I have been to Blue Orchid on several occasions, all of which I have had similar experiences. Blue Orchid has a knack for being consistent, but is that a good thing?
Walking in the restaurant on time for our reservation and ready to enjoy some cocktails, my fiancé and I make our way through the crowded area by the hostess stand to attempt to announce our arrival. Let me go back to the “crowded” entry way. It was one woman. Older, larger, and should know that she needs to get out of the way! After realizing she’s in the way and getting on my nerves, she explains that she’s waiting for someone, and to “go ahead.” Thanks lady, but I still think you’re annoying. The hostess, asks the usual hostess questions to find us the appropriate table. Of course we tell her the name on the reservation and think we’re getting ready to be seated – I mean, in restaurant world that’s what supposed to be what happens next, right? Wrong. She says just a minute and takes off with a pitcher of water. What are you doing, hostess? I’m pretty sure she needed to refill everyone’s water in the entire restaurant because she’s taking FOREVER. After glancing around the place, I see her socializing with a waiter. Get back here and seat us!
After about 5 minutes, hostess finally returns. While she was out doing jobs intended for servers, busboys and hookers, the annoying old woman’s better half shows up. Of course, she says she’s going to seat them first. At this point, I’ve realized that she has absolutely no idea how to do her job effectively. Looking over the seating charts in plain view, I see that some of the servers have been slammed with tables, others hardly getting any at all. Hostess' natural instincts of doing a sub-par job took over and she finally got around to taking us to our table. She sat us in the same section as the rude old couple; our server was double-sat.
Our server moved at a pace where he seemed like he was in a hurry only to make his tips dwindle away. He was knowledgeable on cocktails and he did provide excellent suggestions in terms of menu items, so he only half-sucked.
I started my meal with a Blue Orchid signature martini – a lemon grass chili pepper infused vodka martini. It was an exquisite blend of sweet, crisp and the just right amount of spice. I give this cocktail credit for making me temporarily forget about how much the Blue Orchid wait staff hates the people who make up 80% of their income.
For our appetizer, my fiancé and I thoroughly enjoyed the Meyung Kum Wraps – a tray of different foods to put in a lettuce leaf wrap. Thai chili, cubed ginger, peppers, coconut, peanuts and limes were provided and all of which were a superb blend of food wrapped up on a lettuce leaf.
For my main course, I had the Cognac Beef - take a guess at what this was. Beef marinated in cognac (did ya get it?) and served with baby bok choy. I had a climatic experience over and over again in my mouth as my fiancé sat on the other side of the table looking at me like I was cheating on him. I can't blame him; I was turned on by this fine looking and fine tasting piece of meat. He kept trying to eat off my plate, but I was not interested in turning this into a threesome.
I wish I could leave a tip for the cooks because they’re the ones who deserve it. Due to the service, I am forced to give this a mixed review – if it were being judged alone on the taste and presentation of the food, easily ★★★★★, but alas, Blue Orchid,your poor service keeps you at a ★★ 1/2. And also because you don’t have a website. Lame.
