Growing up in the area, our family stopped going here years ago but I couldn't quite remember why [other than us finding a place we really liked (R.I.P. Peking Chef)]. Though I moved away, I had the opportunity to try it again when a former classmate tried to organize an informal get-together and make reservations.
While I believe the concerns as a kid were food related, the horrible experience as an adult was strictly due to managerial service. The 6 or so people already there were seated in a corner off the lounge with no lights on (I forget why they were relegated to this area as I arrived after them). After 30+ minutes with no table service, I asked the bartender if we could get food. We were then allowed to move to the lounge proper (where the latecomers soon joined us, making our party a full dozen), but despite what the bartender told us, they still refused to serve us the full menu.
After we politely questioned what was going on, the manager (I believe) came by and instead of addressing the issue proceeded to brusquely ask for our IDs; after looking at a few and seeing we were all in our 30s, she then claimed they were told that we were IN high school (and not having a high school reunion)... What?!? Besides being ridiculous (if you ever meet a 17-year old with a bald spot like mine, weep for him), it's also incredibly troubling; if they truly thought we were teens, why did they seat us in the lounge and serve us drinks for the last hour?
Even after realizing her mistake, she failed to apologize or use it as a chance to lighten the mood and smooth things over with us. Instead, she amazingly conjured up yet more attitude saying (as best I recall), "You know, you can't just show up in a group this big and expect to be served!" Blown away by the utter lack of professionalism or courtesy (or connection to reality), my wife and I gave up on the diplomatic/conciliatory approach and responded that:
1. The exchange of money for drink and food by people who come in was generally how the industry worked;
2. Our group of 12 was NOT that big;
3. We didn't suddenly "show up" as we had already been made to wait for over an hour;
4. Most of all, due to the phone calls by our organizer over the preceding weeks, THEY KNEW WE WERE COMING!
We were then moved BACK to the corner where we sat originally (the lights now being turned on) and finally appointed a waitress. Whatever impression I had of the meal that followed was obliterated by the worst treatment I've ever had by a restaurant. read more