Ed E.
Yelp
I really, really, really wanted to love this place, but I didn't. I hate to write a negative review, but the food was only a 2 and the price was a 1. Jasmine Rice has a rather nice looking decor and music (at least they did Friday night), but that doesn't make up for the very high prices and food that not up to par or the price.
This is the second time I tried the restaurant. The first time I over ordered and wound up with a whopping bill of $140 for two. I thought it might have been the Crab Fried Rice which was one of the most expensive items on the menu and it wasn't all that good with just a very small portion of crab and barely fried rice.
This visit I tried to limit my order to one appetizer and two entrees. We started with the Shu Mai ($13.99). It was served with five small ceramic ramekins with a fifth with sauce. The plates sure were pretty and the sauce was okay (dark, thick, sweet soy) but the dumplings were under cooked and dry--not very flavorful and not hot enough. I've never paid more than $2.50 for one shu mai.
Next, we tried the Panang Shrimp Curry ($21.99)--4 small shrimp serve with a large bowl of watery curry. The shrimp was a bit over cooked although the curry sauce was seasoned very well for a 3 out of 5 heat level.
Lastly, we had the Salt & Pepper Crispy Chicken ($17.99). This dish was barely edible and most of it was left on the serving dish. This was listed as a chef's specialty. Not to be cruel, I have had better Chicken McNuggets at McDonald's. They were under fried and the inside interface was mushy and slimy--it was just bad. The steamed rice (no charge) was over cooked and crispy (not in a good way)--it was just dry. I guess at Jasmine you get what you pay for.
Singha Beer was a bit overpriced as well at $8 a bottle (we had one a piece). Usually, I order enough that I can something home. In this case there was nothing I wanted to take home.
I can eat better food at Panda Express at about $10 to $12 per person. This weekend I went to 99 Ranch and ordered a half duck, a rack of ribs, a large piece of char su (Chinese BBQ'd Pork) and a small assortment of appetizers (baos and dumplings) and the bill was only $74.00 compared to Jasmine Rice at just over $90 after tip. I have enough food for 4 meals with the food I order at 99 Ranch.
Jasmine goes on my never again list.