TOP POT Restaurant 宴遇火锅 — Restaurant in Pleasanton

Definitely will NOT recommend this place or return to this place. There are other better hotpot places in the area. Overall experience is negative. Very disappointing.

This place is usually very quiet, so we never tried until today, it was rainy and cold, best for hotpot, we decided to try their ayce $29.99/person (split soup is $5 extra). We went in, it wasn't very busy only a few tables, the waiters saw us but nobody greeted to seat us, we had to wave them down and wait for them to clean a table, which was unnecessary since there were many other tables available. Once seated they bought the utensils only which was dirty and no menu, we had to wave them down once again to get a menu. When we were ready, I tried to explain my order to the lady with the mask, she impatiently said "yeah yeah yeah, it's ok, I understand" without letting me finish my sentence, so I trusted she knows what's she's doing. No suprise, the order comes out wrong! They didn't bring certain things we ordered and added random things we never ordered. When we confronted them just for the proper meat cuts the guy server said "well this is what we have, you'll get the rest later!", Which later they never bought it, we had to ask for it again! Rice was undercooked, can feel the hard raw rice pieces. Severs were unprofessional and impatient. Some Meat cuts and veggies were fresh, the rest like shrimp, pork tongue, octopus, muscles were either...

⭐️ 1 star | Very Disappointing Experience – Will Not Return

I visited Top Pot Restaurant in Dublin in late May, and unfortunately, the experience was thoroughly disappointing. I would not recommend this place.

First, the moment I walked in, the music was loud and fast-paced, creating a rushed and stressful atmosphere — it felt more like they wanted you to eat quickly and leave rather than enjoy your meal. It completely ruined my appetite.

Second, the cleanliness was unacceptable. The floor was sticky, clearly not cleaned properly, and the tables were dirty with peeling paint. It gave a very unhygienic impression.

Third, the food itself was poor. The hot pot broth was way too salty, almost undrinkable. The selection of ingredients was very limited, and nothing looked particularly fresh. The vegetable choices were especially lacking.

Lastly, the tipping policy was shocking — the minimum tip starts at 18% and seems to be mandatory, regardless of service quality. This felt unreasonable, especially considering the overall experience.

In summary, the place felt unclean, the food wasn’t fresh, and the atmosphere was unpleasant. No matter the price, I would never return and cannot recommend...

Here’s an English version of the review for an authentic Chinese hot pot restaurant that also serves roast duck and skewers:

This restaurant is definitely the top choice for tasting authentic Chinese hot pot! The broth is incredibly rich, with various options like traditional spicy, clear, and tomato flavors, each bursting with deep flavor in every sip. The ingredients are exceptionally fresh—the thinly sliced beef and lamb cook in seconds, staying tender and juicy. They also offer a wide variety of vegetables and seafood.

In addition to hot pot, they have roast duck and skewers, giving us even more delicious choices! The roast duck has crispy skin and tender meat, perfectly paired with sweet bean sauce and sliced scallions for a truly authentic taste. The skewers are also well-seasoned, with just the right amount of spices, and each one has a smoky, grilled aroma that makes it hard to stop eating.

The service is excellent as well; the staff is attentive, refilling the broth and sauces as needed. The whole dining experience was delightful, making us feel like we were back home in China. Highly recommended for anyone who loves authentic Chinese hot pot, roast duck,...