Comments on: Cafe Medina

By: KimHo

KimHo — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 20:30:51 +0000

Nello, welcome! While it is not a 5 stars, it is not an unrated restaurant either. Having said that, for this type of restaurants, there is some level of expectations. After all, it is not a Chinese one, where the norm is to be ignored. Besides, I believe taking an order is something basic.

By: Nello

Nello — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 11:51:43 +0000

I think the high expectations really killed it for ya. Also, I don’t understand why really agree with ur comment on having to wait for someone to take ur order. What’s the problem with flagGinger them and/or telling them ur ready to order? I can see it being dissatisfactory service if they don’t come after being flagged or told. It isn’t a 5 star restaurant.

By: KimHo

KimHo — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 05:57:25 +0000

Alice, welcome! I guess it is one of those cases where you wished to like it butm no matter what, you can’t. Not sure if I should mention this or not: I am glad I am not the only one who does not like it…

By: Alice

Alice — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:51:58 +0000

I should’ve read this review before going to Cafe Medina!
I too had a really bad experience, and wrote up a review now on Urbanspoon about my discontent.

It’s so unfortunate a good restaurant like Chambar has such a horrible brunch place with Cafe Medina…and what’s sad is the lukewarm belgium waffles which are suppose to be their signature item on the menu. Definitely disappointing!

By: KimHo

KimHo — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 20:12:51 +0000

Grayelf, given my extremely below average experience on this restaurant, I don’t think I would be in a hurry to go back. So, unfortunately, no fricassé (the dish with the short ribs) for me… As for the eggs, it has always been a picky/tricky issue as it is one of those dishes were, by the fact it is simple, you have greater chances to make it wrong. So, I won’t blame you for that one!

By: grayelf

grayelf — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:28:13 +0000

I agree with all of the comments above based on brunching several times at Medina re acidic beans, strange seating protocol etc. I’d add that I don’t love the way they cook their eggs (dry brown on one side). Having said that the breakfast dish with short ribs is pretty awesome, and if you get seated in the “overflow” room at the back you will have an entirely different experience in a bright, airy setting.

By: nandg

nandg — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 02:49:25 +0000

I went there for brunch about six months ago with high expectations as well, given the hype. When we got there, we were third in line. We waited while the two parties ahead of us were seated. And then we waited. And waited some more. Tables freed up. Other people came in who appeared to know the owners or managers. They were seated right away, in a “special” room at the back. Meanwhile we were left standing there awkwardly while there were obviously seats available.

When we were finally seated the food was fine but I still felt the sting of being ignored – like we weren’t trendy enough or lucky enough to know the managers. It was really awkward and ruined the experience for me. I’ll probably try it again just to give it another chance but the service was a definite miss for me here, as it was for Chambar when I went there a few years ago.

By: The Mill Marine Bistro | I'm Only Here for the Food!

The Mill Marine Bistro | I'm Only Here for the Food! — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:06:04 +0000

[...] around 5:30 p.m. In my case, my original plan was to be in the area (it was the same day I went to Cafe Medina) and do a silly test (a la Mythbuster confirm/busted): Is it really true there are more sushi spots [...]

By: cw

cw — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:37:57 +0000

i tried cafe medina sometime in march since there was such a buzz about this place. my initial thoughts were: food is bad, service is bad, seating is bad. it’s nice that they’re bringing something new to the table then regular eggs, bacon etc… but it’s just not good. i really think ppl who rave about this place just want to let others know that they’ve been since it’s trendy.

By: KimHo

KimHo — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:22:43 +0000

Sherman, when I have to compare service with a Chinese restaurant, you know things do not look that good (Po King???)… I don’t think our cassoulet were that different; instead, I think I don’t like how it was prepared and, as result, it ended up as something I was not expecting. To make a really bad analogy, imagine you ordered xiao long bao and were given siu mai in a consommé.