RayuelaI'll be back!The friendly, light decor was matched by a highly attentive staff and delicious food. We shared a number of appetizers for the table and they were all excellent. I had the duck and thought about getting a second helping! The atmosphere was energetic around the bar and yet it was not overwhelming, especially int the upstairs dining room. I am not so certain about the diners who sat downstairs. Definitely an address to come back to.6/14/2013 12:00:00 AMMagnificentI always enjoy the food here. All of the ceviches were very good. Also, the paellas are so good. The sauce in my scallops were so tasty. I would order that again.6/14/2013 12:00:00 AMPleasantly SurprisedWent on a Saturday for dinner. We were running late and they were extremely welcoming and understanding. When we arrived they had us grab a drink at the bar until our table was ready. The host came over when we were about half way through our drinks and said the table was ready when we were. Did not rush us at all. The service was impeccable. Our waiter (Arturo) asked how our meal was and my friend mentioned that the lobster was a little chewy but still amazing. He brought over champagne and explained that this was not an excuse but rather a thank you for helping to make their restaurant a better place. The manager apologized and took the lobster off the bill (not necessary but much appreciated). I will DEFINITELY be going back soon!5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMLES gemWhy hadn't I been here before? The food is interesting and beautifully presented. I'll definitely return.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMA great timeA group of us gathered for a special occasion and it was a great experience. Food was great - though odd in a casual restaurant that we couldn't order appetizers and then think of the next thing we wanted for an entree - had to order all at same time. But atmosphere was great, seating arrangement was perfect and most importantly food was delicious. Staff was attentive too and we didn't feel rushed to leave - we had a leisurely 2.5 hour dinner.5/22/2013 12:00:00 AMA Little Latin GemGreat food, scene and ambiance for a last minute trek across town. Def worth the food, service and friendly, greeted by Stephen and followed by the manager Alyda (so sorry, I butchered her name).
Great place, friendly staff and waiter.5/16/2013 12:00:00 AMRayuela-mothers day brunchFood was excellent but service is super slow. The place wasn't even busy when we dined.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMPrix FixeEvery dish on the Mother's Day Prix Fixe menu was phenomenal. I especially enjoyed the spicy scallop ceviche and shrimp dishes---it left me wanting more! I cannot wait to return to the restaurant to try other dishes. The decor was pleasantly modern and I really enjoyed the modern music. The service was also good.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMMemorable RayuelaThe aesthetic welcomes you with an effortless, alluring feel. The hanging white linen separating the tables upstairs, the trees growing up through the middle of the place, the amber-lit ambiance --- this place is unprecedented and truly wraps an experience around your most cherished memories, soaking into the special moments created outside of your own home.
Rayuela is a touch of perfection everyone needs to treat a night to.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMDelicious food!Flavorful dishes!! Went with a friend on a Friday night. We had the crab/shrimp guacamole and it was a refreshingly unique starter. I had the pork entree and she the ribeye steak and we ordered a side of the rice and beans with bacon. Everything was cooked to perfection and had so much flavor. Ambiance was great--love the lighting and the tree in the middle of the restaurant. Can't wait to return!5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMA Taste of South AmericaA reliable friend recommended the Rayuela to us, and he was right. It was a part of New York that we'd never seen before, but happy to find. From the outset - friendly, helpful reception at the door, the evening was special for us. Friendly chat with one of the bartenders who really knew how to mix cocktails. Delivered upstairs to enjoy the feel of the whole restaurant. Excellent advice on menu selections, informative information from the sommelier on our wine selection, and fabulous flavors for each course. All with excellent, timely service.
Thanks Rayuela - we'll be back!5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMMade A Birthday SpecialI was researching finding a great place to eat for my girlfriend's birthday dinner when I stumbled upon this restaurant. I saw the pictures and read some reviews so I thought "why not?". Plus I like that it was something out of the box from what we usually eat. The food was delicious, everything cooked to perfection. The ceviche was on point and my duck was ridiculous. The staff was accommodating (although there were certain times when we felt rushed like they wanted to turn the table which made me livid. Who wants to feel rushed on a special occasion dinner?) Other than that, the ambiance was romantic and the architecture/ design was very cool. We would for sure come back, in fact we said those exact words as we left.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMMultiFaceted Diamond in the rough!A place this lovely, in so many ways, could easily double their charges in another neighborhood AND people would pay it! Here's why:
The restaurant is an experience even before you step past the roughly hewn bench and enter the candlelit embrace of this establishment...
