Crabbae Kenilworth — Restaurant in Kenilworth

Hello, this experience with Kenilworth is a suffering decor to say the least. We got to the establishment at 5:41pm. At that time we were told that there is a 2.5 hour wait. we had to scan a QR code to make a reservation at the restaurant. We were a table size of 5 at the time. So we had to go mingle and enjoy an event somewhere else for 2.5 hours. We came back to the establishment at 7:33pm, and the table for the table size of 5 were there to be seated. Also, you must reserve your credit card on file for such an establishment. This things should required for a more efficient and effective class of a restaurant. So, we were seated and the establishment to begin with is a bit gloomy and the atmosphere is not at all what is advertised on IG, TikTok or FB, let's be very clear we will not base this on interpretation. There is not a bar in this Kenilworth location. The photos and videos you are witnessing are from the West Orange location, where there is a Full Bar, dinning experience, and brunch. The lighting was not great eat, it was so dark we could not see our food to eat it. So the order was placed at 8:20 pm for appetizer, the appetizers camp out 9:18pm. The order was Honey Jerk wings, $17.16 order of 7 Sweet Chili Wings $17.16 order of 7 Order Salmon Bites $14.56 one (1) order no taste, covered in sweet chili sauce, no butte, garlic, ole bae, cajun seasoning very bland. Stuffed crab and salmon egg roll, all salmon no crab. $ around $15-20.00, Fried Calamari $20.80, there was no utensils on the table, no napkins, no buckets, no paper towels to say the least. Now keep in mind this is just starting.The tables as well as the booths are extremely small, considering the size of the establishment is small as well. We were never asked if we wanted or needed water, other beverages, etc! We then proceeded to get our Main meal or entrees this was to say the least. As the night continues, karaoke, a vibe, if that's your thing. For us it was, we love Music. The waitresses, are extremely (distant) with the business as whole. You must continue to look for them, go find, them seek them in the kitchen, the counter, the areas where they should be they were not. You were required to ask for them several times, & items still were not brought to your area. After while you just stop asking and make a mental note on the experience and customer service. We got the appetizers, then the lights were dark, I'm assuming it's a ambience thing. Placed the order for the Dinner, Stuffed Crab with Rasta Pasta, $40.56, (2) Double Crab leg and Rasta Pasta $46.80+ Fried Lobster $57.20 with fries, 6 jumbo shrimp, Mussel $12.48, a side of broccoli $5.20. Uptown $6.24, Fruit Punch $6.24. Overall the Fried Lobster meal was dried, rubbery, and had no flavor , no horseradish, no cocktail sauce, no tartar sauce, no condiments, again no napkins etc... I tasted the Lobster and indicated to the Manager Jessica that this is not good, and the food is not good either. I said can you take this back. The Mgr indicated we do not do refunds? Mam I never ask you for a refund. But, when a restaurant is catering to the customer based and you NEED Customers to have a business that is key. Let me state facts that I will always support my people. Especially with a $450.00 bill. My friend got sick and throw up her whole meal,. again we were never asked about the food , a substitution, a way to correct the problem, the food, the whole situation, over cooked seafood, then Crab Legs Tate like old sea water, no sense of freshness. Overall, I was charged for Broccoli, that I did not eat, the jumbo shrimp were added to a bill for $14.04 that in a rasta pasta meal, it's included Hmmm. The the Manager Jessica, is extremely, over whelmed, the staff has a major shortage, the appetizer was 1.1/2 hour wait, the main meal was about 1 hour for that again we arrived there 7:33pm, we wrapped up at 10:55pm. A little over a 1:15 drive just to get there. This establishment is suffering as a whole and needs a major renovation, bathroom is a box in match HORRIBLE...

This was my first time checking out Crabbae, specifically this location. Based on the menu online, I was extremely excited about trying out their food. Seafood, one of my favorites!

I was very excited to be supporting a black owned business. However, I see this location needs more training on hospitality. The staff lacks the attentiveness, the manager completely rude. The kitchen, they may need help back there, having customers wait over an hour for food is out of line. Perhaps ordering out may be the best option for this place!

My experience:

6:45pm reservations which I arrived on time for. Upon arrival told the “host” I had reservation, she asked me to give her a moment. Shortly after we were seated, not before being handed a card to scan for the menu at the door.

7:05 - It took about 10-15 minutes before our waiter finally came to the table (which had no utensils/ napkins on it ) at which point she took our drink orders. 2 Uptown’s & 2 waters & some lemons (bottled beverages offered only but also BYOB wish I realized before).

