Cuerno — Restaurant in New York

We were excited to try this restaurant because they supposedly served the type of food from where I'm from, but I was utterly disappointed.

The restaurant is nice, the food was good, and the service was meh. I was expecting better service for the area in which this restaurant is located. The hostess was unfriendly, and fake-smiling, one of the guys who brought the sauces to the table acted like we were a burden when my husband asked if the sauces had nuts, because I'm allergic to nuts. However, our server was good, and food was fast, I appreciate that.

But what completely ruined our experience is that we felt discriminated against for being gay. We noticed that when we saw that they seated my husband and me, who were celebrating our anniversary, together with other customers members of the LGBTQI+ community, literally in the worst area possible, a small room/area practically apart from the pretty main dinner area, behind curtains in a poorly illuminated section, next to the bathroom, literally as if they were hiding us. We were put next to a wall with a TV literally next to my face! I could barely read the menu; there was a candle at the table, and it wasn't even lit! The table setup was halfway when they sat down, because we were missing the glasses and wine glasses.

We realized, as we finished and exited the restaurant, that there were numerous tables open in the main dining room, suitable for two people (or groups of four, as the other table, also occupied by community members, was seated next to us) but they didn't sit us there. We thought that they probably seated us in the hidden room because we didn't bring a jacket or were too casual, but many other customers were also in casual attire. Also, we made the reservation a week in advance, when there were literally all open spots, so it's not like we did a walk-in or last-minute dining and they had to accommodate us last-minute. They even had really nice tables outside on the front with only two people or empty, but they didn't even bother to ask us if we were ok having dinner outside. Everything could've been better that that ugly room.

Anyway, that was our experience; our anniversary dinner was ruined by it. You might have...

My wife and I came here for our wedding anniversary and had an amazing experience. As we walked in the energy you felt in the room was great. A beautiful bar with bartenders actively making cocktails and interacting with people, while great music played in the background. The hostess welcomed us immediately, found our reservation and sat us. The seating was very comfortable and the space was beautiful. Dimly lit spaces with pops of warm light that almost gave the feeling of a flickering campfire at dusk. Our waiter introduced himself, brought us out a welcome snack of chips and a flight of salsas, as well as melon martinis and a sort of welcome card explaining them as a restaurant. We appreciated all three. The melon margaritas where delicious, I've never had that flavor profile in a margarita before. The chips and salsa were delicious and ranged from not spicy to very spicy, and everything in between, so there was a taste for everyone. We started with some cocktails after that, getting a "la chula" and a "vampirito" both of which were delicious and, in my opinion had enough alcohol that you felt it, but not so much that it overtook the other flavors of the drink. As for the food, we started with the octopus, the fried beans, the butchers choice tacos and the ribeye tacos, all of which were amazing. Neither of us had ever had octopus prepared the way it was prepared at Cuerno. We both loved it and as for me, it was the best octopus dish I've ever had. The other stand out for the starters was the ribeye taco. Then for the mains we got the tableside skirt steak tacos and the grilled whole branzino, and both were amazing. While everything we got was delicious, I would say the octopus, the ribeye tacos, the skirt steak tacos and the whole branzino are must haves. We each received an after dinner candy with the check. Everyone we came into contact with that worked here was great. From the hostesses, to the waiters, to the bussers and everyone in between, there was a very warm, welcoming and proud vibe, and rightfully so. We will definitely be back, hopefully...

Heard about the Mexican steakhouse and had to try it...

Step in off the street and greeted by a long bar. The vibe is welcoming, the noise level allows for conversation. Some finance bros in suits, some girls decked out for the night, some of us in shorts and polos.

Decided to eat at the bar. The keep guides me to the house Margarita, which is garnished with a slender red chili!!! Yum!! But it did overwhelm the drink a wee bit...

So what makes this a Mexican steakhouse, you ask? Complimentary chips and salsa!!! Five different kinds of salsa!!! And none of the store bought strip mall stuff either... each salsa better than the rest, and the chips were robust in different shapes and sizes and shaped to accommodate the salsa. I wound up making my own concoctions by layering 2 or 3 of the salsas on each chip. Very tasty.

Ordered the rib eye that comes with the bone marrow. First of all. This bone was luscious and glistening. Sometimes you get bone marrow and it's charred, and you are scraping away at it with a knife trying to get some ashy flakes into a pile so you can taste it. This was NOT that. This was robust, full of flavor and richness and umami!!!

The flavoring was to die for. Garlic butter on the base of the plate. Charred chives gracing the steak, but there is an unidentified Mexican spice blend that was amazing on the palate!!!

My side was boiled new potatoes perfectly seasoned... and I paired all this with 5 red chilis!!!

The only disappointment was the cut of meat. Not up to the other steakhouses in the vicinity, but ALMOST compensated by the mouthful of the flavor.

The other Mexican element? Tortillas... altho i only ate one since for me it muted the taste...

All in all. A treat for the senses. Service was great. Will definitely be in...