Address: | 430 Paradise Rd, Swampscott, MA 01907, USA |
Phone: | +1 781-599-1780 |
Rating: | 3.7 |
Working: | 11:30AM–10PM 11:30AM–10PM 11:30AM–10PM 11:30AM–10PM 11:30AM–11PM 11:30AM–11PM 11:30AM–10PM |
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Corinne Reid
Ive been ordering from Gourmet garden since I moved the to area, and the food is great. Delivery drivers have been great.The majority of my orders are through takeout, and I order via their online "beyond menu" website. Normally, everything works out just fine. After a few bumps in the past with getting the wrong food, and receiving a wrong order again this time, I decided to call this time around to get it exchanged since I really wasnt a fan of the dish I got. I thought it would be simple. I ordered A online, and received B (mind you, these were totally separate ways to prepare food, only the main ingredient was the same). Well, unfortunately, this interaction over the phone convinced me to not order here in the future. After explaining "hey, I ordered Agemono, and received Teriyaki, and I ordered it online" she tells me that i got what I ordered, and that the mistake is mine. A few times. I explained that on my receipt it says something entirely different than what I received, and then im put on hold. She returns, then tells me that I again made a mistake, because the item I ordered was Agemono and that isnt offered as an entree. Since I literally ordered it under the Agemono entree section of their website, I told her as much and said that the mistake isnt mine because they offered it! And, side note, this is what I get every time, and have never had an issue with it not being on the menu before. She tried again to tell me that if i wanted agemono i should have told them I wanted Katsu (which is not offered or stated on their online site), and therefore it is my failure to communicate what it was that Ive ordered. But really, how do I know to put "I want Katsu" in the notes section of an agemono order...whats the point? As far as im aware, katsu and agemono are very similar ways to prepare food, so theoretically i should have gotten the same dish despite the names being different. But alas, I got teriyaki, and for $16, id like to at least eat a food I like. I was pretty shocked, considering the situation was black and white. Theres no room for miscommunication when I cant actually order something they dont offer. What seemed like 8 minutes later on the phone in a repetitive back and forth, Im finally asked, rudely, if I want the order to be exchanged. It was my intention from the beginning so I say yes, and after one final "the mistake was yours and mine" (how is this my fault again?) Im told that the delivery driver will be around in 40 minutes to exchange the order. Tipped the delivery driver again, because he was the unfortunate messenger in this situation, and gave him the teriyaki. He was kind, though, and I dont think expected anything. Replacement food was great, but technically cost me an extra hour of my time and $3 more dollars than I should have spent for re delivery. Sorry guys. Your food is great, but your customer service was horrendous. I dont know who I spoke to, but it was way uncalled for, and ill be looking for another restaurant to order from in the future. EDIT - FOOD POISONING!!! About 3 hours after I ate that replacement food, I spent the next 10 in complete and utter misery on my bathroom floor intermittently throughout the night. It was the only meal I ate that day (aside from a donut and green tea), and im 100% positive it was this food that caused it. Oh yeah, and my small dog who I gave a few bites to, had an upset stomach this morning. Dont eat here. Or, pray that they dont make a mistake with your food, because your health could be on the line if you just want what you ordered.
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Jay Palmer
My wife and i went to Gourmet Garden for a quick Friday night dinner. We arrived at 6:10 and was led to the room with the Bisuteki tables and shown a small table in the corner. Not wanting to be in a noisy room with the "cook in front of you" excited people, we said how about the regular dinning room. He said the only table available for us was the one in the cubby where the servers enter and exit. It was tiny, dark and i could not believe they fit a table there. The servers had to walk in and out sideways to avoid the table and 2 chairs. We said no thank you and saw ALL the tables available in the center of the room. Yes, ALL the tables were empty. When we inquired if we could sit there.... (are you ready for this???) we were told that they were for only 3 or 4 people and not for us since we were only 2. I look surprised and said that we are not here for the night and would eat and leave, and it was only 6:15 and the table would turn over 3-4 times during the evening. He repeated that the only tables available for us was the one in the corner cubby or the one in the noisy room. I told him we would go eat somewhere else and he said "fine". Now I dont get offended too often but this was one of the times. Let me say again that ALL the tables were empty and available. We have been here before and liked the food in general, but we will NEVER come here again. Nor will we spend our money on take-out either. The management would have to pay us to ever come here again.. and i plan on telling everyone i know this story and find every review site and complain. By the way, we went to UNOs down the street. Was greeted professionally, given a comfortable booth, have a great meal, left a generous tip and went home very happy and full. There are many other chinese restaurants in the area. Too bad the management think that people only come for the food, they come for comfort and enjoyment as well.
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A Private User
Yucky! Greasy! No flavor! My family ate here for the first time since it changed from its former name. This is what we ordered: 4 Miso Soup, 1 Sweet & Sour Shrimp, 1 Sweet & Sour Chicken, 1 Beef & Broccoli, 1 order sushi. The order came to $55.00. This is what it was like: The Miso Soup was just okay. It was sweet tasting. We have certainly had better. Both the Sweet & Sour dishes were fried in thick batter and were literally so greasy you could squeeze the grease out of the batter. I removed the greasy batter part in an attempt to salvage some of what I has purchased, but the shrimp inside was so overcooked it was tough and chewy. Same with the chicken- and no flavor, we ended up throwing both dishes away! Yuck! The Beef & Broccoli was just average at best. The sushi was average- better to be had elsewhere for sure. I read a lot of reviews before we went there and I have to say that if people like greasy, overcooked, overpriced, very average chinese food (Americanized chinese food) then you will like this place. If you want something good to eat- better go somewhere else!
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John Rogan
I honestly cant understand anyone giving this place anything other than 5 stars. Dont let the exterior fool you - sandwiched in an inconspicuous strip mall youll find the absolute best authentic Chinese food in the Boston metro area. Over the last year, I have been to this place on average once every two weeks and I have never had a less than stellar meal. I recommend the egg rolls and the fried Peking ravioli (both made from scratch...NOT frozen pre-made swill that many places will serve you), the orange beef, General Gaus chicken, the Ginger Beef...all outstanding. The sushi is also of surprisingly good quality. I generally make a point to avoid ordering sushi/sashimi in non-Japanese restaurants, but the quality and presentation have consistently been great. The first time there, the service seemed a bit abrupt, but that efficient exterior quickly melts away and they soon treat you like regulars. The place can get busy on some nights so plan ahead (i.e. on Valentines Day there was a 45-60 minute wait).