Toloache Restaurant: Great Food, Delicious Drinks, & Why I’ll Never Return

Last night was Date Night for my husband and I. As most couples with kids, we were so excited to be out alone, just the two of us, that I had a smile all day in anticipation.

The evening started fabulously with us going to see the production of Lombardi and we decided to follow it up with a nice dinner right up the block from the theater on 50th St. We chose Toloache because I had been there last year for an event with San Antonio Tourism, and what they served during the event, both in drinks and food, was so fabulous, I wanted to check out what a private meal would be like.

We walked in with no reservations, and were seated right away, in a cozy corner spot where I had nice view of the beautiful tile mural that is the centerpiece of the restaurant’s Mexican art theme. There were two empty tables next to us, but in our little corner it was just us. I forgot my camera at home (gasp!!) so was left with just our iPhones to capture the moment. I tried to capture, as best I could, the decorative details of the restaurant, all reminiscent of Mexico artistic folklore.

We had just ordered our drinks and were holding hands and exchange romantic words, when a staff member, maybe manager, came and asked if we would move. I couldn’t really hear what he was saying, something like, “We think you would be more comfortable over here.” I looked and it was a larger table, against the wall, nestled between two other couples who were dining.

“No, thank you.” I smiled and got ready to proceed with the romantic moment with my husband.

“Please,” said the gentleman, while giving me a look that stated I really didn’t have a choice and pleading with me to just comply.

“But, I really don’t have a problem with my table,” I was so confused. Not understanding why the move.

Next thing I knew, we were sitting at a larger table, next to two couples and I had no idea what had just happened. “They must be expecting a larger group and needed all three tables together,” said my husband, ever the easy-going, sweet man that he is. I, on the other hand, was skeptical.

Our waiter was lovely, and the menu an eclectic selection of traditional Mexican dishes.

We started with Rojo Spicy Guacamole with chipotle and queso fresco and a side of habanero sauce for our chips. Even my husband agreed that rarely do you find a place that makes guacamole as good as they did it here. Paired with a nice chilled glass of De La Calle Margarita (with Siempra Azul Blanco, muddled cucumber, jalapeño and lime) it was perfection.

I ordered the Quesadilla de Huitlacoche y Trufas with manchego cheese, corn, black truffle and huitlacoche salsa. The black truffle and cheese made for a sweet flavor and resulted in a light dish, perfect for a late meal. My husband ordered the fish tacos, which I felt lacked a bit in flavor, but he thought were really good.

I then ordered the Chapulines tacos with Oaxacan-style dried grasshoppers, onion, and jalapeños. I’ve never had grasshopper before. I know it is a delicacy in many countries, including Mexico, and was curious to see why. As I often do when I am about to try something different, I channeled my inner Anthony Bourdain, and went for it.

The flavor was smoky and actually quite good. However, the fact that it was dried grasshopper made for a prolonged session of crunchiness in my mouth that I could not stand past one huge bite of the dish. I could feel the legs and other pieces of the insect being devoured  by my teeth and it was just too weird to withstand. My husband was the first to try, and we both agreed that we are not sure if a tender grasshopper would be better than a dried one. If you like grasshoppers, you’ll like this dish. It was packed with flavor, and lots of crunchy.

At one point, I heard some laughter and looked up. I notice four people had sat in the area where we were, the romantic little corner my husband and I had been occupying stayed empty. I observed the group and noticed a gentleman sitting in with them who must’ve been someone who mattered due to the way the women were laughing and holding on to his every word. One of the women, maybe the wife or girlfriend, chatted on with authority about something or other. But all I kept looking back at was our little empty corner.

Suddenly, I realized what had happened. It seems that this small group of people were someone important, at least in the eyes and realm of the restaurant and it’s owner. Who knows? Maybe it was the owner, Julian Medina himself.

And we had been bumped off our seats to accommodate their last minute request.

Now, VIP treatment and seating is something that happens every where, especially in high-end restaurants. You hear stories of people’s reservations not being honored in exchange for accommodating last minute celebrity requests. You also here stories of people being moved to accommodate similar requests.

Just like I will not stand on line to go to a restaurant in NYC, I will not go to restaurants where the customer or guest is ever made to feel as a second class citizen the minute someone more high level arrives.

Because 1) there are way too many restaurants in NYC, really, really great restaurants, that want your business and will treat everyone who dines with them as a special guest and 2) because part of any dining experience is not only the food, but how you are made to feel, how you are greeted and treated from beginning to end. The experience, not just the food, is the big sale, that intangible thing that will keep them coming back. And at that moment, even though I was loving my time with my husband, and really enjoying the food, having had my request to not be moved ignored and not honored, so that some one else could be given not so much our seat, but the surrounding space of our seat, really irked me.

Our waiter came back with our dessert menu. I wish I could tell you what the list of desserts were, except that my eyes were immediately locked on two words: churros and chocolate.

This dessert dish comes with a few, small, warm, sugar-covered churros and two small servings of hot dark chocolate dip and milk chocolate dip. AMAZING.

Overall, the food was really, really good at Toloache. The wait staff was wonderful, always approaching us with a smile and helpful in every way. The restaurant wasn’t crowded or noisy. My husband and I sat next to each other during our meal, since we had such a large space to do so, and had a wonderful time.

But I will not be returning. Because my experience was tainted from the moment I was knocked out of my seat for someone who the restaurant felt was more important. The second I was treated less-than the experience failed to reach the climax of customer service expectations that I bring to every place I dine. To not trust that I will be treated with the utmost courtesy and that my wishes will be not be heard or honored is enough to steer me clear of any venue. No matter how delicious the churros are.

Toloache 251 Wast 50th St., New York, NY * 212-581-1818

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Tags: nyc restaurants
Posted in Good Eats | 7 Comments »