467747 Sat Dec 08 23:00:29 -0800 2007 9 14 Washington DC & Baltimore Area 0 3191934 I am a college student, so I really enjoy being able to go out and find a relatively cheap meal out that is rather tasty (I am also from a family of gigantic food snobs, so getting away from dorm food is a must at times). Lemongrass' lunch specials have always been able to do the trick for me. While I went fairly regularly last year, this is maybe my third time since the beginning of this year. And was I in for a shock. When I went in September I got the Ka Pow Beef....normally I could handle the spice, this time it was overbearing, there was little beef, but just overwhelming burning (couldn't feel my tongue for a while afterwards). I figured eh, its an off day. Then I ordered the Peppery Garlic a couple of weeks later. It was neither peppery nor garlicy, but instead ridiculously sweet and salty, almost too much so. I came close to sending it back, but managed to get through it with a lot of rice. Today I ordered the wonton soup....it was alright . Really salty, but mostly ok. Then I had the Pa Ram Long Song. It used to be a favorite of mine, with the creamy peanut sauce, mild flavor, broccoli, etc. Well....they changed their recipe, and it was quite spicy. Very little peanut flavor, although lots of raw ginger slices. The broccoli wasn't cooked, but the real kicker was they didn't cook the chicken through. I had chunks of chicken that were still raw in the middle. I am sorry, but that is completely and totally unacceptable. I sent it back. And it came back overcooked this time. I ate it, but was still not pleased. The waiter seemed not to care that it was raw, although agreed to take it back without much hesitation. Maybe I am overreacting, but I don't think I am going to be going back any time soon. Its too bad, because Pad Thai, up the street, isn't shaping out to be too good either. I guess I am just out of luck for Thai. Sat Dec 08 23:00:29 -0800 2007 94517 ebonac 1 3192039 How about Thai Carlson Donut out West St? It's only medium good, but they're so nice and it's so cheap I would go even without the little bag of donuts they gave me. No raised expectations or attitude, but offbeat fun. What wasn't good at Pad Thai? Sun Dec 09 01:31:27 -0800 2007 3191934 72002 chowsearch 1 3192274 Sorry to hear one of your favorites let you down! We have a new Lemon Grass in Baltimore that I need to check out...I hope it goes better! Being in the business...I would make sure you let the management know of your experience...its the only way they can fix it and make it a place that you will want to return. Just my two sense but I know when I read a posting on my place I research it pretty thoroughly to see if we had an on-site complaint as well! Sun Dec 09 07:28:48 -0800 2007 3191934 148727 MacOyster 2 3192509 "I would make sure you let the management know of your experience..." I have often seen that advice, but how do you carry it out. I sometimes tell the server, but she has zero incentive to relaye messahe--she would be the bearer of bad news, and we know what happens to them. I guess I could ask to speak to the manager, but that could be a high-drama affair that I rarely feel like dealing with. So, MacOyster, what do you suggest? Sun Dec 09 09:26:06 -0800 2007 3192274 49606 tartuffe 3 3192593 A letter is often best being as detailed as possible just write on the top line Manager or c/o manager, or a phone call normally about an hour before the restaurant opens as that is when managers are around and able to talk. Or if you are at the place ask if the manager is available and talk then. Sun Dec 09 10:05:57 -0800 2007 3192509 92426 ktmoomau 4 3192628 Talking with mgt is not the kind of (possible) confrontation I want at the end of dinner. See some of the discussions on this board re Salt. Phone or email sounds doable, but my passion cools quickly. Let's hope rstos monitor this board! Sun Dec 09 10:23:31 -0800 2007 3192593 49606 tartuffe 3 3192981 I think ktmoomau has it right if you are not comfortable w/ bringing a manager over to the table. E-mail obviously works great! I welcome any feedback that I can get in any form. I wish more people were willing to tell the bad more often so you can get to the root of a problem more quickly. I can tell you first hand that my chef at the restaurant reads Chowhound and has quickly rooted issues and made changes to recipes and prep because of what he sees posted! I just started using Chowhound myself and I would have to say that as an owner it might be one of the best forms of feedback I have access to since many feel the same way as tartuffe! I can tell you our chef wishes people asked for him more often when there is a problem or better yet...when something is wonderful! He loves feedback on his work. So keep on feedin' it back in whatever form you like! Sun Dec 09 13:17:10 -0800 2007 3192509 148727 MacOyster 1 3193689 I've had varying experiences at Lemongrass, but none to the extent of raw chicken. If it's bad enough to post here it's worth sending the manager a letter - and raw chicken is definitely in that category! Be sure to provide date, time, and if possible the waiter's name. The chef (and waiter!) may have been having an off day, or this may be another occurrence in an escalating problem. Either way without the information the manager can't resolve the problem. What you wrote here is perfect. Sun Dec 09 18:34:59 -0800 2007 3191934 63906 odkaty 1 3199667 Hmmm...sounds like you had some really off nights there, I would be careful about slamming a restaurant without giving the exact name of the place. I say this because I know there are 2 Lemongrass restaurants in Annapolis. It sounds like your talking about Lemongrass West St. but I always go to Lemongrass Too out by the mall. The food is consistantly good and authentic and the service is usually ok too but the experiance is always charming...I also went to the new Lemongrass in Baltimore and WOW!!! sooo good and big and hip and fun and WOW!!! Check it out... Tue Dec 11 15:45:05 -0800 2007 3191934 149387 Mr. C 2 3210711 Yes, wow is right, singleposter, that they should charge that much for that food. It was just OK, with standard, boring Pad Thai in the tourist style. It remains to be seen if Baltimoreans will venture to Central avenue at night, or even day, with the two homeless kitchens right up the street with a lot of donw-on-their-luck guys on the street at all times. Ban Thai, Thai Landing, My Thai, Thai, and Thai Arroy are all non-chain, non corporate serious efforts by local residents who are actually Thai and deserve our support. Sat Dec 15 12:05:16 -0800 2007 3199667 72002 chowsearch