Last night, I had an absolutely dreadful experience at a restaurant that I will never forget. My family and I decided to sit on the patio to enjoy a nice meal, little did we know that it would turn into a nightmare. Within minutes of being seated, we were unexpectedly attacked by a swarm of bees.
The moment we received our food, it became apparent that we wouldn't be able to enjoy it. Bees were buzzing around us, boldly landing on our tables and even our plates of food. I couldn't believe my eyes, and at that point, I knew something had to be done. With my three-year-old and two teenagers with me, their safety was my priority.
Desperate to salvage the evening, we kindly approached the staff and asked if it was possible to move indoors, away from the aggressive bees. To our dismay, we were told that there was no space available inside. I was taken aback by their lack of consideration and empathy towards our situation. However, all they offered us were to-go boxes, as if that could make up for the horrendous experience we were enduring.
What disappointed me even more was the fact that they didn't even bother to pack our food for us. Despite spending over $146 to celebrate my kids going back to school, our expectations were shattered. It was disheartening to witness how this restaurant, Who Songs and Larrys, seemed to prioritize their profits over customer satisfaction and safety.
Not only did we leave the restaurant hungry and disheartened, but the food that was contaminated by the bees ended up in the trash. It felt like a complete waste, both of my money and the precious time we were hoping to cherish together. It's baffling to think that a supposedly reputable establishment like Songs and Larrys couldn't afford to take appropriate measures such as spraying or setting up traps to eliminate the bee problem.
Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of this whole ordeal was the lack of any apology or action from either the staff or the manager. Not once did anyone make an effort to make amends or compensate for the ruined experience. It was evident that customer satisfaction was not a priority for this particular restaurant.
In conclusion, my visit to Songs and Larry's last night was a complete and utter disappointment. The swarm of bees that attacked us ruined what was supposed to be a special occasion. The lack of empathy, disregard for our safety, and failure to address the bee problem were all indicative of the poor management and customer service at this establishment. It is my hope that others can learn from our unfortunate experience and avoid such a disappointing restaurant in the future. Update : General Manager gave me a refunded and a...
Read moreDisappointing Experience at a Promising Spot
I approached this place with high hopes, eager to enjoy its potential, but my experience left me with conflicted feelings. Let's break down the aspects that stood out, both positively and negatively.
Pros: Undoubtedly, the location of this establishment is its strongest suit. Situated conveniently close to the upcoming downtown Vancouver waterfront, it offers a beautiful night view from the bridge that's hard to ignore. The patio seating adorned with string lights around the perimeter provides an alluring ambiance, enhancing the charm of the bridge's view.
Cons: Unfortunately, the appeal of the location and ambiance couldn't mask the disappointment brought about by the food. The excitement I felt faded quickly as the food failed to meet expectations. My ordered carne asada arrived dry, even when I requested it to be cooked medium, and the guacamole lacked the flavors that should have been present.
Price: Considering the overall experience, the price paid for the meal was unjustifiable. At $150 for three people, the underwhelming and dry food hardly seemed worth it. I couldn't help but think I might have been better off choosing a more budget-friendly option, like Taco Bell.
Automatic Fee: Adding to the frustration, a 3.5 percent automatic fee is tacked onto each order due to the establishment's status as a "small" business. This approach to compensate for business size seems misguided, especially when the core issue lies in the lackluster quality of the food itself. Addressing this shortcoming should take precedence over adding fees that only serve to exacerbate the disappointment.
Interior and Overall Impression: The interior ambiance further reinforced the overall sense of letdown. The worn and seemingly neglected appearance of the interior suggested that the establishment might have seen better days. This sense of neglect extended beyond just the physical appearance, permeating the entire experience.
In Conclusion: Supporting local businesses is a commendable effort, but in this case, the glaring flaws cannot be easily overlooked. While I would generally encourage patronizing local establishments, the major issues that this place faces, particularly in the realms of food quality and pricing, make it hard to recommend. Addressing these concerns could turn things around, but as of now, it falls short of being a...
Read moreClassic Americanized Mexican cuisine in an iconic location on the Columbia River, still producing quality entrees and delicious (if a bit anemic) Margaritas to-go (can I get a hallelujah?)! The "Bridge Up, Bottoms Up!" drink specials are awesome if you're lucky enough to be present with the I-5 drawbridge is raised. One of the best tortilla soups around, and the fajita tacos are criminally delicious; good enough to risk a border crossing (from Oregon, haha)!
I'd also like to give a shout out to the lunch buffet (from back when it was a thing). I don't know of any other places that do a Mexican buffet (although I would like to), so it was a glorious discovery when my supervisor took out entire IT department out to lunch. The buffet included all of the usual offenders: tacos, burrito fixin's, enchiladas, a salsa bar, desserts, etc. Considering my chronic indecisiveness with regards to my order at any Mexican restaurant, removing the agony of choice and putting all options on the table is a stroke of genius. More restaurants need to adopt this strategy!
We've patronized twice since COVID-19 started, taking our orders to go each time, and the hostess and servers have been extremely pleasant and friendly, helpful and thorough. Nothing has been missed or overlooked in any order, including utensils, and the speed at which the kitchen cranks out their orders is startling; both times the entire order has been ready for pickup 5 minutes before their projected time, even during the dinner rush.
My only complaint against this establishment is that it is generally on the pricier side for the type of food offered. I chalk this up to WS&L's waterfront location, which apparently won't be an issue for much longer, since it will be closing permanently; a fact of which I am not happy. I have been frequenting Who Song & Larry's since high school, more than 20 years ago; it was a staple pre-dance (Homecoming, Prom, etc) dinner date location for us Vancouver kids. It'll be a shame when this place is gone, trampled underfoot by the unstoppable march of progress, as the Vancouver Waterfront project continues its...
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