Rayuela

Went here last night with a friend. The food was excellent. We started off with the Camarones con Chorizo and a pitcher of Rosada sangria. The appetizer was very tasty with just enough spice. Then we had the paella a la Rayuela (my friend) and Churrasco con cangrejo (me). Both dishes were excellent. The paella had a lot of cilantro (hence the green color) so if you are not a big fan of cilantro I would steer clear. The beef tenderloin was beautifully prepared and definitely something I would order again. We finished the night off with cappacinos and the apple crumble with ruhbarb. Which for the apple crumble l tasted more apple than ruhbarb. Our waiter was very attentive and friendly. While the meal was definitely on the expensive side it was very high quality. I know some of the previous reviews were negative but I think they have worked out many of the kinks that new restaurants face and have improved the food. Overall the restaurant was interesting and certainly someplace I would go back to for a special evening.

I just went here on a double date with my husband and another couple. From the setting to the excellent food and drinks, the whole evening was perfect. We started with their standard guacamole with seafood and chips (which they seem to put on each table) - possibly the best guac I've ever had. Then they gave us these wonderful Colombian rolls with an amazing sweet garlic butter. Hard to describe, but wonderful -- they use some Colombian flour which makes these just totally addictive. We then shared the tuna cerviche and the shrimp-chorizo appetizer, both were amazing - I especially loved the tuna cerviche which comes with watermelon, which is so refreshing and unusual. For entrees, one person ordered the paella which was amazing -- it wasn't just a blob of rice and protein like at some restaurants, but a lovely arranged portion of green rice with choice pieces of lobster and other protein on top -- kind of like a deconstructed paella. My husband and I both ordered the duck entree, which is amazing -- which comes with possibly the best arepa on the planet. The other guest ordered the crispy pork, which was also great. For drinks we shared the white sangria, which was excellent , but the pitcher was a bit small. I also had a pardita drink, a tequilla cucumber concotion -- totally refreshing and delicious. The only lacking area was the desserts -- we had the coconut dessert with basil ice cream, the two flavors don't really complement one another -- and the other desserts didn't sound compelling enough to try. Overall though, the apps, drinks and entrees truly surprise my palate again and again -- so I'll definitely be going back. With all that great food,who has room for dessert anyway?:>

Booked a table for 7 on opentable for a birthday dinner . Were sat 1/2 hour after our reservation time but it was fine, the bar was hopping and everyone was enjoying mojitos and caipharinas. Overall, the entire group really enjoyed all the courses of their meal. We tried 6 of the ceviches and they were all excellent. I was underwhelmed with my entree, the tuna, which was not cut from a quality piece (too much connective tissue, not dark red in color), but everyone else was raving. Fave dishes of the table were the scallop entree, the palpo and the tuna rellena (marvelous). This is a great place to have a dinner with around 8 people; they have great booths upstairs and the energy is high. If you're looking for an electric atmosphere with surprisingly good fresh food, give this place a try.

I went here on a date last week, and the food was awesome. I had the duck for my entree and my date had the snapper; they were both big successes on our palates. Everyone who works there is super friendly and helpful. I was chatting up a cute hostess in a hat before my date arrived, and she even took the time to make a list of places to take my date post-dinner! Can't wait to go back on a second date here..

We have been to Rayela three times in the last couple of weeks. Obviously we enjoy dining there. Our servers have been lovely and welcome all questions about the menu. They do not push, so you can drink and dine on appetizers or have entrees, no problema. The seating is comfortable, the restaurant is beautiful and organic in its decor, and no one rushes your experience. Also the music includes all genres of Latin artists to accompany your dining experience. We were non-plussed by the desserts. Enjoy!

I am really shocked at some of these reviews. I actually had some of the best service I ever had - anywhere. Our waiter was incredibly friendly and super helpful when we were picking items out. The drinks (especially the vodka) were great. The food was interesting and very easy to share. The place itself was beautiful and it had a good crowd. I am already thinking of going back.

They have a nice selection of appetizers and cerviches, which tasted good (not great). The service was not good -- it took the waitress over 20 minutes to come over to us, another 20 minutes to take our order, and the food came out plate by plate (I know with tapas, the food usually comes out a few dishes at a time), but this was drawn out over an hour and a half.