Liu Mandarin Kitchen — Restaurant in Auburn

My wife and I ate here several years ago, and unfortunately weren't impressed with the food then, but wanted to give it a try today after continuing to hear good things about it. We decided to stop by for lunch on Christmas Eve at around 11:55 am. We stopped at the door and studied the menus on the table outside including the prominently displayed "Lunch Specials". We spent a little time deciding on what lunch special to eat before going inside. Decision made, we went inside to an empty restaurant. We were the only customers present. We were greeted and seated politely, and then told that because it was a "holiday" they weren't serving the lunch specials. We politely explained the lunch specials were the reason we came in, and that they were prominently displayed outside. The waitress walked away, we thought to talk to someone about possibly making an exception (which by the way we hadn't asked for), and we initially contemplated other items on the menu while waiting. However, an older woman came out and perfunctorily explained that it was a holiday and they expected to be busy so they weren't serving the lunch specials. This was completely confounding to us as we looked around the completely empty restaurant at lunchtime. No apologies for their error in posting the lunch specials outside (or on the menu indoors) with out noting they were not being served today, or concerns or regards for their customer's disappointment. The change in the menu could have been easily posted outside and on the indoor menu itself, but wasn't. It almost felt like a bait and switch to get you inside and seated. Well, we told her we would be leaving, and without any concern regarding the impression she'd made on two potential customers, she turned and walked away. So did we. Probably never to come back. The food may be good, but I guess we'll never know. They don't seem terribly interested in...

While the food at Liu Mandarin Kitchen in Auburn, CA was certainly enjoyable, our recent visit was marred by an extremely unhospitable experience. We had booked a table for seven, including a 93-year-old grandmother and a toddler, but the initial interaction with the staff over the phone was less than welcoming.

Despite confirming a birthday reservation (for said 93 year old) over the phone for 7:30 PM, we were met with confusion upon arrival and informed that the restaurant closed at 8:30 PM, and told that our booking should not have been accepted. After some disagreement amongst staff, we were seated, but the experience only deteriorated from there.

After our now rushed order arrived, we were informed that we had only 15 minutes to eat. So as not to inconvenience the kitchen staff, we agreed to leave as soon as we could.

Despite our best efforts to finish our meals quickly and request doggie bags, we were still met with a sense of urgency and impatience from the hostess. As we prepared to pay and leave, she continued to rush us, even going so far as to force us out the door, while raising her voice, knowing full and well that we were dining with an elderly individual. This too after spending nearly $200 dollars at this restaurant!

While the food was undoubtedly good, the rude demeanor and inconsiderate behavior of the staff have left a lasting negative impression.

We will not be returning to Liu Mandarin Kitchen and would strongly advise others to consider alternative options such as Loomis Chinese or Jing Jing in Rocklin. These establishments offer a far more pleasant and hospitable...

Im sure this place has loyal patronage and it is in a great location.

The food was outstanding.

The service and waits were a let down.

I think the owner was our waitstaff- no smile, no nonsense.

My mom is a little older and it was a cold day but she set us by the door though the joint was empty except one other family. Didn't ask where we wanted to sit.

No water refills, no hot tea refills. Waiter became rather impatient when I tried to order a quantity listed on the menu and was told I had to order the larger portion(beef dumplings).

Im aware menu items change but why get frosty when you didn't update the menu?

Waiting for the check seemed like forever. Not a friendly face or word through our whole meal.

My mom tried to inquire about an item and literally got like a stony silence on that note but perhaps this was miscommunication.

People have bad days so I'm not going to give a one or two star rating and I leave mostly favorable reviews - like I say, I'm sure they have strong local ties and they aren't going to read my review or care who does but the demeanor of a proprietor is something I judge in that transaction.

Seemed a little pricey, I feel like a pleasant atmosphere isn't an unreasonable ask.

End on a high note: the food was really, really good. Probably best Asian food I've had...