Cafe Frida

I been there a couple of times, both times I thought the menu is over priced and the portion are to small , I would recomended to anyone and the food is more like texmex than traditional mexican

Posted 03/08/09

I went to Cafe Frida on Saturday with some friends for some quick drinks. I decided try try the sangria (because it's my favorite) and ended up staying for dinner! We figured if the drinks were great so must be the food. The salsas were the best I've ever had. We also had the lobster tacos which were amazing and the chille relleno cheese mixture was to die for. The service was quite good considering how crowded the place was. We ordered not only more sangria after out meal but some margaritas as well. Everything was delicious. We'll definitely be back and I recommend this place to anyone looking for not only some of the best mexican food but great drinks and good service.

Pros: the best lobster tacos and amazing sangria & mjargaritas. great salsas too!

Cons: bar can get crowded but i guess it's because it's worth it!

Posted 04/27/08

Went to the American Museum of Natural History and wanted to have brunch first. This place was a wonderful find. Ordered the guacamole, the fajitas with chicken and steak, the quesadillas with shrimp, and maduros. VERY flavorful and proportioned just right to fill you up but not make you tired. Lots of options for seating (the back room for darker, more intimate dining, the front for sunny open dining. The wait staff was nice and attentive. This was a nice meal to go with the museum excursion.

Pros: Maduros

Cons: drinks had too much ice..I know it's a small detail....

Posted 04/10/08

Doesn't look like a mexican restaurant from the outside, but inside the decor is entirely mexican. Great guacamole and steak fajitas!

Pros: mexican food, decor

Cons: n/a

Posted 06/19/07

My 3 close friends and I wandered in to Cafe Frida the other night. We hadn't originally planned on going there but the restaurant we wanted to try out was closed for a private event. The staff were all very friendly and the place was busy but we got a table almost right away. We shared the guac and then each ordered a salad and a small apetizer (empanadas, etc). It was all very tasty. But the best part was dessert. We had told our server that it was my friend's birthday (expecting them to maybe put a candle in her chocolate cake, or something similar). But they did much more! They turned off the loud salsa music and put a recording of "Happy Birthday" on the sound system while they all came out of the kitchen singing. It was probably one of the most hilarious birthday surprises any of us have had in recent memory. After we finished our yummy desserts, the bar tender gave each of us a special mexican shot on the house in honor of our b-day celebration. What a great time! I highly recommend it, especially for birthdays!

Pros: Fun atmosphere, friendly staff

Cons: A little pricey...

Posted 05/08/07

We were around the area and decided to walk-in after hearing that the food had improved to justify the price after a disappointing visit a few years back. It took a good five minutes to be seated even though there were three open tables that we could see. The waitress was slow getting to us though friendly and helpful with menu questions once we she got there. We didn't fall for the offer for guacamole "while we wait" knowing it was pricey at $11. We were seated next to the door and the draft was really making us quite uncomfortable. Seeing three empty tables around us, we asked the hostess if we could move to the one next to us. She simply stated no since they were expecting a party 15 minutes later and simply walked away without offering us another table, a cup of hot tea or even to move the heater closer to us. We were shocked. The steak a la tampina was good though the chicken fajitas were the same you could find at any Mexican restaurant for much less than the $22. We explained the lower tip based on the bad table and rude hostess to the waitress and to the hostess in front of the manager but though the manager was friendly and did agree that there was a problem with the tables being so close to the door, the hostess simply pushed a business card in front of us and told us to make reservations next time. I could not believe she would actually think there would be a next time.

Pros: steak a la tampina, friendly waitress and manager

Cons: cold tables, rude hostess, slow service

Posted 03/17/07

Went for Friday night dinner. Had reservations and were seated promptly, though even without reservations I don't think the wait would have been more than 10 minutes. The waiter came by quickly with the menus and water (glancing at other tables, their service was quick as well).

Got the fresh guacamole (pricey at $11, but very good, with chunks of perfectly ripened avocado and not overmushed), the carne a la tampique?a which is hard to cook right but they got it, and the salmon that was almost raw enough to be called sushi. The sauce on the salmon was not very strong, although the fish itself was excellent. The chocolate cake dessert was also very good, and its refreshing to see chocolate served spicy and not sweetened, though the portion was a bit on the smaller side. The steak also came with a too small side portion of rice and (very good) black beans.

