Dulce Vida Latin Bistro

The food was fantastic and the service and atmosphere were excellent. On top of that, the portions were impressively generous, definitely more than enough to enjoy without feeling rushed.

The location is very snug but they make it work perfectly on the upper East side. The service was excellent and the server was very attentive. It wasn't really a hot day but the air conditioner was not sufficient for a table of 5 and a place with three sets of guests. The food was the centerpiece and it was excellent. Everything was cooked and tasted like five star restaurant food. My wife actually finished her steak and my son ate all his chips and guac. I loved my three beef tacos. Our relatives also love their food. They give a pretty large portion of food also. My son compared their french fries to McDonald's and said their fries were better.

I want to begin by expressing how distasteful and unprofessional the management of this establishment is. I made a reservation for a group of nine people and spoke directly with the restaurant owner, Maria. She informed me there would be a $25 fee per person, which I agreed to. While we were dining—only 45 minutes into our reservation—Maria asked one of her employees to hand me the phone so she could speak with me directly. During that call, she reminded me of our agreement regarding the fee. I acknowledged this and explained that I could not order additional items at that moment because my full party had not yet arrived. Maria then asked how long it would take for the remaining guests to arrive, and I told her they would be there soon. She proceeded to state that she had another reserva

Such a cozy and welcoming Colombian spot! My mom and I stopped in for lunch and were really impressed. We ordered the steak and the soup/salad lunch specials, along with a beef empanada—and everything was delicious. The space is warm and inviting, and the service was kind and attentive. Highly recommend if you're looking for authentic Colombian comfort food in the UES! The Ajiaco (a traditional Colombian chicken and potato soup) was especially comforting—rich, flavorful, and super satisfying. Perfectly warming and hearty without being too heavy. The steak was also excellent—juicy, tender, and well-cooked. The empanada had a crispy shell with a flavorful beef filling, and the portions were generous for lunch.

Extremely Unprofessional Management ​Our book club had a confirmed reservation and a negotiated price of $25 per person. Only 36 minutes into our appetizers (2 platters of mini empanadas, 2 mini arepas, 2 plantain dishes and 2 bottles of wine), the owner called the table to harass our organizer, demanding we leave early and attempting to increase the price to $35 per person. ​When we asked when was the next reservation time in order to clear the tables, the owner refused to answer and instead threatened to charge our friend’s credit card for the un-agreed-upon amount. We felt extorted and we decided to pack our food and leave mid-meal. While the waitstaff was kind, but the owner’s behavior was predatory and hostile. After 15 years of attending book club outings, we have never experienced s