Tio Luca Bistro Latino

I read quite a lot of good reviews of Tio Luca and decided to go on a cold Monday afternoon with a friend. I was one of two customers in the restaurant. Very empty. I had the calamari and quesadilla small plates. Portions were very small. The quesadilla was just okay-​nothing special. Calamari was awful. Tasted like it came from a frozen bag of seafood mix I could buy at any supermarket. The food was extremely pricey for the portions and their happy hour special didnt make me that happy. Sangria was tasty though. I did enjoy their burger also. It was delicious and well seasoned.
Overall the dining experience was ok, but the food is really overpriced for what you’re getting.

I was excited, when this place opened in the neighborhood. It was potentially a good go-​to spots and welcome variety to the cuisine scene above 125^th. Unfortunately, it is doesn’t pass on most levels. Eager, but poor and slow service. Food is fine, but over-​priced. I’ve been here four times and the experience has been unfortunately consistent. Give it a try, if you have time and money to spare on a subpar experience.

Loved this spot. It was my first time trying tapas and it definitely left me wanting more.
The four of us started off with the shrimp, and lobster ceviche. My only complaint is that there wasn’t more to go around. The shrimp was incredibly well seasoned, and drenched in a delicious garlic sauce. The lobster was great too.
For the main dish I had the sirloin, which was unfortunately smothered in my most hated vegetable… onions. I scooped them off and enjoyed the best steak I had in a long time, accompanied with some tasty white rice and sweet plantain. I might have even nibbled an onion or two, and it wasn’t terrible lol.
Hope this place sticks around.

Two stars … And that’s mostly for the drinks. The food is very mediocre (and that’s being nice). I ordered my fajitas medium … they came out burned and flavorless, and that’s the same for my date’s meal (sirloin). I strongly encourage drinking only, if anything at all. Music was too loud at times. Service was slow, with the exception of the bartender (Gerard — he seem to know what he was doing).

This place is friendly and cozy. The food is basic and a bit over priced but overall it’s a good experience. I’ve been here twice fist to just have drinks and appetizers at the bar with a friend. The bartender was kind courteous and fun. The second time was for dinner the server was very kind and professional.

This is the second time Ogo and I have been here. First time was few months ago, we saw it during one of our restaurant hunts in Harlem. We walked in and was greeted with a very cozy and laid back ambiance. Today wasn’t any different and we even chose to sit at the bar just like the first time. The décor is sparse but it suits the look — very modern and chic.
Our bartender today was Francisco, he was very friendly and attentive. We talked about the nice Cuban music playing in the background and then talked about salsa dance and how we all want to learn it. Today wasn’t packed, there were like only 3 occupied tables when we walked in but few more patrons walked in later.
I ordered the chicken quesadillas and Ogo ordered the chicken salad. The food was amazingly delicious! The best quesadillas I’ve ever had. It looked as good as it tasted. Ogo’s chicken salad was tasteful and fresh. They have a rich wine collection and reasonably priced. They don’t have a liquor license yet but will soon. In summary, it’s a great restaurant with great food and service and very friendly staff.

The atmosphere is nice. They have the «indoor-​outdoor» ambiance with the sliding doors. The food was a pleasant surprise. I really enjoyed the carne asada and my boyfriend enjoyed his pork ok. The drinks, however, are very sweet and not the best. They don’t have liquor here and all mixed drinks are made of wine. Overall, it is a bit pricey but that is to be expected in this up and coming area. I will be back, but not rushing back.

Good Brunch! Different dishes specially the crab cakes that are the best ones I’ve had. So flavourful… but as good as they are you’ll want more. The dish should be put apart in the menu as an appetizer since you only get two crab cakes in a bed of corn. Small plate for one person. The good thing was that we shared that with the steak sandwich that is big and comes with great hand cut fries. The sandwich is ok, too much bread and not that great overall, but the meat was cooked perfectly. I guess the key is to order the steak and eggs if it’s the same meat.
The service… well, let’s say they don’t know what they have in the menu and what each plate costs.
They charge me $ 2 more than what is on the menu. Is not the $ 2 is just the miserable way of getting money out of a client. If the menu is wrong, well, is your fault not mine and if I was the owner I would go in favor of the clientele.
We address this overcharge and ask the waiter. Then she came with another bill, this time corrected. I handle my credit card and when she came with the receipt to sign they put the previous amount! So they charge me more making me think this time was right, incredible. I felt I was ripped off, not for the $ 2 which I paid anyway since I wanted to leave, just because they were skimpy.

The taco platter is delicious! Love the aioli. So glad this place is so close to home! The windows open to street — great atmosphere.