The only real con I could see was sitting up front. We were originally seated there, but everytime the door opened it got really cold and drafty (snowing outside), even with the space heater next to us. We asked to be moved and were moved quickly to the upstairs alcove where there was no wind.

Pros: Very good food. Best mexican below $50pp I've had in NY.

Cons: a bit on the noisy side. Side portions could be a bit bigger

Posted 03/16/07

My wife and I stopped at Cafe Frida for Sunday brunch on a February weekend. We were promptly seated and found an imaginative menu in front of us. Most of the menu items were above the standard "Mexican" fare. The food was great- rich variety of flavors that blended very well together. One downside was the amount of waiting time for the food to be prepared. Secondly, as the place became more popular closer to lunch time, the breeze from outside made our seats near the window a little chilly. I think this place has turned a corner from the earlier reviews, and I highly recommend this restaurant for anyone wanting affordable, creative menu.

Pros: Menu creativity and variety, good value on a filling brunch

Cons: Cold near the door, long wait time for food

Posted 02/25/07

A friend and I dined at Cafe Frida on a Thursday night. I arrived early and ordered a margharita at the bar, tried to pay with my credit card but the bartender asked, "sorry sir, do you have any cash? i would prefer it." Nice honest employees there.

We were seated promptly at our reservation time and the restaurant seemed to have a nice buzz (so far, so good). After that, everything went downhill. It took five minutes for our menus to arrive and another 10 minutes just to get some drinks ordered. Our waiter only had a few tables but was nowhere to be found for much of the evening. Our entrees toook 20-25 minutes to arrive after ordering them and I had to ask for the food to be cleared when finished. The food was of good quality but unimaginative. The check came (quickly, how amazing...) and I tried to pay with my Amex but was told the restaurant only took Visa/Mastercard. Call me stuffy, but a restaurant that charges $80 for two entrees and a round of drinks should take American Express.

If you're hungry for good Mexican on the UWS, I'd recommend Rosa Mexicana - much better food, service and atmosphere for the same price.

Pros: Good ambiance, prompt seating

Cons: Poor service, mediocre food, poor value for the price

Posted 01/11/07

I read all the reviews and basically expected the waiters and waitresses to beat me up when I entered the restaurant, but the service was actually fabulous. Perhaps the restaurant is making a concerted effort to improve or I just caught them at the right time, but our waiter couldn't have been more attentive - the minute my pomegranate marguerita had just a sip left he was at the table asking if I wanted another (which I definitely did - they were fabulous). We had two or three people different people waiting on us throughout the course of the night and they were all pleasant, courteous and prompt. The food was lovely: homemade guacamole at any mexican restaurant is a must and this one is no exception, homemade tortillas, delicious drinks, etc. I went on a wednesday night so maybe the fri/sat scene is more hectic and the staff is less patient, but I couldn't have been happier with the meal/service. I will definitely return.

Pros: service was great! pleasant low lighting

Cons: nothing...

Posted 10/26/06

This spot is an old reliable for my wife and I since we live a block away. It's always crowded here and service is average at best. The food however is very good and ambiance is nice. Definately worth trying.

Posted 08/11/06

Have been twice (not by choice) and both experiences were extremely negative. First exposure was a Friday night party of 5. Hostess immediately interrogated us about our dinner plans/expectations for dining. As soon as we sit down they are already rushing us out the door, telling us there is a minimum of $20 per person to sit... we were already well over and still ordering. Frustrating! 2nd experience was a saturday, party of 2 at about 5-6pm. Hostess was curt and rude again with a hollier than now pre-madonna attitude. Refused to seat us b/c only party of 2... there were 6 empty tables (seating for 24). The waitress came over took our silverware and menus away and had the hostess storm over and try and escort us to the bar to order. 1 Problem... the bar was full! Idiotic service.

