146470 Fri Nov 21 20:39:27 -0800 2003 7 12 Boston Area 0 785114 So we ate at Lotus Blossom tonight. Soup took too long to arrive. Drinks took too long and child's milk was forgotton on first pass. Mu shi dish arrived without hosein sauce, which took an inordinately long time to arrive, by which time the dish was cold. Sent it back for warming. Had to wait for chopsticks. Food dishes had no covers, so rest of food quickly got cold. Check took too long. Change took too long. They charge for rice. THEY CHARGE FOR TEA. True, it was a Friday night, and we calculated that they ship 80 to 100 takeout orders per peak hour, based on a ten-minute count sample. But the service was inexcusable, as is the charge for tea. It's a shame, because this joint dominates the local restaurant scene in town by sheer size and volume. Fri Nov 21 20:39:27 -0800 2003 0 How Long 1 785115 Haven't been to that restaurant so can't comment on the food or service, but...most Chinese (and American, and any other) restaurants charge for tea, for rice, and for everything else they serve (except bread, perhaps). If the tea is not worth paying the extra buck for, don't get it (which is why I virtually never order tea, unless it's a tea that I particularly like, such as good green tea, or chrysanthemum). Same reason I often don't order rice in a restaurant, or (for American restaurants) some people won't order a baked potato, salad etc. if the price seems too steep. As for the slow service, well, if the meal were expensive, one might feel entitled to good service, but if the meal is cheap, one should as they say hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Fri Nov 21 21:38:14 -0800 2003 785114 0 barleywino 2 785117 Lotus Blossom charges for tea? I find that quite rare in Chinese places. But maybe I don't go to a lot of good ones, I don't know. Plain white rice is often complimentary. And that complimentary rice is often terrible, served as big balls in a bowl (BBB) as if by an ice cream scoop. However, if you spend a couple of bucks (such as in Lilac Blossom in Nashua), you will get far better rice. Sat Nov 22 00:05:59 -0800 2003 785115 0 bunnyr 3 785166 It seems to me that many many Chinese places, and almost all Japanese, charge for tea and for rice. I'm not sure why you all feel it is a rare occurrence. Mon Nov 24 10:20:19 -0800 2003 785117 0 AlanH 4 785170 I was never charged for tea or rice before moving to the Boston area from D.C. The charges still baffle me! Mon Nov 24 10:53:36 -0800 2003 785166 0 kg 4 785176 Most places I go in Boston do not charge for tea but rice (with dinner plates) is often an extra $1/serving. Rice often comes with the lunch meals at no extra charge. Mon Nov 24 12:04:21 -0800 2003 785166 0 Dax 5 785180 A lot of places will tack on a buck or so for tea at the bottom of the bill and hope the customer doesn't notice. Mon Nov 24 12:38:23 -0800 2003 785176 0 barleywino 1 785163 I've had takeout from Lotus Blossom only because it's 2 minutes from my friends' home and the only Chinese out there. Too bad - you were literally right around the corner from Oshii II (in the mini-mall area across from the Dunkin' Donuts) which has some of the best sushi in the area. Sky - up the street (still on route 20) - might have been a bit better service-wise, the food is slightly upscale bar/comfort food, but in either case, you are out in the 'burbs there and unfortunately that can often mean lower expectations. Mon Nov 24 09:50:52 -0800 2003 785114 0 MB