Agozar

I usually don't like to write negative reviews, but this time I had to.

Last night I was on my way to a tech gala in the Bowery Hotel. I walked past Agoz r, and decided to grab a drink and a small bite so that I wont hover over the food for too long at the actual event.

When I walked into the restaurant it smelled musty. I ignored it, and proceeded to sit down.

When I sat down I had a waitress (If a manager sees this, this waitress was a young, maybe caucasian woman. It was 6:30pm on Feb 25, 2016) walk right past me and sit people who had came in AFTER me.

As she walked past me again, she mumbled I'll be right with you without giving me eye contact.

I was given water, and I sat there for a few minutes waiting for the same waitress. I asked the people behind the bar for a straw, and the lady literally made me get up to get it myself. The waitress came back and took my order. She wasn't very attentive at all. The customer service in this place sucked so bad I silently became aggravated. I thought maybe I should give her some insight into my thoughts, but she was so careless that when I started speaking she was walking away. She realized it, and stopped and says, I'm sorry, what? I said "forget it". It was useless. I watched her and her other two "white" employees read text messages to one another as the Mexicans worked incessantly. It was really sad. I was so annoyed! Half of my order was brought to me. Thank God the pinchos were delicious. The empanadas were a little dry, but still good. The Mojito was not the best i've had.

I think this place has great potential. Maybe I came in at the wrong time, but nevertheless, It won't be my place of choice when I'm in the area again. I like to feel like I am the customer paying for a service --Not like the business is doing ME a favor.

My friends and I went for brunch during the weekend. It was definitely a nice meetup place with a friendly atmosphere. I ordered the Sandwich de Pollo which had spicy mayo that I thought made the sandwich quite savory. I also tried the Huevos Rancheros which was well-made. I thought its presentation was aesthetically pleasing, with its two large corn tortilla bowls containing the contents.

Agozar has a great happy hour special. You can't beat buy one get one drinks and tapas. We tried a variety of foods and strangely enough I enjoyed the ribs the most. The cocktails were pretty good as well. Nothing to write home about but overall the experience was pretty good.

I thought the tapas were good but the service was horrible. To be fair, it was a busy night and only one stressed out, overworked waitress covering all tables. There were about eight bartenders standing around gossiping. None of the staff smiled or seemed welcoming. No one was outright rude, and it didn't seem personal, but it was very noticeable.

I gotta say that this one one of my favorite Spanish spots in NYC. Am i going out on a limb? This place really rocks. They're food is absolutely delicious. Being Hispanic, i tend to stay away from latin cuisine, but Agozar just does it right time after time. Usually go here for happy hour where apps and drinks are buy one get one free - um thats a no brainer!! Been here also for mother's day and my mother (who is the best cook in the WORLD) absolutely enjoyed it. Must try these apps: Chicharron De Pollo, Rellenitos, Camarones Agri-dulce, Escabeche. Must try these entrees: Pollo Al Mojo Cubano, Lechon, Churrasco, and Vaca Frita. As for drink i always get the same two - shame on me i guess -- the Mojito and the Mango Caipirhina