Pros: Location, Atmosphere

Cons: Service, Service/Food, Service/Prices

Posted 06/03/06

I loved this place and would go back again. The food was deliciously fresh. The decor was warm and fun. I'm sorry I didn't get the sangria...it looked fabulous. This would be a great restaurant to go to with a group of friends. It's lively, yet romantic. The appetizers are really tapas sized, but the entrees are plentiful. The dessert was huge too...flaming plaintain...yummy. The quesadia was terrific, my lobster salad was delicious, my boyfriends fajitas were sizzling with flavor. My only complaint would be the service, when we first got there the waiter repeatedly asked for our order, he pushed the guacamole (which never appeared even though we ordered it), but then he disappeared and we kept having to ask the busboys for help. The waiter seemed very overwhelmed and scattered. Even so, it was a very good evening and I'd go back to Cafe Frida again and again.

Pros: food, decor

Cons: service

Posted 01/08/06

They brought my mother a chicken enchiladas instead of cheese and then it took her 10 minutes to explain what the error was to the waiter and bus boy who then finally had to tell the manager who was also confused and my mother is fluent in Spanish. When they finally came they weren't very good she could've gotten better ones at a hole in the wall Mexican place for a third of the price. My entree also fell short grilled King Prawns- they were either not very fresh or over cooked. The corn souffle I had on the side was really good as well as the chips and guacamole we had as an appetizer. I had a pommegranate Margarita which was delicious. The decor of the place is really great I would go back for the drinks, and guacamole with some friends or on a date.

Pros: Decor, Cocktails, Homemade Guacamole

Cons: service, food

Posted 10/20/05

We stumbled upon this place and we're so happy we did! They accomodated us - a group of 9, plus a toddler and a baby asleep in a stroller - in a prompt and friendly manner. The food was great even though it was a little on the pricy side. Definitely recommend the sangria!

Pros: close to museum

Cons: expensive

Posted 10/20/05

The greatest mexican restaurant in New York City with all the flavors you test when visiting Mexico and the service from the moment you step in this colorful restaurant you are greeted by a hostess with a beutiful smile.

Pros: ambience, cuisine, bar

Cons: parking

Posted 06/07/05

We we were greeted by a rude hostess, but I was still willing to give Cafe Frida a chance. She refused to seat us, despite several open tables. We ordered an appetizer at the bar-- two small unflavorful tacos for $10! It was not enough to share. We ordered dinner and again requested to be seated. She said she would seat us only because we were leaving in an hour, despite the open tables. In less than an hour, they cleared our table. They took away our chips and guacamole before we were finished eating. They broke the glass of my friend's drink before she had finished it and didn't offer her another or to take it off the bill. Cafe Frida is NOT worth the money or the headaches! The quality of the food and drinks is average, if that, and the ambiance is forced. What a rip-off!

Pros: location to museum

Cons: expensive, rude

Posted 01/30/05

I was meeting 3 friends on 1/28; I arrived at 6:30 and asked if they could accommodate us (leaving by 8:15) no answer. At 7 we ask for a table (again), they begrudgingly agree, warning us that at 8 they need the table back (Weve already spent $60 - squeezed at bar.) 10 minutes later were seated in the ? empty restaurant.

Another 10 minutes a waiter arrives. I ask for the check at 8:10; they immediately clear our table forks in mid-air; taking unfinished cocktail & breaking glass 5 from my hand! No apologies from the staff 4 giving us rude, unfocused service nor an offer for a complimentary cocktail due to crap service.

I worked on the floor of a restaurant for 2 years and now work for a leading restaurant magazine - this is not how service should flow.

Pros: fresh ingredients

Cons: disorganized service, rude staff, overpriced

Posted 01/30/05

We went to Cafe Frida during Mexican restaurant week as well, they explained to us that the organizers of the so called Mexican week had done a really poor job (we had gone to other Mexican restaurants and we were told the same story). Whoever organized the resaturant week made a mistake with the dates. We stayed and we had a BLAST!, GREAT FOOD, SERVICE and they even gave us a round of driks on the house. We consider is fair to explain this. We are coming back this week end already. Gracias muchos!

Pros: original taste, service, decor

Cons: , crowded always, hard to find parking

Posted 11/10/04

If you are in the mood for Mexican and want to eat on the UWS with friends, great setting and good food. A little pricey, but it is great place.

