Insider Pages Reviews for YerbaBuena

4 Stars: NYC STAPLE (by niteowl11)

niteowl11 — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:00:00 GMT

The food, service and drinks are simply top-notch. Girlfriend and I started with the Calamari and Ceviche Mixto. Both were extremely tasty and fresh. We then moved on to the suckling pig and braised short ribs. The suckling pig was moist and extremely flavorful (most pork entrees in the city tend to err on the bland-side, but not this dish). The short ribs were fall off the bone-tender with a not-overly sweet marinade. On top of the flavorful fare, the manager was constantly (yet not incessantly) checking up on us to make sure we were taken care of (as he was doing w/the rest of the restaurant). Looking forward to returning and while the menu is diverse, would have a difficult time not ordering the exact same thing given the exceptional quality of our meal. It doesn't get much better than this.

5 Stars: Excellent food, drinks and service (by emb914)

emb914 — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Yerba buena is one of my top 3 favorite restaurants in the city. The food is EXCELLENT. I would recommend ordering several of the appetizers vs. an entree so that you get a taste of everything they have to offer. For 2 people we usually order 6 appetizers as they are small portions. The drinks are dangerously delicious and the atmosphere is fun and lively. The service is ALWAYS excellent and accomodating. Enjoy!

3 Stars: blus clues (by bearea1100)

bearea1100 — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 09:00:00 GMT

to see is to believe great place.. new jobs... and a new place... very rare to see a kind of this place to see

3 Stars: asca (by absda)

absda — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 09:00:00 GMT

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3 Stars: very nice (by helenajutila)

helenajutila — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 09:00:00 GMT

The last time I was there, I was with the husband?s family. It?s always beneficial to go with a large party, because then you can order more dishes and share them all. We definitely took advantage of this, and perhaps went a little overboard.

2 Stars: OVERPRICED!! I miss the old Samba-le (by arturog1111)

arturog1111 — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Went here a few days ago for a party. Food was so-so, very expensive for what they offer. The atmosphere was festive but a bit stodgy. They try too hard to be classy and its AVenue A!!!...not midtown. The problem is that the food is very overpriced and just OK.
For any of you who ever went to the previous restaurant that was here, Samba-le, you will be disappointed. Samba-le was way cheaper, and a lot more fun and yummy!!!
Will not go back. Rather spend my money in places that really deliver an exceptional experience. Yerba Buena does not!!

4 Stars: Gile was here (by bigor)

bigor — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 09:00:00 GMT

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3 Stars: very good (by MisterYo)

MisterYo — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Yerba Buena is a small restuarant just a couple blocks north of Houston on Avenue A. The best feature is the 3 Mexican bartenders who are very good with tasty, creative cocktails. I especially recommend the spicy one made with gin and jalapeno puree. I can't recall the name. Stick with appetizers here. The entrees are very over priced and not all that good. Service is solid, if a little too familiar.

5 Stars: Good stuff (by Squidfm)

Squidfm — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 09:00:00 GMT

I love this place. I eat there everyday, morning, noon, and night. I highly recommend that you stop surfing the internet and go eat at this place right now.

4 Stars: delightful experience! (by MTLVNYC)

MTLVNYC — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 09:00:00 GMT

From the minute I walked in you could smell the delightful fragrance of spices. We were greeted like we were old friends. The service was outstanding but not overdone. The food was just amazing. I've been to a couple of Latin American restaurant and this has to be one of my new favorites. I would recommend Yerba Buena to anyone who is looking for some SPICE in their palate.

3 Stars: Good Cocktails, so so food (by Jackass)

Jackass — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 09:00:00 GMT

4 Stars: very good (by crisabad)

crisabad — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 09:00:00 GMT

great place to have a good dinner with someone special. Desserts are the best I've tasted for a long time

4 Stars: burst with curiosity (by efeefeoglu)

efeefeoglu — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 09:00:00 GMT

i have to try this place. it is now nearby me but i will arrange...........................................................................

