Pomaire

It was my first time eating Chilean food and it the food was real good. The beef empanad with the salsa that the restaurant makes is delish. My only issue with the place was that they took forever to take our order. Twice we ordered wine and they forgot to bring it to us. They tend to forget about you. Which get a little annoying after a while.

Pros: Good Food nice ambiance

Cons: The wait staff forgets about you

Posted 11/05/09

walking in restaurant row,
i stop by this enchanting restaurant and i felt under the spell of wonderful flavors,
the best of chileans wines and the most friendly staff,
the prices were just ok,but seriously,worth it...
i can't wait to go again...

Posted 09/04/08

Chilean food is great, so it is particularly sad that this place is so bad. It is WAY overpriced (expect $60 per person at the very least without drinks). The food is good but definitely NOT that good, so you should really avoid this place. It seems most people already do, for the place was almost empty the whole evening. The service is awful. The waiter was obviously too concerned about the check and the upcoming tip to be really nice and helpful (the kind of guy that will always suggest the most expensive food, etc) and he was constantly trying to make us buy more stuff (another drink? another bottle of wine? a salad with your entree? etc.) Not worth the money at all. For $70+ per person there are tons of better places in NY.

Pros: Chilean food

Cons: Price, service

Posted 03/02/08

I only discovered this place recently while searching for someplace different and unique to take my date after seeing a play. I had read other reviews that called it overpriced, and that back in its hey day it offered much better food at a much better price. The food was terrific, it really was, both me and my date were pleased with the portions, the flavor, the seasoning, and the care that went into our meal. The ceviche is a prize, and the wine list was superlative. Our waiter was super knowledgeable and very friendly

So what is wrong you ask? The one part I can whole heartedly agree with is the overpriced part, way over priced. Considering there are so many places to eat along 46th street near 9ave and they are all competing with each other, you would think a very wise thing to do would be to make your menu, as good as the food is, more affordable for the after theater crowd. The best places in New York that are packed night after night and have meals that are affordable but with an atmoshere that says relaxed yet sophisticated. When we entered the place was nearly empty accept for one another couple. That should not happen on a friday night, especially when you are one of the few if not the only chilean place in town, you should have people lined up outside to get in.

Overall, there are much better places in the city to have a first class meal, at a much lower price theshhold. Pio Pio has become one my favorites, along with a few others.

Only try this place if you really want something different, or if its a really special occasion and you are willing to shell out for it.

Pros: incredible food, great wine, smart friendly wait staff, very romantic.

Cons: way way over priced for the area it is in.

Posted 02/22/08

We had dinner at Pomaire last weekend with our college age niece, who had spent a semester in Chile and was anxious for us to taste the native cuisine. She loved Pomaire; the rest of us...not quite so much.
The restaurant has a nice feel; it is bright and cozy, and the owners/waiters are mostly friendly and accomodating.
The empenadas were fantastic, as was the corn topped casserole (pastel de choclo) ordered by the niece. The sangria was good, though my husband's glass had more fruit than wine. The fava bean salad and the tomato salad were fairly tasty, but with similar vinegarette dressings, not overly exciting. The dish which I was most excited about, the Pulmay, a seafood stew with clams, mussels, pork, chicken and potatoes was actually the most disappointing. It sounded delicious, but it just didn't quite come together the way I had hoped. The broth was tasty, but the shellfish seemed a bit overcooked, the potatoes a bit undercooked, and the pork was a chunk of pork fat (maybe I should have known, as the menu says, "smoked pork"?).
We split three appetizers, two salads, two entrees, two desserts and 4 drinks between the 4 of us and the bill was approximately $165 (before tip), a bit more than I expected from a restaurant that says in its menu that it is one of the best values (in the theater district?)

Pros: ambience

Cons: expensive

Posted 01/01/08

We got there and while the place is small, it's beautifully decorated and has a wonderful warm ambiance. The staff, espescially the manager, was so helpful and knowledgable and made you feel welcome. He even gave us (party of 5) some of their signature wine at the end of our meal, free. And while the food was tasty and unique, I find that the price for the dishes were a bit much. For example, I had the seafood soup and it was 30 dollars! For a little bowl of soup? That had a couple of shrimps and clams?? It was delicious, sure, but even though everyone at my table found the food to be yummy, they didnt recieve nearly as much as they were paying and were left wanting at the end of the meal. Great place, but if I'm going to be paying so much for a dish I should get my money's worth.:-(

Pros: Beautiful spot, nice wine selection, awesome sangria, food ok too

Cons: expensive!!!

Posted 12/12/07

I love this restaurant and will go out of my way to eat there. First is the food - it's delicious and very well prepared. I was thinking about what we ate there days afterwards. What we ordered: ceviche, empanadas (which were very fancy...for empanadas), steak (done perfectly), and seafood casserole (the best dish, i thought). Second is the wine - WOW! We're not wine freaks, but the vino they had there was amazing. Third is the service - really nice, really prompt. Fourth is the decor - not foo foo, very folk-artsy, but very classy. Wish we got dessert, but we were way too stuffed. Oh, and the little bread things they served before the meal were good, too.