I’ve been wanting to go here for a yr now… Finally came on a Thursday evening. The restaurant is very cute. It definitely looks out of place with the other businesses on its street. Tio Luca stands out… In a good way!
I’m going to keep this brief. Food was exellent. I had the salmon which was super tasty… Best i’ve had in a while. My sister had the Alambres, which are the steak skewers. She said they were good too, but wished she had my plate lol. Borgoña sangria was really good as well. Only gripe was how long food took to come out. Other than that, this place is 5 stars for me. Will most definitely be back to try more things on the menu.

Great service, presentation, and friendly staff. The red and white sangria are awesome! The nachos are small in number but packed with ingredients and taste! I will def return!!!

You can’t go wrong with good food and Eddie Palmieri and Cal Tjader playing in the background.

Always delicious. Great ambiance. Perhaps a little pricey, but you can order apps to share. I’ve had empanadas, salmon when in season, but the tacos for the table-​comes in three kinds with a lovely presentation – are my favorite. Churros are yummy, too.
They don’t serve liquor but they have a nice wine selection and cocktails with a wine base.

A new spot to open in Harlem. Yay! At the recommendation of my sister in law we met here for dinner. (NOT DRINKS, they have no liquor license. And I’m fine w that).
We were a party of 6, The service was pretty good. Wait staff attentive. Atmosphere & music made it a chill spot to go and eat. Food of GREAT. I wanted the short ribs and was talked into the pork chops as it was our servers fave. Best decision I made. They were succulent, nice char on them and the seasoning was just why we went for Spanish cuisine. Wife & sister in law had the shrimp. Bro in law had salmon. One in our party had the sangria and didn’t like it. Personal preference I guess. Good spot, I’d go back.

I wish I could give this place more stars. I’ve been twice — the first time for just drinks, more recently for drinks and small eats.
The positive — the atmosphere is nice, tasteful décor. Also the waiter who served us was friendly and accommodating.
The not so positive — drinks cost the same as they do at the more centrally located and more highly trafficked red rooster and corner social. The cocktails are creative recipes but they don’t have liquor so they are only adding mixers to wine or beer… not such a great result. More disappointing, the $ 14 cheese plate only came with 3 tiny pieces of bread and the Gorgonzola cheese crumbles looked like they came out of a shaker container for salads — completely impractical for a cheese plate. We asked for more bread and were told we’d be charged $ 2 for the nub of a baguette. We protested and they did us the «favor» of comping some bread– a hamburger bun thrown on the grill with some butter and garlic.
I’m intrigued by some of their other menu items, but not enough to return and risk an overpriced, sub-​par meal when there are more reliable options nearby.

I came in for a quick dinner and am so glad I did.
Ordered the Alambres and it was fantastic. I got it cooled medium rare and it came out just that way. I also substitued the garlic cheese fries for sweet potato ones. Service was a little slow because the place was so busy, but I will be back for sure!
The vibe is very nice, the music selections go with the restaurant and the staff were all very friendly.
4.5 stars!

Came here for brunch with the kiddos. We had the chicken quesadillas, steak and eggs and a chicken sandwich.
Small portions that took forever to come out. We all pretty much left still semi hungry. I would probably have rated higher if it didnt take the food so long to come out without explanation. Flavors are competent but I didnt leave raving about anything. Mimosas were ok but I did think their coffee was tasty.
They have an open kitchen concept that was a nice touch. Their restrooms are immaculate and overall the whole place has a very modern décor.
I would have to return during a different service to see what others are raving about. Brunch is definitely not it.

$ 12-​$ 16 for a mediocre tapas plate that barely feeds a person? No thanks. Ceviche was chewy and certainly not fresh (and I paid $ 14 for that?) The house salad dressing is made with yellow mustard. Seriously? You have the courage to charge $ 15 for a salad and your dressing’s base is YELLOW mustard? The staff was charming and attentive (albeit slow to serve) but folks don’t waste your money here. Your palate will thank me.

Good addition to the neighborhood!
My friends live a block away so we are happy to have this cute spot in the area to just go hang out at. It’s easy, laid back, casual, cozy & relaxed atmosphere.
Good service. Good drinks. Good food.

My husband and I have lived in this neighborhood for three years now and have bemoaned the lack of a classy place without the tourist-​trap prices. (Yes, Harlem has become a tourist-​trap. Come up any weekend and see the buses of tall, blonde, Scandinavian-​looking Europeans wandering around and paying ridiculous prices at places like The Red Rooster and Corner Social if you don’t believe me.) Tio Luca is literally across the street from us and we kept our eyes on it from the moment it underwent renovations.
We went in the day after it opened and were pleasantly surprised. Having worked in the industry, I know it’s difficult to get things up and running right away. The service was a little slow even though we sat at the bar, but it was only the second day. Everyone was pleasant and they have a happy hour from until 7:00. $ 6 sangria, $ 5 house wine (it may be the other way around, I can’t remember) and $ 4 draft beers. We went back two more times and have been successively impressed with the level of service and quality of the food each time. This place is a gem in this neighborhood of Red Rooster-​like money traps or ‘hood Chinese. THANK YOU!