Pio Pio Salon

My husband and I went here at lunch. We had heard about the chicken. This is way overvalued for lunch. Even in the best places, you at least get veggies with the main course. We asked for bread, and were told there was a charge. Dinner is one thing, but lunch, at these prices is ridiculous! And, the waiter could have cared less. We'll never go back. Seems like the economy is booming for a lot of people.

I've been going there since it opened and love the green Pio Pio sauce and chicken. However last year they got a C Health Code Rating, now it is a B. So clean up your space so I can go back and get some more of that green sauce. The place is still packed on nights but I am a bit afraid to go there until they clean up. Skip the rice and beans as they are mushy and salty.

For many years, this was my favorite neighborhood restaurant but the last few times I've gone I have been very disappointed. I went last night and was horrified! The chicken was not fully cooked and when I ordered the ceviche mixto and the waiter brought the wrong dish he refused to take it away with the explanation that they made it I had to keep it. The waiter's attitude was terrible and food was no where near the quality of the food I adored from Pio Pio. It is unfortunate but, based on the last few bad experiences, I will not return. It is sad when the quality of the food and service go so far downhill in what had been my go-to restaurant in the neighborhood.

It can be much better, as some people have stated, the quality has gone down a bit. Don't get me wrong, the chicken is still great, the best even. The cerviche is mediocre and we did get a bad piece of a tomato in our avacado salad. The atmosphere is what it is and it is very loud most of the time. So loud that you can barely carry on a conversation unless you too are very loud and boisterous. Come for the chicken, but try some of the other things. I would not recommend this place for everyone, but if you're a foodie, then you NEED to try it.

I hesitated to post this review, as I really loved this place and the past owner and chef were good people and I wanted to give the new crew (well 4 years and counting now) a chance. I also want to qualify that I am not a high maintenance customer and don't have to be waited on hand and foot when I attend a restaurant. All I want is good food, good service and a pleasant atmosphere. That's reasonable, right? That said, on with my review... 5 years ago this place was wonderful, quiet, romantic and had attentive service. They even played high quality, gentle Latin music. I went there twice a month. The food was outstanding and traditional Peruvian. Although their menu appeared to have changed, I was assured by the hostess that the same quality of atmosphere and food remained. So I picked this place on March 25, 2010 when my parents were in town to see my husband sing at The Met. Unfortunately I have nothing good to say about the place anymore. My mother can not have garlic - she is allergic to it. That said, the hostess assured us there were plenty of dishes that could accommodate my mother. She lied. there was basically only 1 dish, and it made my mother so sick she missed the second act of the opera. As they only get to the city once a year, since they live far away, this also added insult to injury. Then there was the salad. Twice they gave my husband rotten greens. The rest of the food was far from Peruvian, mediocre at best and the portions were not adequate for the price. Then there was the noise - it seems this romantic, classy place has become some kind of Chuck-E-Cheeses and encourages rude families with loud children to attend. Again, the staff couldn't cared less. There was no reduction in our bill for our troubles. I will NEVER go back. Please skip this place. There are plenty of wonderful places to eat on the Upper West Side.

As with all Pio Pio restaurants, service is almost always a little chaotic and the patrons a little louder than usual. But it is a happy place :) We've tried many items on the menu and have come to the unanimous vote: the one dish you have to try is their signature chicken. You can find better renditions of the same dish elsewhere. They only accept Amex and cash here.

The place could use a little cleaning...it has seen some heavy use. It gets packed most nights and it is loud and lively. The service is a bit chaotic. The portions and flavoring of the food seemed very good. The mojo sauce is killer and the chicken is moist. Lots of families and birthday parties come here. Not for romance or holding a conversation.