We started by sharing "hanger cured pork tenderlin and Manchego, served with Sunnyside quail [eggs], splashed black truffle infusion and over Latin tostoncito [a small tostada]." It was fun and delicious.
For our entrees, my husband had "seared Iberian pork chop over roasted scallop potatoes and green apple with organic Lingonberry topping." He said it was the best pork chop he'd ever had. I had "Lobster raviolis with porchine mushroom in a gray goose tomato vodka sauce, sprinkled with rayano parmesano, topped with organic spinach." The veggies took it a step above usual lobster ravioli.
Ethan provided impeccable service. The restaurant is clean and decorated with beautiful photos of sights in central and south America.
I am giving the restaurant four stars instead of five because we were offered only a dinner menu at lunchtime, even though a lunch menu is on the website. Ordering off dinner menu made for a very pricey and filling lunch.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Daishana Powell
This was a last minute dinner for Valentines day. When I call to see if they had any availability, a guy told me yes and to come amd when we got there it was packed. We had over a 20 minute wait.The hostess did give us a complimentary shot each. The restaurant is so small but the food is actually amazing, so are their drinks.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Pan Seared Duck Margret
Michelle N
The food was okay, but the portions were too small. If you are looking for good portions at an affordable price, this is not the place for you. I would be more satisfied if the price was the same but the portions were filling. The server did not clarify that there were two types of water and one was not free. Over all it we just okay.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
michelle zelada
The service was H O R R I B L E, we ordered guacamole as an appetizer, the waiter came over and started clearing our table without asking if we were done, he realized it half way through the cleaning but by then it was too late he had already stacked our plates. Another waitress came over to give us dessert menus but we hadn’t even eaten our main course! Finally main course comes, food was decent I wasn’t a fan of the malanga purée. We ordered dessert and cappuccinos which were COLD! The waitress immediately brought over the check without us asking for it and said they needed the table in 5-10 minutes. There were other tables empty and no one was waiting to be seated being rushed out made absolutely no sense!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 1
Johny Bogoridov
I had the reservation. I came to the place. They told me to wait for 35 minutes even though there’s tables they couldn’t even find a seat for one diner, a glass of water wasn’t even offered. wouldn’t recommend thatService.
K. Ko
Made a reservation but got there and it was closed. Such a shame. Was looking forward to it as it came highly recommended
Service: 1
S H
The portions are small and the service was unsatisfactory. Food tasted good but in my opinion not worth the price.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 2
Jinia Haldar
This is a little restaurant in Manhattan with lots of photos of Latin America, which make the place very visually interesting while still keeping a sleek look. I'd peg the atmosphere as semi-formal. It had mahogany tables, which gave a very classic feel, but still retains a casual air since you can see the busy kitchen in the back. I think kids would be welcome, and you could still have a casual office lunch here.
Onto the food: We had a grilled octopus appetizer with a zesty thin green salad sauce. The octopus was perfectly cooked - not rubbery at all while still having a nice grill pattern on the outside, without the thin end of the leg being too burnt (which happens often). The sauce paired very nicely with the octopus, as the tanginess cut the "round" flavor (I don't know how else to describe it, sorry) that octopus tends to have. We also had a blue Peruvian potato appetizer filled with oxtail. It had an amazing spicy yogurt mayo sauce. Both of these were recommended by the waiter and the recommendations were spot-on.
We decided to share a main, and had an Angus steak marinated in papaya juice, again recommended by the waiter. Initially, I was hesitant about the idea of steak going anywhere near any fruit or fruit juice - I'm much more used to savory sauces and marinades with e.g. peppercorn - but honestly, it was the best steak I've had in ages. It was slow-cooked, making it evenly cooked throughout without any char (which is my preference, as I find that char can easily become bitter). I also enjoyed the greens that came with the dish, which is quite rare for me, as I'm rather sensitive to bitter tastes, which greens often have. I couldn't distinctly taste the papaya marinade in the steak, which I think worked in the dish's favor, but I could tell it was different from the usual savory marinades filled with herbs and pepper.
