Mei Mei Philadelphia — Restaurant in Philadelphia

My boyfriend and I were extremely disappointed, not only in our experience here but in the poor customer service that followed. We have had our eye on Mei Mei for a while, and chose to go on Valentine's Day. *Please keep in mind that we booked on open table 3 weeks before, and secured our reservation for 7:30 pm. At the time of booking, nothing was mentioned regarding Valentine's day or any limitations.

On the night of Valentines Day, an hour before our reservation, we get a call from Mei Mei confirming our booking and letting us know it will be a pre-set menu that evening - $65 a person for a 3 course meal. We were assured we would be allowed to pick our courses on that call, but the hostess could not tell us anything about what was being offered that evening? We were in a bind... not expecting to pay that much, nor were we told what would be on the menu but we took a leap of faith because it was Vday, where else were we going to get a reservation the night of?

We get there and the place is empty. We are guided to our table and told to scan the QR code for the pre-fixed menu. Once we saw the menu we immediately were disappointed. There were 3 appetizers, 2 entrees, and only one desert. Not a single item was asian-inspired which we had booked there in hopes for. As my boyfriend pointed out, the menu was so unique and definitely not everyone's taste - he hates red velvet cake and also doesn't eat fish. They told us we could not order from their regular menu, when all we wanted were dumplings and kung pao chicken.

Apps: Trout Butternut Soup, Oysters, Salad with bee pollen Entree: Filet with red wine sauce OR Crab Cakes Desert: Red Velvet Cake

We got the soup, oysters, both got filet, both a drink and each got red velvet (obviously). The service was so slow despite there being no one in the restaurant, and my boyfriend asked twice for a refill of water even though it never came. Our bill with 20% gratuity already included was $202.79. For two college students, we were never expecting our Vday to be so expensive and disappointing. Also, we were charged $10 for their "elevated dining" seating area without being asked where we wanted to sit or that we were going to be charged an additional fee.

I called the next three days after Vday asking to speak to management and let them know our experience. All three times I was told that Jess (the manager) would be giving me a call back - I have yet to hear from anyone.

I am beyond frustrated, annoyed and disappointed that this was my first experience here. I won't be returning...

Four of my friends and I had a terrible experience with the management of Mei Mei.

UPDATE (1/25): Contrary to the owner's comment, our entire party WAS at the restaurant and we had 5 people standing in the hallway for a half hour waiting to be seated.

Our reservation was for 5 people at 7:30pm and we were celebrating my friend's birthday. We ALL WERE PRESENT AT 7:30PM and did not get seated until 8pm because whoever was at our table had paid, but were lingering. We stood in the foyer which was freezing cold because the door kept getting stuck open.

Once we were seated at 8pm, the waiter was just going to get water, but we asked to also put in our drink order to speed things up since we waited so long to be sat. (Side note, our waiter was AMAZING!!)

-We ordered 4 appetizers and then after those came out quickly and we ordered 4 entrees. Our entrees came out around 9:15pm.

At 9:30pm -- while we are actively eating our dinners -- the manager - JORDAN - comes up to us and tells us that we are at the 2 hour time limit and that "of course we can continue eating the food we have, but that they could no longer serve us anything else because we were over the 2 hour time limit."

I explained to her that no, we were NOT over the 2 hour time limit since we were sat at 8pm and it was only 9:30pm and that said - we had JUST gotten our entrees. She apologized that we had to wait so long for the table, but then reiterated that we were over the 2 hour time limit... which again, we were not.

So instead of finishing our dinners and ordering dessert with a sparkler to celebrate our friend's birthday -- we asked for to-go containers, our check, and were kicked out of our table.

The waiter was so kind to us about this situation and was of course not happy that Jordan did this and to be clear -- Jordan didn't do this to any other table who had been sat before us. I wonder why she picked our table?? Humm...

Also - after $200, they automatically add an 18% gratuity so I guess she realized it wouldn't matter however she approached us. Again - our waiter was fantastic, but Jordan and management of this establishment need some work.

Food was good Drinks are very expensive, but good You'll wait well beyond your reservation time You still get kicked out early because they seat you 30 minutes late Music is so loud you can't hear your waiter... even during typical dinner hours Not...

So I decided to have my daughter sweet 16 dinner here. Let me start off by saying the food was very good. The waiters were very good at tending to my section. Atmosphere great for taking photos and that party seen vibe. I was a party of 19 people and and I spent around $2,489.00. The downside to this establishment is them hosting a large party. For the amount I paid and the party size I had I felt like six extra people I didn’t know shouldn’t have been in the location my guest were. The manger did allow me to get back what i didn’t spend on a gift card and gave my daughter 100.00 gift card as well, however it was for their restaurant. A place I currently wouldn’t host a large party at again at this moment. The manager specified that they’re under new management and making changes, however I feel like with large parties they should just have a set price and close off anyone else entering the large party section space. The people I came with was eating on top of each other and on chairs which was very uncomfortable and distasteful. For the amount that was being spent should’ve had way more space. I’m making a suggestion that they get new seats and booths. They were stained so much. They shouldn’t do cloth material for seating at all giving it’s more so for a party seen atmosphere. If the improvements are made i’ll come back to host a large party, but as of now if your thinking bout having a party for 10 or more guest reconsider. because the restaurant is unorganized. The manager was nice to us and attentive. He did try to accommodate us ,but the way it was done and I’m sure it wasn’t his choice but it was not to my liking. I feel money back should’ve been put back on my card instead of a gift card because I didn’t end up spending the full amount I paid. There is a contract that states if you don’t spend the amount of your charges which is 100.00 per person on Saturday you don’t get any of your money back if you don’t spend the price you paid. I feel that needs to change it’s basically taking advantage of their customers. The manager did his best to accommodate me however he had to answer to higher up .The policy sucks so be ware! My daughter and her friends did have fun and like I said food was great but it was a down side to...