Tasca Brava

Doesn't Recommend

Eugene W.

Joined 5 months ago

Worst possible way to spend $100 on a date. We sat for 30 minutes before our waiter came to the table. The worst service I have ever had, and the food was no better than what I could make at home. Saw a huge roach on the way to the bathroom. I love trying new restaurants, but this was by far the worst dining experience my fiancee and I have had anywhere.

Doesn't Recommend

rdsx455

Joined 5 years ago

Horrible. Went on a Monday night at about 6pm with 3 friends. We were trying to discuss a presentation we were giving the next week and just wanted to share a few tapas and enjoy a few beers since we had all eaten late lunches and were not particularly hungry.

After ordering our second round of drinks, the owner/waiter asked for our order and we tried to order a selection of tapas to share. He then insisted on taking an entre order at which point we suggested we'd just like to start with the tapas because we weren't sure how hungry we were. He then told us we "weren't worth his time," so we left. Interestingly, we were the only table in the restaurant at the time, so its not like he was trying to turn the table quickly. We went to another tapas place down the street which was fine and on the walk back to our cars noticed only 2 tables at Tasca Brava.

Overall, as someone who has been in the fine dining industry for 15 years, I've never A) met such a rude, condescending restaurant owner (did I mention the bluetooth earpiece he was using tableside?) or B) seen anyone refuse to be serve a table, particularly on a night when the restaurant was practically empty.

It was truly such a negative experience that I'll never be back and will make a point to tell anyone who asks not to go.

Recommends

Gonzo586

Joined 2 years ago

Simply Amazing. We had an AMAZING evening there.

The Food, The Staff, The Food!!!!!

Recommends

Beth in Cary

Joined 2 years ago

Wonderful, truly unique food!. This is by far one of my favorite restaurants. Juan, the owner, truly loves to create each dish. Before you order, ask him about what's 'off the menu' or 'on special' that night - he is always coming up with something new based on fresh available ingredients. Tonight we had sweet potato ice cream and it was delicious! I've seen other reviews about the service, which are a bit funny to me. It's a tapas restaurant - it's supposed to be a place to slow down and enjoy the company of friends and eat small dishes over time! Frankly, I think the food is well worth the wait. Where else can you get octopus, antelope, tripe, grouper & shrimp ceviche, pan de queso, lentil or locro soup, etc? The diversity of options is wonderful, the food tastes amazing, and the atmosphere is quiet and intimate. I'd encourage anyone to give this restuarant a try more than once ... it's too good to miss!

Doesn't Recommend

raleighnc8715

Joined 3 years ago

Worst Dining Experience in Raleigh. This was by far the worst experience I have had at any restaurant in Raleigh or elsewhere. The owner was our waiter and insulted us (party of 8) on numerous occasions. We all tried to order sangria but he "forgot" to make it and only had one carafe available. Keep in mind it was a Saturday night at 8 pm...no excuse for not having a signature item available. The waiter then muttered under his breath when he felt we did not order enough food. He rolled his eyes when we asked for just tap water to go with our drinks instead of sparking water or bottled water. I will never go back to Tasca Brava again. I think the only reason I did not leave half way through the meal was because there were 8 of us....eat here at your own risk...

Doesn't Recommend

sdeblase

Joined 10 years ago

Truly SLOW food, and rude service. We attended a birthday party for a table of 10. Apparently, the restaurant is not used to serving large parties. We all ordered tapas and the dishes were small and they came out one at a time. One couple at our table ordered three dishes and they all came out last. The rest of us were finished eating by the time they started. It took us 4.5 hours to eat. The owner served us, but he was more interested in conversing with a table of women close to us than serving us. We had to ask for the check 3 times. We had to stand and put our coats on to get his attention. We had planned to go out after dinner, but by the time we were finished we were too tired to go anywhere.