4 Stars: Yerba Buena not Yerba Asombrosa (by Lungline)

Lungline — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Even though they did not have the first 2 beers I asked for, I would say it is a good place to try in new york. Food was good and complex, but Barman was not on his "A" game as I felt the drinks were light on alcohol. Service was outstanding and not pushy.

3 Stars: great food (by niiamon)

niiamon — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 09:00:00 GMT

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2 Stars: Eh. (by jemen)

jemen — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 09:00:00 GMT

I've had better chicken and rice at El Sombrero or one of those mexican places on the LES, or Boston Market for that matter. Mojitos were $12 plus tax, which I guess is the norm for a mojito, but they came with a giant massive ice cube in the glass that took up 2/3 of the glass. Felt a bit ripped off. The hostess was pretty hot though.

5 Stars: Always a great experience (by fattyfoody)

fattyfoody — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 09:00:00 GMT

If you haven't been to Yerba Buena you are really missing out on not only a fabulous cocktail menu but great atmosphere and awesome food. I've been many times and have never had a bad experience. To name a few great dishes- fish tacos, arguably the best around, the arepa's always crispy on the outside and perfectly seasoned pork on the inside, arroz con pollo a must have. The staff is always beyond friendly and makes a point to make you feel welcome. Can't forget the cocktails always made to perfection. Pisco Sour is my FAVE! I highly recommend for you to check out this spot!

2 Stars: Bad Service (by canndyyy)

canndyyy — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 09:00:00 GMT

I've had my last straw with this place and will NOT return. The food has always been consistently good, but the service is the lamest in town. Twice now I've left either a very poor or no tip due to absent, indifferent or rude service. This could be a great place if they would ever get their act together on service. Sorry, but I will NOT patronize restaurants where the staff doesn't treat me decently. This town is just too competitive for that.

4 Stars: Great chickens indeed (by Jalog)

Jalog — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Cool. And yum. And stuff. And still some characters to go. Hope this is enough. No it ain't. Testing this Facebook Connect thing, actually. But still: great chicken.

4 Stars: great for date night (by FoodSn0b31)

FoodSn0b31 — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Went to Yerba Buena last night...the service from arrival to departure was very warm & cordial. The vibe is great for a date night or just lowkey dinner with friends. Had the croquettes, empanadas and paella along with the signature desert rose drink..all were tasty esp for the price. Well worth the visit..will def go back!

3 Stars: Not a bad place (by DannyG)

DannyG — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Been here once, good food, good atmosphere. Excellent variety of Latin American food. Would come back if I was in the neighborhood.

5 Stars: Latin food done right (by sprinkles17)

sprinkles17 — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Can't say enough about it. First of all, the restaurant is beautiful with charming details like plush couches and festive flatware. The intimate lighting and quaint atmosphere make it a great date spot. The drinks are divine, especially the pisco sour, which may be my new favorite cocktail. I ordered the paella and it was to die for. The portion was more than generous. The seafood was fresh and plentiful. The rice that accompanied it was seasoned to perfection and complimented the dish perfectly. The churro dessert with chocolate and caramel sauce let me indulge my inner child as I dipped the sugary treats with delight. All in all, my experience at Yerba Buena was great and I plan on becoming a regular!

5 Stars: Impeccable Service, drinks, and food (by wilfordbrimley)

wilfordbrimley — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 09:00:00 GMT

We had a wonderful evening at Yerba Buena. It began with impeccable and warm friendly service. Our waiter recommended drinks to us based on our tastes, and he did not fail in nailing our choices. We opted for small plates so that we could try more items. We had the guacamole (theirs is with chipotle, which added a great smoky flavor) the chips were homemade and had just the right crunch and salt. The manchego and fig empanadas were clean the plate delicious, and also the calamari was flavorful though slightly cool by the time we received it. We had another drink because they were so delicious and the second drinks were just as good as our firsts. The desert we chose was the white and dark chocolate fondue served with chipotle brownies (unbelievable) homemade marshmallow with coconut (like no marshmallow you know) strawberries and bananas. The Maitre D' surprised us with a complimentary glass of very good champagne while we ate our fondue. We felt very taken care of and will definitely return.
The decor and lighting really added to the atmosphere. What a great find!

