Cenote - Sayville

We arrived for our 7:30 reservation around 7:20 and were told to wait at the bar. The renovations to the space are quite beautiful, but we were never attended to by the bartender, who later apologized for being too busy when we were finally seated 35 minutes after our arrival. The owner mentioned that they were short-staffed, which unfortunately affected our experience. To start, we were given complimentary chips with a delicious smokey salsa. Our appetizers didn’t arrive until around 8:15, and our drinks came only after that. The elote fries were unimpressive, while the mushroom flautas were decent with a nice unique flavor. The guacamole was okay but served in a very small portion. The drinks varied in quality but were mostly good, probably due to the bartender being overwhelmed. The drink menu was creative and appealing. Two of my friends ordered the carne asada, which was truly delicious and perfectly cooked. Another friend and I opted for chicken and beef enchiladas, respectively, but both dishes were rather bland and lacking in flavor. None of us enjoyed the rice and beans that accompanied our meals; they were dry and tasteless. We decided to share churros for dessert, but sadly, they didn't taste fresh, and the four of us struggled to finish the four tiny churros due to their disappointing flavor. I'm quite disappointed and regret suggesting this place to my friends. As new moms, nights out are rare, and while I believe service would have been better with a full staff, I still don't feel inclined to return for the food, especially with so many excellent Mexican restaurants in the area. The Bistro was one of my favorites, and I hope my experience at Cenote was just an off night.

This is a lovely restaurant with a pleasant atmosphere. It’s mostly quiet, offering excellent service and delicious food that is well-prepared and beautifully served. The prices are also quite reasonable.

Excellent service, food w fresh ingredients well prepared, fabulous sangria. We will return.

What a wonderful night for my entire family! We were celebrating my son's birthday, and the food was outstanding. More than that, the staff was professional, welcoming, and attentive throughout the meal. Although the restaurant was quite crowded, the volume of talk was at a low level, allowing us to all clear each other while we were dining. We cannot wait to go again!

Excellent food, amazing drinks service. Victor goes out of his way to make the guest have an enjoyable experience. Ally, our waitress, was attentive, engaging and able to answer all our questions.