Hennah Z.
Yelp
NOT a good overall experience at this place!!! Stay away!! Sadly, I was tricked into coming to have dinner here after a long day of work because of the high ratings, but that was a realy bad decision. Maybe if you go in the middle of the afternoon with several hours before closing, then the experience will be different, but for a place that forces their mandatory 18% Service charge on every bill, regardless of the service you receive, they should respect the customers enough to give them just as good service, even if you arrive 1 hr and 15 min before the restaurant closes. The lack of service became evident when our waitress (young, dark hair, thick body, dental braces it appeared like), was paying more attention to the gossip with her co-workers, regarding whose boyfriend and girlfriend, was doing this or that, laughing and even eating a little bit. All instead of paying attention to our needs at the table, like wanting another drink, getting the order correct, etc. After asking multiple questions over the menu options, I never heard her confirm what my order was, or even write it down to be certain of what we both wanted. If that would have been done at the beginning, there would have been no mistake. In addition, when I went to the bathroom, there was nothing to dry my hands with and in coming out and informing a male server, he said, "just go into the men's bathroom for some paper". To which I answered, "but the door is closed, and I have no way to get inside". At that momen it was obvious by his facial expression, and that of our server, as well as one other, that I had disturbed their fun moment, and that they were more focused on getting ready to close the restaurant, instead of giving us our 18% mandatory service charge, Service. When the wrong platter/ order showed up in front of me at the table, instead of being understanding with how she might have mistaken the order (after not even writing it down), the server decided to argue with me and ultimately, tell me that the kitchen was closed and that I could not have the dish I wanted anymore. But even so, I rejected the incorrect dish she had brought and was not going to eat a main platter at all. Instead, I received some food through what my friend split with me from their plate. After realizing I was visibly upset, our server went to the back and upon returning, said that they would try to make an exception for me, to prepare my originally ordered plate. But, I rejected her halfway insulting look and offer, since it was obvious that it was only done to get me to be quiet and not make a formal complaint. So, I stayed long enough to keep my friend company, while they finished their meal. But, not before at approximately 15 to 20 minutes before closing, the entire staff made us feel like we were definitely bothering them. There was yelling and extremely loud singing coming from the kitchen area (we were furthest from there next to the door), and it was adopted by those workers in the area behind the counter. Once again, not respecting that there was still one table with customers left in the restaurant. We left, and said thank you, but can guarantee you, we will definitely not make the mistake of ever returning to this place! And, with as small of a world as Miami is, believe me, we will inform as many as will listen, of all the truly fantastic Colombian restaurants that there are in this city and for as many as possible to avoid the Fonda Sabaneta west Flagler restaurant, so they do not have the terrible service we had.