Caliente Cab Company

Bonfire is located at 61 7th Ave South. Website is www.calientecab.com

So called because of the old school taxi parked in front of the place, Caliente Cab Co. is one of the few restaurants in the West Village that is part of a chain, so there is the immediate lack of authenticity that you might feel when you walk into Caliente Cab Company's West Village location. The warmth of the linch staff, though, puts you right back into the warm Latin family feeling that you would expect from some of your smaller, one location operations in the Village. The night time staff obviously has more tables to handle, so they are a little bit distant. Anyway, since the food is standardized so that all locations can have sameness, there isn't a great deal of overwhelmingly specifically Mexican or exciting. The food does complement well the drinks, and the variety in the drinks is definitely suitable for a great time. It does seem like the second drink is a little stronger than the first, which I like, because many bartenders play the reverse game - heavy drink the first time, then lighten up on the alcohol severely each subsequent drink. And, with endless chips and salsa, you could redirect your funds towards drinks and dry up the alcohol with chips....!

Recommendations:
Miami Vice Frozen Margarita!!! Flautas!!

Service  - 1 (excellent, nice staff. Food comes quickly - you probably won't finish appetizers before the main course is presented)
Price - 1  (Very reasonable)
Ambience - 1 (relaxed atmosphere, date potential, not too loud for a business lunch, fun with friends)
Cleanliness - 1 (bathroom is clean, tables, counters, and floors all clean. )
Excellence - 1 (Pleasant basically wraps up my explanation of this.)

SCORE: 5 out of 5

!Que Viva Caliente Cab!

Veranda

Bonfire is located at 130 7th Avenue. Website is www.verandanyc.com .

This Mediterranean style restaurant boasts great food, a great staff, beautiful interior, wide open space, appropriate lighting, great drinks, and great food. Did I mention great food? Did I mention that I like this place
After 10 or so, eventually, this place turns into a lounge/club and there are two rooms which allows for many time to have two separate parties or themes. Also, if you are into hookah, this is an excellent location for that.

Recommendations:
No specific recommendation. Everything is as good as it seems on the menu.
I love dancing salsa, so I would recommend Tuesday nights for their weekly Salsa party.

Service  - 1 (excellent, nice staff.)
Price - 1
Ambience - 1 (relaxed atmosphere, yet classy and posh. TV show scene caliber - MTV was just there!!)
Cleanliness - 1 (bathroom is clean, tables, counters, and floors all clean)
Excellence - 1 (food is impeccable, portions are amazing, all around great)

SCORE: 5 out of 5