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Latest Mexican restaurant lands in Raleigh.
Transport your taste buds to Mexico sans passport via the latest authentic sup spot to land on the scene: La Buena Vida, a new resto by Salvador Alvarez (who also owns Chido Taco with Joel Ibarra and other partners, and is married to Sanford’s Fonda Lupita owner Biridiana Frausto—read more on the family legacy on p. 36). Translating to “the good life,” La Buena Vida features vibrant and veritable Mexican flavors that “bring us back to home in Jalisco with a nice family atmosphere and live Mexican music every Saturday and Sunday night.” So, in essence, a party for both your ears and your taste buds. And contrary to your typical Mexican-American or Tex-Mex eateries, La Buena Vida’s menu is composed of nips and sips you may have never even heard of—but once you try ’em, you won’t be able to get enough. Think costras—meaning crust—de ribeye (essentially a crispy cheese-encrusted ribeye on a corn tortilla); seafood molcajete, starring a myriad of seafood in a stone mortar bowl; and the Rosa De Guadalupe, a ’Gram-worthy cocktail made with coconut rum, lavender, grapefruit, lime and cotton candy—aka a drink and dessert in one (!). In addition, all of La Buena Vida’s margs and cocktails are made with fresh juices and unique presentations (obviously). We’ll take one of everything! Living the good life, indeed. @labuenavida_oficial
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We (family) went to the restaurant early to celebrate my adult daughter’s birthday with her husband and their toddler son. Right away there were communication issues with the server…largely language. We understood we were there at happy hour so the table ordered margaritas and one beer. We were also told that the table could have a cheese quesadilla free also because happy hour. My son in law brought my daughter’s favorite cake with us for dessert. He also brought plates and utensils. The restaurant provided nothing. When I received the check I simply paid it, didn’t really look tthat close. On the way home I look, realize there were no happy hour discounts on the drinks and in fact was charged for 2 beers. Also, I was charged for the “free” appetizer, and then to add insult to injury I was charged a $15 “cake fee”. The mandatory gratuity was 18% and they added a credit card fee of 3%. So I had to turn around and 5 miles back to the restaurant. When I explained the issues to the manager, he was not sympathetic but took off the beer and free appetizer. Then he tells me happy hour was only 1/2 price for mojitos, nothing else. That wasn’t communicated by the server…. But what really was over the top was the arbitrary “cake fee”. We had our own cake, our own plates and flatware, and at no time when we carried the cake in, did anyone disclose a “cake fee” for no cake. When asked where there was disclosed, he said on their app. I told him I didn’t have his app and never visited his website…first time to the restaurant. He couldn’t care less, refused to credit the charge. Bottom line, the food was not very good, the waitress was friendly but could not understand half of what was said and could not communicate to us clearly, but the topper was the manager’s attitude. I really have no issues with clearly communicated policies but to expect someone to look through their website before visiting a restaurant is a stretch. It was not on the menu or any signage. I don’t complain a lot but to be charged in 3 places for things I never received, at full price, that’s unforgivable. His decision to not apologize and stick me with the $15 fee after all of that cost him my business, and my families and friends business as well.