08/21/09

A Restaurant With Bad Customer Service

by chinina

Came to Abacus which coincidentally fell on Restaurant Week. This review comes from somebody that is in the restaurant industry.

To make reservations, I had to give a credit card number to be charged $25/person in case of no show. I asked the hostess if Restaurant Week menus were offered at 5PM and she repeated the $25 no show policy. Thanks for answering my question.

We ordered the RW 3-course meal and also did the wine pairing which was an extra $30 more. We also tried the Lobster Shooters that are so popular (another $20) and found it to be different, but not as great as everyone else has been raving. Fried, chewy lobster soaking in sake cups of orange colored sweet n'sour sauce.

The food was good, not spectacular and I guess the incident that taints this whole experience was when the hostess (an older lady) came to our table during the main course and informed us that we were taking too long to eat and "As stated to you on the phone, we need to have the table back for another reservation." First of all, no one even mentioned that we were being timed, they were too busy making sure I knew the no-show policy. Secondly, we spent a good deal of money so far and you're going to tell us to rush through our main course, dessert and wine accompaniments? I don't care how classy or exclusive you think your restaurant is, that is rude in all etiquette circles. Perhaps they need to re-think how they're scheduling their tables to allow ample time for their guests to enjoy their food.

The food was good, not great. The attitude needs to be checked. Abacus needs to be honored to have guests, not the other way around. And this one experience has made me not want to come back ever again.

• Pros: The GOOD food, not great, but good.
• Cons: Told us to eat faster so they could give our table away

08/05/09

unrealized potential

by cmk1126

Here's the problem with Abacus: they cut too many corners. Sorbet isn't a course, but they count it as one. So I was given 8 courses rather than the 9 promised on the menu. And the single cheese plate was not adequate for a table of 6. Also, last visit I got a nickel-sized portion of foie gras (most other tasting menus give at least 4 times that much). The service isn't particularly friendly or prompt. The wine recommended wasn't particularly good. The food was pretty much OK, with occasional flashes of inspiration. The prices are out of line with the quality of food. Etc. There are much better places in the price range, and I intend to visit them instead.

• Pros: occasionally very nice food
• Cons: doesn't provide value

03/22/09

Over Rated!

by Morena

Decided to try this place because the reviews on this page were not too bad. The ceasar salad was really, really good. Then things progressively started to go downhill. The food was brought to us by a server who was really confused on who had ordered what. The lobster shooters were cold and plated in really weird little shot glasses - hence Shooters, I know- I never knew trying to eat the little buggers would be so much work. We were left unattended for very long periods of time after each course. . the icing on the cake had to be when I went into the ladies room. It looked like a hot mess! The counters had water all over them, could not set my bag down, the stalls... well, let's say someone forgot to flush..Oh my! .... It was not all that they made it out to be. The bill, well let's say I hope they take the extra money and hire someone to clean those bathrooms...YIKES! Not what I would expect walking into this place.

• Pros: Food presentation
• Cons: No attention to detail