Taking Maria out to Chado Tea Room has become an annual Mother's Day tradition for us -- well, this is only our second Mother's Day with Evan in the picture... but you get the drift.
It was an early Mother's Day celebration on Saturday, since I'll be at work on Sunday trying to chase down the NBC schedule and other network upfronts news. (I stayed back from New York again this year -- but I'm already plotting a return in 2007.)
Rather than order our usual sandwiches and tea, we decided to splurge in honor of Maria and order Chado's Afternoon Tea ($15). We hadn't eaten lunch, so I'm glad we went all out. The spread includes a pot of tea (Maria chose Chai, I chose Phoenix); four half sandwiches each -- salmon, Punjab (egg), Souchang chicken and a spinach/olive/goat cheese combo -- as well as a scone (with clotted cream and strawberries), a slice of lemon cake and a slice of chocolate cake.
Evan enjoyed just about everything -- particularly the clotted cream and strawberries. I was a tad disappointed that the sandwich bread wasn't toasted (which Chado normally does), but surprisingly loved the spinach/olive/goat cheese sandwich, even though I generally can't stand goat cheese.
Service was the poorest I've ever seen at Chado (in the at least 10 or 12 times we've been there through the years). Either they were short-staffed or didn't anticipate the pre-Mother's Day crunch. We waited at least 40 minutes for a table, and waited at least another 10 minutes for a waiter after finally sitting. Paying the check also became a lengthy ordeal -- I've never understood places where you have to practically beg for your check. Don't the establishments (a) want to get paid for a meal that has already been consumed, and (b) clear the table quicker to make room for new patrons?
Still, we remain Chado fans, and it remains the perfect no-fuss way to celebrate Mother's Day. Hope all you moms out there have a great day.
No comments:
Post a Comment