CabareteBars & RestaurantsOnno's I decided that I would write a 'specific' review of restaurants over a period of time and decide 'tonight I'll review...' When I went to Onno's I really wanted to give it a good review, I have had many good times in this bar. But like an ex-lover who isn't wearing well, Onno's is fast becoming somewhere that is best held in the long term memory. Don't get me wrong, I still pop in there from time to time (perhaps the 'ex-lover' isn't the right metaphor any more?) And she's still got some nice qualities IT'S!- it's still got some nice qualities... I think the main issue is there's been a pretty much wholesale turnover of staff and the current crew aren't of the same standard as before. Back end of 2007 it got a 'make over' which appears to have largely involved moving the bar three feet, tidying the toilet area and (bizarrely) removing the neon 'Onno's' light from the front (perhaps it just broke or fell down?) The last time I visited Cabarete (Sept '07) I noticed a deterioration in the service. Earlier this trip (Jan '08) I actually sat at a table for about ten minutes. The waitress eventually appeared, cleared the table next to mine. I naturally assumed she'd be coming straight back to the thirsty, hungry customer. So when she leant against the bar and started chatting to the bar staff, I stood up and left. Clearly the only way I'd get service that night was if I got up and helped myself. So, on the evening that I returned to do the review, I REALLY wanted it to be a great meal, with top service. I was halfway there, the food was excellent. As always. I don't recall ever having a bad meal there. But again the service was patchy. Two staff didn't appear to know who they were supposed to be serving and were completely disorganised. The guy did at least apologise, which goes a long way. When the food arrived, it was spot on. Onno's has a wide and varied selection of food available. The happy hour menu is largely half price tappas. I decided to have the 'fish fingers' this evening simply because I'd never tried them before. Fresh battered strips of white fish that melted in the mouth, served with a garlic mayonnaise dip and a few crunchy bits of veg. Probably I should have ordered some chips to bulk it out or it could have come with some bread but it was good enough as it was. On this night, food 8/10, service 5/10. Still one of the bars to visit on the beach. Another 'cool bar' in the evening that becomes one of the livelier places to be later into the night. If you visit Cabarete, still visit Onno's, she's not really a bad old girl.  Onno's by day, more lively at night, when it is one of the bars to be. Update: Service was friendly again in January '09 Non-beach places review menu below. Some images required. Click on text for links.
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