Note: I usually do not review two stars or below. I usually give 3 stars or higher. If they are below 3 stars as an established business, I don't leave a negative review. However, I do make exceptions to my rule, when it is a new business for constructive criticism. I will give them 90 days, and see if they improve. (My intension is for them to succeed).
The restaurant is small but nicely decorated with some modern twist. Small dining area. It is an open kitchen so you get to see the food prepared. There is a bar area (like a sushi bar) where people can sit and watch them grill and prepare the food. One side, there is a tow of booths that seats 4. By the front door there are modular tables that can seat up to 8 people. If u are a party of more than 4 people, maybe u can call ahead of time and have them reserve the table up front, or just sit at the bar.
We were a party of six, and we had to sit at bar. It is not my preference because it is hard to have a conversation with everyone in the party.
We sat at 5:15pm on a Saturday. Two people sat after us, another two after them, two more at the bar, a party of three at a booth behind us. Two more
Party of twos sat at two booths... and a party of four within 30 mins after us.
We waited for our food for an hour and all those people who sat after us were served before drinks, apps, and their meal.
Most of us ordered the combos which consists of satay, fried or steam rice, and a bowl of soup. We got our soup 30 mins after we ordered. After everyone else who sat after us got served, we finally got our satay and rice. I had to ask for utensils and napkins. The people who sat after got theirs when they were sat.
One person in our party ordered grilled steak with rice. Her order was served when the rest of the party just got their soup. She should have been served the same time we got our main meal.
The servers were very attentive with our soda refills. I give them that.
However when it was time to serve the satay and rice, they had to ask who had the beef with shrimp, beef with chicken, chicken and shrimp, and they also asked who had fried rice or steam rice. I don't know what happened, but I am guessing the chef needs to be a bit more organized. The food did not go out in the order they were put in.
When you have a portable ordering system, they should be marking for example, seat 1 had chicken and shrimp with fried rice, seat 2 should have beef and chicken and so on. Apparently, they were not using the technology to organize their operation. They were very disorganized.
If you are reading this review, learn how to use your ordering system to your advantage. Learn it and use it well.
Now the food: it was okay. It was basically your typical Asian street food. The portions were very small. There were 3 to 4 small pieces of meat per skewers. It appears each skewers is about 1 oz of meat. They were the size of Kraft's caramel cubes if not smaller. Price ranges from $4-$5 for chicken. Chicken wings as $7.99 for two wings, $4.75 for beef, $4.59 pork belly, $5.99 for lamb and $4.99 for 6 small shrimp (size 30-40). I would increase the portion a little more. ($3.99 for 6 cherry tomatoes... 3 each per skewer)
I would suggest an all you can eat for $50 or less as an option. $30 for lunch and $50 for dinner.
The grill uses binchotan charcoal which cost about $80 per 11lbs.
The satay had great smoky flavor from the binchotan charcoal and the marinate was perfect.
All and all, based on the price and portions, the value was not there. If they charge $1 - $2 per skewers, they will get more foot traffic.
Restaurants these days need focus on value when affordability is the current issue. Charging more and serving less just does not cut it. This is why TGIF, Applebees, O Riley's are in trouble. You got to give your customer something to feel satisfied. We customers feel that we are currently being gouged and their excuse they use is inflation.
We want our money's worth.
If they continue as is, they may not last a year. Word of mouth and reputation is key on the first two years of a business. If you get bad reputation 1st year, there is no recovering.
My partner and I spent over $60 and we weren't even full. I went home and I ate a quarter pounder to feel satiated.
I will return after 90 days. When I return and nothing change, I will remove this review. This means, you are not worth reviewing and that is bad.
If I see improvements, then I will modify this review.
Good luck. read more