Posted 02/24/04

We went as a group to celebrate and we had a great time. The big plus for this restaurant is the food - interesting food concept, good flavors, and good food presentations. On the other hand, the cocktail drinks need extra attention and charge a lot for it, waiting service is slow and you still pay for it .
The space is tight, crowded and noisy and not suitable for accomodating large groups of people.

Pros: food, presentation

Cons: , expensive, bad parking

Posted 02/05/04

Just celebrated my b'day there..The best idea ever!
Everybody was just amazing, the guacs were the best and the mojitos better than in Cuba..
Good pices. Love you guys!
We'll be back this week

Pros: Acomodating, good energy, HELPFUL

Cons: A BIT NOISY, PARKING HARD, NOTHING ELSE

Posted 05/20/03

On the 1st true Spring Saturday, we all decided that sitting, drinking margaritas, and eating guac was the best idea. This was the wrong place. After being treated like we were at Nobu by the hostess, our waitress brought us our check before we even asked for it and denied us a 2nd round of drinks because....they had a reservation coming. There were 3 other tables open and they chose to ask us to leave! Talk about uptight! NEVER AGAIN! Ruined a perfect NYC spring day with friends.

Pros: Good Guac

Cons: Uptight Attitude, Terrible Service, Nasty disposition

Posted 04/12/03

Excellent Mexican food--great guacamole, excellent entres--and generous portions too, very friendly and helpful service, great and interesting desserts. Also--a delicious, generous margarita. Would definitely go back!

Posted 03/20/03

I visited this place a few weeks ago w/ a friend and had a great time - good place for conversations with friends, the bartender was really friendly & we ate at the bar - they make the guacamole right in front of you and it tastes great you have to try this place if just for the guacamole and margaritas...

Pros: great guacamole, good margaritas

Cons: could be cheaper...

Posted 03/03/03

Outstanding food at Cafe Frida! If you're looking for elegant true Mexican food, this is the place. This is not Tex-Mex or the American version of Mexican - this is the real deal. The tacos al pastor rival any we've ever had anywhere, and the margaritas are mixed perfectly! Thank you for our short vacation.

Posted 01/14/03

The highlight of my meal here was my ice cold, bottled Pacifico. Cafe Frida is one of the lesser restaurants on the UWS. It tries to be something that it is not. It should stick to the traditional (albeit uninventive) Americanized tex-mex instead of venturing into culinary innovation gone awry. The fish dishes all seem to contain the requisitie fish plus a side of rice and a vegetable (or even fruit). The problem is that none of the flavors are complementary...sliced citrus and tomato sauce? When I told the waitress I wasn't a big fan of corn, she recommended a fish dish that was filled with it. The floor is cold, the seats are uncomfortable and frankly it is not worth the price. Money better spent elsewhere.

Posted 01/03/03

I'd walked by a hundred times, seen the tableside guacamole, and thought, well...the ratings are decent, I guess it's worth a try. But there are a lot of better options in the city (Mexican Radio, Mexicana Mama, Mi Cocina, Alma) and even on the UWS (Calle Ocho).

Service was OK, though a bit disingenuous. The server advised us to get dishes that sounded a bit stretched and turned out to be so. For example: Grapefruit slices on tomato base, Vegetarian enchiladas filled with a pre-fab side dish that turned up on someone else's plate, and bland fish and lamb dishes dressed up with nuevo-latino flourishes.

Overall, the menu is stretched in too many directions and mediocre even at the 15-20 entree price. Spend a few dollars on transportation out of the neighborhood if you want good mexican.

Pros: uncrowded

Cons: menu, value

Posted 01/01/03

A great place to go for a low-key dinner and drinks which promises good quality "contempo" Mexican food, courteous staff, and charming ambience. Not usually crowded on weekdays or weekends. Try the chipotle pork tacos and strawberry margaritas - yum!

Pros: Good quality food, Excellent margaritas, Friendly staff

Cons: A little drafty

Posted 12/19/02

This is one of the best Mexican Restaurants in New York. I am originally from CA and have a hard time coming by something so authentic..Hooray for the Guacamole and the Sangria...

Pros: good atmosphere

Posted 11/14/02

great place to get a yummy meal. was surprised at the quailty of the food in such a small, charming place. great made to order guac! will be back.

Posted 08/07/02