Chin Chin

Last night I had dinner at Chin Chin with Blephanie. This place wants to be so hot right now so badly.


I had a nice night and the food was delicious. But, gee, I don't know...

Call me old fashioned but I don't believe in not being able to book. I mean I know it's a thing. I believe in its existence. I just don't like it.

Also, when I got there the girl in front of me was asking for a table for 4 even though she was just one girl. I don't know. I guess my feeling was that she was expecting 3 friends to show up any minute and could probably use that table of 4. I think that the guy should have just given her the table for 4. But she was denied. Told she had to wait at the bar till the rest of her party arrived. This is my number one hated policy. WTF? Do they think girlfriend is telling some story? Like she asks for that big table only so she can sit by herself order a soda and spring roll and laugh at the idiots who succumbed to her wishes. Ummm, I guess this may have got me off to a bad start.

And I think Blephanie didn't help. When she arrived she told the waiter that there may be a baby joining us and they were not very helpful. She was pretty put off by them and conveying this to me did not improve my feelings for the place. But I've seen steam almost come out of Blephanie's ears after waiting a little too long for a meal, so it is not best to take cues from her.


It definitely wasn't bad. Not by a long shot. Service was really fine. (But if I don't order a bottle of $7 mineral water don't fucking presume to pour that shit in my glass, please.) And the food really was yummy (though that $23 soft shell crab salad would have been just as tasty at $17 with any other fried thing because the crab could have been any fried thing.) The corn and coriander fritters were really very, VERY special and the eggplant and sweet potato penang curry was a total delight. I've had better roti for half the price though, likewise the bottle of wine.

So what am I meant to think about Chin Chin? Actually, I know I am meant to think it's cool, because it doesn't take bookings and doesn't give people tables when they ask, and because the wine guy wears an apron that says "wine guy" (ugh, I know), and it is in a lofty space. But um, I don't think it's cool actually. Chin Chin, I think you are trying way too hard. And not in that good way. Why don't you try that hard to give customers an awesome experience?! That is how you will be cool.