1 Stars: A note to the bartender: (by kb10)

kb10 — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:00:00 GMT

The menu offers a good variation of Latin American ciusine.

BUT
If this restaurant is going to be known for its "amazing drinks" I suggest they get Peruvian Pisco for their 3 drinks made with Pisco.
I was disappointed to see that the only Pisco they offer is Capel. A Chilean variation of the authentic Pisco. I refuse to pay $12 (or $1 for that matter) for a Pisco sour that tastes like fermented lemonade!

PISCO:
(A Peruvian brandy distilled from grapes.
Named Pisco after the city of Pisco (located in the Ica region of Peru).

5 Stars: Good food; great drinks; even better ambience! (by pie73)

pie73 — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:00:00 GMT

We went there tonight for the first time, yet were treated liked regulars. We had no reservations, but the hostess said we could eat at the bar, and she would let us know if any of the reserved tables didn't turn up. True to her word, 20 minutes later, she said everyone had arrived and there were no free tables... it didn't matter, because we ate at the amply-spaced bar and enjoyed the smashing beverages that were efficiently offered by the bartender (Douglas...?). The food was very tasty and of an adequate proportion: I had the arozo con pollo (spelling?), and it was very good...my only complaint would be that it was a tiny bit oily. My best tip is to try the spinach empanadas, with manchego and figs....fantastic!
The ambience is relaxed and classy... no rush here... slow down, eat well, drink plenty and smile.

5 Stars: Superb Dinks (by excorsist)

excorsist — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Looking for parking took forever but it was worth the effort. There was no table initially so we waited at the bar. We each tried a different drink each one was better than the next....I bartended and these were truly works of art. We also ordered a few appetizers. The Guacamole was incredible. The empanadas were a little dissapointing the chorizo was sharp and tasty. The place is sexi and cool great feel, certainly a great place to go on a date. I do not recomend the shrimp ceviche....it was the only blight on a great experience(overly bland no zest that I was expecting). The waiter knew exactly what he was talking about and took pride in it. He recommended the salmon and made sure that it lived up to my expectation. The place is cozy with with a pretty bathroom even and the owner from Costa Rica thanked us for coming in when we were leaving and made sure we had a positive experience. Will return....and try some more drinks.

5 Stars: Great food, impeccable service, wonderful drinks! (by bodolo)

bodolo — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 09:00:00 GMT

We (mother/daughter from Chicago) just visited NYC and had dinner at Yerba Bueno based strictly upon the rave reviews of CitySearch and Zagat. We were blown away by the fine service and food! While Yerba Bueno is smaller than we anticipated, the decor was classy. Giovanni the host/owner(?) as well as our waiter (sorry, don't remember his name) were wonderful and very attentive. We started with a Mojito (a wonderfully earthy concoction unlike any other Mojito I've tasted) and the Pico Guava martini. Loved these drinks! Then an order of platanos (I believe they were complimentary since we didn't order them) but what a wonderful flavor esp. the accompanying truffle crema sauce. We ordered the shoestring Fries with a sublime chimichurri (a yummy cilantro/herb saltiness). For our entries: Suckling pig (tender with a bit of heat) and the special of the day: a flavorful with a hint of heat seafood stew (tiny calamari rings, clams, shrimp, etc) over rice, followed by a trio of mojito sorbet and tres leches cake. I cannot begin to describe the wonderful flavors of this food. Even more important is the level of service: warm, approachable and impeccable! Giovanni gave us several glasses of complimentary champagne and he and his staff treated two out of town women as if we were really special. I implored Giovanni to open a Yerba Buena restaurant in Chicago! Until then, we will revisit NYC (love your city, by the way) and definitely return to Yerba Buena.

