Taylor B.
Yelp
Disappointing and Dangerous Experience
We had one of the worst dining experiences we've had in a very long time at Zui Beer Bar & Restaurant. The service was disorganized at best, and negligent at worst--especially when it came to handling a serious food allergy.
It started off poorly: we had a reservation for six, but upon arrival, we were told to wait at the door--even though our friends were already seated and the restaurant was nearly empty. Not exactly a warm welcome.
Next, we asked about the daily special listed on the website--the Dizzy Tea--which was prominently advertised. Our server said she would check, disappeared for nearly ten minutes, and eventually returned to tell us that the special only applied to another location. Frustrating, but not the end of the world.
What was a serious issue: one of our friends has a nut allergy and clearly communicated this to the server. We were given a shortlist of safe items, and she placed her order through the restaurant's mobile system, adding "Nut allergy - thank you :)" in the designated allergy section. The rest of us ordered dishes to share, specifically ensuring the nut-free items would be for our friend.
When the food arrived, those "nut-free" items were missing. The server then informed us those dishes *actually contained nuts.* When asked again if anything on the menu was nut-free, she went to check--again--and this time came back with a surprisingly long list of supposedly safe items. Our friend reordered, again clearly noting the allergy in the app. The new dish arrived, and she cautiously tried one piece of chicken.
Ten minutes later, another server approached to tell us the chicken seasoning actually contained nuts. Unfortunately, the reaction had already started--mouth swelling, itching--forcing her to leave the restaurant to get allergy medication.
When we returned, we asked for the bill. We had to specifically request that the chicken dish be removed. No apology. No compensation. No accountability.
A food allergy is not a minor inconvenience. If a restaurant cannot guarantee allergen safety, they need to *clearly communicate that upfront*--not provide conflicting information and hope for the best.
This experience was not only disappointing--it was dangerous. We won't be returning, and we certainly can't recommend it to anyone, especially those with dietary restrictions.
I suppose the atmosphere is cool - but considering the place has SMALL portions and TERRIBLE service- I wouldn't waste my time.