King & I Restaurants

01/05/12

New Owners--BAD news....

by actionfigure

My partner and I had dinner at King & I last night, and discovered that Tom has sold the place. Well, they're off to a really bad start. Read on...

The first indication was the reconfiguration at the front door. We've been eating there for about 25 years, and immediately noticed that the desk had been pushed back from the window, and a new staff was in place. We weren't altogether sad to see this. As my first review stated, the former owner was always irritating, and it would be nice to see some fresh blood infused into the place. Tom had left the place pretty much the way it had been for the past quarter century, and its curb appeal could certainly benefit from some updating.

The first clue that things might not be moving in the right direction was the new menu, whose teeny tiny writing was impossible to read--even with my reading glasses. My partner, who doesn't need glasses, couldn't even read the descriptions on it. Makes one wonder if this is another "restauranteur" whose only credential is the fact that they know how to cook, so why shouldn't they own a restaurant?!

Well, between the two of us, we figured out what to order, and were surprised to hear the server ask if we wanted brown or white rice. Nice move offering brown rice, which the previous owner was presumably too lazy to make available. Really? In today's healthy eating society?

So, this seemed like a nice change--on the front side, anyway.

My chicken in clay pot arrived with an egg plopped in the center of it--runny yolk and all. Yuck! Very unappealing looking. Fortunately, when I stirred the soup, the heat cooked it so that I could get past the sight of it. I'm sure this is common in Thailand and China, but having eaten this dish (in the seafood preparation) many times over the 25 years visiting the restaurant, it came as quite a surprise to be served an egg in this manner. It frankly grossed me out. But, I tried to be a good sport and remain optimistic. That said, it had a strange effect on the taste of the soup, and if I were returning, I would definitely ask that it be left out the next time.

My partner's garlic scallop dish was ok, and the rolls we ordered were the same as they always were--delicious. Glad they've retained some of the recipes, anyway.

The service was good until we got the bill. I knew something was up when the staff kept staring in our direction after the server dropped it off. When my partner realized they had added $4 in charges for the brown rice we opted for and questioned the server about it, he said there was a surcharge--$2 per person. Well, aside from the fact that white rice is offered for free, and brown rice, which doesn't cost that much more to buy than brown rice, should not be that expensive, there had been no mention of it when the server asked us which we wanted. Lots of Asian restaurants in town offer either one with no upcharge, so this was a surprise.

They obviously anticipated our issue with the bill, because someone else on staff, a man who presumably was the owner or manager accompanied the server when he returned to pick it up. When the server explained that it was $2 more per person, I asked why he hadn't brought this to our attention when he asked which one we wanted, and he said it was his first day. Yet, the owner/manager said nothing about taking it off the bill, even when I mentioned that the scenario was just the kind of thing that would make us never return to a restaurant. I looked at all the empty chairs, and realized just how doomed the place is. I'm sure the previous owner will be serving up his original dishes again before long, after he takes possession of the place again after they're through remodeling and ruining it. At least it will be more appealing after the upgrade....for now, we won't be going there. If they're stupid enough to lose the previous owner's patrons over $4 worth of rice, then who knows what could happen in the kitchen. For now, we'll be staying away. Too bad.

03/01/10

Good food--irritating owner...

by D H

First, let me say that I had been coming here for a good 20 years, and love, love, love the food. It's always consistently good quality, and a pretty good value. That said, the problem I have with eating there is that the owner, Tom, never stops prattling on about his new restaurant--so much so that my partner and I have stopped going there anymore. In my estimation, if he wants to talk shop with his customers, he could at least occasionally bring out a complimentary appetizer, or something! This is something he has NEVER, EVER done in the 20 years that I have been eating there. If he wants to bend our ears about business matters practically the whole time we are eating there--stopping by the table for a good 20 minutes or more during our dinners there, then he needs to at least show himself to be a good host, and act like he appreciates all of the free advice my partner, who is in the business, affords him. It's basically a busman's holiday every time we have gone there to dine, and it has gotten really old. And his lack of generosity really does rub me the wrong way. 20 years of supporting his business, and he doesn't even treat us like regulars. Somehow, that just does not seem hospitable. In fact, I think it borders on rude...

No longer a fan.

• Pros: Really good, consistent food.
• Cons: The owner, Tom likes to talk shop way too much!!

06/26/09

Good Thai Food

by Goodcritic

Probably some of the best thai food in the immediate Atlanta area. Always good food and service. The best is the Lemon Grass Restaurant in Marietta, worth the drive. King and I is our default thai restaurant if we can't make it up to Marietta. Lol.

• Pros: Food,Service
• Cons: Very dated restaurant,surroundings

08/05/07

Good Sunday Thai Dinner-Entire Family

by atlcuisineguy

This little inexpensive Thai place in Ansley Square is a good family find. All the servers, and the owner, Tom-?, are very friendly. We all love the coconut soup. And the kids love the Basil Rolls. Any chicken dish is good, and the degree of hotness can be adjusted. And very food prices. Easy parking, no fees.

• Pros: Good Family Thai Restaurant, Good Prices

03/09/07

Great food...horrible, slow service

by filmcrit

We had reservations for 20 well in advance. Even though we had given the restaurant plenty of notice and they'd taken the time to put together a long table for us, they still only assigned us one server. It took almost one hour for one of our group to get her order and several other orders were incomplete. The ordeal to pay the check was the worst, despite the fact that we checked to see if split checks were allowed prior to ordering.

All in all, good food, slow to no service, raggedy surroundings. Go here for takeout.

• Pros: Tasty dishes
• Cons: Low quality service, depressing ambience