This was our second time dining here. We came back because we really enjoyed several dishes on our first visit, but unfortunately this experience was more mixed. Three of the dishes we ordered were disappointing compared with what we remembered from last time.
First, I have to mention our server, Ben, who was excellent. He was attentive, genuinely cared about our experience, and even welcomed us back with a glass of champagne. Ben did everything he could throughout the evening, and we really appreciated his service. I would give it only 2 stars but with the excellent service, I don't mind to give it another star to this review.
The soft-shell crab was easily the highlight of the night. It was the first dish that arrived and was crispy, flavorful, and delicious. I would definitely order this again.
Unfortunately, the next two dishes did not live up to our previous visit. The king crab leg egg rolls were very good the first time we came, but this time we could hardly find any crab meat in them. Ben kindly removed them from our bill. The BBQ char siu (叉烧) was just okay. It was edible, but nothing memorable, and we would not order it again.
The biggest disappointment was the Maine lobster prepared Thai style. We ordered the same lobster dish during our previous visit and really enjoyed it because the lobster tasted fresh and the flavors worked well together. This time, however, the sauce tasted noticeably sour and the dish just wasn't nearly as good.
There was also some confusion about the price. The menu listed the lobster at $128, but Ben explained that because the lobster available that evening was larger, the restaurant would have to charge more. We weren't thrilled about it, but agreed to go ahead. The final price was $158. Considering the higher price, it was especially disappointing that the dish wasn't as enjoyable as last time.
Ben spoke with the manager and chef after we mentioned the sour taste. Their explanation was that they were using the same sauce and that perhaps the other foods we had eaten affected how it tasted. I didn't really agree with that explanation, especially since we are pretty serious foodies and had ordered many of the exact same dishes during our previous visit. I'll leave it at that and let others form their own opinion.
There were still several good items. The Garden Lotus cocktail was light and refreshing. The xiao long bao with truffle was fine and well made, although the truffle didn't make it particularly special. The pea shoots/green vegetable dish was also good, although I wouldn't say it was quite as amazing as some of the online reviews suggest.
Because Ben felt bad about the dishes we didn't enjoy, he treated us to a complimentary oolong tea cake for dessert. That was a wonderful surprise and honestly one of the best things we had all night. It was light, unique, and a very nice way to finish the meal.
We still really like the restaurant's atmosphere. The dining room is beautiful, the tables are comfortable, and it feels elegant without being too formal. It was surprisingly quiet during our visit, with only a few tables occupied while we were there.
Overall, there were some excellent moments, especially the soft-shell crab, dessert, and Ben's outstanding service, but the inconsistency between our first and second visits was disappointing. At this price point, especially with a $158 lobster, I would expect the food to be more consistent. Ben deserves a special thank-you because he handled everything professionally and did his best to take care of us.
Due to the disappointment with several dishes this time, we probably won't be back anytime soon. read more