So, my dad was in town for a tour of the 520 bridge, and we decided we'd meet and go out. After my husband made some quip about the moniker conjuring some medieval disease, we opted for the restaurant next door to the hotel in Federal Way, WA--Black Angus. On the front of the restaurant was a ginormous sign: "Wednesday nights--Prime Rib Special with Free Mud Pie."
We checked our watches--7:30 p.m. on Wednesday night. And we moseyed on in, already salivating for prime rib and pie. As soon as we sat down, my dad asked about the prime rib.
"We're out," the waitress snapped.
What??? They advertised a prime rib special. What restaurant runs out of prime rib on prime rib night???
After a few minutes, we regrouped and asked what they were substituting for the prime rib, so customers could still get the free mud pie.
"No substitutions."
And she confirmed with the manager.
Seriously???
At that point, I was ready to get up and leave, but my dad and my husband convinced me to give it a shot. We placed our orders for the least expensive items on the menu and waited for the food to arrive. The steaks were rare on the inside, and a tough well-done on the outside. The rubbery chicken was drowned in teriyaki sauce with the taste and consistency of cough syrup. The shrimp was soggy, the green beans shriveled and freezer-burned, and the salads wilted. And we were not about to order dessert.
We used coupons amounting to 20% off the total bill. The tip we paid was 15% to the penny (although if I had my way, I wouldn't have paid any at all, since the waitress was so unattentive and the customer service so poor).
To top off the whole experience, my normally cast-iron stomach was so upset that I spent the entire sleepless night worshipping the porcelain throne. Medieval disease indeed.
Food poisoning aside, what kind of a business establishment advertises a special that it doesn't actually provide, and offers no way for customers to substitute? That's no way to build a positive reputation and earn repeat business. As a retail business owner, that practice is pure idiocy.
I've only been at one other restaurant where the manager had worse customer service (although the food was undeniably fab)--P.F. Chang in Orem, UT--and I boycotted the restaurant for more than two years. And counting.
Next time, I'm going to save my $50 and go to Carl's Jr.
-Pineapple
Friday, July 27, 2012
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Thai Noodles to Die For
For date night on Friday, we decided to try a Thai restaurant close to our new digs in Washington state. After reading reviews of various local options, we decided on a budget-friendly, family-owned restaurant, Irene Thai Cuisine, in Woodinville, WA.
The service was friendly and fast, the restaurant ambience cozy. The decor could only be considered delightfully eclectic: a mix of rustic Thai thatching, photos of traditional and modern Thailand, colorful saltwater fish, hanging rain catchers for an indoor waterfall-like feature, sparkling knick-knacks, varnished bamboo wall coverings, and more modern granite countertops.
We decided to order spring rolls, which arrived piping hot, served with the house chili sauce. The rolls were delivered at the same time as one of the main dishes, since we elected to eat family style.
My husband lived for two years in Thailand some time back, so he knows his way around Thai cuisine. He selected Kuay Teaw Kua, a noodle dish with wide noodles, fried egg, vegetables, and oyster sauce. I selected my old stand-by, Massaman Curry... mild, just in case they season it per Thai taste. I was tempted to go medium, but I can always make it hotter.
The curry was pretty good flavor-wise--nutty, sweet, and slightly tangy--but the potatoes were slightly undercooked. I like potatoes to be firm, but melt in your mouth... not quite so crunchy. The potatoes made the curry a bit difficult to eat at the time, but I'm sure it's awesome the second day after it sits in rice overnight and is reheated, cooking the potatoes a bit more. In my experience, curry tastes much better the second day anyway...
The Kuay Teaw Kua, on the other hand, was spectacular! The flavors mixed together well, the dish was cooked just right. We both loved it! That was the shining star, and the reason we will go back. I am especially excited to try the Phad Se-ew, as that's generally a favorite for me, and the kitchen seems to do an especially good job with noodle dishes.
For dessert, we shared an order of black sticky rice, which was absolutely fabulous! Two thumbs way up! We fought over the last bite and wished we'd ordered two. Next time, maybe we will!
-Pineapple
The service was friendly and fast, the restaurant ambience cozy. The decor could only be considered delightfully eclectic: a mix of rustic Thai thatching, photos of traditional and modern Thailand, colorful saltwater fish, hanging rain catchers for an indoor waterfall-like feature, sparkling knick-knacks, varnished bamboo wall coverings, and more modern granite countertops.
We decided to order spring rolls, which arrived piping hot, served with the house chili sauce. The rolls were delivered at the same time as one of the main dishes, since we elected to eat family style.
My husband lived for two years in Thailand some time back, so he knows his way around Thai cuisine. He selected Kuay Teaw Kua, a noodle dish with wide noodles, fried egg, vegetables, and oyster sauce. I selected my old stand-by, Massaman Curry... mild, just in case they season it per Thai taste. I was tempted to go medium, but I can always make it hotter.
The curry was pretty good flavor-wise--nutty, sweet, and slightly tangy--but the potatoes were slightly undercooked. I like potatoes to be firm, but melt in your mouth... not quite so crunchy. The potatoes made the curry a bit difficult to eat at the time, but I'm sure it's awesome the second day after it sits in rice overnight and is reheated, cooking the potatoes a bit more. In my experience, curry tastes much better the second day anyway...
The Kuay Teaw Kua, on the other hand, was spectacular! The flavors mixed together well, the dish was cooked just right. We both loved it! That was the shining star, and the reason we will go back. I am especially excited to try the Phad Se-ew, as that's generally a favorite for me, and the kitchen seems to do an especially good job with noodle dishes.
For dessert, we shared an order of black sticky rice, which was absolutely fabulous! Two thumbs way up! We fought over the last bite and wished we'd ordered two. Next time, maybe we will!
-Pineapple
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