Nuela (CLOSED)

Went for restaurant week with my family. All 4 of us had different items and we all agreed: "Eh". I ordered the Feijoada ($5 surcharge) where the pork shank described to me as "falling of the bone". It was dry and a chore to chew. Since my family was almost finished with the meal, I ordered salmon (always a boring choice). I think any Latino place - or food cart - in Queens has better food and the price for 1 at Nuela's would feed all 4.

I've been here twice. The last time I did the 30% off with Savored.com reservation. First of all the 2 hostesses had no idea of my reservation, I had to show them my confirmation on my phone. Our waiter didn't try at all to pretend he cared. At one point I tried to get his attention as he passed and he very casually told me to wait, as if we're friends or something. as he went to another table. The bread here is delicious, more like little corn muffins. Our appetizer, the $12 empanada, was just that - 1 empanada. The arroz can pato was what we came her for, and it did not disappoint. The waiter and his service definitely did. Then, when the bill came, our discount was not applied, which was supposed to be done, no hassle. We had to ask for it. I definitely was not going to ask our waiter because he didn't care about anything. He was very obviously displeased when he came back for the check and we told him we gave it to the manager. I asked the manager about the discount who was very nice about it. He apologized profusely and adjusted the bill. But it doesn't take away from the fact that I now had asked twice for my discount. Savored.com insists that the discount is very discreet, that it just shows up on your bill. I will certainly let them know about the issue, and am not just complaining about Nuela, although Nuela should definitely have been on top of that too, otherwise why participate in the program? Anyway, the arroz con pato is worth going back, although not for $32 per person...I would do it again with the discount and next time just try to avoid that waiter.

Nuela was beyond expectations. The food was so authentic and flavorful. I wish my Brazilian friends who were recently in NYC would have tried Nuela. They complained that all the trendy restaurants they tried for good for people watching but mediocre for food. Nuela would have broken that spell. I suggest the arroz con pato and the ceviche, especially the salmon. I totally recommend this place.

To our pleasant surprise, the gracious hostess found a table for my husband and me immediately, even though we'd arrived "reservation-less" on a busy Friday night. From that first interaction to the time we left, the entire evening was an incredibly pleasant and memorable experience: The service was excellent (both from a knowledgeable, sweet waitress and an attentive water guy who made sure our glasses were always full), and the food was delicious. I loved the brisket appetizer and practically licked the plate for my main course-- the flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth lobster. My husband really enjoyed the calamari and short ribs, and he couldn't say enough about the bite of lobster I shared. The marscapone and honey for the bread at the start was really different and very good, and the desserts to finish were really nice too (especially the coconut one). There were so many things on the menu that I wanted to try, so I'm already planning what I'll get next time. The guy who brought my coffee recommended the cafe au lait on a future visit, which he described as amazing, so there's something else for my next visit. And one of the girls to our left raved about the special duck dish that we later learned had been featured in the NYT, so that's on the list too. I've already sent my sister, several friends and a few colleagues. It was THAT good!

Not sure how the prior reviewer could have eaten at the same place, but I suppose a restaurant can have an off-night. After an amazing dinner Friday night, two people told me I had to go, so I went last night. The arepas, tuna ceviche, steak, and lobster (ridiculously sinful!) were all delicious, as were the winter squash/brussel sprout side dish and the coconut passion fruit dessert. Even the rolls to start were a little bit of heaven.

I rarely write reviews and have never felt compelled to write a negative one, but I feel people deserve to know what they are paying for. Positives: The space really is beautiful and the staff, although completely clueless, couldn't have been nicer or tried harder to correct the endless mistakes that were made. Cons: The food is disappointing. Not sure how anyone could have given this place a good food review. My friend and I ordered a good mix from the menu, starting with the Octopus appetizer. Charred beyond belief. Tasted like jerky. Ceviches: Tried the Salmon and the Hamachi. Not fresh and the flavors completely didn't work together. I had read not to allow the sauce to be poured over the Hamachi, to avoid over powering the fish. Honestly, it was so sour that even a tiny dab was too much. I guess someone told the chef that tossing some rock salt over the raw fish would bring out flavor. There was so much the fish could have been cured! My friend ordered the short rib. which was also over cooked and lacked any real flavor. I guess the bread basket was good. Service: Wow, so the waitstaff doesn't know the menu and managed to mess up every order. I felt really sorry for them, at one point, as glasses were crashing on the floor, (tables are way too close to one another), yet another order came out at the wrong time and my wine glass was filled with bottom of the bottle remnants. I have to say they were so nice and did everything they could to make up for their mistakes, including covering the cost of my two glasses of wine. I can't imagine how this place will last, as there are far too many amazing restaurants in the city to go to a place simply for a great room. Especially since the tab is not cheap.

The food was ok, however, I left this restaurant hungry. We ordered two appetizers and two main dishes for two people. The presentation was pretty,very tiny (6 teeny tiny spicy tuna balls smaller than the size of marbles).They were tasteless too. I thought the food was mediocre and very overpriced!