HAAM Caribbean Plant Cuisine — Restaurant in New York

I really wanted to like this place, and had been looking forward to dining here for months! Unfortunately it was a little underwhelming. I want to first say that I did love the aesthetic. The ambience of the restaurant was fantastic. It is beautifully decorated, colorful and plant-themed, but elegant too. I loved the flowers on the table. The music is really fun. The atmosphere really makes you feel good. Great for dates or special occasions. Our server was very warm and friendly. We did have to ask for water twice, but I didn't mind because he was so pleasant. The food however was not nearly as good as it sounded on the menu nor as good as it looked - and it did look very good. I have to commend the presentation. Beautiful colors and composition. But underwhelming flavors, and disappointing to see evidence of cutting corners through multiple dishes. I understand the restaurant business in NYC is brutal, but at $50/person, I expect more than this: the cake had clearly been microwaved to warm it (the edges started crusting rapidly in that just-microwaved way), the island onigiri had literally one teaspoon in jerk mushrooms, tostones were way too thin (like a Pringles chip), and the cake had such a tiny ball of ice cream on it - I expected at least half a scoop! I'll elaborate more on every dish. The island onigiri is a nice concept, and I enjoyed the char. However, the rice seemed stale. I am assuming they used old rice to make it, to help with it staying in shape perhaps, but I don't want to be able to tell. The rice also did not have any flavor except for what tasted like ketchup. I could not taste any jerk seasoning, maybe because I got only half a teaspoon of mushrooms! (I shared the dish with my husband.) I was not a fan of the roti dish. I thought there was way too much mango chutney - I don't know if this is how it is typically served, but there was more chutney than anything else on the plate. The curried chicken was good, but a little rubbery and not the best curry (one dimensional in flavor, just tasted like curry powder). The bhaji was actually the best thing on the plate, but not super flavorful like I was hoping, just pleasant. The pumpkin literally tasted like pumpkin. I was hoping to experience Caribbean flavors! But I could not taste anything unique or memorable. The roti was also rather heavy and not at all flaky. It is supposed to be buss up shut roti, but was not busted up at all! The chunk steak dish was similarly very boring. The black beans were plain beans, the rice was boiled rice, and the chimichurri was not at all fresh or vibrant. It tasted of nothing. The steak just tasted like chunk steak. Not even seared. At this price point, I expect not to be served plain rice and beans. At least make it a cilantro lime rice, and add a little spice to the beans! The cake with soursop ice cream was the only thing that was delicious and that I would order again. The flavors were unique and the textures were very nice - except for the parts of the microwaved cake that started to cool. However, I am disappointed that the best tasting element of the night, the soursop ice cream, was so sparse. If you are a true foodie, don't come here. If you want to enjoy good vibes with friends and enjoy pretty...

Be aware that some of the staff at HAAM lack integrity, absolutely no truth or transparency. If you are okay with giving your money to an establishment that does not value their customers, then HAAM is the place. As for myself, my family, my friend and my coworkers, we will no longer patronize this place. Let me paint a picture of a most egregious restaurant experience I have had. I have visited HAAM on a few occasions prior to the 6/20/25 unforgettable and unforgivable experience at the hands of “manager” Trenton C. I live in Long Island, so making the trip for take out or dine-in, is a bit of a commute for me. However, I had problems doing so, as long as i am treated with respect. On 6/20/25, i decided to call in my take out order, so i would not have to wait upon arrival. My order was taken by Trenton C. I asked for 2 full portions of the Chimichurri Chunk Steak without the side (white rice, black beans, tostones) and a side order of roti. I made it clear that i just wanted the chunk steak. At no time during this phone order did Trenton C. advise me of any policy that prohibited me from ordering just the chunk steak. Furthermore, i have done this in the past on more than one occasion and was told each portion costs $18 each totaling $36 plus tax.. After battling traffic and enduring the distance from Long Island, i could not find parking, so I had my daughter run in to pick up the order. After being inside for some time, my daughter finally exited the restaurant and stated to me me, “ you are not going to be happy” . Trenton C. told my daughter that they could not give me the order I placed, which was the chunk steak only because it was against their policy. After having travel the distance to get there, coupled with the fact that I called in my order and if this policy did exist, i should have been told so, and i would not have made the trip, i was livid. I jumped out my vehicle, took the bag of food, and ran into the restaurant and had a face-to face with Trenton C, who went on the say they are one of the managers and it is their policy to not sell the chunk steak separately because it “messes up their plating” . I informed Trenton C that i have made this order before on more than one occasion and as recent as this past Father’s Day, 6/15/25. Trenton C. stated that who allowed that made a mistake and it should never have happened. So ai guess the chef and creator of HAAM is not aware of that policy, because they were the one that took my take out order on Father’s Day. If in fact there was a standing policy that prohibits the sale of the chunk steak unless it is a part of the entree, why didn’t Trenton C advise me of such instead of taking my order as is , then switching it upon arrival? If there was s such a standing policy, why isn’t all staff privy to this policy, because I did make the same order before, on more than one occasion. Trenton C, you lack integrity and you should not have any position having to do with...

I enjoyed the food and the ambiance. The sun was shining and I felt like I was on vacation drinking fresh coconut. A bit overpriced but hey, it's not like I was actually in the Caribbean (they probably have to import it). I am Boricua vegetarian and my partner is a Black-Panamanian omnivore.

Enough about us, let's get down to the food: Curry Chik’n Wontons were delicious, we got this and the Island Onigiri as an app. Pretty delicious and we would both give the wontons an edge over the onigiri although both were good, the wontons just had a crunch factor we both enjoy.

Entrees: one Chimichurri Chunk Steak and one Jerk Tamarind Oyster Mushroom Burger. We both loved the steak as it was delicious and had the perfect texture for a meat eater (my partner). He thought the rice was a bit overcooked but the beans and tostones were perfection. The burger was also perfectly textured although it gave no illusion of meat. It was crunchy and chewy and the red cabbage with the tamarind really brightened up a mildly spicy dish. I wish it was spicier (as jerk typically is) and I did ask for peppah sauce on the side but none came. I love heat and spice though, so if you are not as into it, I would suggest getting this since it isn't too spicy. I got the salad with it was also fresh and bright--really great balance for me.

Drinks: This is not a suggestion, you must get the fresh coconut drink, it is w hopping $13 for something you will down in about 2 minutes but where else are you going to get to drink straight out of a coconut in NYC in 30 degree weather? Exactly. (Okay, as a new yorker I already know NYC is too big for me to say that but you catch my drift, lol)

Wine: Pillo de Panama. If you like red wine, get this one. It is fruity with some bitter notes but it is overall pretty smooth with a slight acidic ending. Do not get this if you prefer whites and you're trying to branch out. Trust me, you may want to start with something a bit less RED.

Service/Ambience: Rocked :) but could've been slightly better. I dislike when people seat me next to other people so close when there are other open tables especially in a very small restaurant (which this is! Hopefully the photos didn't fool you). But STILL we loved our table and everyone who waited on us was extremely present, nice, and attentive. There needs to be some place to put coats, they took away our utensils without bringing new ones for entrees (the yummy entrées sat there waiting for us to dig in) but they were apologetic and brought some ASAP, and when it was time to pay they assume my boyfriend was paying which is a slightly annoying thing to experience but understandable. SERVICE ROCKED though so this is not to take away from the awesome.

Our ratings: 88/100 for him (a chef btw),...