El Cantito Cafe — Review by Gordon Ramsay
Saugerties, United States — Puerto Rican
Gordon Ramsay visits El Cantito Cafe, a Puerto Rican restaurant in Saugerties struggling with broken equipment and uninspired food. Despite the owner's good intentions to recreate grandma's kitchen experience, the restaurant fails to deliver authentic flavors and proper care in its dishes. The visit reveals fundamental issues with kitchen operations, staff coordination, and food quality.
What was great: Nothing mentioned
What could improve: Broken air conditioner, dreary and unfinished interior, lack of Puerto Rican flavor and authenticity, poor seasoning and bland food execution
The Dishes
Gordon ordered several appetizers including bacalaitos and shrimp ceviche, as well as empanadas made by Julio. While specific details about the taste of these dishes were not fully captured in the transcript, the overall sentiment toward the food preparation was negative, with Gordon noting a lack of authentic Puerto Rican flavors throughout the menu.
The Experience
The restaurant was uncomfortably hot due to a broken air conditioner, which immediately set a negative tone for the visit. The interior is described as dreary, dark, gray, and unfinished, with cheap decorations like a fake two-dollar candle failing to create an inviting atmosphere. The restaurant appeared full during Gordon's visit, but the service and kitchen coordination were chaotic and disorganized.
Value and Pricing
While specific prices were not mentioned for the dishes at El Cantito, the overall value proposition is questionable given the quality issues and lack of authentic preparation the restaurant is delivering.
Notable Moments
El Cantito translates to smooth peace, and owner Debbie's goal is to bring Puerto Rico to customers, hoping they leave feeling fulfilled and nostalgic as if they just left grandma's kitchen. However, there is nothing in the restaurant that takes guests back to Puerto Rico in terms of flavor or atmosphere.
The Verdict
El Cantito Cafe fails to deliver on its promise of authentic Puerto Rican cuisine and warmth. The combination of broken equipment, uninspired interior design, and poorly executed dishes makes this restaurant unworthy of a visit. Owner Debbie clearly has passion for her mission, but the execution falls dangerously short of her vision.