Chai's Asian Bistro — Restaurant in Raleigh

We ordered takeout from Chai's on Saturday, 12/3. We wanted to try a new place to eat and were in the mood for a variety of food. We placed our order online after reviewing the menu on their website. Some of the prices didn't match but I could tell the website hadn't been updated recently due to a Summer special pop-up.

We placed our order and received a 45-minute timer of when our food would be ready. We arrived at the restaurant when it said it would be ready but it wasn't ready quite yet. I received a text when the order was ready and we took our food out to the car. I reviewed everything to find that they didn't include the sweet and sour sauce with the spring rolls (as mentioned on their menu). This wasn't a big issue so we were about to leave when I realized they didn't give us our order of tofu. My husband went back inside and let them know we were missing the tofu and the sweet and sour sauce for the spring rolls. They told him they forgot to make it and would also give us another order of spring rolls to make up for it.

Fast forward to opening the food at home. The remainder of the food that was ready to begin with was now lukewarm. The sushi only included 5 pieces. I have never had shrimp tempura sushi be 5 pieces (usually six or eight). It also fell apart and was rather large. I am not sure if this is a new chef making sushi, but be mindful if you're ordering this. Next is the tofu that was forgotten. The website states it is deep-fried with crushed peanuts and a sweet and sour sauce. What we received was not that at all. We received rather large pieces of tofu that were very soft, with no peanuts, and sauce on the side. I can tell they felt rushed to get us the tofu they forgot but we should receive what we ordered. The house fried rice was also just ok. The rice wasn't warm and the veggies weren't soft/cooked at all. It almost seemed like they just threw some veggies into the rice and put it in the container.

Last, the shrimp we ordered and the spring rolls were very good. The shrimp was more expensive when ordering than listed on their website menu. The rice that came with the shrimp is a small container that isn't filled to the top.

In summary, I will most likely not return to Chai's given the first impression of our order. The food wasn't spectacular and also wasn't correct. For what you are paying for, the quality and quantity of food aren't worth it. I do understand it was a Saturday night and there may be new people in the kitchen but this didn't hit the spot for me. I gave four stars instead of three since they gave us complimentary spring rolls for the...

We just had a very upsetting experience. The online menu item I ordered included soup or salad and steamed or fried rice with your dinner. When I walked in the hostess was ready to hand me my order and informed it did not come with a salad and only fried rice. Coming in with nothing in my hands, I then asked if they could throw in the salad I ordered and was included in their online menu. She immediately said no and wasn’t willing to even discuss so I asked to speak to a manager. In the meantime the hostess called another customer up to pay. I said that she should not do that because now we were not distanced. She said she didn’t want him to have to wait and the customer then yelled at me for giving her a hard time, “she’s just doing her job.” I chose not to respond and simply move myself. The manager did throw in the salad while also arguing with me about how she can’t control customers.

If a business plans to stay open during this time they should: 1: provide the food their online menu (essential ordering process) offers, as ordered, OR notify me prior to entering the business (bigger deal now, I come in with my mask and nothing else when I’ve prepaid) so that I can have the option to add/delete/change according to THIER mistake.

2: adhere to distancing, plain and simple. And if a customer is not distancing, you absolutely should speak up ESPECIALLY if you are an employee. And if another customer is uncomfortable speak up and do not stand there silent while said customer yells at me for being unfair to you or when your boss comes up and argues the situation she did not witness, clearly assuming I was just being ridiculous.

I am appalled that I was meant to feel bad because 1: I didn’t get what I paid for and 2: I asked them to respect distancing. I do not recommend this restaurant and will never go back.

*also, an extra sauce, even soy sauce, is $.50 extra. They put 0...

Overall Rating: 5.6/10 The restaurant offers spacious dining with private sections, contributing to a more intimate atmosphere. While the setting is visually appealing and the food generally good, certain aspects, including service speed and dish execution, were mixed.

Atmosphere: 5.9/10 The unique layout, with its divided sections, enhances privacy and comfort for diners. This structure, coupled with the restaurant's laid-back vibe and distinct appearance, makes for a visually inviting space.

Service: 5.5/10 Service is friendly but marked by noticeable delays, from ordering to receiving the bill, reflecting a leisurely pace that, while not problematic, doesn't stand out as exceptional.

Food:

Appetizer Sampler: 5.6/10 A mixed bag: the spring rolls shine without the typical overpowering cabbage taste, and the crab Rangoon delights with its flavorful filling. The variety of sauces offers more options for tasting. However, the chicken satay disappoints due to its excessive dryness, nearing inedibility.

General Tso: 6.1/10 This dish stands out for its sauce and the inclusion of a diverse vegetable mix not commonly found elsewhere, offering an enhanced flavor profile. However, the chicken's lack of crispiness and minimal breading detracts from the expected texture.

Pho: 6.2/10 The broth is notably good, and the meatballs are flavorful, contributing to a satisfying Pho experience.

Pineapple Fried Rice: 6.3/10 Distinguished by its well-executed blend of various vegetables and flavors, this dish is a highlight of the meal.

Value: 4.9/10 At $78 for three people without leftovers to take home, the pricing feels high relative to the overall dining experience and the quality of food provided.

Additional Note: The restaurant's vicinity includes 1 Pokémon Gym, adding a slight perk for Pokémon Go players looking to dine in an area where they can also engage...