We've been coming to Mundo ever since we moved into the neighborhood and we've always found it to be good food, good wine and good company, but last night, we were extremely disappointed.
We'd made a reservation but the couple who had planned to join us backed out, so it ended up being just my husband and me (which we did let Mundo know in advance). It was a $70 prix fixe, not including tax, tip and drinks--a little pricy for Astoria, but worth it for a great meal.
The appetizer platter was unremarkable--Red Sonya was on there and it's always good, plus some sort of pastry thing, a veggie/cheese empanada that was quite good, and some sort of grape leaf-wrapped salmon that was overcooked. So we waited for the main course (...and we waited...and we waited--the pacing of the meal was definitely off). Of the three available choices, we ordered portabello ravioli (a standard on the menu) and squid ink pasta. The ravioli was very good as always--the squid ink pasta was not: congealed pasta, unremarkable sauce, overcooked and cold shrimp. It definitely didn't taste fresh--since it was a prix fixe, perhaps it had been sitting around all night instead of being made to order?
We didn't want to make a scene, so we just asked for dessert--theoretically some sort of creme brulee with a cheese ball on top. Well, the cream wasn't brulee'd--none of the nice crust that you expect on that type of dessert. The flavor was good but the dish had the consistency of runny yogurt with two large cheese balls swimming in it.
And above all, the service was definitely not what we have come to expect from Mundo. Usually the staff is very conversational and engaging, but last night they seemed to disregard most of the diners, except for a couple of larger tables, who seemed like they were friends of the owners. I don't begrudge them giving their friends special treatment, but the complete disregard of the other patrons was quite a surprise.
Also, one of the large groups had brought a two-year-old with them--definitely a buzz-killer for a romantic night out. I don't have a problem with children in restaurants, but when I go into a restaurant that doesn't provide booster seats for a New Year's Eve reservation and I have to share my meal with an unsteady tot walking around tables and/or at times loudly voicing his exhaustion or disapproval, it definitely affects my experience.
Overall, we paid over $200 for a disappointing meal. I'm actually relieved that our dining companions weren't able to join us, because we would have been very embarrassed that we recommended Mundo for such a special night.
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