Doesn't Recommend

nordberg

Joined 5 years ago

Please stay away for your own good. I don't know where to start with this review since there were so many negatives on our visit. The food was mediocre. After having visited Spain, I had high hopes for this restaurant but was sadly disappointed. The food quality, inventiveness and presentation left a lot to be desired. I wouldn't go back for the food.

But I wish that was the worst of it. I have to agree with previous reviewers about their ridiculous service. The drinks and food took forever to come out and they only had about 4 or 5 tables occupied. I guess they have a "team" service system but it was confusing and they all seemed quite lost. At the end, the owner/server (haha) was our server and his negative attitude sealed our decision to never visit this restaurant again.

Doesn't Recommend

kevtam

Joined 5 years ago

The worst service ever--and had to pay a 20% tip for nada.. I went to Tasca Brava's new location tonight for dinner and it was just awful. Menus given to us once seated were for the restaurant that used to be there, Bistro--BIG MISTAKE. Finally, we did get the "correct" menus and they all had different selections for dinner and didn't match. The staff seemed baffled by this. After ordering drinks we chatted--our table of 8--and realized after 20minutes we hadn't received our drinks let alone bread. We asked for water 3 individual times from 3 individual waiters--as we didn't have "one" but a series of many, an NEVER recieved water. Finally, the owner decided to help us and took our order. None of our entrees came together, and at the end we were waiting for 3 that NEVER arrived. We cit our losses and left. At 60 dollars per person I would not reccomend this place. The food was ok, and the service sucked. Several times we complained and instead of getting a complimentary entree or a round of drinks, the owner just shrugged and complained about his staff. I felt so upset about this experience that I called the waiter later on and told him I would write this review. He did not try to apologize but expressed that he felt it would tke awhile for the food and staff to be top notch after the move--that this was just the start. But, why should I be penalized? Why did I have to pay top dollar and a 20% tip for the poorest service I ever recieved? Then he told me his wife is sick and he is having to do this all by himself! Well, if you think you can't handle the business, get out of it! All I ask for is friendly service, good food, and attentiveness to a patron's needs. I recieved none of this. Please skip this place and go to Red Room across the street.

Recommends

projecte

Joined 6 years ago

Don't get the hate. I had the pleasure of visiting Tasca Brava over the summer with a friend of mine. She has never had tapas or traditional Spanish food, she is a good ol' burger and fries Southern girl. But we both loved the food. We split about four tapas and I had the sangria, it was quite a good meal. The service, which have been slaughtered in some of these reviews, was really pleasant. It was a female waitress and I guess her little daughter. The daughter was adorable, tell us her favorite tapa and showing us a glass b ull for no reason. The service itself was prompt and I didn't have a complaint about it.

It is a bit pricey but it was still a quality meal. I'd say, go ahead check it out and determine for yourself.

Recommends

lovingspanishcuisine

Joined 5 years ago

An education in regional Spanish fare. When I say an education, I mean it. You have to be adventurous and open minded to appreciate the passion the owner shows in the entrees and wine pairings he recommends. This was an experience that I really enjoyed and appreciated. I can understand the frustrations of the people who offered previous reviews, but when you go to a unique restaurant such as this you should want to be guided in your choices. My friends and I went tonight for a birthday dinner and because we were all open enough to try different things and really listen and appreciate the origin of each choice we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The staff being the owner and one waitress (it was a Wed. night) were very attentive and friendly. We felt right at home. Please try this restaurant and give the owner and his ideals a chance. You wont regret it. I didnt and I read the previous reviews before going. Im glad I did. We had a fabulous time!! The wine list is wonderful. I had the wild boar chorizo sausage and potato/onion tart which we shared as well as the duck. For desert I had a wonderful and light medley of sorbet. From blackberry, lulu (from the family of kiwi), papaya and guava along with a cafe con leche. So good!!! Dont expect salt and pepper on the table nor sugar for your coffee. It is served as authentic as can be and it is so worthwhile to have it as so. Life is too short to have everything the same way week in and week out, so live, love. laugh and EAT!!!