I'd prefer to give this a 2.5 star if i could... given the
below mentioned 50/50 split. (This will make sense as you read)
Before people go on hating me for not raving about the
wonderful food. Realize that my reviews are based both on equal parts service
and equal parts food quality/taste etc. Bottom line is this, maybe we caught
them on a bad time, or maybe just the fact we didn't order drinks. I was
however, heavily recommended this place, by my manager at work.
That said let me start at the top. I went out with my mother
and father in-law. This alone is a risk in and of itself, as they are really
nice to me and I really like them. That aside, he was apprehensive in trying a
new place. So we were seated by Jimmy Jeng himself, which is a treat. However
his wife asked us for our drinks, and we declined and choose to go all water.
My tendencies around my in-laws is to err on the side of being frugal. We also
chose to not enjoy some of their wine. Upon that, I guess the wife did not seem
to like the fact that we needed extra attention because she left us for a good
10-15 minutes before checking on an order. Again maybe i'm assuming something,
but I've had several experiences similar, where wait staff don't want to take
time with you. I guess this is because they perceive that you don't tip
well. My in laws and I, being new to the restaurant, didn't know what to
order. She asked if we were ready, and we weren't. Then another 15 minutes go
by, and no waitress. Jimmy came over maybe 10 minutes later, to take our order,
we had questions, and took our order. All in maybe 30 or so minutes. At this
point we ordered an appetizer to settle us in. The crab rangoons were
INCREDIBLE and tasted pretty fresh!
Here is, however where the story turns bad... it was a table
of 4 people, with 2 orders of their signature dish, string bean pancakes, and
an order of sweet and sour chicken, finally an order of non spicy general tso's
chicken. I'd say the order wasn't all that unconventional. However the orders
took about an hour and a half to get out to us, maybe longer. As much as I love
my wife and her parents, being stuck in a restaurant for nearly 2 hours without
food, and being pumped full of expectations from my manager and this Community... didn't make me feel any better. Not to mention they came over
maybe 4-5 times with water, which at this point was downright offensive.We had
to ask maybe 4 times, once to Jimmy himself, where our orders were. No,
it wasn't busy, no there weren't any huge parties, no excuse. There were plenty
of same size tables being served two-fold before we saw ours.
Anyway after about 2 hours or so, we finally got down to our
food. I personally got the string bean w/ pancakes, of which you get 4 of them.
A good size and I struggled to get through them. That said, the food looked
great, and tasted really unique. I'd definitely recommend this dish 'if' you do
go.
I hate not to concentrate on my food, as this SHOULD be
where it is focused but as I said I've had such a poor experience, I could not,
and probably will not, recommend this establishment. I think they were trying,
but it wasn't good enough.
Final words, if I was being penalized, or treated poorly for
not ordering any drinks or supplemental items, then that's just bad business.
If however the service is just that slow for people who are NOT regulars
(newbies), then I think it'll be hard for them to acquire some new business.
It's a shame that i've had this poor experience, 3 hours ... and a headache,
full stomach and some angry in-laws. That is what I got from my one, and likely
only experience. Sorry JJ, I tried.
Overall ... 2.5 stars... not terrible food, just ... terrible service
