Hot Fish — Restaurant in Hackensack

Fantastic Food. However, I stopped eating as soon as I could and would never return.

A co-worker hosted a Friday dinner at this place during the Chinese New Year. The food INDEED was Michelin quality. But I didn't finish my meal and would never return.

There were two waitresses taking care of ordering etc. Both seemed welcoming. I appreciated that.

As we were halfway through our appetizers, a young couple sitting next to us finished their dinner and left. From my seat, I can't help but watch how the two waitresses cleaned that table, plate by plate, glass by glass. They took leftovers to the trash can, which was just outside the kitchen area, readily visible from our table. I also saw one waitress sweeping the floor area, taking the full trash bag out, and replacing with a new one. During that process, both waitresses were wearing the same gloves that they had when taking our orders and serving our drinks.

A disturbing thought emerged. No way! However, I can't concentrate on the food anymore. I just stopped eating.

Before long, a middle-aged couple came in and directly took that table just being "cleaned". They appeared regular customers and started chatting with the taller waitress who replaced the trash bag a moment ago. After the small talk, she took their orders and brought out drinks, with the same gloves she used to clean that table and work the trash. During that time, the other waitress, the chubby one, came to our table and asked if we needed anything.

Disgusting. I can't eat anything there anymore.

My eyes were on their gloves when they started to do the cleaning. I was positive they still had the same gloves when we left the restaurant.

The restaurant was located in a busy shopping plaza with a Home Depot store as its neighbor. We were there on a Friday night, and the parking lot was almost full when I arrived around 6 p.m. The restaurant was busy, too. However, throughout our time there that night, I didn't find one non-Asian customer.

Those were disposable blue gloves. Less than 10 c each. The waitresses likely had the same pair for a long time.

To be fair, both waitresses were busy working. I was positive neither took a break in the lady's room during our time there.

However, I didn't want to know what else had happened prior to our arrival. Anyway, I stopped eating as soon as I could and would...

This is difficult to write cause just this morning I was singing this place's praises. So I've been here 3 times all together. Today I wanted to go on my birthday. We went and my boyfriend and myself ordered the dry pot lamb dish. We ordered to separate ones because I tend to like to take mines home and he will devour most of his own. We've done this before here with no issue. Today however I guess there was a issue with us ordering the same thing? The server asked us if we were sure we wanted to order it. We were like of course?

Then a guy came out with her adamant that we change one of the dishes. I am a shy person by nature and felt put on the spot as if I was doing something wrong by ordering what I want. Even my boyfriend who is usually straight forward was put off. We tried to be good sports about it but in the end felt like we should give in. The course that was recommend wasn't bad by any means but I don't understand why we couldn't have what we wanted with out being questioned... We never had issues before? We were never rude when we came previously so there is nothing I can think about that would warrant that.

In the end I was honest when asked why I liked the dry pot--I went to college in china and stayed with a host family. They used to make this all the time so I wanted it when I felt nostalgic for it. My boyfriend just wanted it, nothing more nor less. We weren't really given a reason as to why we were kinda called out besides ordering the same thing for two people is weird. I kinda think it wasn't right to go about it in that way. Honestly I love this resturants. The atmosphere is nice, the servers before this were nice...

But now I kinda feel like I can't go back without having to worry about what I order and being called out for it. If it was just a matter of realizing when we come to the restaurant we usually order the same thing, there is a different way of going bout suggesting different things. And when someone says thanks but I'm happy with what I chose, as long as they are paying what does it matter??

The food here is great but this experience put a huge damper on how I see the place. Will be staying away for a while at least, and...

We usually go to Lotus Cafe but since the pandemic shutdown, the food has not been good. So in search of an alternative chinese restaurant we stopped in. It turned out to be a good decision though the menu items need more detail, see below. Service was good, the waitress was attentive and tried to answer as best as she could.

They bring out a plate of different nuts which was a pleasant surprise. It reminds me of when I visited older relatives as a child. 😀 They always have a plate of different nuts/candies for visitors.

Jellyfish was delicious! So flavorful, oh how I miss this dish hehehe

House Special Pig Trotter was good but no one seem to know what house special meant... the name in chinese didn't help either... turns out it's crispy trotter in a chili sauce with peanuts. Strange but it was flavorful :)

No one could tell us what was in the House Special Fried Rice so we decided not to order it. As I said more detail on the menu would help...

Salty Egg Yolk with Tofu and Seafood was delicious. Not as much seafood as I was expecting, only tasted shrimp and squid.

We got a Yakult like drink instead of fortune cookies lol

Definitely have a few items I would like to try out in...