Nikeisha Setal
Google
Disappointing Experience at Moli – Overpriced and Overhyped
I found Moli in Connecticut while searching for a nice restaurant to celebrate my mom’s birthday, which happened to be on St. Patrick’s Day. I saw a TikTok video featuring the restaurant, and it looked aesthetically pleasing, upscale, and had excellent reviews. I checked Google, Yelp, and even the TikTok comments—everything seemed promising.
Excited, my family and I drove 1 hour and 6 minutes from New Jersey to get there. I even left work early to surprise my mom with a road trip, which she loves, along with good food and a beautiful restaurant. Unfortunately, our experience did not live up to expectations.
Ambiance & Service (8/10)
Upon arrival, the restaurant looked much smaller than expected from the outside. However, once inside, the decor was impressive. The huge chandelier was one of the reasons I chose this place. The atmosphere was upscale and well-designed.
However, the lighting was extremely dim, making it difficult to read the menu. My mom actually had to use her phone flashlight just to see the menu properly, which was frustrating.
The service was excellent—attentive, friendly, and professional. However, I was surprised that despite the restaurant being relatively busy, there was only one main waiter taking orders, with others assisting.
One important note: reservations require a credit card, and they charge $10 per person if you’re late. You only get a 15-minute grace period before your reservation is canceled. Luckily, we arrived on time and were seated right away.
Drinks (10/10)
Moli’s drink menu was impressive. The cocktails were well-crafted, delicious, and visually appealing. However, they are pricey—$20 per cocktail and even a simple Coke or ginger ale costs $4.
Food (2/10) – The Biggest Disappointment
This is where everything fell apart. We ordered four appetizers and a couple of entrées, expecting a fine-dining Chinese cuisine experience. Instead, we got overpriced, bland, and uninspired food.
Appetizers:
Braised short rib – Tender, but completely unseasoned.
Duck rolls – Neither my mom nor I liked these. The taste was so off that my mom actually spit it out.
Sweet and sour tofu – One of the only good dishes.
Vegetable stir-fried rice – Also delicious, but nothing special.
Pork bao buns – Good. Soft, flavorful, and enjoyable.
Shrimp & pork dumplings/wontons – Tasty, but they came with a "spicy" sauce that had zero spice. We asked for chili oil, but it was also not spicy at all.
Entrées:
Grilled fish dish – A complete failure. The two pieces of fish were cooked well but had no seasoning whatsoever. No salt, no pepper—nothing. The sauce it was served with was a tangy yellow sauce that did not complement the fish. To top it off, they placed a pile of raw greens on top that felt completely out of place.
Overpriced & Lacking Value
For the $250 bill (after removing the duck rolls), the food was not worth it. We still tipped $46 because the service was great, but we left incredibly disappointed.
No complimentary bread or soup – For such a high-end restaurant, I was surprised they offered nothing while waiting. Most fine dining places at least offer bread or a small appetizer.
No kids’ menu – A huge issue. My nephew had nothing to eat because they only had plain rice—no pizza, no fries, nothing kid-friendly.
Dessert (7/10) – One of the few highlights. The dessert was actually delicious, but it wasn't enough to redeem the overall meal.
Final Verdict: 3/10
Ambiance & decor: 8/10 (docked a point for the dim lighting)
Service: 10/10
Drinks: 10/10
Food: 2/10
Value for money: 1/10
Would I return? Absolutely not. The food was bland, overpriced, and not authentic Chinese cuisine. I regret bringing my mom here for her birthday, and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone traveling a long distance. It might be Instagram-worthy, but if the food isn’t good, it’s not worth it.