wing hei L.
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Disappointing Experience at Hanoi Garden Restaurant – A Vietnamese Restaurant That Missed the Mark
I’ve always loved Vietnamese cuisine – the fresh herbs, balanced flavors, and that perfect harmony of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy (when you actually want the spice). Unfortunately, my recent visit to Hanoi Garden Restaurant left me frustrated and unlikely to return.
We ordered several classic dishes, including the Grilled Eel (specified as non-spicy, since one person in our party cannot tolerate heat) and a couple of other staples. When the grilled eel arrived, it was immediately obvious something was wrong: the broth was bright red, loaded with chili oil, and overwhelmingly spicy. We double-checked the menu and our order – yes, we had clearly requested the non-spicy version.
We politely flagged the waiter and asked for the correct dish. He came back a few minutes and offered no replacement. We asked to speak to the manager. The manager repeated more or less the same line, shrugged, and suggested we “just eat around the chili.” No apology, no offer to remake the dish, no discount – nothing.
To add insult to injury, the rest of the food was underwhelming: they tasted thin and lacked depth, the spring rolls were greasy, and portions felt smaller than expected for the price. Service throughout the meal was inattentive; we had to wave multiple times for water refills and the bill.
What should have been a relaxing Vietnamese meal turned into a frustrating and disappointing evening. When a restaurant gets an order wrong – especially something as basic as spicy vs. non-spicy – the least they can do is fix it promptly and graciously. Here, they didn’t seem to care.
Sadly, I can’t recommend this one. There are too many excellent Vietnamese spots in town that actually listen to their customers and serve food with care. This one fell far short of expectations.
1/5 stars. That’s all forks.