5 Stars: Service,drinks,food and clean (by onlinecline)

onlinecline — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Good service, nice decor, desert rose and hemmingway drinks are worth trying, their backed clams appetizer was delich, ask for more bread to soak up all the flavorable extra sauce. Steak was better that expected. Paella was good.

5 Stars: THE VERY BEST IN NYC!!! (no, really. The BEST) (by BAXnASH)

BAXnASH — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 09:00:00 GMT

We had a rez at 9 and showed up 10 only to be immediatly wisked off to a table that was still waiting for us, dispite the crowded dinning room. We were waited on within minutes and greeted by Giovanni who made sure our table was to our liking. Once getting settled in, we started ordering from the "Classic Bar" and it was just that - CLASSIC. Every drink we ordered was fantastic (I recommend the Dessert Rose or the Pisco Picante as personal favorites). The appetizers were even better (must have hearts of palm fries and ceviche!). By the time we got to our main course, suckling pig and braised short ribs, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. Neither one of us left room for dessert but when our waiter Freddy came by and politely asked if we would like to see the menu, how could we say no? Again, even the desserts were nothing short of amazing. By the time we left (3 hours later) we were fat, happy and feeling like part of the Yerba Buena family thanks to the attentive, friendly staff and fabulous menu! It's now our go to place when anyone asks, "Where should we go to dinner?" Thank you so much!!!!

5 Stars: Try the Desert Rose! (cocktail) (by cceemm37)

cceemm37 — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 09:00:00 GMT

My first time to Yerba Buena left a great impression and I will return. Our group consisted of 6 lovely ladies and 3 gentleman. When the first two of us arrived we were asked to wait at the bar where the bar tender was quick, pleasant and most importantly, mixed excellent concoctions (try the desert rose or pisco guava). Once 6 of our 8 had arrived, we were seated (bonus treatment in nyc!). The staff including the manager were all very attentive and made for a nice experience. The appetizers were delicious, although definitely meant for 1 possibly 2 people. The main course was wonderful! Many of us tried the malbec beef short ribs - not to be disappointed. They were delicious. Although full, we tried a yummy chocolate cake and fondue so as not to miss out on anything. Enjoy yourself in this great LES find.

5 Stars: Outstanding Service, delicious authentic Latin American dishes. (by triguyfl)

triguyfl — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 09:00:00 GMT

After reading the great review about Yerba Buena in New York Magazine's "restaurant insider", I decided to give it a try and take my fiancee to a romantic dinner. My first impression was the genuine friendliness of the staff that greeted us and took us to our table, which was directly in front of the kitchen, which were covered by half opened blinds which gave you a great view of the kitchen team and executive chef in action. Out waiter, Freddie(sp?), was one of the better server's we've had in the city and was very knowledgeable and attentive. We ordered the guacamole appetizer to start, with chipotle and other seasonings adding to the flavor which was a different twist on the traditional dip. We then ordered the grouper taco and calamari, which were both incredible. I had the arroz con pollo and it too was incredible. This restaurant was a pleasant suprise to both of us and we will both be back and would highly recommend to our friends. Giovanni, the owner/manager, stopped by our table several times to check in and see how our dinner and experience was. Great food, great service, great environment.

5 Stars: Amazing food, great cocktails and spectacular service. (by noords)

noords — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 09:00:00 GMT

I have rarely been more impressed by a restaurant. I was also very surprised to be that impressed. I had just picked this restaurant blindly, largely based on reviews here and the desire to try something new. When we first set foot in the restaurant, we were a little unsure if this was going to be a good scene for us as there were some loud and annoying sorority girls at the bar. But once we settled in and the hostess accommodated us by getting us a quiet and comfortable seat we were extremely comfortable and pleased.

Our waiter as well as the owner/manager were very knowledgeable and made us feel right at home. The appetizers, ox tail special, and various sides were spectacular as well as the wines we chose. They were happy to let my wife try a couple of wines so she could make an informed choice and even surprised us with a wonderful dessert wine after dinner. All the while checking in on us regularly to make sure everything was to our satisfaction.

It is wonderful to go to a new york city restaurant where the staff actually cares that you are enjoying the food as well as your dining experience.

