Sunday, September 23, 2012

Review of True Food Kitchen

 
I gave True Food Kitchen an overall score of 2.9, or 3 stars, based on the following 7 categories:
number of visits1 of 5, Once was enough.
price range3 of 5, Let's splurge tonight; less than $35.
family friendly?3 of 5, No kids menu.
% menu vegan3 of 5, At least one good entrée.
quality of service3 of 5, Didn't notice.
quality of food3 of 5, TV dinner.
local mainstay?2 of 5, Fresh paint, but it's a good color.

Comments:
After True Food Kitchen’s facade caught my eye about 30 times, and after about 30 declarative statements like “we should try that place,” we finally stopped.
This place catches your eye because it’s a beautiful location, on the western edge of our stylish new outdoor mall. The interior is trendy, with a sweet, sunlit eating area on the west, kitchen on the east.
After we were seated by the energetic hostess, the waiter started his cycle of neglect. We wanted an appetizer, but after the waiter’s first cycle of neglect and apology, we decided that we had better get our entree order in. It came, we ate, and after the 2 quick visits by the mildly apologetic waiter, we decided to take a chance and ask for the desert menu. After realizing that the desert menu wasn’t coming before COB, we put our credit card on the table. They immediately swooped up the card and returned the receipt. Well, that is after the intervention with the waiter and another that we flagged down, again after waiting seemingly forever. Somewhere in this cycle of neglect, I became the waiter.
In this flurry of activity, I found myself enjoying a tomato and kale pizza. It was very good with one exception; way too much sodium. This observation was echoed by my wife who had a different entree. They have an extensive menu, with plenty of vegetarian options. But vegans, you’re a little out of luck because they won’t substitute out the dairy or other offending ingredients. …really, a strawberry chopped salad can’t be served without the Goat Cheese! Then again, this may have been intentional misinformation to manipulate us in our waiter’s cycle of neglect.
The facade and atmosphere caught my eye, as did the menu, but the service reminded me of an Eminem song. I’m glad that we finally stopped, if not only so we can cease with the declarative statements as we stroll by. Overall, it’s a decent place and it’s nice to have more vegetarian options around, but, for me, service is paramount.
 


Additional Info
Address: 395 Santa Monica Pl, Ste 172, 90401
Area: Mid City
Reviewed Meal: Lunch
Ethnicity: American
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