The sweet fried plantains we ordered on the side were perfect. They were crunchy on the outside without drying out the inside, and I appreciate that there was no honey drizzled on top, which to me makes fried plantains too sweet. The dish was still sweet enough to feel like dessert, but not overpoweringly so.
Food-wise, this was some of the best food I've had in a long time. My compliments to the chef for being bold enough to experiment with the sauces and skilled enough to still have the dishes come out absolutely delicious. It's very difficult to compare the dishes we had here to anywhere else we've been, because besides the plantains, all the dishes were unique in their ingredient combinations and preparations.
Service-wise, our waiter's recommendations were absolutely perfect. We did have to ask for water to be refilled, despite being the only diners there (we came at a rather odd-hour, roughly 3 PM), and the lights started being adjusted midway through the meal, but these were very minor things. Because the place is quite small with only so many tables, I would highly recommend making reservations beforehand.
A small note on access: The restaurant is long and narrow, and as far as I know, doesn't seem to be accessible. I didn’t see an accessible restroom. Unfortunately, a lot of the places in New York tend to be like that if they're old. This restaurant had a true brick wall on one side, not a facade, so it definitely seems to be an old building. Mind that the floor is a tad slippery, at least when I went. If none of these sound like issues for you, though, I'd highly recommend a visit, as the food is amazing.
Wheelchair accessibility: Since the place is ling and narrow, I think access could be a bit difficult. I also didn't see an accessible restroom.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Pulpo A la Parrilla
Myriam Loor
The place is small adorned with pictures of different Latin American figures and places. The portions were good with great presentation. The paella lacked flavor although it had lots of seafood. The steak was cooked to perfection. The ceviche comes with plantain chips that are an additional charge. Our waitress was pleasant and attentive. The place is pricey. On a negative note we were offered sparkling or still water; no tap. Although I don’t mind paying for a good meal I don’t see a point in paying $22 for two bottles of still water.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Gene M.
This restaurant regularly overbooks. We had reservation, were promised a table in 10 minutes, waited for 20 minutes and left after being told "no tables available". Several groups of diners left before us, they also had reservations.
The automatically charge 20% tip and then have their POS settings at 3, 5, and 7% to try and get some extra. The service was also very slow. The food isn’t bad nor good. Just average.
But I found their tipping practices to be unethical.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 1
G. M. E
Nothing at all comparable to the 3-5 star reviews I came across. Service was far from “exceptional “ . For one they DO NOT advertise anywhere in their menu or website that they automatically charge 20% tip listed as large party …and we were 3! That was beyond infuriating considering our server was too consumed socializing with the female dining next to us. He merely came over to take our order, which he added a 3rd appetizer that was not requested, drop off food & drinks. Not ONCE were we asked about our meals/satisfaction. I had to ask for my check twice because the servers were too busy socializing still with the same female then consuming her left over churros. Needless to say I demanded that the 20% tip/large party fee be removed. How dare they dictate 20% with NO effort NO notice prior to being seated or even when I made my reservation. Not until you get the handheld device to view, conveniently in dimmed lightning! I disputed that tip that they added as a “convenience to me”?!?! He removed it, then gave me the correct total minus the 20% which I signed off on, only to see my card was charged that tip amount in the morning. Otherwise the food was salty, mediocre & unimpressive. Between the salty duck, not so grilled octopus & black ink pasta with merely 2 shrimp & 2 scallops cut in half our meals were nothing as viewers have hyped them to be. It’s a tourist trap that should be given a hard pass! I’ve called & left several voicemails requesting a call from a manager. It’s been 4 days & not a single response. How’s that to support their “EXCEPTIONAL” service?
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
Roxana Mesa Mato
Very bad service, the worst service I have ever had, for a restaurant with expensive prices it seems lamentable to me. On the other hand, the food was good. I will not return.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 1
Lalana Lalna
Best pho with reasonable price made our day ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Special Signature Short Rib Pho
Martina Estel
$14 for a delicious bowl of pho (excluding tax and tip). I’ve tried pho places around but Hello Saigon was the best that I got for service, portion, flavor, and quickness. I got the bowl around 2 minutes after placing my order and it was very delicious. Would come here again!
