely allergic to alcohol, I am deprived of that experience by nature.

The dishes I had are but salty, and flavors are mostly mono-toned. Let me elaborate:

The starter bread+olives in olive oils are nice. But I found if you ordered razor clams, the garlicky olive oil pairs better with the bread. But I strongly encourage you NOT to order razor clams. I felt they are over roasted, very chewy, and are void of other flavors beside garlic and salt.

The burrata is also a surprise and a miss. Pairing with prosciutto supposedly would bring out the savoriness of the dish, yet the burrata is mostly mozzarella (not saying mozzarella is bad) and with an odd ratio of stracciatella cheese. The jam is sweet and overpowers everything else. I don’t taste the texture of burrata nor the savoriness of prosciutto.

Scallops with the cream sauce is good. But for a dish in a place on this level, I was expecting something more unique and intriguing. The texture of the scallops are far from being tender. A bit overly done to my taste.

Goat confit is an interesting one, one that I WOULD recommend. But don’t order it if you cannot handle goatness. The cream sauce is made with probably goat milk so it has a strong goaty taste. The pistachio adds a nice touch, a bit crunchy in texture. The goat confit is seared nicely: there is a crust and meat are stringy. Seasoned well.

Oxtail is disappointing to say the least. Overly charred inside of the pepper and can only taste burnt and salt, and maybe a bit of tomato.

Lamb belly is another one I would recommend. Though the potatoes are cooked just so they are not raw-they are a bit chewy and hard. Seasoned well, but not a memorable dish.

I talked with my friend who dined together and I really thought I ordered the wrong things (but having wrong things on the menu is a big NONO). Maybe this place just isn’t for me and...