Janet V.
Yelp
I was really excited to check out Santa Diabla when I saw Hialeahlove1925 post about its soft opening on Instagram, and especially excited by the fact that Miami Lakes was going to have its own posh speakeasy. Considering that a reservation on Tock is required, including a $25 deposit per person, I had really high hopes for this place, especially since Chela's has a great ambiance, food, and drink menu (in case you didn't figure it out from the other reviews, this speakeasy is located in the back of Chela's).
I had a friend that wanted to join my reservation, but there was no way to get in contact with anyone directly regarding reservations for Santa Diabla to be able to add another member to my party, so that was the first point of frustration (she ended up booking a later reservation and just showed up and joined us). When my friend and I got to the "hidden" entrance to the Speakeasy (it's a door near the back dumpster, marked by a barrel), we rang the doorbell and waited about 15 minutes before we decided to enter through the front of the restaurant and explain to the Chela's hostess what we were there for. So that part of the speakeasy experience was already ruined. Once we were inside the speakeasy, the staff just said they misplaced the gadget that shows them that the doorbell is being rung.
Once we were taken to the back and seated at the bar, there was a very loud and rambunctious party that kept bumping into me and my friend. It didn't seem appropriate behavior for a speakeasy. Despite the loud party that was going on, they eventually left and my friend and I were able to order our drinks and hear the chill music they had playing. Unfortunately, shortly after that large party left, they changed the playlist to more contemporary pop music, including Taylor Swift. Didn't really suit the vibe of an "elevated social club."
When we went, it was shortly before they officially launched their Grinch themed menu, but there were already decorations and holiday lights hung up, which were a cute touch.
The drinks themselves were decent. The presentation is absolutely top notch and absolutely picture-worthy, but I was disappointed that the bar staff was not a mixologist (just assuming). I definitely expected more room for craft and creativity from a speakeasy concept (that, again, required a $25 deposit), so perhaps I just had my expectations too high. I had the Diabla Star Martini that was served on a gorgeous platter, but it was just okay. All the flavors just kind of muddled together. I also ordered the old fashioned, and it was a pretty solid drink.
My friends and I also ordered from the food menu. We had the jamon Iberico croquettas that were overpowered by the bed of tomato sauce that they were served on, but the small $25 charcuterie board was perfect for the 3 of us and the bartender brought us more bread upon request, so that was great and really appreciated! The charcuterie board had great variety and the biggest, most beautiful grapes I've ever seen.
Overall, I feel like Santa Diabla has a LOT of potential, but at the present moment, I feel like it's not at a place to be requiring reservations and deposits on Tock. The presentation of their expansive martini menu is absolutely stunning, but it would be great to have mixologists that can craft delicious deviations as well. From not being attended to at the "secret door" from the time of our reservation, not being able to contact anyone regarding reservations, to the bar staff's inability to offer (additional) creativity on drinks, it really felt like the customer experience part is lacking. I feel like attention to details like that from an "exclusive" establishment are what really set places apart.
Until they give the customer experience an overhaul, I definitely recommend to save yourself the disappoint and just walk to the front of the building (or through the curtain) and grab a seat at Chela's instead.
