Kumbia Restaurant — Restaurant in Rockville

I was on a busness trip and decided to check out a couple of restaurants with good food, drinks and Entertainment. Which next month I would be taking out my clients for the Holiday's. When a travel I use Google review to assist me in locating good establishments. I found Kumbia on Google, The reviews were good. I decided to visit the establishment Saturday night. I arrived and sat at the bar. John the bartender greeted me, John was very nice and attentive. I had a couple of drinks, I had Buchanan on the rocks with splash of seltzer. The drinks were watered down. I then ordered Empanada, The Empanada's test like they were cooked in oil that has not been changed for a while. I could not eat the other Empanada. A short while later two more bartenders arrived Javier and a girl (I did not get her name). John was move the the other side of the bar. Javier was my server. I used the restroom and when I came back the bar stools where gone. Javier explained that the night life was about to start, and they remove the stools from the bar. I asked Javier for a shot of Don Julio, I also asked Javier if he and the co-worker (girl) would like to take a shot on me. They both said yes, Javier served 3 shots. We drank two rounds of shots, but I noticed the Javier and his co-work wrapped there hands around the plastic shot cups and drank it very quickly and tossed the cups out quickly. I am used to taking shot with bartenders and everyone would place the shot cup on the bar or table to show that you took the shot. I later introduced me self to some females that were Standing by my side at the bar. I noticed that Javier did not like me talking the girls due to his face expression. I was not feeling the place any more so I asked Javier for another shot and the bill. Javier asked if I was inviting him and his co-work also? I replied yes, I'll invite you guys to a shot. Javier served 3 shots, This time I paid close attention them when they were taking the shots. They again wrapped thier hands around the plastic shot cups and maybe touched there lips and tossed the shot cups out. They clearly were not drinking the shots. I gave they 3 shots each that I paid $16 each, To have them just throw the shots out. But it could not get any worse, but its does. I hand my credit card to Javier, the bill was $280.95. They also include a 20% gratuity after 10pm. Javier turns around yells to me that my credit card declined. I am sure that I was not the only one at the bar that heard him. I asked him to try the credit Card again. I have been using this card during my trip and have not had any issues with it. Javier yells again that "the credit card declined". Javier never gave me any recept stating that the credit card declined. I gave Javier another credit card. Javier again yells " This credit didn't not decline ". I was very embarrassed!! I took my last shot and I left. I went to another establishment that was walking distance. The second establishment was a better experience. I also used the credit card that Javier stated was declining. The next day I looked into why would my credit card declined. To my surprise my credit card never declined. So he charged me twice, Total $561.90. I have spoken to my credit card companys and explained to them my situation, and they are taking care of this issue. I do not like writing bad reviews, but no one should have to go through this, very embarrassed, humility experience like I did. I am a very understandable man owning 8 business, but management needs be address and or address these issues at thier establishment. I DO NOT RECOMMEND...

I had high hopes for this place because it seemed like a fun and tasty restaurant that my friends and I could get together and celebrate a birthday, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. When we walked in it was hotter inside than outside so that immediately off putting. However we all still tried to have fun and were chatting until they decided to blast the music louder than any nightclub I’ve ever been to right in our ears. Let me also note that there were maybe 10 people total in this restaurant at 7pm on a Saturday, my table being 6 of them. At this point some of us had only ordered drinks, which took about 20 minutes for 4 drinks to arrive. It was so loud that you could barely hear the person next to you. Now I understand completely it’s normal for there to be live music and for it to be fun, but I’m not sure who is having fun with that sort of thing going on.

Eventually one of my friends very politely asked our server, Gabriela, if it would be possible to turn the music down since it was so loud or if we could move tables. Instead of resolving our issue when there was quite literally and empty restaurant for us to be moved anywhere, Gabriela decided to completely abandon our table and stand behind the bar talking and laughing with her coworkers. One of the people at our table eventually asked a busboy for the check and after even more waiting we just had to go up to her at the waitress station and grab the check.

So to summarize we were there for about and hour, only had 4 drinks because our waiter didn’t seem to like us but then refused to actually speed up getting us out of there, and when we paid the automatic gratuity was added on to our drinks (which is actually for parties of 4 at this restaurant instead of 6 which is the standard) which is fine but it’s honestly just the perfect encapsulation of how much of a mess this restaurant is. It’s honestly shocking they are still in business. Needless to say my group walked down the street to Thai Chef, spent over $300, and had a very lovely experience there. Highly recommend...

A few months ago, I met one of the managing partners of the restaurant and he told me about this new spot in Rockville, MD. He gave me his business card and invited me out.

Yesterday was my first time to visit the restaurant and my first impression was Oohs and Aahs! My date was just as impressed with the modern & colorful décor. We were greeted by the host and seated immediately. The background music's volume levels were perfect. Me and my date didn't have to compete with the sound by yelling just to speak to each other. We had a chance to review the menu. The bar was on one side of the restaurant and dinning was on the other. The floors were polished cemented floors. Sure to turn into a dance floor... I just know it! Hehehehe

The waiter greeted us and gave us an overview of the drinks and the menu. Since it was still "Happy Hour" my date ordered the Caipirinha. I thought, since the menu had a drink that was named after the restaurant, 'why not?' I ordered the Kumbiarita (Similar to a Margarita-I think). It was delicious!

For our appetizer, we ordered the CEVICHE CARRETILLERO- "Combination of thin sliced fish and breaded fried calamari, marinated in leche de tigre and aji amarillo. Served with cancha, choclo and red onions." QUE RICO!!!

For the main dish we decided to settle on the BANDEJA PAISA- "Traditional Colombian sample platter, served with marinated pork belly, grilled flank and sausage. Accompanied with white rice, pinto beans, sweet plantains, avocado, artisanal arepa and egg."

We were glad that we shared it because the portion was PLENTY! We had nothing but a great experience and now we're talking about hosting a Margarita Monday social, soon.

A great spot for food, drinks, dates, and hangout with...