John Cimino Review of Noodle
Terrible service, high prices
Terrible service, high prices
We went for New Year's Eve, arrived early for our 9:30 pm reservation. We decided to sit in the bar area, it was less crowded. Big mistake from what others are saying. Anyway, we were a party of 4, with our two kids, 12 and 13 years old. Even though Open Table says a meal there is in the $30 range, each meal was $55.00. Granted, it did include a "starter" dish and a small dessert, but really? There was no kid's menu so we paid over $220 for an average meal. Our first waiter was very nice, but right after taking our order, he had to leave. So we got the bartender who was wearing a pair beat up jeans. I mean really, at an upscale CC restaurant? He looked like he just walked in off the street from bowling or something. He had no interest in waiting on us, that was obvious. It took over an hour for our main dish to arrive, and cold at that. When I could not get the bartender's attention, I flagged another worker down and asked for the manager. She was nicely dressed and helpful. She could tell we were being ignored, so she comped our drinks (a margarita and a soft drink).
I get that it is New Year's Eve and they want to offer a simple menu, but no excuse for slow service and warm, not hot food being served. Or get a real wait person to serve and keep the amateur bartender where he belongs, behind the bar in his beat up jeans. The other thing I don't get is why the waiters deliver the dishes one or two plates at a time? I watched one waiter deliver two plates, one in each hand, with his fingers wrapped around the top of the dish. Talk about unsanitary. I grew up in the restaurant business. We would serve 350 people a night. We used carts that held 15, 20 dishes each, covered up I might add. I even asked the bartender/waiter why the food service was so slow, and he said because they had 40 "covers" (guests) in the main dining room....
I was thinking, 40? That's all? What a lame excuse. I was really hoping that this place would be my new "spot" ~ but it was not to be. Great way to kick off the New Year, with a cold, expensive meal and very sub-par service. My kids were joking that we could get better food at Popeye's Chicken. Sadly, they might be right! Lest you think I am just complaining for the sake of it, I will tell you that the scallops were delicious (but not served hot). Not sure they were worth $55 however. I know, that price included a "starter" dish, and a very small dessert (which was quite good, I might add). But overall, it was not worth the money. The owner needs to get rid of the "managers" and check out what goes on in the bar and dining area. He/she will be surprised. Sorry to say, I won't be back. Go to Piatti Restaurant at 190 St. Paul. I have never had a bad (or even average) meal there and the service is spectacular!
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