One small note, the climate control seems to be a little off and some corners of the place are very warm. That should be easy to fix, and it still beats those freezing overly air conditioned places.

4 Stars: Lively place and good food (by anelis8)

anelis8 — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 09:00:00 GMT

We went there for a friend's birthday party last month and the food was pretty good. The flavor was excellent. I had the pulled pork and my friends had the ribs which were so soft and tender and juicy. The staff was friendly and accomodating and we had a great time. The manager even gave us a free bottle of champagne for my friend's birthday. Giovanni was absolutely charming and went out of his way to welcome us to the restaurant. I would def go back and try their other dishes. One small complaint is that we had the yellow tail app, and the portion was sooo small. Other items had better portion sizes though so it made up for this one dish. A good place overall and lots of fun.

2 Stars: Go only for the marvelous cocktails (by diesahne)

diesahne — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 09:00:00 GMT

I would give five stars for the cocktails, especially the Desert Rose and Hemingway. But the food is sub-par. The cooking needs to be improved drastically to keep up with the truly excellent drinks. Very professional and pleasant service. Festive atmosphere but extremely noisy. I would only go back for the drinks.

5 Stars: Intimate setting, great service (by kjes)

kjes — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Yerba Buena is a fantastic find. My husband and I just had dinner here and everything was fantastic. From the guacamole to the emanadas, every dish was full of flavor, each ingredient fresher than the next. The calamari tacos were amazing and the fondue was a delicious finish. Our server was attentive without being over-bearing and the owner (we think) was present and thankful for our patronage. Overall, a fantastic dining experiece. The only drawback was that my husband was a little hot. Perhaps it's time to turn up the AC in this HOT new find!

5 Stars: This place is......................... (by DavidCardona)

DavidCardona — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 09:00:00 GMT

This place is amazing. The food is amazing. The atmosphere is relaxing. The service is top notch. Giovanny and his staff made us feel at home. If you go you need to try the mojito and the tres leches. Visions of Puerto Rico if you know about that. I will definitely return.

4 Stars: Terrific Experience (by mcd1966)

mcd1966 — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:00:00 GMT

We met friends at Yerba Buena based on previous reviews that we read. We were not disappointed. The drinks and food were terrific, but what most impressed us was the service. The staff was not only attentive, but well informed and friendly. It truly felt like they wanted us to have a great experience. We will definitely return.

5 Stars: It would be hard not to love this place! (by Baboca)

Baboca — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:00:00 GMT

The ambience is beautiful, the hostess friendly, the bartender smiles and makes the most unbelievable drinks even without alcohol if desired, the servers are polite, cute and knowledgeable about the entire menu and attentive, the manager is chatty and it's almost like his "casa" is "tu casa" The food is not only delicious, but also presented in a beautiful way. The ceviche yummy, the guacamole to die for (I would have had it as a main course), the seafood platter amazing. I am not a meat-eater, but the suckling pig and the steak I was told were also great. Oh and the complimentary champagne was just over the top. It's just one of those places that you get a good vibe being there from the moment you enter. We will definitely be back!

5 Stars: Great all round dining experience! (by Rin4)

Rin4 — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:00:00 GMT

We went to Yerba Buena thinking we were going to Samba-Le which we are guessing no longer exists. What a wonderful surprise!! This restaurant is a real gem! The decor is spot on.. its clean without looking sterile and is wonderfully comfortable and full of latin soul! The food was great! We can recommend the empanadas to start and if you want a really decent sized appetizer go for the calamari! Both of our mains were great! I had the steak which was pretty much as good as you get at Les Halles! My fiance loved his seafood dish too (I'm not much of a seafood eater so can't comment as enthusiastically - sorry!). We also ordered a side of Palmito Fries. YOU MUST TRY THEM! They were superb! I love palmito and eat it all the time so I was a little apprehensive about trying it breaded and fried.. but oh my gosh.. it was so delicious!
They only disappointment (and it wasn't really) was that the caipirinhas were shaken not muddled.. but seriously this was nothing to worry about and the decent amount of cachaca in the drink more than made up for it!
The only thing better than the food at Yerba Buena was the staff. Everyone was so friendly! The place is run really professionally but at the same time they have managed to create a slick relaxed atmosphere! The service was attentive without being annoying and the wait staff etc were chatty without being intrusive. We had a really great night! Yay!

