Orinoco

Place was pretty good, but not fantastic for the pricey menu. It's really small and doesn't take reservations so we waited an hour for a table for five. I got the portabello goat cheese arepas - stuffed corn pockets. These were ok, but not as flavorful as I had hoped. They were 15.95 for four of them...wouldn't get them again. Some friends got the churrasco, which they liked...but they didn't get that much for the price. The empanadas were my favorite out of the bunch...we also got some yucca fries which were unique but wouldn't order them again. Overall, I probably wouldn't come here again. Pros: unique food fun to try Cons: Small, pricey more

Two of my friends went to this place (one for lunch and the other for dinner) and they both LOVED it, so I had to try it out. It looks like a hole in the wall and there is seating outside and inside (like an old saloon) but my friend who went for dinner said it is a GREAT date place (candles and all, everything was very nice at night too) but I went for lunch. the food was AMAZING. Seriously, totally didn't expect a quick bite to eat to LITERALLY make me ""mmm"" with every bite! I had the Venezuelan corn sandwich (can't remember the name...) with shredded chicken and avocado, and my friend had a steak sandwich... and both of us were speechless! We also had fried plantains... seriously, try them, they are delic! So thumbs up for orinoco! Pros: food, price, everything! Cons: NONE. more

i had heard a lot of good things about this place and decided to take my parents there when they were in town. the food was incredibly flavorful and the service was excellent. I particularly recommend the shredded beef & beans. Also, the flan was the best I've ever had. Go! Pros: authentic, tasty, reasonable prices Cons: little tight inside more

I have dine at Orinoco many times and all have been deliciuosly wonderful. However, the best time to go is for sunday brunch. Get in early (very small place) or you will smell all that good food as you wait for others to finish! I recomend you start of with a hot chocolate, very thick, non of that watery stuff! The arepas with chicken and avacodo are good, but a must try are the CACHAPAS. MMMMmm oh so yummy! Pros: So much flavor for so little price! Cons: A small place. more

This cozy latin hideaway located on the corner of Shawmut Avenue and Concord Street, in the South End is absolutely divine. From the moment you step in the front door, you feel as though you could be in the house of a Venezuelan family. The decor is rustic and charming with warm colours accenting the wall, along with the spanish light fixtures make this an intimate spot without it being pretentious. The wine list was surpisingly delicious with an array of vineyards from South America. Once seated, the service was friendly and prompt, without being annoying and never once did you feel rushed. The meal was phenomenal! In an area where restaurants seem to be on every corner, and more chichi then the next, this was a terrific change of pace and a true hidden gem! Pros: affordable Cons: No Parking more

Excellent restaurant. Parking is difficult so cabbing is a better idea. They don't take reservations. Our wait was 25 minutes, but completely worth it. The food was very good. I've had home-cooked Latin food which was not as good as this. They are pretty authentic (no Latin fusion). The host is also the owner. The entire staff was very pleasant. Will be going back there soon! Pros: Service, Food Cons: No reservations, difficulty finding parking more

I recently relocated to Boston and have yet to be Wowed by any place EXCEPT this place.. WOW, truly amazing food. Pros: Great Taste, Nice looking, friendly staff Cons: Bit Slow on service more

We went here on a Friday night around 9pm and got seated right away. The host was very nice and the server was helpful in explaining the menu. \r I liked the arepas but wished they were a little less hard (maybe less time on the grill?). The main dishes were great and came with awesome sides of plantains and black beans. \r The wine list was small but very reasonably priced. The atmosphere was casual with a great energy. It looked like the wait staff really liked working there. Some of the staff and customers even started an impromtu latin dance session. \r Overall I would definitely recommend this place. Pros: Atmosphere, service Cons: don't take reservations more

\r Small, cozy, first come, first serve service. Overall we found the food to be fresh, delicious and I would highly recommend this place.\r Pros: Quality of Food! Cons: Time to Wait more

Don't listen to the bad reviews - you'll miss out on a great meal if you do. Orinoco is a true find. The food is delicious with great variety from start to finish. My husband and I have been here several times already and have brought friends many times. One of the best aspects of the menu is that it can satisfy you if you want something light or if you're starving and in need of a hearty meal.\r \r My favorites are the Reina Pepiada which, according to a native of the region is very authentic - a little tangy and light. I think this is the best of the arepas. I have also tried the carnitas - while the pork is well cooked, the arepa overwhelms the meat - not a good ratio of arepa to meat. Other faves for appetizers are the plaintains with cheese and bacon wrapped dates. Very decadent but oh so good!\r \r For entrees (if you have room), try the lamb - out of this world. And, don't miss the torta fluida for dessert. It will satisfy any and every chocolate lover. Wine list is good with manageable selection of South American wines. Atmosphere is lively and the wait staff are friendly and knowledgeable enough (some more than others). There can be a long wait because this is a small restaurant and they don't take reservations. But, you are in the South End so don't be surprised. Pros: Great food, lively environment Cons: The wait can be long more

The food at Orinoco is great. However, it is really disappointing when so often many things are not available- at our most recent visit, literally 4-5 things on the menu were unavailable. The limited choices mixed with irregular hours, no voicemail to let customers know what hours they are open, is unprofessional. At some point, I hope they realize this is Boston, not Latin America, or even Miami! Pros: great food, only venezuelan restaurant around Cons: unprofessional, irregular hours, unavailable menu items more

I went to Orinoco last week; I have to say that it is what I expected to be after reading out all the reviews there has been in the newspapers and magazines. Arepas were great, light and tasty, and the price in the range of a restaurant of its kind, we had the tuna and the Lamb, each with flavors well blend to give the meaning of the type of cuisine they are ""A Latin kitchen"". The state that is not a Venezuelan restaurant but the core tendency is, I have to say that is different and worth to experience. I definitively recommend it. Pros: Personalized , Authentic Cons: Space, Music more

I could not believe the service and the presentation. They were bad bad bad. We ordered some arepas and for the $7.00 that each arepa cost we were very dissapointed because there were so tiny and did not come with any side order. They were also tasteless. I will never go back there again. I talked to some friends from Venezuelan and they told me that normally arepas are served with some salad or something like that. They also found the price extremely high. more

My partner and I went to Orinoco for dinner last night and got right in... The host (owner?) was very friendly and seated us at a very cramped little table. Unfortunately, the couple next to us was loud and it took the server about 10 minutes to even notice that we were there. The arepa was rather disappointing - lacking flavor or anything that made it special. The slow service and unexciting arepa were forgotten when the main dishes arrived. Wow! I adored my chicken baked in a sweet-ish pastry and my partner's delicately flavored stewed beef with black beans and rice. The flavors were so intricate and good. We'll definitely go back and hope the other little flaws were one time slips. Pros: Great flavors, Cute place Cons: Small, Noisy more

This place is great - great food, good music, and friendly service. We arrived Thursday night and had to wait 1 hour for a table, but it was well worth it. The salad with bacon wrapped dates and empanadas were awesome, as were the arepas. This is a great addition to the neighborhood! more

This place is authentic Venezuelan, from the food to the music to the drinks, I felt immersed in the culture. The food was delicious, well made, fresh and very flavorful. Try the bacon wrapped dates. Pros: inexpensive, fantastic food, good music Cons: small place=long wait, slow service more