Xai Xai

Expecations of the food were low based on some of the other reviews but we're just back from a lovely evening mid week. The food is 'small plates' but ranges from $7 to $16 depending on what you order. Overall, it is largely authentic, imaginative and nicely presented. We ordered four items among three people and certainly have not emerged hungry. Service is warm and attentive. My only criticism is that many of the wines were not available but we were happy with a Shiraz.

I've been to Xai Xai twice. The first time I went it was really lovely - a Friday night, got the last table in the corner, and had a really good experience. My only issue then was that they didn't have two of the wines we ordered on the menu, but other than that, it was great. The second time I went, on a busy Sunday night, it was not a good experience. There were 3 of us, and we walked in and there is no one to greet us for at least 10 minutes. Then we were seated at the table when you first walk in, while there were other tables available, and froze because the front door wouldn't stay closed. I ordered a wine ($11) and all they had was the $19 version. Our waitress suggested an organic wine which I ordered, and it was subpar. We all had one glass of wine, not too fast or not too slow, and ask for the check because another friend was coming and we wanted to settle one bill before opening another. The waiter told the people next to us we were leaving, and they kept trying to take our chairs while my friends were outside finding parking - and then proceeded to yell at us because we weren't leaving fast enough for them. Then the waiter checked to see if we had paid the bill FOUR times in TEN minutes. I have never felt so pushed out of a place before!! And there wasn't a SINGLE person waiting for a table!! Then to top it off, the waiter took another 10 minutes to bring my card back to sign. It is a beautiful bar, but it is not worth not having a lot of the wines on the menu and having to deal with an incredibly rude and incompetent staff. I will never go back.

Great South African wine, but pass on most of the food. It is great to finally have a S. African restaurant in Manhattan, but although my wine was fantastic, the food was small, overpriced, and was clearly not the focus of the place. However, if you are looking for a great wine bar, with wine from a great region, then you have found the place! The staff is great, the service is excellent, and the decor is nice. Don't be fooled by the lack of signage outside, just follow the african door handles... Overall a fun place to meet for wine.