Pros: Food is memorably great, great service, great ambiance, great wine

Cons: Not really a con, but the seat-backs tip you towards the table...to encourange more eating?

Posted 11/17/06

The food is fantastic and if you have any questions at all about Chilean cuisine the wait staff is very knowledgable without being condisending.

Pros: Ambience, Service, Food

Cons: Parking

Posted 11/01/06

We were great fans of Pomaire for many years, most of all because their special atmosphere brought us a little bit of our heart from Chile, especially for their great ethnic food and very reasonable average prices they used to have in the past. However lately their food and service are changing drastically. The quality of the food is not the same, I will say less than mediocre, the portions are shrinking drastically, the size of the entrees are like little tapas and the prices are highly high for what they are offering. If we talk about meal size, they look more like kids menu. But the prices are ridiculous outrages!!!
We will stop going because we were disappointed for many things we didnt like it in the last couple of years, but like everything in life we want to believe that maybe was just a bad day. Unfortunately there were many bad days and this past month of October, 2006 was the one that got on the top of our patience, and Im sure it will be the last time at Pomaire after the service and poor food we experienced. We returned an entree that we didnt like it, and they didnt have the courtesy to apologize and offer something else instead. And they even charged us the food that we returned. That was a shame! We are completely disappointed as Many of our friends that feel the same of us, and they do not going back to Pomaire any more for the same reason that we mention above.

Pros: ambience

Cons: prices and quality of food

Posted 10/27/06

Pomaire is a hidden gem in the theater district/restaurant row (often crowded with Italian restaurants) and perhaps the only or one of the few places specializing in both traditional and nouveau Chilean in NYC. Chilean food is not as spicy (which we like) as other Latin American fare but Pomaire's cuisine is always tasty and hearty. The Congrio, is a personal favorite, a white fish often topped with creamy sauce. Other dishes I've tried are the Chicken soup with vegetables, Paella Chilean style and the spiced pork. Finish these off with either a crisp Chilean Sauvignon Blanc or a fragrant Malbec. The deserts are delicious too! The wait staff is friendly and the owner knows and enjoys great food and wine (it shows when he doesn't neccessarily suggest the most expensive wine on the list). The restaurant itself is rustic and feels homey and art by local/Chilean artists often adorn its walls. Places like Pomaire are getting rare in NYC where restaurants tend to be treated more as a "place to be seen" and offer great "people/celebrity/starved model-watching" but not much else. You are, after all, there to EAT!

Pros: Hearty food. Friendly staff. Cozy setting.

Posted 10/18/06

Recommended by a coworker, I took visiting cousin and girlfriend to Pomaire for the prix-fix dinner. We all enjoyed the ambience and dishes. The butternut squash cappucino is superb.

Pros: ambience, staff, food

Cons: can't think of one yet cuz so far so good

Posted 08/25/06

A last minute dinner plan with a co-worker had us ending up at Pomaire by simply walking down 46th Street. I should have recognized that this place was a gem by the kind gentleman outside in front and his inviting demeanor to dine at Pomaire. Once we walked in, the decor and atmosphere made you feel as if you had traveled far away from the chaos of Times Square just a few blocks away. The food, menu and the native salsa was just lovely and the outstanding service made this a truly a wonderful dining experience. Definitely a keeper and next time I'm leaving the car and taking the train so I can try the tempting native Chilean cocktails!

Posted 06/27/06

excellent service,great atmosfer,a large wine list,and the MOJITO was incredible,all the people was very friendly,and the bathroom was very clean,and the bar is very home style,i had the chilean see bas was fantastic,and the dessert also(mil hojas and merenge lucume)and the camomilla licor was amazing,they give you time for order,but the service was good and fast,i loved...

Pros: fantastic MOJITOS....THE BEST

Posted 06/18/06

Excellent choice, for pre-theater or whenever. Menu concentrates on seafood and the kitchen delivers every time. Chilean food is mild (nothing to do with chiles) but full of natural flavors. Portions are Euro-sized, which makes for guiltless dining. The wine list is impressive. Check out the "wine of the week" and/or follow the advice of the owner/manager. He's passionate about the wines of his country, will gladly allow tastings and seldom pours a bad drop. The intimate atmosphere, restrained decor and quietly efficient staff are added pros. Well done, Pomaire!

Pros: food, wine, service

Cons: none

Posted 06/05/06

I went to pomaire with a friend to get some insight into a upcoming trip to chile that my friend was leaving for. Was I ever happy I decided to go! This place should be a model for other establishments in NYC!!! The staff was friendly,and attentive but not breathing down your back at the same time. The owner was happy to explain to us the menu and recommend dishes for us to try. I had a fish entree that was superb, my friend enjoyed a wonderful steak. The owner was delighted to hear about the trip to chile and exchanged email info with my friend. Turns out that he was going to be in Chile with his family at the same time and offered to be a reference in Santiago. This place is now in my regular rotation of top spots in NYC. PS. the chamomille liquer was excellent

Pros: food, service, ambiance

Cons: standard NYC prices

Posted 03/04/06

We were super excited to try Pomaire on a rainy afternoon in the city, now I wish we would've just stayed in. When we got there, we were ignored by the female hostess who was too busy talking on the phone (she remained on the phone for the next hour!). Not only did we have to wait about 20 minutes for the waiter to take our orders, we watched the woman at the other table get up to ask for the check and personally take it up to the babbling hostess; she looked thoroughly irritated. When we finally got our food, it was just OK. I had the seafood gratin which, after watching Dr. 90210 before coming to the restaurant, was a bad idea (think lipo and lard). My boyfriend had the chicken which was bland and dry. Because of the bad service and mediocre food...we'll never go back again.