We had a wonderful pre-matinee lunch here.
We started by sharing "hanger cured pork tenderlin and Manchego, served with Sunnyside quail [eggs], splashed black truffle infusion and over Latin tostoncito [a small tostada]." It was fun and delicious.
For our entrees, my husband had "seared Iberian pork chop over roasted scallop potatoes and green apple with organic Lingonberry topping." He said it was the best pork chop he'd ever had. I had "Lobster raviolis with porchine mushroom in a gray goose tomato vodka sauce, sprinkled with rayano parmesano, topped with organic spinach." The veggies took it a step above usual lobster ravioli.
Ethan provided impeccable service. The restaurant is clean and decorated with beautiful photos of sights in central and south America.
I am giving the restaurant four stars instead of five because we were offered only a dinner menu at lunchtime, even though a lunch menu is on the website. Ordering off dinner menu made for a very pricey and filling lunch.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This was a last minute dinner for Valentines day. When I call to see if they had any availability, a guy told me yes and to come amd when we got there it was packed. We had over a 20 minute wait.The hostess did give us a complimentary shot each. The restaurant is so small but the food is actually amazing, so are their drinks.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Pan Seared Duck Margret
The food was okay, but the portions were too small. If you are looking for good portions at an affordable price, this is not the place for you. I would be more satisfied if the price was the same but the portions were filling. The server did not clarify that there were two types of water and one was not free. Over all it we just okay.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
The service was H O R R I B L E, we ordered guacamole as an appetizer, the waiter came over and started clearing our table without asking if we were done, he realized it half way through the cleaning but by then it was too late he had already stacked our plates. Another waitress came over to give us dessert menus but we hadn’t even eaten our main course! Finally main course comes, food was decent I wasn’t a fan of the malanga purée. We ordered dessert and cappuccinos which were COLD! The waitress immediately brought over the check without us asking for it and said they needed the table in 5-10 minutes. There were other tables empty and no one was waiting to be seated being rushed out made absolutely no sense!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 1
I had the reservation. I came to the place. They told me to wait for 35 minutes even though there’s tables they couldn’t even find a seat for one diner, a glass of water wasn’t even offered. wouldn’t recommend thatService.
Made a reservation but got there and it was closed. Such a shame. Was looking forward to it as it came highly recommended
Service: 1
The portions are small and the service was unsatisfactory. Food tasted good but in my opinion not worth the price.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 2
This is a little restaurant in Manhattan with lots of photos of Latin America, which make the place very visually interesting while still keeping a sleek look. I'd peg the atmosphere as semi-formal. It had mahogany tables, which gave a very classic feel, but still retains a casual air since you can see the busy kitchen in the back. I think kids would be welcome, and you could still have a casual office lunch here.
Onto the food: We had a grilled octopus appetizer with a zesty thin green salad sauce. The octopus was perfectly cooked - not rubbery at all while still having a nice grill pattern on the outside, without the thin end of the leg being too burnt (which happens often). The sauce paired very nicely with the octopus, as the tanginess cut the "round" flavor (I don't know how else to describe it, sorry) that octopus tends to have. We also had a blue Peruvian potato appetizer filled with oxtail. It had an amazing spicy yogurt mayo sauce. Both of these were recommended by the waiter and the recommendations were spot-on.
We decided to share a main, and had an Angus steak marinated in papaya juice, again recommended by the waiter. Initially, I was hesitant about the idea of steak going anywhere near any fruit or fruit juice - I'm much more used to savory sauces and marinades with e.g. peppercorn - but honestly, it was the best steak I've had in ages. It was slow-cooked, making it evenly cooked throughout without any char (which is my preference, as I find that char can easily become bitter). I also enjoyed the greens that came with the dish, which is quite rare for me, as I'm rather sensitive to bitter tastes, which greens often have. I couldn't distinctly taste the papaya marinade in the steak, which I think worked in the dish's favor, but I could tell it was different from the usual savory marinades filled with herbs and pepper.
