I used to love King's Cafe back in my University days (long before the renovation). Back then I can't remember ever having eaten a meal there that didn't amaze and delight my taste buds.
Having just returned there after a seven year hiatus I fear that things have really gone downhill, but I'm hoping that it might have been an off night.
I order the tom yang vermicelli soup, a dish I usually love even when it isn't quite authentic or spicy enough. The broth at King's was greasy and bland, and while I was anticipating tofu as described on the menu, there was also some mysterious soy-meat that I had not expected. Worst of all, the mushrooms in the soup were nearly rotten! Spotted and slimy mushrooms are inexcusable and made it hard for me to continue with the meal.
However, since the food is served family style (which I like) I did try a number of other dishes that my dining companions had ordered. The soy fritters were pretty good, if not a little too sweet but I was just grateful to have something to overpower the after-effects of the soup. I can't remember the names of the rest of the orders but none of them were real stand-outs. All six of us felt ill afterward and my partner even refused to eat the leftovers that he brought home --it's very rare for us ever to even have leftovers, let alone not eat them!
I may try them again to offer a chance for redemption but I will be steering clear of the soup!