Pros: Ambience, Great decor

Cons: Bad service, Unattentive staff, Overpriced

Posted 01/11/06

At Pomaire, you can get authentic Chilean food such as baked empanadas, Chilean salad (tomatoes & onions), lucuma merengue, suspiro del poeta (with papayas instead of peaches), and many others. Of course, there is always pisco sour. Yum. Overall, great place to get tasty Chilean food. Many of the main courses are a bit more flavorful than you'd usually find in Chile. (Spices on Chilean food? Since when?) But it is all tasty, and the servers and owner are very friendly. If you mention interest in Chile, the owner will happily fill you in (at *great* length), as will all Chileans! Be warned! :)

Pros: Tasty food, Authentic, Warm atmosphere

Posted 10/14/05

The owner is charming - when he found that my dinner companion had been to Chile, he lavished us with attention. They will offer a pre-theater prix fixe meal, but only reluctantly. We instead ordered entrees only and they were huge portions; congria (one of the fresh fish of the day) and the Chilean meat pie. Both wonderfully prepared with unusual flavors. There was also a unique salsa on the table, as well as really good rolls served with the dinner. We had such a good time that we returned two nights later just for dessert (Lucuma meringue cake - - very light and unique) and an after-dinner drink. I wish I could visit NYC more often just to eat here !

Pros: Service, Unusual Dishes, Ambience

Cons: None

Posted 07/17/05

Unique ,exceptional cuisine ,atmosphere like and old fashion tabern with ambiance ,excellent option in the theather district , they served traditional drinks, pisco souer a drink made from a Chilean brandy and lemon juice,scallops served with cheese and the fish taste fresh as in the Pacific

Pros: excellent food , good value, homestyle

Posted 06/07/05

Awesome place. Good food, excellent service.
Try out the "Pisci sour", the Chilean national drink.
Corn Tamale is amazing. We ordered a second round of it. Will defintely visit again.Street parking.

Pros: Great food

Posted 02/04/05

Great food, fantastic service and amazing wines (this Casa Lapostolle Syrah Cuvee Alexander was exceptional). I will definitely come back.

Pros: friendly staff, setting, chilean wines

Posted 09/25/04

If only every restaurant were like this: simple, elegant, warm. The staff couldn't have been better. They were charming, knowlegable and made excellent suggestions without being pushy. The food was remarkable for its simplistic perfection. The seafood au gratin was to die for: a souffle-light dream of a dish. I cannot recommend Pomaire too highly.

Pros: Service, Food

Posted 08/02/04

While the seating is a bit cramped the atmosphere and friendly, prompt service made up for it. We had a pleasant leisurely dinner but certainly could have made the time pass more quickly if we so desired. The appetizer and salad we chose were good - not great. BUT the 2 main course fish dishes were exceptional - nicely presented, generously portioned, and delicious. We went with recommendations of the staff and they did not steer us wrong. If we lived in the neighborhood (we don't) this would be a regular on our eating out schedule.

Posted 05/14/04

This is such a great restaurant. It is very cozy and the food is delicious and very authentic. Everything is fresh and tastes home cooked. The Chilean wine list is also very good. The owner, who has greeted us at the door every time, is extremely warm and gracious and seems to take enourmous pride in what he does. He took the time to explain each dish to us and gave us some great recommendations. Definetely try the "Empanada al Horno" (meat turnover/pie), Humitas (fresh corn tamale), the salads, and "Pastel de Choclo". For something more familiar to the palate, the roasted chicken with potatoes is amazing. Chilean food is not fancy (ie: no bordelaise sauces or creme brulee) but it is very hearty and delicious. It is definetely worth a try.

Pros: Good food, Cozy Atmosphere, Friendly staff

Posted 03/04/04

This restaurant is a great Chilean Restaurant. I'm chilean and this is the only chilean restaurant in New York City that I know about. The food is excellent and the service is great! It is small but cozy and romantic. The drinks are also great. I recommend trying the Pisco Sour. The only downfall is that this restaurant can be a little pricey.
If you want a taste of Chile, have money, and feel like getting a little ethnic, come on down.

Pros: Excellent Food , Excellent Service, Great Pisco Sour

Cons: Small , Pricey

Posted 10/20/03

We found Pomaire to be an excellent place to eat. My fiancee's mother is from Chile and she was so excited because the food was just like her mother makes. I recommend trying an empanada as an appetizer, and the Sangria was very good also.

Pros: Food, Service

Cons: Small

Posted 03/23/03