Helga M.
Yelp
I have been searching for a hot pot place ever since my favorite ones in Cranston went away a few years ago now. The only option being a drive to Boston, I have opted to pine for one all this time until someone suggested LaMei. To think I didn't even know this place has been in existence for a couple of years now. All that hot pot I could've enjoyed...
Anyway, I wasted no time and went on a Sunday afternoon in the middle of this very hot summer. No biggie; LaMei's AC works.
Unfortunately, for a huge hot pot fan like me, LaMei satisfied the craving but I cannot say it was one of the best. First off, the vegetable, meat, and seafood selections are limited compared to what a traditional Chinese hot pot has. Second, I found the price on the high side. For instance, a cup of steamed rice at $2.50, bokchoy for $5.00, eel fish ball for $9.95, and short rib for $15.95, without tax. The biggest whammy was the charge we incurred for enjoying the dipping sauce. This place charges nearly $2 per person for a dipping sauce; something that is not usual and information not shared with us beforehand. Since we ordered 9 different items to dip on a half & half broth of nearly $20.00, you can imagine why all told, we ended up with over $105 including $8 tax, for a check. Whoa. No tip yet. Sigh.
So, it was great that I found a hot pot place in RI. That took care of the craving hole. However, in its place was a bigger hole in my pocket, that I have started to reconsider that drive to Boston.