The sweet fried plantains we ordered on the side were perfect. They were crunchy on the outside without drying out the inside, and I appreciate that there was no honey drizzled on top, which to me makes fried plantains too sweet. The dish was still sweet enough to feel like dessert, but not overpoweringly so.
Food-wise, this was some of the best food I've had in a long time. My compliments to the chef for being bold enough to experiment with the sauces and skilled enough to still have the dishes come out absolutely delicious. It's very difficult to compare the dishes we had here to anywhere else we've been, because besides the plantains, all the dishes were unique in their ingredient combinations and preparations.
Service-wise, our waiter's recommendations were absolutely perfect. We did have to ask for water to be refilled, despite being the only diners there (we came at a rather odd-hour, roughly 3 PM), and the lights started being adjusted midway through the meal, but these were very minor things. Because the place is quite small with only so many tables, I would highly recommend making reservations beforehand.
A small note on access: The restaurant is long and narrow, and as far as I know, doesn't seem to be accessible. I didn’t see an accessible restroom. Unfortunately, a lot of the places in New York tend to be like that if they're old. This restaurant had a true brick wall on one side, not a facade, so it definitely seems to be an old building. Mind that the floor is a tad slippery, at least when I went. If none of these sound like issues for you, though, I'd highly recommend a visit, as the food is amazing.
Wheelchair accessibility: Since the place is ling and narrow, I think access could be a bit difficult. I also didn't see an accessible restroom.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Pulpo A la Parrilla
The place is small adorned with pictures of different Latin American figures and places.
The portions were good with great presentation. The paella lacked flavor although it had lots of seafood. The steak was cooked to perfection. The ceviche comes with plantain chips that are an additional charge.
Our waitress was pleasant and attentive.
The place is pricey.
On a negative note we were offered sparkling or still water; no tap. Although I don’t mind paying for a good meal I don’t see a point in paying $22 for two bottles of still water.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
This restaurant regularly overbooks. We had reservation, were promised a table in 10 minutes, waited for 20 minutes and left after being told "no tables available". Several groups of diners left before us, they also had reservations.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
The automatically charge 20% tip and then have their POS settings at 3, 5, and 7% to try and get some extra. The service was also very slow. The food isn’t bad nor good. Just average.
But I found their tipping practices to be unethical.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 1
Nothing at all comparable to the 3-5 star reviews I came across. Service was far from “exceptional “ . For one they DO NOT advertise anywhere in their menu or website that they automatically charge 20% tip listed as large party …and we were 3! That was beyond infuriating considering our server was too consumed socializing with the female dining next to us. He merely came over to take our order, which he added a 3rd appetizer that was not requested, drop off food & drinks. Not ONCE were we asked about our meals/satisfaction. I had to ask for my check twice because the servers were too busy socializing still with the same female then consuming her left over churros. Needless to say I demanded that the 20% tip/large party fee be removed. How dare they dictate 20% with NO effort NO notice prior to being seated or even when I made my reservation. Not until you get the handheld device to view, conveniently in dimmed lightning! I disputed that tip that they added as a “convenience to me”?!?! He removed it, then gave me the correct total minus the 20% which I signed off on, only to see my card was charged that tip amount in the morning. Otherwise the food was salty, mediocre & unimpressive. Between the salty duck, not so grilled octopus & black ink pasta with merely 2 shrimp & 2 scallops cut in half our meals were nothing as viewers have hyped them to be. It’s a tourist trap that should be given a hard pass! I’ve called & left several voicemails requesting a call from a manager. It’s been 4 days & not a single response. How’s that to support their “EXCEPTIONAL” service?
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
Very bad service, the worst service I have ever had, for a restaurant with expensive prices it seems lamentable to me. On the other hand, the food was good. I will not return.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 1
Best pho with reasonable price made our day ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Special Signature Short Rib Pho
$14 for a delicious bowl of pho (excluding tax and tip). I’ve tried pho places around but Hello Saigon was the best that I got for service, portion, flavor, and quickness. I got the bowl around 2 minutes after placing my order and it was very delicious. Would come here again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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