Why La Cava de Tequila was a disappointment

[rudetreehill]

As some of you may recall, I was WILDLY excited about visiting the tequila bar. It just sounded... well, 9 kindsa awesome.

Sadly, it's not.

While the tequila sampler was a lot of fun, the place itself is not. Sadly, it feels like what it is... an after thought. It's incredibly small, you can't sit at the bar, the decor is kinda non-existent.

Again, the food and drinks were great -- some people think it's pricy, but as a Manhattan boy, it didn't phase me -- but the place itself just... yeah, wasn't all that. It was probably the biggest disappointment about my last trip.

And yes, I was THAT excited about the idea of a tequila bar.

Tralfie/Richard

 

[OKW Lover]

We love the margaritas there - they actually have alcohol in them! (Unlike those at the stand outside)

 

[TillyMarigold]

We LOVED it and thought it was perfect.

There were people hanging out at the bar when we were there last weekend (although we got a table), and the decor looked exactly like I'd expect a tequila bar in Mexico to look. What were you expecting?

 

[branv]

I admit, I am scratching my head a little bit. What exactly were you expecting? What would have made it better? You said the food and drinks were great, didn't ding the service, so I'm confuzzled -- I can't tell if you were expecting like a party-time Senor Frogs thing or more chic'ness. Since we're planning on visiting our next trip, I'd love to understand better.

 

[TDC Nala]

I admit the place is small. I also admit that it never occurred to me to be disappointed that the place is small...I like to think of it as "intimate," a couple of shots and everyone at the nearby tables is your new best bud.

 

[rudetreehill]

My problem was the fact that the place was tiny! I have closets that are bigger... and I have an apartment in Manhattan! LOL. The place had maybe 25 people in it and felt packed, the service was god-awful and while you could stand at the bar, there was no place to sit at the bar. The drinks were most definitely tasty, but we each had a sampler of margarhitas and left.

I guess my complaint was that it felt really claustrophobic (and it's not something I suffer from, just the only word I can think of).

 

[oybolshoi]

I admit the place is small. I also admit that it never occurred to me to be disappointed that the place is small...I like to think of it as "intimate," a couple of shots and everyone at the nearby tables is your new best bud.

This is a perfect description and I agree with it wholeheartedly. I also thought the decor was charming, especially the mural on the wall depicting the entire tequila making process.

 

[princessallegra]

First of all, HOLLA NY!!!!! Second of all I'm sorry you were disappointed with La Cava. I've read a lot of reviews of the place, and I read one that said it best: "La Cava del Tequila is as fun as you make it"! I know we'll be rockin out in there no matter how cramped we are!! Blood orange margarita YUM! Margarita flight, YUM!!

 

[jakenjess]

I admit the place is small. I also admit that it never occurred to me to be disappointed that the place is small...I like to think of it as "intimate," a couple of shots and everyone at the nearby tables is your new best bud.

Exactly! We loved it, and had the BEST margaritas! Also struck up a nice conversation with the couple at the next table. Yes, it's close quarters, but that's part of what makes it fun!

 

[Pumbaa_]

I think you feel less claustrophobic at a table. While close, you get to have your own space and sit and relax

Glad you liked the drinks!

 

[Beauty & the Best]

Its funny b/c I was actually really impressed with what they did with the space available. Remember that before it was a shopping area, so they didn't have too much to work w/ for the bar.

I find it cozy, but can definitely see how it could get really crowded - especially if a few people brought strollers in there or if there were a few big groups I've been lucky that the times I have been in there, there were always tables available.

But I also read that if you want to take your margarita out with you "to go" you can....so if it's crowded, that's probably what I'd do.

About the service, next time ask for Nancy, she's a doll!

 

[Aisling]

I LOVE La Cava de Tequila! OP, I'm a NYer, too, and I know what you're saying, but give it another try and think of it as a we're-all-best-buddies kind of place. It's smallness is part of the charm for me. I soooo can't wait to have a few shots!

 

[AppleSister1]

Another NYCer! I agree it can be crowded in there...but the avocado margarita was out of this world! We've been calling it the guacarita and I cannot wait to have my next one in December.

Give it another shot. I also think it may be less crowded when they re-open the outside restaurant. There were lots of people in the bar looking for a quick bite.

 

[barbeml]

We LOVE that place!

We were there last December with my DB and DSIL (plus nephew, 9). We popped in one afternoon and were made to feel sooo welcome. We all sat down and sampled the tequila and margarita flights (the passion fruit was amazing), and share pretty much every one of the small plates. All were delicious.

Later in the week, DH and I wound up there again for their traditional margaritas, had a cozy little table in the back. Sent DB a photo via cell phone, they were so jealous they went back the next day without us.

We plan to visit several times in November.

 

[BriarRosie]

I can understand that you wouldn't like the close quarters when it's packed, but I think the quality of the food and drinks is outstanding. As Jeff (OKW Lover) said, the drinks actually have alcohol in them.

And I've also had struck up some random encounters at the tables with total strangers. One time I was fascinated by a couple next to us who ordered one of the premium high-end tequilas in a special tequila tasting glass. I hadn't seen that before and had to ask them what they ordered. They even let my friend and I sniff the aroma of their tequila.

I believe they don't have seats at the bar to keep the traffic flowing. They tend to serve to-go cups for the full sized drinks. I get real glasses when I find a seat at a table.

 

[airhead]

I LOVE La Cava de Tequila! OP, I'm a NYer, too, and I know what you're saying, but give it another try and think of it as a we're-all-best-buddies kind of place. It's smallness is part of the charm for me. I soooo can't wait to have a few shots!

I wish you were going to be there the same time as us!!!!!!!!! I'd love to slam a few with you!!!!!! That would be a wicked good time!!!!!