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| - The new version of Pink Pepper has potential, if it can decide what it wants to be.
Does it want to be an upscale Asian fusion dining experience, suggested by the professional waitstaff, gleaming bar, high-end decor, soft jazz music and higher-end prices?
Or does it want to be another West Mesa hole-in-the-wall family Chinese place, suggested by the tacky smoothie posters on the window, shouting, running children and really average food?
Right now, if they want to be upscale, the food is just not there. It's $8-an-entree being sold for $12. I'm happy to pay $12 at Green Tea Bistro or Thai Spices, two of Mesa's best Asian dinner spots. But here, we have Thai food being cooked like Chinese (no heat options, for example) and I'm not sure I'd call the result "fusion". It was okay. I ate it. It would be honestly be fine for Friday-night takeout in front of the TV, but that's not what I'm paying for, and I sense that the owner didn't want me to have that impression.
There is time to fix -- above all, give us gourmet flavors, no cutting corners. Seat families with children away from couples trying to have an intimate dinner (there was plenty of room). Our service was top-notch, professional and fast, so keep that going. Remove everything downscale about your place; there's enough great downscale Chinese in Mesa (Beijing Noodle House) and you're not going to win there at your price point.
Best of luck.
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