5 Stars: Culinary experience. Real excellent cocktails. (by NYCga)

NYCga — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 09:00:00 GMT

I must start off my by saying that I'm Cuban and, according to my friends, I'm an excellent cook. I grew up eating my grandmother's papa rellena, maduros, tostones, yuca, picadillo, the list goes on. Eating at Yerba Buena was like revisiting my childhood but with a more sophisticated pallate and a deeper appreciation for quality ingredients and complexities of taste. Their papa rellena easily competes with my mother's yet they pair it with the most delectable truffle sauce. In short, go here for the food!
Also, the cocktails are made fesh and are pleasantly balanced. My Poquito Picante was alive and refreshing... just what i needed after a long humid day. Lastly, the manager, Giovanni Campos, greeted me and my date at our table and probably due to my accent/appearance struck up conversation with me about my heritage, etc. He was very friendly and i especially appreciated how he then proceeded to make my anglo boyfriend feel welcome... haha!

5 Stars: Fantastic dining experience! (by spatelcm)

spatelcm — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Reading the other reviews, I wondered how so many people consistently gave Yerba Buena glowing comments. Went there last night and found out why. The staff was amazingly attentive and courteous, the food was bursting with flavor and the ambience was perfect for a quiet night out. Beginning with the guacamole and ending with the Mexican chocolate cake, our experience here ranked with the likes of Union Sq Cafe and Gramercy Tavern. All of the characteristics of a high-end NYC restaurant without any of the pretenses whatesoever.

5 Stars: Great Food.Great Service. Great Atmosphere (by pratt71)

pratt71 — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 09:00:00 GMT

I have nothing but good things to say about Yerba Buena. The food was excellent - by far the best Guac that I have ever had in my life. Not to mention the mojitos, cerviche, suckling pig and dessert. The staff is nice and accomodating and the manager gave my husband and I an free after dinner drink on the house... perfect evening. Bring your appetite.

5 Stars: One of the best cocktail in NYC (by davidlindo122)

davidlindo122 — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:00:00 GMT

They really have the best cocktail...and I have been to Pegu, PDT, Little branch, Death & Co and milk & honey. The bartenders really know what they re doing. The Pisco matte was out of this world so was poquito picante they are not in the menu but if u ask the bartenders they will make it. I asked them to make me anything and try these two...As for the food I only had some appetizers, guacamole, fish tacos & papas which were very well done. I ll defenetly be back soon!

5 Stars: You must try this place - GO NOW!!! (by OscarParents)

OscarParents — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 09:00:00 GMT

We went for the 1st time last night & vowed to keep going back until we've tried everything on the menu.
Just can't say enough wonderful things about the delectable & inventive cuisine, cool & elegant decor, gracious & considerate service, serene & funky ambiance, upbeat & lively music & TO-DIE-FOR COCKTAILS!
Everything was just perfect!!! We felt like we were transported out of the East Village upon entering.
Hands-down THE BEST MOJITOS we can ever remember.
Go there before the scaffolding comes down & the crass non-locals start swarming this brilliant new addition to our neighborhood!

THANK YOU GIOVANNY ;)~ Oscar's Parents

5 Stars: Amazing and maybe my new favorite restaurant in New York (by ympz79)

ympz79 — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 09:00:00 GMT

After reading a blurb in New York Magazine, I decided to make reservations at YerbaBuena for a Friday night dinner with a friend. In the three years that I have lived in New York, I have never been so pleasantly surprised by a restaurant. Not only did they have amazing food (we started with the papas rellenas and a special chilled watermelon and avocado soup, I had the lechon, which, even to my extremely high Cuban standards, was exquisite and we ended with an order of churros for dessert) and cocktails (the cucumber cilantro jalapeno gin martini-esque cocktail sounded horrifying at first but was hands down the most delicious cocktail Ive ever tasted - and I've tasted my fair share of cocktails), but the service was impeccable and Giovanni, the manager, was an absolute delight. I would highly recommend YerbaBuena to just about anyone and can't wait to go back myself.

