Cattle Cafe: no longer yummy

I used to enjoy going to Cattle Cafe on Alexandra Road in Richmond. It was well known for it's ginormous noodle soup which you have to option to select everything from soup base, type of noodles, toppings, drinks and sides.  I was more than excited to re-visit the cafe to indulge in a big bowl of laksa that seemed to pack with flavours and seemingly bottomless.

A lot of the restaurants, as they get more and more busy, I guess they often overlook or replace the quality of their food to cut costs.  Or perhaps it was just the inconsistency of the kitchen.  Either way, what used to be my favourite places in Richmond has become an abomination with this one last time visit.

Laksa noodle soup, still seemingly as big and looking just as delicious.  But after tasting the soup, I wondered how many times they watered the pot down and reused the same broth over and over.  Where were the flavours this time! I was pretty much drinking slightly flavoured water with oil drizzled on top.
To add an extra punch, that estranged strand of hair we found didn't improve the situation much.  Remember,  it's an asian place.  Sending a plate back will only result in a look of disdain and you will still get the same plate back (with the hair removed with someone's bare hand).

We also ordered their recommended pork chop with demi-glaced onion sauce.  It looked fantastic in the picture!  Since it's popular, sure we would try it!

 This is what came out. 

At first glance, no, it doesn't look like anything in the picture.  And I was expecting a demi-glace sauce to be more brownish and gravy like, not creamy and rose like.  Kkkk, it's an asian place, maybe it's fusion right? Their own interpretation. If it tasted good, then all would be forgiven.  We still had to bounce back from that last bowl of laksa.  Although, this one didn't look promising either.  And as we took a bite, our thought was unanimous "people "like" eating this?".....Really?  I mean we were in Richmond where hundreds of asian restaurants compete on price and quality to stay on top.  You're telling me that this dish that looked and tasted like it was made by a 10 year old girl is your best selling dish?

Needless to say, I am never going back again.  Could it be one bad day? Maybe. The inconsistency, though, and that pork chop though, I just couldn't bring myself to forgiveness.  So this is my goodbye. The quest for next best laksa ensues.

Good eats in BKK

Since I am spending quite some time in Thailand this year, I figured I'll write a few good recommendations of where to go eat if you're ever in the city.

Bangkok

I just love the never ending variety of food offered here, especially when it has the essence of different cultural backgrounds infusing together into one. Personally, I always boycott eating at Thai restaurants abroad. C'mon, once you've been in Thailand, tasted what Thai food should taste like and seen the price, the restaurants abroad are incomparable.

Nanjya Monjya Tepanyaki

The restaurant is well known for okonomiyaki which is made right in front of you at your table. It's really entertaining to watch the chef cook, and there is a huge variety of toppings to choose from the menu. Nanjya Monjya has been featured in various magazines and tv shows in Thailand and is located on Soi 9 Silom Rd.

Baan Klang Nam

If you are craving authentic Thai cuisine of any types, this is an absolute must-go-to place. Located by Chao Praya river, the restaurant gives patrons a beautiful scenic riverside view of Bangkok. My favorite dishes have to be the seafood since they are fresh from the tanks. The raw oysters are super fresh and clean, not to mention MASSIVE in size. It is served with lime, chili sauce, and fried onions to garnish. It is absolutely tasty. Amongst other popular dishes are Tom Yum Koong, Pad Thai, green curry, the list goes on in. Baan Klang Nam is located on Soi 14 Rama III Rd. Visit website at www.baanklangnam.net/

Philippe Restaurant

The lunch set served at 450 bath includes a starter, main course, dessert and coffee or tea. By the quality and presentation of the food served, the price is much more than a deal. The menu comes with several selections for each course. I thought the pesto infused butter served with freshly baked French baguette was brilliant. They practically had me at "Hello". The dinner course is a bit pricier ranging up to 1200 bath per main course, nevertheless a fair price for such fine French cuisine with superb quality.

Visit website @ http://philipperestaurant.com/

Angelini at Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok

I love this place for the super chic atmosphere, live jazz music, and contemporary Italian cuisine. Click here to view the menu!! My favourite is Frutti de Mare Pizza. Delicio!

Much Much more to come!!!

How to deal with bad food service

There is a direct correlation between my hunger level at my patience level when I'm waiting for my food at the restaurant. The longer I'm hungry, the faster my patience runs out. If the kitchen is busy and the food comes out slow, I do somewhat understand and wait. However, when there is a factor of bad service from the server involved is out of sheer ignorance and rudeness, it is something I can't stand. I still have one grudge against the restaurant called Lazia, located in North side of Edmonton. In the past, I had always liked the place for good food and good service. However, this one experience had totally changed my mind and it was the last time I ever set foot in that place. We waited almost 2 hours for our food to arrived. Our patience pretty much ran out when we found out that they had forgotten our orders. The manager did come and talk to us, but blamed it on the busy kitchen instead. During the wait, I had asked a random server for a new bread that isn't burnt since our server was nowhere to be found. Once that server told our waitress what I said, our server stopped serving us and kept sending someone else instead. Then, when the food finally arrived, it was extremely awful and overcooked. When we asked for the bill, our waitress who saw us waved her over, still sent someone else instead. I was extremely pissed at the service and at the food. At the time, I was angry beyond words and wanted to leave that I didn't bother speaking to the manager regarding the experience. After I calmed down, I wish I did. So those of you who have been in my shoes, here's a list of how to handle bad food service experience.

Step 1
Keep in mind that you, the customer, are always right. Note that anyone who thinks you are wrong should read the prior sentence.

Step 2
Send back food that is either undercooked, overcooked, too cold or not fresh. Remember that a problem with your food may not be your waiter's fault; be polite, and give your waiter the opportunity to fix the problem.

Step 3
Send back wine that does not meet with your requirements. Return any wine that you did not order.

Step 4
Complain to the manager or owner, during or after the meal, if the waiter gave consistently shoddy service.

Step 5
Take your money elsewhere if the restaurant doesn't adhere to your demands.

Step 6
As a last resort, write a letter to the local newspaper that reviews the restaurant.

(Source: ehow.com)