Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine — Restaurant in Foster City

The Unhinged Hostess and the Unprofessional Tirade

My visit to this restaurant was a masterclass in unprofessionalism, beginning with a passive-aggressive server and ending with an unhinged public spectacle.

The night began in a nearly-empty dining room where the server had ample room to pass. Despite this, she chose to passive-aggressively jar my chair, a clear act of contempt. The restaurant’s cramped design, which forces as many tables as possible into a small space and creates narrow aisles, only exacerbated the initial rudeness.

After she bumped me with a very sarcastic and mocking "Excuse me!", I adjusted my chair, pushing it and the table forward to create a little space, which created a loud sound ... Again, this response came a good 5 seconds after she had already gone past me.

The true show, however, began later. When she came back to my table, I calmly told her I was just reading the restaurant's other reviews, which are full of complaints about the terrible service. Her response was a full-blown public meltdown.

With new customers now seated and watching, she launched into a wild, baseless tirade, screaming accusations that I had intentionally tried to block her and that I was lying, attempting to humiliate me in front of others.

In her tirade, she falsely accuses that I reacted immediately. I welcome her challenge to review the video of the restaurant and, if she doesn't recognize it, perhaps management can observe her passive aggressive behavior and defensiveness.

Instead, I'm sure she humiliated only herself. I reminded her that a true customer service professional instead of being defensive would be listening attentively. She proceeded to mock me by saying "Okay! I'm listening now!" while her body language showed further hostility with crossed arms and a scowling face! At that point, I stood up, said I had enough of this crap, went to pay my bill and left.

This is a middle-aged woman with clear mental issues who has no business being in customer service. Her behavior was a testament to her shocking lack of professionalism and self-awareness. It's truly a shame that management would employ someone this volatile.

This experience confirms a deeper, more troubling issue. The pattern of rude service at this restaurant is apparent if you read the other reviews. It makes me wonder if this is an ethnically-motivated issue, as many of the complaints seem to come from customers with non-Western names.

As a high-level customer service professional myself—in an industry that doesn't expect tips—I know a business's reputation is built on civility, not...

The food was great but I only gave one star not because of the food but what happened at the restaurant. My son sat underneath the shelf/display cabinet and I warned him about hitting his head when he gets up. Also. he just competed in a Ju Jitsu tournament so he was hungry and exhausted on top of being a forgetful kid!

Of course when he sat up to use the restroom, he hit the corner of this wooden display with the side of his head! No skin was broken but it was red. I immediately informed one of the waiters what happened. His only reply or lack of reaction, was"Ok" and walked away!

I was furious with the lack of concern! So I asked for the manager. Only the co owner was present and I told her what happened. Also, I advised her that sitting area should not have that display hanging there. It is too low. It needs to be raised or removed.

Again no apology or sympathy, just a blank stare! So I demanded for ice and stared at that neanderthal , worthless waiter and shook my head in disgust!

Another employee finally came over and apologized profusely. Also, I warned her that if that wooden display is not raised higher or removed. Someone will be injured severely and this restaurant will be sued! She said she will discuss it...

Was deciding between Thai or the Korean restaurant. Went for the Thai restaurant after seeing good reviews for it. Unfortunately, it wasn't as good as described =(.

We had initially felt really good about the place given that it was staff with Thai folks. We ordered Thai ice tea (3/5), Pad Thai (2/5), Tom Yum Soup (2/5) and Mango Sticky Rice (2/5).

Amongst the food we ordered, the thai ice tea was probably the best and most authentic. The rest of the food was just disappointing. The Pad Thai was dry and did not come with lime nor peanuts, I had to separately request for them. Tom yum soup tasted more like tomato soup, it was not spicy nor tangy in flavor. As for the mango sticky rice, the rice was pretty well done however, the mango was old and dry.

On a positive note, they do have this lovely area with thai decor and lighting. The tables can be joined together, it can probably hold up to 20 people along the entire stretch. A really nice spot to gather with friends except that... the food...