We've been loyal patrons of Annadale Terrace for years, but unfortunately, the experiences have declined so much that I felt compelled to share our most recent visit--which will be our last.
I ordered a Greek salad with chicken cutlet (dressing on the side), and my friend ordered the chicken salad sandwich. My friend immediately noted that the chicken salad was overly salty and had an overpowering onion taste. She didn't complain--just quietly set it aside and didn't even mention it.
As for my dish, I had about three slices of the chicken before realizing it tasted off--like it had been cooked in old oil or was leftover and reheated. Then I noticed the lettuce was soggy. When I moved it around, I saw a pool of water at the bottom of the bowl. It was clear the lettuce had been rinsed but not drained--at all. I showed our waitress, who casually said, "They probably didn't rinse it well enough."
What made things worse was the price--$30 for a soggy salad and subpar chicken. We spoke with another waitress, who had it 'reduced' $9, which still felt excessive given the quality. I then waited nearly 20 minutes to speak with a manager. When a young woman finally approached, her attitude was immediately defensive. She questioned my reaction, even asking, "Why are you looking at me like I have five heads?"--in front of other guests. She was literally gaslighting me blaming me for my bad food experience. I admit, that was probably the look on my face.... dumbfounded that someone was speaking to me like that...
She accused me of overdressing the salad (I hadn't used any dressing at all) and claimed our original waitress had offered me something else (she didn't). The manager refused a full refund because I had eaten part of the chicken and a few bites of lettuce--despite the dish being genuinely unappetizing. I was asking myself in the moment if this was really happening....
Over the past few years, our takeout orders have often been wrong, and the food has consistently been overly salty or just mediocre. We never made a fuss. Once, we received pita bread with a bite taken out of it--the owner denied it was teeth marks. Another time, my friend was served a completely burned burger. Still, we let it go.
But this time, being treated with rudeness and condescension when I finally voiced a legitimate concern was unacceptable. As someone with 15 years of restaurant experience, I understand things happen--but hospitality and accountability matter.
Sadly, Annadale Terrace no longer reflects the service, quality, or professionalism it once did. I won't be returning.
7/16/2025 Response to your response, which has the same exact tone as I experienced in person and now readers will see for themselves:
Your reply is not only disappointing--it's wildly off-base and exactly how you'd respond.
I've dined at Annadale Terrace for over 12 years and had more than 400 meals between myself, friends, and family. Do the math on how much we've spent over the years. We dined in/take out 3-4 times per month- do the math. Never--not once--have I asked for anything to be taken off the bill. So to suggest that I suddenly had an issue just to get a "free meal" is not only insulting, it's ridiculous.
The lettuce was waterlogged and wilted and I pushed the lettuce to the sides of the bowl so I could see how much water was there. The chicken tasted off too--facts I pointed out to a second waitress who knows us, who actually came over to inquire, and has waited on us many times. She saw the dish herself and I took pictures of it. Instead of accountability or a sincere apology, your manager chose to gaslight me in front of other guests going so far as to say, "Why are you looking at me like I have five heads?" That wasn't service--it was condescension.
To be clear, this was the one time I shouldn't have had to pay for a salad I didn't eat. No one offered me an alternative dish, and we waited an excessive amount of time for someone--anyone--to respond or come to the table. The manager never approached us at our table. Yes, $9 was removed from the bill--but without an apology or explanation, it felt dismissive and transactional. The waitress came back and dumped it on our table. That, combined with the tone and attitude we received, was what made this experience intolerable.
I mentioned my background in the restaurant industry not to be lectured, but because it's exactly why I've always given you the benefit of the doubt when food didn't come out right, or take out order was wrong, cold or when service fell short. We let a lot slide over the years--a lot. So don't throw my experience back in my face as if I don't know what I'm talking about.
This wasn't about a free meal. It was about your team's refusal to own up to a problem and treat a long-standing customer with even basic respect. Your dismissive response just proves my point: the quality--and the hospitality--at Annadale Terrace is no longer what it used to be. read more