5 Stars: A great new restaurant! (by ajd016)

ajd016 — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 09:00:00 GMT

This is a new restaurant on the LES that opened about a month ago. In that short span of time, my husband and I liked Yerba Buena enough to visit twice. Great atmosphere, Latin food and drinks at a reasonable price and the service is top notch.

On our first visit, we actually had reservations at another restaurant, and by chance, happened to look in. Giovanni, the extremely outgoing manager, welcomed us and invited us to look around. We decided to stay for dinner, and were treated to excellent service, wonderful food, and a couple of drinks on the house. The ceviche is excellent, as was the lomo saltado, rabbit, and especially, the tres leches coconut cake! The bartender is a master and the cocktail menu is varied and fun.

We returned 2 weeks later with friends for my birthday dinner, and my husband had arranged with Giovanni in advance to make me a tres leches birthday cake. It was fantastic and we had a great time. We laugh that we could have saved big $$$$ if we had just gotten a tres leches wedding cake from Giovanni! Again, the service was wonderful.

We will be back!

5 Stars: Great Food, Great Service, Great Ambience... (by SCNP)

SCNP — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Loved this place. Was quite surprised to realize was only open for two weeks prior to my visit. Went on a Sunday evening. Was impressed with the decor. The Yerba Mojito is really quite good--made with sugar from Mauritius(?). Tried a bunch (i) Guacamole, (ii) Picada--really loved the fried yucca in this sampler! (iii) short ribs, and (iv) lechon--fried pork (my favorite) with a yummy yucca puree! Giovanni topped the delicious dinner off by bringing a few glasses of wine and churros with dulce de leche and chocolate dipping sauce. The food was quite "chic", but still retained authentic cuban elements- spicy and flavorful! The drinks, specifically mojito were excellent. The small place makes it feel quite comfy (keep in mind that wasn't very full when we were there). You should definitely try this place!

5 Stars: Great Newcomer! (by BlueCorner)

BlueCorner — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Stopped in with a girlfriend on a Sunday afternoon for drinks and appetizers and wow! We ended up working our way through a good portion of the menu. Everything was amazing- mojitos were perfect (trust- we've tried them everywhere), hearts-of-palm fries were unbelievable, meats were savory! Only dish I had issue with was the guac- bit salty for my tastes, but that did not prevent us from cleaning the plate- haha. Staff and owner were gracious and quite attentive- chatted between our many dishes and toasted with the owner who opened a bottle of his favorite moscato wine to accompany perfectly crisp homemade churros with chocolate and dulce de leche that he sent from the kitchen for no particular reason! So warm and inviting- just need a few more people next time so we can order more off the menu!

5 Stars: Great Service and atmosphere (by nybabe12)

nybabe12 — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Came here with a few girlfriends and we were really impressed with the very attentive service and relaxed atmosphere. The drinks and ceviche were really delicious. Some of the dishes were a bit too spicy for me, but everything was tasty and beautifully presented. A great place for a date or to have a drink and a bite at the bar.

5 Stars: Great Food, Service, and Atmosphere (by bkt2)

bkt2 — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 09:00:00 GMT

I brought a date to Yerba Buena Sunday night. We were both extremely impressed with the restaurant. The decor and atmosphere are great. We ordered a few small plates, an entree, and a few cocktails, all of which were excellent. The prices were very reasonable for the quality of the food. The owner Giovanny made rounds to all the tables asking the guests how their meal was and if there was anything he could do for them. He even sat with us for a time letting us brush up on our spanish with him.
The cocktail list was impressive, I would recommend the mojito, which they are known for. I will definitely be going back again.