Ganga — Restaurant in Old Bridge Township

This review supersedes my prior review from 8 months ago. I had been coming here for years. In fact, I had reviewed Ganga eight months ago. Unfortunately, as noted by others, their quality has deteriorated as of late. Yesterday, however, cemented my decision (along with the decision of others in my party) to discontinue patronage indefinitely.

The decision is based on the following events: Yesterday, we came in to have a weekday birthday dinner. Right off the bat, the waitress was snarky in seating us, but we were okay with that as service has never been Ganga's strong suit.

We ordered many of the same items we usually order when there. One dish, the Chilean sea bass looked different from how it normally looks. At first bite, the fish did not taste fresh and smelled of the distinctive fish odor that is usually associated with fish that is no longer fresh. Seeing how my wife and I came in from the City, we were both starving. My wife continued to eat around the fish, i.e. the vegetables until after we could catch the attention of our snarky waitress, Joyce. When she came over we explained the problem with the dish and asked her to confirm it for herself, if she had any doubts. She took the dish to manager and then came back and said "we can only credit back 50 percent of the dish because you ate the vegetables." I am not going to comment on the reasonableness of that offer but, rather leave it to you draw your own conclusions.

The problems did not end there, however. After our table had finished the entrees, we asked for desert plates and spoons for desert that we had brought in from a NYC bakery, as we had done a couple of times in the past. This time, however, Joyce told us that there is a $1 per person charge for being able to consume outside desert there. Joyce further told us that it was their policy. At this point, I clearly got the message that this was retaliatory. I can't comment on whether it is their policy or not, I can only say that we had brought in outside desert on at least two prior occasions with no charge. Moreover, we didn't mind the charge but rather the manner and chronology of events that lead up to it. It felt like they were giving us the middle finger. We pointed out that this is not the right way to treat repeat customers especially when you had served a sub par dish which you refused to take back or reimburse in full.

The pièce de résistance came with the check, however. After all of the foregoing, along with a few minor aggravating yet sundry items, Ganga felt it appropriate to include an 18 percent gratuity. Once again, Joyce and this time her manager, Ken, told us that it is their policy for parties of 6 or more. I pointed out that their policy can be what ever they want, but gratuity has to be agreed to by the customer. To be sure, there is NO law in NJ that creates an obligation to pay a mandatory gratuit (arguably a gratuity, by definition, is not mandatory). Moreover, to charge a full 18 percent gratuity when you are aware of the service and food issues that had been expressed throughout the evening was their way of, once again, giving us the middle finger. Upon receipt of the transaction receipt, I crossed out the 18 percent amount and reduced it to a 10 percent tip, which I felt was more appropriate. Within minutes, I was notified by my credit card company that they charged the full, 18 percent gratuity, amount. This was done without authorization and is, indeed, illegal.

I will be pursuing the matter further, but I felt that our area is fortunate enough to have enough fine and reputable establishments that there is no need to tolerate this type of treatment when spending hard-earned...

Upon sitting down at the Sushi Bar, I engaged the Sushi chefs. I told them that I had never had sushi before, and was looking for their advice for a newbie. After getting a beer, I was told that I should order an omakase (chef's choice) of sushi and sashimi (bold recommendation for someone who says they've never had sushi before). I offered to the chef that I'd heard a California Roll, or Spicy Tuna Roll were good places to start, but he countered that an omakase was the way to go, to try many different flavors.

This was an interesting for a variety of reasons. First, as someone stating they are new to sushi, suggesting an omakase of sushi and sashimi is like throwing someone into the deep end. While it ended up consisting of mostly milder fish, it still seems over-the-top. Especially when you consider that the 2 rolls I brought up would have cost $10, the omakase was $29 (motive to push the incorrect recommendation).

When the platter arrived, it was gorgeous. It was all presented beautifully and the fish looked extremely fresh. Once in my mouth, took a slightly different turn. Rice was there, but had no flavor. I removed some rice from a piece of sushi to taste the rice, and there still remained no flavor. Most of the pieces of sushi were great, but there were a few tough pieces. The sashimi was cut very large, to the point were it needed to be cut.

Overall, the quality was good, but maybe not quite worth the price. The staff cared more for making the money, rather than promoting and enjoyable experience. In the end, it was a decent experience. Know what you want, and it...

Not enough attention to customers. Never asked me for a second drink or a refill of my water. Didn't offer dessert. Poor skills for upselling the tabletops for more profit AND attending to your patrons. Food was excellent. 12.14.20 been here and ordered many times since last review; but this time the offense to our customer loyalty has been taken advantage of too much too often. The PORTIONS have gotten smaller by 2/3rds...it's close to hospital-cafeteria or airline sized portions. The food is good, ok. However....after spending considerable sums of money over the years- we are tired of seeing how little, in-particular during covid restrictions our efforts to support local restaurants with take out orders (this one for a family birthday) we were insulted with the portion paltryness and extra stingy take out containers. This has been unacceptable. We can not phathom the idea of spending another dollar in support of this embarrassing treatment. Our guests almost immediately joked, 'I guess we'll be eating the pizza in the fridge after all!" The portions are as if this was a Mall Food-Court buffet serving. Is there a white rice and udon noodle shortage? Has a listeria breakout made 1 cherry tomato, 1 salad leaf green, iceberg lettuce a premium item? I'm betting the side salad wouldn't register with container and fork on my bathroom scale... We will be looking to spend $90.oo+ per order at many other worthy locations. Please consider spending your hard earned money at establishments that consider your easy to make decisions in this choice rich area of...