We arrived around 7:30 PM and the patio was full but a few tables were paying their bill and leaving. The outdoor hostess asked if we minded waiting a few minutes so that they could clear and set a table for us. We overheard our hostess tell the busboy that we were waiting for a table. We patiently waited but were puzzled as the busboy chose to clear all of the four-seat tables first (even though there were no waiting parties for those tables) and eventually cleared the two-seat table for us after the hostess reminded him again that she had guests waiting. This was the beginning of a series of service mistakes throughout the night.
B and I decided to order a few of their appetizers in lieu of entrees so that we could try out as many different menu items as possible. To start, we ordered our drinks. I chose a glass of their only plum wine on the menu and it came in a gorgeous glass.
B ordered one of his favorite beers - a Flying Horse Royal Lager. Our server told us that beer glasses weren't available right now but that he would return with one as soon as possible. B never received a beer glass that evening.
We ordered several different appetizers, such as the lachew cauliflower. This was a tasty dish that contained fried cauliflowers tossed in a spicy chili sauce. This was definitely a favorite.
The duck samosas were less appealing. They were way too dry and the accompanying sauce was cloyingly sweet.
But this cold spicy vegetable noodle dish topped with pickled cucumbers and watermelon was definitely a success. My only suggestion for the restaurant would be to cube the watermelon instead of providing long strips, which will definitely help continue the spicy and sweet flavor combination of the dish.
And finally came the fried okra, which was perfectly crispy but definitely needed some kind of dipping sauce with it. Each table is actually provided a small dish of three dipping sauces but our server failed to provide one for us. We asked him if we could have some dipping sauces and he said that he would bring some but then proceeded to provide one for another table that was still perusing their menu and then explained what each sauce was to them. When he was done, as an afterthought, he brought our dipping sauces over and provided no explanation whatsoever. It was completely bizarre.
In addition, when our plates were brought to our table, we asked for chopsticks and waited patiently for our server to bring them. When we realized that our food would turn cold by the time he returned, we began using our forks and knives. After some delay, our server eventually brought chopsticks over with no explanation or apology as to what took so long.
When our meal was over, our server proceeded to stack all the dirty dishes at my place setting in front of me and then left it in front of me while he proceeded to talk to us about their dessert menu. B and I were both so ready to get out of there and I strangely wasn't in the mood for dessert with a stack of dirty dishes in front of me.
Our server's attitude could probably be best summarized when he provided the complimentary bento box of sesame candies with our check. This is what we received - no joke.
Based on the presentation with the dirty crumbs, it looked as if this was some previous table's box that he just re-used. Neither one of us touched a candy, hastily paid the check, and left.
I was really disappointed with my dining experience at Mumbai Chopstix. While the food had some highlights, the poor service just overshadowed the entire evening. I must admit that it will take me a very long time to return back to Mumbai Chopstix after so many misses that evening.
Mumbai Chopstix is located at 254 Newbury Street, Boston, MA.
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