Vida Verde - Tequila Bar — Restaurant in New York

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Vida Verde, and I must say that our experience was truly elevated by the exceptional service provided by Renee, our server. From the moment we were seated, it was clear that she was both professional and personable, creating a welcoming atmosphere that made our evening feel special from start to finish.

Renee greeted us with a warm smile, immediately making us feel at ease. She took the time to ask about any dietary restrictions or preferences, ensuring she was well-prepared to offer the best suggestions from the menu. It was evident that she had a deep knowledge of the food and drink offerings, effortlessly recommending a few dishes and explaining their ingredients and preparation. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and it was clear she truly cared about our experience.

Throughout the meal, Renee struck the perfect balance between being attentive and giving us space to enjoy our meal. She was always within reach when we needed something, but never hovered or interrupted our conversation. She kept track of the timing between courses flawlessly, ensuring that our meals arrived at just the right moment—hot and fresh, without feeling rushed or delayed.

One of the most impressive aspects of Renee's service was her ability to handle multiple tables while maintaining her composure and providing personalized attention. Despite being clearly busy, she was calm, efficient, and made sure every guest felt valued. She even made small, thoughtful gestures like refilling our water glasses without us having to ask and ensuring we had everything we needed at each step of the meal.

In addition to her exemplary service, Renee also showcased a great sense of humor, which made the experience even more enjoyable. She had a knack for reading the room, knowing when to engage in lighthearted conversation and when to give us space. Her warmth and genuine interest in our satisfaction were evident in every interaction.

The food, of course, was delicious, but Renee's service is what truly made the evening unforgettable. She went above and beyond in every aspect of our dining experience, making sure that everything from our drinks to our dessert was perfect. She even remembered small details from earlier in the evening, like our drink preferences, which made the service feel incredibly personalized and thoughtful.

As we were finishing our meal, Renee checked in one final time, asking if we needed anything else and thanking us for choosing Vida Verde. Her attention to detail was truly outstanding, and it made a big difference in the overall experience. She made us feel like valued guests rather than just customers, and it’s clear that she takes great pride in her work.

In conclusion, I can’t recommend Renee enough as a server. Her professionalism, warmth, and attention to detail truly set her apart, making our dining experience one to remember. If you ever find yourself at Vida Verde, be sure to request her section—she’s the kind of server that will make your meal feel extra special and turn a good night out into an unforgettable one.

HIP HIP...

Upon arriving at Vida Verde NYC, we were greeted immediately and led to a table that had already been set for the two of us. The evening started off on a high note as we were asked for our drink preferences while being read the drink specials of the night. The service was seamless from the get-go, with our drinks arriving promptly and accompanied by an introduction to Renee, who I assume was the head server or manager. Renee was exceptional—she made fantastic recommendations, ensured our drinks were always topped off, and continuously checked in on everything that was brought to our table to ensure quality.

For starters, we opted for the nachos with added chorizo, and they were phenomenal. The tortilla chips were fresh, light, and crispy, striking the perfect balance with the toppings. It wasn’t overloaded with cheese, but rather had a well-balanced mix of queso, pico de gallo, and chorizo. The standout element was the jalapeño cream sauce, which tied everything together and added an incredible burst of flavor to an already delicious appetizer.

For the main course, we tried the steak and cheese tacos (without cheese) and the Birria tacos. The steak tacos were absolutely amazing. It’s been a long time since I’ve had marinated, seasoned skirt steak as perfectly prepared as advertised. The habanero sauce added a delightful kick, and with the cilantro and homemade warm tortilla, it made for a quick, delicious snack that was packed with flavor. This was easily my favorite dish of the evening.

The Birria tacos, while good, were not crispy as expected, and the meat felt a bit under-seasoned. However, the consommé was outstanding—bursting with flavor and richness, it tasted like it came straight from a mother’s home kitchen. The fresh chopped white onion and cilantro added a refreshing contrast to the warm, delicious broth. I found myself drinking the consommé right out of the ramekin!

To finish, we ordered the steak Chimichanga. After everything else we’d had, this was a heavy entrée, and the portions at Vida Verde do not disappoint. Though I was already quite full, the Chimichanga was a satisfying end to the meal. The crispy shell, marinated skirt steak, beans, and rice all combined into a delightful dish. The toppings on the side added a nice variety—the crema was light and creamy without being too thick, and the pickled jalapeño provided an elevated pico de gallo experience. The hidden gem inside? Sweet plantain, which added a savory sweetness that melted in your mouth with every bite.

This dining experience at Vida Verde was more than just dinner—it was an event I would recommend sharing with family and friends. The portions were generous, the margaritas were delicious (I couldn’t resist their $10 Monday special), and the service, especially from Renee, made it all worthwhile. While the cocktails looked enticing, they kindly accommodated my request for a spicy margarita, as I’m not a fan of sweet drinks.

Overall, I highly recommend Vida Verde NYC and suggest asking for Renee to elevate your dining experience. We will definitely...

Had a relative visiting from out of state, and they found Vida Verde online and wanted to try them out. Made reservations for 4 on the last Friday of 2023 at 430 PM via Resy, simple and straightforward site to work with. They are located by Midtown right off 8th Ave on W 55 street. Trendy outside and bright vibrant colors/set up inside. They blast different kinds of Spanish music.

Two of us arrived about 20 minutes early and got seated with no issues. They have high tables with stools that have no backs and regular size tables with booth seats and wood chairs with backs. You scan a bar code for their menu. They have a pretty strict 90 minute seating policy, we sat at our table for a few extra minutes because I was still trying to finish my meal and I was asked to take my food in a container to go. Meanwhile, there were several tables with no one sitting, and it felt like we could have been given some consideration to at least finish what we ordered.

We did a mix of happy hour drinks and regular drinks. They don't have premium liquor at all, from what the waiter told us. Just well brands, we got rum and cranberry, which was a good mix of rum and juice. We tried 3 of their $17 dollar drink mixes and weren't very impressed with two of them.

For eats, their menu offers plates of 3 small tortilla tacos with different types of fish, chicken, or beef. They also have appetizers, entrees, sides, and desserts. For apps we did shrimp empanadas and their guacamole and chips. The empanadas were delish, you get pieces of shrimp and some little kicks of spicy. The guac was in a deconstructed set up, you get to pick which parts of the guac you want on the chip.

We decided to try the nachos for $19, with no protein. This was the best meal of the visit, a huge plate of nachos with cheeses, sauces, red onions, all of the fixins piled on top, and enough to share with 4 people. We also got the salmon tacos, birria tacos, and Mahi Mahi tacos. Each plate of 3 tacos ranged between $21 and $24. They were decent. I wouldn't run back to try any of these again since flavor lacked.

Our waiters were Ralph and Jesus. It must have been an off day for Ralph since he was extremely short with us, didn't engage when we tried to inquire on suggestions for food and drinks and when our 90 minute time was up he rushed over, told us we needed to pay for our meals and I would have to take my food to go because we weren't allowed to sit longer. Jesus was more pleasant, joked around with us, and carried a much more positive vibe.

Our bill came to $234 for 4 people. The bathroom is clean and well kept. They also have a bar area. I have no plans of returning for another visit, and I am not sure I would recommend it. But, it was an experience, and I love new...