Before I even could step to the Matre'D's podium, he greeted us with a brilliant smile that was echoed I his eyes & a warm hello... Body language (leaning in) speaks volumes too..
We were 5 minutes late, but no-fuss seating in a cozy was swift...
The decor is truly charmed. There is a tall, but not overwhelming tree planted in the center of the main dining area. The bar has weathered stones encased behind wide wire mesh & votives nestle in distressed white-washed shel4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food and service.Excellent food and service. Quality of the ceviches was the highlight. Pisco sours were well made.4/23/2013 12:00:00 AMI chose Rayuela for my boyfriendsI chose Rayuela for my boyfriends birthday dinner. It was inspired by our recent trip to latin america. The service from the moment we walked in until the moment we left was impeccable. The GM came over to our table and introduced herself and chatted it up with us for a good 10 minutes. The waiter was knowledgeable about the menu which is always a good thing. We chose the Max's Oysters since we both are oyster fiends. They were very different - fried with serrano ham and some green sauce that we couldnt figure out, but delicious. WE also got the crab cake thing wrapped in tuna as an app - delicious as well. We chose the Arroz with the black squid ink and the pork as mains. I'd definitely be back and still think about the food.4/23/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazing!!!!!Food was amazing and our server was really kind! This was my second time at rayuela and I can't wait for my third one!4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was delicious andThe food was delicious and has a great ambiance to it.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMWe enjoyed the food & theWe enjoyed the food & the service. Nice to experience Alex Ureña back in action.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat date spot and greatGreat date spot and great for a party of 6-8 people.
This place has a really calm, relaxed, zen feel. Most New York restaurants of this caliber are packed and loud but this place was so quiet and the tables are spaced far enough apart that you don't feel you're getting trampled while you're eating. The guests at the other tables were courteous and nice, it's not a sceney place and people seemed to be local.
I will definitely be back.4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMI've had a large birthdayI've had a large birthday party here for over 20 people, and Rayuela was incredibly accommodating. They printed a special message on the prix fixe menu and were so responsive to our needs.
On this most recent visit, they didn't disappoint. Our attendant was so gracious even waiting to give us the extra bread we requested while we said a prayer over our food. The service was just impeccable. The food is always wonderful, inventive and satisfying.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMWe went there for a quickWe went there for a quick bite before a nearby show and because we wanted to try it.
Loved the rabbit appetizer.3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazing! Great food! GreatAmazing! Great food! Great service! My friends were impressed! as good as the first time I went, so very dependable and financially reasonable/fair. Lovely inside, like a city oasis. also felt open and airy upstairs and didn't feel scrunched it. Also, they changed my ressie no problem and took us exactly when they said they would. They were very nice, not snobby, accommodating, and pretty solid all around. Good for groups wanting a hip sleek place that's foodie friendly and drama free since it's a little older, but SOLID and CONSISTANTLY great!3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMLoved this place, definitelyLoved this place, definitely recommend this place to anyone that would like to impress a significant other. The ambiance is great and the staff is awesome. The food and the chef are excellent! The specialty drinks are a must have.3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMThus was an outstanding meal!Thus was an outstanding meal! We had the tastings menu, which at $66 per person is actually a great deal. 5 courses, plus a palate cleanser before dessert, and, even better, they serve 2 different dishes with each course so you get to try a lot more. Everything we ate was delicious, and often very interesting flavors and textures. One of the best overall meals we have had in a while. Go.3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat place.I celebrate my bday there and we had a wonderful time, we will definitely going to come back, our waiter was very friendly and the food was excellent.3/12/2013 12:00:00 AM