11/11/08

Lackluster food, Good Service

by bouncingsoul66

We were promptly seated and the service was great (sometimes a little too attentive), the plantain chips were great to snack on, but when I ordered the Trambayo, I thought the waiter was snickering because of how I pronounced it. Not so much. He was laughing at me because I just ordered a WHOLE FISH, eyes, tail, and all. I'm not particularly squeamish, but I was angry that it didn't say it on the menu, nor was I warned that this was a whole fish. Not only that, the fish was flavorless. You can't get away on shock value alone, it needs to be well-prepared, whether whole or filleted. My friend's dinner was decent, but my meal was a waste of time and money.

• Pros: Good service, decent atmosphere
• Cons: Lackluster food

06/25/08

Not what I ordered but why bother to tell me?

by fernbiz

Went to dinner on a weekday night with friends and sat in the back to dine outside. When our entrees came out, I could feel the stares from the table behind us. Seems like they arrived first, ordered before us, but haven't even seen their appetizers yet. Spent next ten minutes listening to waiter/manager explain that it customary for large parties to wait for their food or as he eloquently said, "I go out to eat all the time and I wait for my food." When the manager was requested, he claimed he ran the joint. Oh, and by large parties, I guess a table for four is considered a "large party". Not getting a good vibe.

My friend ordered the Ceviche with Snapper. She got the Ceviche and began to pick at it, claiming something was not right. We asked our waiter/manager that the dish tasted funny and that this was not what we ordered. I don't recall seeing clams in the entree description from the menu but he insisted that this was the dish we ordered. He proceeded to tell us that this is waht we ordered. After placing the clams in my hands and confronting him for a closer inspection, waiter/manager reluctantly returned the dish to the kitchen.

He reappears 3 minutes later apologizing. Apparently the kitchen is out of Ceviche with Snapper so they gave my friend the Ceviche with Clams. Oh by the way, my friend follows a strict Kosher diet and is extremely allergic to shellfish. Well, not really but what if??? Thanks for having the courtesy to tell your diners that the dish they ordered is no longer available but they wish to sub it with something else.

My steak platter was good but your service stinks. You'll never see our business again.

• Pros: Outdoor dining in the rear
• Cons: Service

04/25/08

SHUT DOWN by Health Dept. for over 100 Violations 2 times within a year!

by isyisy

Over 100 Health Code violations, it got shut down twice within a year. They even covered the violation signs on the windows with "Closed for Renovation" posters. They don't have a big enough sink to wash large pots and pans, so they just use water hose in the back yard, and leave the pots and pans outside over night. Yes, I can see them doing that from my apartment. The decoration of the restaurant is ok, service is super slow. But really the cheap quality of food and dirty kitchen and the back yard made me write a review about Coco Roco.

• Pros: None
• Cons: Over 100 Health Code Violations

03/24/08

Eat in. Don't take out.

by bevinfenn

Authentic Peruvian? No. Decent food. Yes. Dine in if you are choosing Coco Roco. Their takeout/delivery conditions are very unsanitary. Could go into details, but I will leave that up to the nyc HD. I have witnessed takeout/delivery container/food situations that would make you up chuck up a weeks worth of food. I do love the food though. And hope, every time I go, that the kitchen and plating of food is much more sanitary then their takeout/delivery.

I have had no ailments from dining in. Can't say the same for those who have ordered takeout. And that's the best I can report.

02/15/08

Really Bad Move

by sfliii

Coco Roco on Smith St. used to be one of my favorite places in the neighborhood until yesterday (Valentines Day). I made reservations for dinner for Valentines Day a week in advance giving them my name and phone number. When my wife and I got to the restaurant that night there was a sign on the door noting they will be closed until Monday, Feb 18th. They did not call to say they would be closed and we could not get into another restaurant at 8pm Valentines Day night.

That is F....d up! I will never patronize that place again and I'll do my best to pass the word around the neighborhood.