7:20 - It took another 10-15 minutes for our waitress to show up with 2 cups of ice, 2 bottles of Poland spring water and 2 “Uptowns” in one of those Chinese food type ice tea containers, you know the ones they have at the Chinese food store for 1-2 dollars (or free with orders over $10), exactly what they tasted like powdered juice. At this time we asked for some lemons again and napkins for the table. Also put our appetizer & food order. For appetizer, the Fried Cajun Cream Corn. Entrée - Steak , Shrimp & Lobster Rasta Pasta And Double Crab Ramon Bowl ,Shrimp & Sausage

Sounds amazing right ! Thought so too!

The waitress completely forgot about the lemons and napkins, it was about 10 minutes before we reminded her for the second time.

7:55 - appetizers are finally showing up….correct the corn 😐! Our waitress apologizes and tells us that the kitchen is a little backed up. - as hungry as I was I got to say, I did enjoy the corn! Certainly looking forward to the food.

8:30 We are noticeably growing impatient (didn’t help that it was cold in there), waitress comes to us and says the kitchen is really backed up, our order would be out soon.

8:35 Over a hour of waiting we called the waitress over, told her that we no longer wanted the food at this point and that the wait at this point was excessive. We’d like see the manager. The manager “T” comes over, we explain how long we’ve been waiting and how we did not want to wait any longer. Her response was “Ok… it was coming” and walks off…..!

8:40 - 5 mins later, we decided based on the poor service and “T” the manager’s poor response we would leave.

We were stopped at the door like criminal by “T” … who basically told us we are walking out on a $200 check and that we need to pay for our beverages 😂😂😂 oh and corn …. What a joke, and a waste of money.

Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity of trying any of their food aside from the corn, which was pretty good. From all the place that I saw coming out food looks amazing. However, customer service it is a zero for me! Spending that kind of money, I expect a certain level of service.

I (we) did not put up much of a fight normally I would, however it was a date and way too late.

“Tee” that is not how you talk to customers. Leaving a review as promised.

I ended up at Tops diner, and it was a 360 in terms of the...

food was great music was a vibe and the Spanish manager really sweet but only being there an hour and it was only two of us. We thought it was a bonus like this is great we’re in and out until we saw the bill. Now do I feel their food is over priced ABSOLUTELY! It is great food but it varies upon each cook. Last night their Rasta pasta was super spicy, so much so my kids can’t eat it. It also had peppers and onions in it which I didn’t experience the two times I went before. It also didn’t taste like it did last night beforehand it had a Alfredo but spicy taste to it. Last night it was just super spicy. The chicken also wasn’t fried hard even tho we did ask for it and the honey jerk sauce tasted different this time. They were still good my best friend loved them for her first time but it was definitely different. Even the loaded fries were spicy and they’ve always had like a garlic creamy butter taste to me before. Not this time, very spicy. Also hate that you force us to pay for bottle waters, that’s very scheming if you ask me. I only drink water so the bottle is fine but being told we only have water bottles. That’s basically saying if you’re thirsty you gotta pay for something that’s technically free. It gives bad taste like you guys don’t have sinks or something. I don’t drink faucet water but I also don’t want to be forced to pay for something you guys are claiming to only have. It just seems like you’re willing to do anything for a dollar. I get the inflation is hard but this behavior will make people stop coming. Lastly the server was cool but she wasn’t really needed much. She came over and took our order after giving us the water. Brought the food and that was it, we didn’t need her for anything else. That’s how quick and easy we were so to get our bill and to see $142 for three things that don’t even equal up to that amount made me never wanna come back. Literally $42 of that was gratuity which is ridiculous for two people. My kids had already ate Wendy’s before we got there so this was really to bring my best friend while I was in town for my sons birthday. She was very satisfied with the food but the bill and the time frame we were in there for just turned her off. If that gratuity went to the entire building like cooks included, still not worth it but more understandable. Just for her though I would never. She didn’t do anything to deserve such a huge top and then thought it was funny when i said wow this is a lot why would I leave another tip? She said just hit skip her laugh gave like it don’t matter if you want to or not I got it already. It’s just very unfortunate when they talk about black owned businesses not getting the love they deserve but then stuff like this happens. You guys become money hungry and unreasonable with certain things. I’ve always tipped and I would have but not that amount and that made me realize I will not recommend or fly back in town making that restaurant my go to anymore. Very disappointing...