Colonia Verde — Restaurant in New York

I paid two tickets to the Sunday Asado event in hope to interact with the chef and sommeliers. While I had the great time initially, especially with the sommeliers in the mezcal table and the wine table, some particular server at the food table there constantly interrupted and harassed me because I tried to have a conversation with the chefs, which I thought is partly the charm of the event, and asked for a second eggplant sample. When the server told me the chef was busy, I backed off immediately and went to another room and used the bathroom. However, when I came back from the other room to the food tasting table, this particular server IMMEDIATELY BLOCKED me from even trying the samples of the new dish the chefs prepared.

The hostility was beyond reasonable. This particular server later explained that the food was not ready (while the other attendees were already eating), but instead of talking to me, she PHYSICALLY pushed my hand trying to reach to the sampling food before saying anything because she WAS targeting and singling me just because I wanted a second eggplant dish earlier. Another server or event staff came to tell me that they would serve me the food while I did nothing but staying quiet and watching the chefs preparing the salad for an open-kitchen interactive event they advertised. I thought the whole Sunday Asado event was to create an environment to talk to the people who are in the industry and have a great time with the fellow New Yorkers who are enthusiastic about food and cooking, but this whole targeting, isolating and following episode from this particular server then the whole crew was alienating and very much the anticlimactic of the event Colonia Verde was trying to create. Would not recommend to genuine foodies.

Response to Noah: I appreciate you took time to respond to my experience. However, what your response was far from the reality. You claimed that I was “shouting” questions at the chefs and “hovering” at the kitchen table. It was a packed and loud environment, and I didn’t gather from the initial interactions with the chefs that I was too loud since it was all banters and laughters in the beginning. Felipe even handed me a pen for me to write down my email, saying that he loved my enthusiasm about food and would love to me to be one of the testers of the new products.

What I noticed was that the attitude started changing was when I asked for a second eggplant sampling bite. I was told that I could get another one once everyone else has one, which I had no problem with. I waited about 15 minutes and came back to ask, the particular server started acting annoyingly. I just backed off to another room, and then when 30 minutes passed, I saw the servers made several rounds asking if everyone has got the eggplant and attendees in the other room started declining, I asked again if I could try another bite, I got a patronizing response from the same server that “I have to wait for everyone to be fed.” Well, I know that, and that was why I waited 30 minutes to ask again.

Since then, whenever I stood near the table to watch the chefs preparing food, I was singled out. Plenty of other attendees came to interact or ask and grab the additional salad or eggplant bites, no problem, but I was approached in an unwelcoming tone that the food would came to me while I did nothing but quietly watching how to the new dish was prepared. I’m sorry that I called out the attitude of the same server in a raised volume who PHYSICALLY pushed and blocked me from trying the new bite that she already passed to many other attendees when I came back to the food table. The other owner’s friend started to argue with me instantly when I left to the corner to cool off from the tension.

It was unfortunate that this was how the event chose to handle the situation. Unfortunately this was the first time that I was being given attitude the entire night and physically blocked by the server after asking politely for a second bite and questions about the ingredients and cooking process. The decision to not...

If you actually are hungry and want to eat, avoid at all costs. Would have loved to eat here based on the reviews of semi mediocre food, but after being told to go to the bar down the street and wait 55 minutes (and doing just that) we returned and waited for another 45 minutes. The hostess was extremely rude to us when we asked her for an update as to our estimated wait and upon reaching the 2 hour mark (and 8 min before closing) we decided to call it. This kind of service pisses me off more than anything. Hopefully some place better will come along and replace them soon and actually care about the customers they serve.

** Editing this as of 02/14/18 in response to the owner's comment below:"

“Hopefully some place better comes along and replace them soon”. Shame on you. This attitude of privilege, anger and complete detachment is a total spirit killer. We love our customers, we love Fort Greene and we will continue to work every day and night to serve our neighbors and guests and continue to improve as we are far from perfect. We’ve never answered a review but this is too cruel not to react.

There are families and employees attached to your comments."

Ya know, I will take full responsibility of the fact that I did write this review in the heat of anger. You are correct in pointing out that I should not have directed that anger at anyone other than those responsible for my miserable experience. My heart goes out to the hard working employees at Colonia Verde who are legitimately trying to do their best and make sure their customers have a good experience.

Now, having said that - based on your response, it is even more clear that my point still stands. Shame on YOU for refusing to address a customer who had what myself and I'm sure many others would consider a very unfavorable experience with anything other than an apology. You accuse me of having an attitude of "Privilege, anger and complete detachment," but my question to you is this: Please tell me how I should have felt having been in that situation...since you clearly are an expert on your customer's emotions.

The bottom line is this: We were excited to be customers at your restaurant. We were willing to pay you for service, and for an experience. The experience we received was that we were treated poorly and felt as if we were unwelcome.

If you are so concerned about the families and employees that are attached to your customers comments, maybe you should take a hard look at how YOU yourself are treating...

This weekend I ventured to Fort Greene to enjoy the neighborhood vibe and decided on a meal at Colonia Verde. The atmosphere at this quaint little hot spot is transporting. Upon entering the front dining room one is completely unaware of the gorgeous little oasis that lies just beyond in the atrium and subsequent outdoor patio. I was seated in the patio area and it was a beautiful bit of a mirage that felt like a magical little courtyard in a hacienda in Central America.

The staff, while friendly, were not as attentive as one would have hoped and the wait to be seated, place orders and receive orders was a bit extensive. That said the drinks and food that finally followed were elevated and worth the wait!

I began my meal with a Spicy Margarita with Tajin and lime that was both refreshing and bright on a steamy summer day.

I ordered the Esquites as an appetizer. The brilliant mix of charred corn, pepitas, mint, cotija cheese and cumin dressing tasted like the essence of summer with brilliantly balanced and authentic flavors that were both indulgent and satisfying.

For my entree, I decided on the Shrimp Tacos and opted out of the avocado, chipotle cream with which they are customarily served. The tortillas are among the absolute best I have had and the shrimp was perfectly seasoned and cooked! Unlike the traditionally heavy serving of refried beans, they offered a thin layer that provided the flavor without the weight. I chose to add a bit of my Esquites to the tacos and it proved to be a deliciously wise choice. The marriage of flavors was divine

Last, I couldn't resist the promise of the Little Piece of Brazil dessert. This succulent Yuca Coconut cake topped with whipped cream and lime zest was delicate, complex and unique. The yuca creates a surprisingly light background from which the abundant coconut flavor bursts. The creamy homemade whip and lime zest balance the rich coconut flavor to create an inspiring flavor profile unlike any dessert I've had to date .

Colonia Verde offers next level mastery of latin flavors and, if you can be patient with the slightly lackadaisical service, it should definitely make your must try list the next time you are in...