Diego is Open in Carroll Gardens
Pardon Me For Asking reports that the Mexican restaurant Diego, which has been subject to much talk even before its opening date, is now in business. She publishes two love/hate comments, although the hater doesn’t have anything to say about the food itself. So who’s tried it? What do you think? Promising Plans for Union…
Pardon Me For Asking reports that the Mexican restaurant Diego, which has been subject to much talk even before its opening date, is now in business. She publishes two love/hate comments, although the hater doesn’t have anything to say about the food itself. So who’s tried it? What do you think?
Promising Plans for Union Smith Cafe [Brownstoner] GMAP
Unless the food is really good I’ll stick to Calexico Burritos. PS: It was a handwritten sign so I don’t think you could call it a “typo”!
being mexican i hold no hope. sad i would love a mexican restaurant in the hood. but if you say RICE IS DRY AND TASTELESS well…..it is nowhere near being mexican cuisine….not that it was ever expected for great mexican food go to sunset park or the east village and the prices and service will be lovely
“Not knowing the correct name for the street you are on is a bad sign if you want to be a neighborhood joint.”
I believe it’s owned by the same people as Bagels on the Park and Gowanus Yacht Club so it was probably a typo.
Haven’t tried it yet but I was amused to see a temporary “sign” (piece of paper) in the window during renovation that instructed people to enter around the corner on “Union Avenue” Not knowing the correct name for the street you are on is a bad sign if you want to be a neighborhood joint.
If I recall, it looked like a dump before when it was Union Smith Cafe too.
Can’t comment about the food but the exterior looks like a dump. And that light background color they painted the brick is an eyesore. Says to me that they are not respectful neighbors.
It may be opening jitters, but my first experience wasn’t too successful. Which is a shame, I enjoyed Union Cafe.
My friend ordered the half chicken with poblano sauce. It turns out it’s a quarter chicken (says half on the menu), leg and thigh, so no white meat. The chicken was tasty, nice flavoring, set on a huge pile of rice. Sadly the rice was pretty dry and tasteless.
I had cheese enchiladas. I don’t know if I wasn’t paying attention, but they didn’t come with any sides. Maybe rice and beans are a la carte, I didn’t notice, but I just sort of expect something, maybe I’m spoiled. Luckily my friend had way more rice than she could eat so I just stole some of hers, but as commented on earlier, that was sort of a mixed blessing. The enchiladas themselves were a bit over cooked, the cheese was very chewy, but the sauce was tasty.
The pomegranite sangria came in a really small wine glass that was 2/3’s ice, seven bucks a glass, no pitcher option. It was a little watery, so hard to get a really good idea of the taste, but I don’t know if that just a result of all the ice. I’m a cheap date, but I could easily have downed three or four glasses without getting a buzz. This from a guy who can’t handle two beers.
Grade? “D” only because they just opened, otherwise an “F”. I will give it one more shot a month or two from now to see if they get their act together before I write it off.