Feeding Umi

I guess I never highlight “bad” places here. I mean, it’s not my intention to bomb places, especially since I don’t know who would listen to me. However, in light of the last entry, I need to point out that I’ve tried many places that bombed. Sometimes, it wasn’t even the food that did it.

Having such an excellent experience at this last place recommended by the NY Times, it’s a shame that the last time I tried a Under $25 Thai / Asian place recommended by the times, I had an awful experience.

Rhong Tiam
87 2nd Ave
New York, NY 10003

I tried to have dinner here shortly after the NY Times review. When I got to the restaurant, first of all, there was no front door. There was this ambiguous open side window/patio where people were waiting. There was a woman waiting there so we joined her. People came in and out and the host didn’t show up for a full 5 minutes. The woman rightfully stated, “I was waiting for 15 minutes without being acknowledged.” The host didn’t offer her any apology. The woman told him her name and that she had a reservation for three. He then replied that they didn’t have her reservation. They lost her reservation and offered her no apology, NOTHING! Then when I told them that I wanted a table for 3, all he said was “no.” No wait time, no apologies, just a shake of the head and a “no.”

What kind of behavior is this? This is ridiculous. There is a way to treat to people. I will never be coming back here again. I doubt the woman in front of me would ever patron this place again, either. This review (via yelp) basically sums up this experience. And yes, the host from that night had a fedora on, but no feather. LOLz

I tried to have lunch here.. We arrived around 1:30 to a restaurant that had 4 out of the 20 tables or so filled.. The place is nothing to look at and reminds me of your typical non-descript Ethnic Restaurant..

The only difference was, there was some jack-ass wearing a hat with a feather in it, obviously thinking he was running a night club..He thought he was hot shit but, he was like some 40 year old has been that might have been cool 20 years ago.. I commend his parents or the people at the orphanage for instilling such confidence in this man.. Despite being a 40 year old waiter trying to look like a young hipster, he still can get out of bed in the morning, nose turned up, head held high..


He sat us down and threw the menus at us.. We then proceeded to wait 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, with out being helped..

Mind you, the restaurant had 6 customers in it.. I seriously think this guy was in the back room practicing his Vogue dancing.. We left and went to the Italian restaurant next door.. We sat down for 2 hours and had a wonderful lunch drinking wine, negroni’s, and some good food..

I dont know how or why a restaurant would hire someone who is such an ass.. If this is the type of people they want dealing with there customers, I have no desire to return..

They should close down there restaurant and open a velvet rope style club from the 1990’s..

-daniel m.

I revisted some reviews about this place in light of writing this entry, and I was SHOCKED to find out that Rhong Tiam has a Michelin Star. What?!