David G.
Yelp
I was very excited to try Kasbah in Los Angeles and went on a date to check it out, also scouting the place for some friends who were interested in coming. The atmosphere was nice, and overall I did enjoy most of what I ordered. However, one part of my experience left me very disappointed, and I think it's important for management to hear this.
I originally wanted to try the Chicken Tahini, but my server explained that was only available on the other side of the restaurant. She kindly recommended the Lamb Tahini instead, even though I had never tried lamb before. I ordered it, along with several other items from the menu. Everything else was enjoyable, but unfortunately the lamb was not. It came with four pieces and a plum/sesame garnish, but the flavor and texture just didn't sit right with me, even after trying to pair it with the bread and salad.
I only ate about a quarter of the dish before asking politely if I could switch it for something else. As a restaurant owner myself, I know how important it is for customers to leave satisfied, no matter what. To my surprise, the plate was taken back to the chef, then returned with the message that I had "eaten too much" to be able to switch. The server even mentioned that "people try to get free food." This was very disappointing to hear. I wasn't trying to take advantage, I was genuinely not enjoying the dish and was hoping for an alternative, even if I had to pay for it.
What upset me even more was that the manager never came to my table to address the issue. Instead, I was told again that I couldn't switch because I "ate a lot," which simply wasn't true. I left the dish unfinished, yet still paid the full $66 for it on a bill that totaled over $304. The lack of care and hospitality, especially at this price point was extremely frustrating and I still tipped
I rarely complain, and I usually just move on, but this experience felt different. I was left unsatisfied, still hungry, and honestly disappointed that management didn't step in to make things right. Mistakes happen, tastes differ, but at the end of the day, a customer should never leave feeling disregarded.
I hope Kasbah sees this as constructive feedback. If the manager or owner reads this, I'd encourage you to remember that customer satisfaction goes beyond the food itself, it's about how you make people feel when they dine with you, small loss on a plate is not worth bad reviews, no recommendations and unsatisfied customers.