La Candela II West Hempstead — Restaurant in Town of Hempstead

Normally, my husband and I will eat breakfast here on the weekends. We don't usually go here during the week and after our last experience I never will go during the week again.

Peru was playing a soccer game, so the restaurant was a little busier than usual. We ordered 1 appetizer and 2 entrees. Simple orders, nothing too crazy. After 10, 20, 30 minutes, our food wasn't coming out and 2 tables near us (with 5+ people) we're getting their food. Hot fresh, steaming sizzling plates of food. Why was ours taking so long? We asked for our food to be put to go because we didn't intend on staying in the restaurant for the whole game. After 15 more minutes, still no food. My husband had to go up to the bar, ask for the manager and tell them we didn't even want the food anymore. It was ridiculous waiting so long for food that should've taken no more than 10-15 minutes to make. They tried to calm him down and make us stay, but at that point we we're both fed up. He told them to charge us for the chichamorada and anticuchos we had for appetizer. And even then, they still we're persistent on trying to keep us there. He gave them cash on the bar and we left. I honestly can't believe such an experience happened here, especially since we've ordered food to go from here and every experience before was NEVER this bad!

In the future, we will be going to El Ajicito. Save your time and money and follow us.

Only gave 2 stars because 1- the gentleman who sat us was very nice. His name was Diego. He apologized many times and was nothing but nice from the moment we got there to the moment my husband got up and demanded the manager. He was a good employee. And the second star was just because their breakfast is good. I don't want to give 2 stars, I'd rather give 0, but that waiter Diego, and the breakfast/weekend staff deserve to be recognized.

This picture is the ONLY thing we actually ate and still had to pay $25 even though we we're both...

Dined here recently with our friend at his strong recommendation. We enjoyed all the food and, particularly, the seafood soup and ceviche. However, several things put me off from coming here again:

1. Our friend was excited to order the Anticuchos con Rachi. We asked multiple times in Spanish and English if this was indeed 2 different meats (heart & stomach). The server confirmed … When the dish arrived, we were only served the rachi (stomach). When we pointed out the mistake to the server, he just looked blankly at us then insisted that it was the correct dish and that’s how it was served. My friend (who just recently had the dish), not wanting trouble, then placed an additional order of the missing component (the anticuchos). Frustrating that a correction wasn’t provided at no cost to us when the mistake was the server’s.

2. A photographer came to the table and asked if we wanted our photo taken. She didn’t introduce herself or explain what it was for. I nearly said yes assuming it was for the restaurant’s social media. My companion then asked if we had to pay for the photo and she sheepishly nodded. Maybe this is common but this was the first time I’ve experienced being solicited in this way and deceptively. Tacky.

3. Finally, because of point 1, we ordered a ton of food and had a lot leftovers. In addition to the apps, we had the seafood soup, chaufa, potato, and copa (ceviche+fried seafood combo). Everything was delicious and we requested some takeaway boxes… Well while we were packing the busser took our plates, including a nearly full serving of the seafood. I even yelled after him as he walked away but, like the server, he wasn’t paying attention and the music is too loud for either worker to adequately hear.

Please address these service issues. Maybe don’t have the servers simultaneously take orders while communicating with the kitchen via earpiece. Mistakes are bound to...

I dont think ive ever felt the need to leave a one star review. But ohhhh boy what an experience. Let me just say, it was my mothers 67th birthday and my family was together for the first time in a long time. It was something that should have been special and definitely unforgetable, but unfortunately La Candela COULD NOT DELIVER. Let me just say the MANAGER Leon, spilled over all the drinks he broughtt to our table on my brother, which we looked past and laughed because we didnt want to make him feel bad. But my sister who ordered the fish didnt like the way they prepared it and how it tasted so we asked to have the meal switched out for something else, which to MY SURPRISE. They said absolutely not because there was nothing wrong with there food, that just because we just didnt like it, wasnt there problem. Appalled. I said excuse me. As if i tried to ignore what the waiter leon rudely said to me. I just couldnt believe it. And not for nothing. MY ORDER NEVER CAME OUT. How can someone be so clueless. This establishment needs a reality check, you dont fight with your customers. We ordered meals that exceeded $400. Wouldnt you want us to come back?? You guys were more focused on the now and getting your money and completely forgot about customer service. As a business owner myself you guys did a terrible job. I make sure my bread and butter is secured when running my business. You guys didnt. I expected more since im a regular here. Hope you guys pride yourselves on this experience and let it be a lesson to you. I think its time the owner had a staff meeting...