http://www.saltshaker.net/20060504/sometimes-a-rose-is-a-carrot Casting a little flavor (and a few aspersions) on the world of food, drink, and life Fri, 29 Aug 2008 23:54:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 http://www.saltshaker.net/20060504/sometimes-a-rose-is-a-carrot#comment-65018 Scarlett Thu, 23 Aug 2007 19:56:05 +0000 http://www.saltshaker.net/20060504/sometimes-a-rose-is-a-carrot#comment-65018 We were told about Shi Yuan a few weeks ago, when I mentioned to a friend my craving for Chinese food. ( based on memories of the last good Chinese food we had at home in NY) We went to Shi Yuan shortly after and enjoyed a really great meal. I was cautious with the heat, choosing a dish that was not too spicy, my husband had the pulpo with all the spices. Both dishes were perfect and the rice was good too. Our waiter was funny, took great care of us, even with 2 large tables of Asian families feasting..( I really wanted to go sit with them ).. Last night we went back, to find that they were closed while they did repairs on the Koi pond by the door. I am waiting for them to re-open, I am craving good Chinese food again ! We were told about Shi Yuan a few weeks ago, when I mentioned to a friend my craving for Chinese food. ( based on memories of the last good Chinese food we had at home in NY)
We went to Shi Yuan shortly after and enjoyed a really great meal.
I was cautious with the heat, choosing a dish that was not too spicy, my husband had the pulpo with all the spices. Both dishes were perfect and the rice was good too.
Our waiter was funny, took great care of us, even with 2 large tables of Asian families feasting..( I really wanted to go sit with them )..
Last night we went back, to find that they were closed while they did repairs on the Koi pond by the door.
I am waiting for them to re-open, I am craving good Chinese food again !

]]> http://www.saltshaker.net/20060504/sometimes-a-rose-is-a-carrot#comment-475 SaltShaker » Blog Archive » Mixed Roundup Thu, 01 Jun 2006 16:30:31 +0000 http://www.saltshaker.net/20060504/sometimes-a-rose-is-a-carrot#comment-475 [...] So, mixed thoughts - some real high points on the food, and some mediocre as well. The room is comfortable, and really large, and painted relatively bright yellow. With the exception of ourselves, all the other tables that were occupied, maybe eight of them with roughly 30 people, were occupied by Asian folk, which can be a good sign. Inattentive service was raised to new heights - our waiter kept walking away in the middle of our ordering - he’d listen to one dish and then just leave, wandering back occasionally to get another dish, and even bringing one or two before we finished ordering. Food came out truly at random - my soup arrived after the first main course, the potstickers arrived after all four main courses. I noted that he, and the other waiter, were paying far more attention, and actually chatting with, the tables of Asians - we were definitely the foreign folk, despite Michael’s regular dining there and being recognized by the waiter (who he says is always like this). The other waiter seemed friendlier, but hard to tell, since we didn’t directly interact with him. Overall, I give it decent marks for food, but really poor marks for service. It’s also a lot further away from home than Shi Yuan, which I think has equally good and maybe better food, and certainly a far more comfortable and friendly ambiance. [...] [...] So, mixed thoughts - some real high points on the food, and some mediocre as well. The room is comfortable, and really large, and painted relatively bright yellow. With the exception of ourselves, all the other tables that were occupied, maybe eight of them with roughly 30 people, were occupied by Asian folk, which can be a good sign. Inattentive service was raised to new heights - our waiter kept walking away in the middle of our ordering - he’d listen to one dish and then just leave, wandering back occasionally to get another dish, and even bringing one or two before we finished ordering. Food came out truly at random - my soup arrived after the first main course, the potstickers arrived after all four main courses. I noted that he, and the other waiter, were paying far more attention, and actually chatting with, the tables of Asians - we were definitely the foreign folk, despite Michael’s regular dining there and being recognized by the waiter (who he says is always like this). The other waiter seemed friendlier, but hard to tell, since we didn’t directly interact with him. Overall, I give it decent marks for food, but really poor marks for service. It’s also a lot further away from home than Shi Yuan, which I think has equally good and maybe better food, and certainly a far more comfortable and friendly ambiance. [...]

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