| rev:text
| - If you would've asked me to rate this place two months ago, I would've given it a solid four stars.
Now, however, that has changed.
It's too bad really, because this place has good food for the most part. It's nothing mind blowing, but it always seemed relatively fresh and healthy. So why the two stars you ask? Well, let me tell you.
The last few times I've been in, I've noticed a rather disheartening sense of unprofessionalism and lack of attention to detail, from both the wait staff and the owner. It started when I came for lunch one day and got a beef curry dish. Everything was good, until I got the check and noticed the $1 upcharge for beef. Not a big deal, but it wasn't listed as such on the menu, and I wasn't told as such. I called the next day and spoke to the manager about it, to correct the problem. She explained they had ordered new menus, and the server should've mentioned it. She said to ask for her next time I was in.
So next time I came, I did just that. She thanked me for letting her know, and she apologized. But that was it. Now, I don't mean to be presumptuous, but when a owner tells you to ask for her, doesn't it generally mean the intention is to compensate in some way? This was slightly annoying, but it was made worse by me overhearing her talk to a table behind me who had complained, and then offer them free dessert. Why the double standard? Frankly, I felt embarrassed for even saying anything at all. Especially since I was being polite and neglected to mention how the spring roll was cold after she asked me how my meal was.
Okay, so that was a pretty big hit on the score card. I finished my meal with an air of uneasiness, not helped by my server who upon asking for a cup to go to pour my water in, brought a gigantic 44oz cup full of water. I mean really, are you trying to make a point or something? It seemed tongue in cheek and slightly passive aggressive, but maybe that's just me.
This brings us to yesterday. I was weighing in my mind whether to give them another shot, or go to another nearby Thai place instead. I chose the former, and went in a bit after 2:00. I was greeted by the same two servers who are always there, one of whom who insists on calling me 'Sir', even though he's almost the same age as me. Side note: am I only one who thinks it's smug and kind of condescending when people do that? I'm 25, not 50. I'm not a sir.
Anyways, everything seemed fine at first. I got soup, which even though it was mysteriously lacking the spring roll, I chalked up to a kitchen error. However, when it didn't come out with the entrée, I asked where it was. The same guy server then told me that 'the owner stopped serving the egg roll since it was making us lose money.' Now, I don't run a business, but in my humble opinion, if you are a new restaurant trying to gain loyal customers, you DON'T change your menu and prices not once, but twice within a matter of weeks! To build the expectation, and then suddenly change that expectation is just bad business. And I'm not buying that they're losing money. If you are, you're doing something wrong, because every other Thai restaurant in the area has them, and are in fact actually cheaper on average for lunch.
So, another big hit on the score card. Does it get worse? Unfortunately, yes. When biting into my chicken curry, I pulled a small chicken bone out of my mouth. Okay, a bit gross, but it happens. But the real kicker was this: the restaurant was completely empty when I was there, which apparently means to the staff that they can be as loud as they want, to the point of me hearing all of their personal conversations in the back and upfront. Keep in mind, the owner is engaging in these same conversations. Then suddenly, the music cut out completely half way through my meal, only to be replaced by the guy server's phone music, which consisted of completely cheesy country music and some Irish jig crap. Excuse me, what? This is how I enjoy my meal? That's verrry professional alright! Let's just say, it made for another awkward dining experience.
Although I generally like the food, I'm afraid I won't be returning to Smile Lao Thai. I've been disappointed too many times now, and experienced too much unprofessionalism to return. I just hope they will improve these faults and succeed in the way they should for future customers.
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