Palenque Colombian food — Restaurant in New York

This place had the looks of a great place but it fell very short, if you value customer service. I went for an event and got there early to try some bites beforehand. It was 3:30 when I arrived. The place was nearly empty with only 4 other individuals seated at tables. It was about 3:45 when the waitress approached my friend and I. I asked if we had time to order food as the event would start at 4:15pm. She was honest enough to say no, but that we could enjoy a drink and come back after the event. We ordered two drinks (which are practically pre-made, as they only add the liquor to it, and for $17 a drink, idk about most, but I expect a fresh cocktail). Anyhow, it's now 4pm and the waitress comes back as if she never took our order and asks may I help you, only to remember that 15 minutes ago she had already taken our order and now claimed she was too busy and would not be able to provide the premade drink in time. She apologized and said to come back after the event. We did return because honestly, I was intrigued by the cocktail and at this point was hungry. I ordered an arepa with shrimp, and asked if it was possible to have it without mayo. The bartender, because I opted for the bar this time, said no problem. My arepa came back dressed with the mayo even though the bartender requested repeatedly no mayo. They apologized again and said they would prepare another one...20 minutes later and now my friend is done eating, they bring out the same plate, with mayo again, I look up at her and then she notices the mayo and shakes her head and apologizes again, at which point I simply just politely ask for the check for the two worst drinks I ever tasted, which were a jugo de lulo (my friend is Columbian born and raised drinking home made jugo de lulo), and the other agua de panela hechizada (basically a lemonade with mezcal) was equally unpleasant. All this to say that with all it's appeal of wholesomeness, the staff seems to lack the mindfulness needed to provide the warmth of it's intentions. You may enjoy it if you've never had authentic Columbian cuisine and prefer a gentrified version of traditional. I give the place 1 star for...

I've been to this place since it's opening, every time I go/or order food from here it's worse. In taste- in portions it's always less, rice they sell for delivery orders is 3/5 hard out of the times I've ordered. I'm not sure if you cater to gentrifiers or perhaps you're not afro Colombian owned but if you're repping palenque you have to do better. White folk might not know the difference but we do. This is sad. Sending me a half full container of soup, hard rice in two separate orders. Disgraceful

Second review 3/2/24

Alright, needed some soup. Unfortunately colombian soup is limited in brooklyn so I'm like ill give them another chance. Ordered on uber eats. Soup tastes re heated at least twice I ordered at 7pm. If the soup is old don't sell it especially if you're selling a bowl for 17 dollars. Second the rice was hard, why? Why send me hard rice? I bite into my guava and cheese empanada and I get a bite of plastic wrapper. I called them just now at 858pm and no answer. I don't care about the lack of gastronomy and how happy you are to hear me out. Do better. It's sad as he'll when you pay 70 dollars for food and it's reheated, hard, and there's plastic IN a fried empanada???? Disgraceful truly upsetting...

I wish this place was better, but it’s not great. It wasn’t our first time here, but it will definitely be the last.

Arrived - Friday night, nobody to greet us, to show us to a table, to tell us anything. No silverware or napkins were presented. There were two other guests having dinner.

Waiter was friendly, took our order - patacones (assuming it to be a starter) arepa burger, pandeja paisa, two agua de Panelas.

Drinks were solid.

Food came out slow (talking 25 mins) and still no silverware or napkins.

Patacones we’re fine/good. Arepa burger - despite being undercooked (raw red middle) (also they did not ask how I wanted it cooked) was good. Yucca fried were massively over salted (we had to wipe each one with our napkin.) I like salty foods - this was….a mistake I hope?

Pandeja paisa - came out with the wrong protein. When the correct protein (chicken) came out it was raw in the middle. We didn’t re-order a replacement…

I wish this was an isolated incident - but unfortunately it has been like this every time I’ve been here. I really can’t understand how a restaurant can get any sort of repeat customers when they don’t seem to care enough to give us a napkin? Silverware? Properly cook a...