• Pros: none
• Cons: Losers

02/14/08

Octopus Salad and Rotisserie Chicken are Great

by bkditk22

My family comes here, or orders out often. Usually we get the chicken which is always amazing, but if we come with friends (and without the kids) I usually get a ceviche and the octopus salad. Both are great and a big difference from much of the cuisine you have at your disposal in Park Slope. This is one of our favorites.

• Pros: Tasty, very tasty
• Cons: Somewhat lack lustre ambiance

09/24/07

Not Worth The One Star!!!!

by dan2013

I have a question....Why such an extreme in reviews? this place is either incredibly bad or incredibly good. Speaking from a neighborhood merchant's point of expierence; you either have be incredibly good at customer service or close your doors for good! Let me tell you my expierence;

The restaurant was half full, so we decided to go in ok alright

#1. when we walked into this place the waiter , the bar tender, just stared at us; no welcome no how many people it was as if it was just "pick a seat any seat".

#2. The waiter seemed pretty cool until we recieved the wrong order dundudndun... he gives us a pork platter when we ordered chicken, this guy stares at me stares at the plate and then stares at me again as if "eat it anyway, food is food". Then he tells me i guess i have to take it back "WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU GUESS".. wrong order take it back.

#3. Well He takes it back and that was the last i saw of my waiter; other people came in he took care of them, Their entrees came before ours even though we were there first. i had to flag down the bus boy to get my order, i had to get up go to the bar to get my drinks. it was my wife's birthday,so i wanted it to be special, especially since being parents of 3 kids time is sacred. (as you parent's know its not easy going out on the spurr of the moment.)

#4.so...... We get our food which wasnt bad. the waiter is stil M.I.A. and most my interaction was with the bus boy, so when it was time for the check the waiter actually padded the bill because he did not kow what we ordered. so a bill was given to us of $210 after much "discussion" the actual bill was $115 a difference of $95! talk about total upset and annoyance!

P.S. the food was good, The service HORRENDOUS! I should have done my research.

In the End We tipped the busboy Handsomely and left a nickel on the table for the waiter.

Remember....Tips are Earned not a privalege.

P.S.S. i was a waiter too. COCO ROCO... YOU BETTER STEP IT UP!!!!!

• Pros: Pretty Good Food Depending on the Day
• Cons: HORRIBLE SERVICE

06/24/07

Awesome tamalito verde, mojitos, jalea real........

by memmy16

Have been to both the Smith St and 5th St locations and both are fantastic. Their fish dishes are great, especially the Jalea Real special - fried fish with other fried seafood. You can get just the fried seafood too which is always on the menu. But the real treat is the Tamalito Verde appetizer - a moist cilantro seasoned and meat filled tamal that is excellent! I like the mojitos as well...Highly Recommended...

• Pros: great food - especially fish, good mojitos too
• Cons: nope

03/30/07

Great brunch spot

by opossumqueen

The food and drinks are great but this is not a place for someone in a rush. I eat brunch at a lot of Park Slope places and this is one of my favorites. There's plenty of room and the music is never too loud so you can actually carry on a conversation. The service can be a bit slow so get someone's attention if you need the check or anything else. The weekend brunch is a great deal-a cocktail (better than most restaurants drinks), unlimited coffee or tea, plus your food for $10 before tax. There are several egg-based dishes, a well-seasoned rotisserie chicken plate, some seafood options and a few others on the brunch list. The few times I've been for dinner, I was not let down. Same great food, just a much larger selection than brunch. I always take guests staying with me here for a good meal.

• Pros: Space, food
• Cons: service

03/21/07

Delicious

by yellowshoes

I usually get myself a roasted half chicken with a side of rice and black beans. Their food is absolutely delicious and there is this really tasty dish that is a whole bunch of seafood with lime/lemon on it. I don't know what it's called but it's totally awesome. Service is decent although I'm usually just happy if they keep my glass of water full throughout my meal. Definitely worth checking out at the very least.