I remember when I used to take a client or friend to Chaya and the wait staff was amazing and sweet, the food impeccable and a generally very enjoyable experience.
I hope my experience of last night is not a sign it is on the decline and just an anomaly, but I had a horrible experience and feel someone should know about it.
My wife and I took out of town clients out for dinner at Chaya and the waiter copped an attitude when I asked for no salt on the grilled fish. I hate doing that, but I have a very, very serious heart problem and can not have much salt.
The attitude was mirrored by the kitchen when my plate came the grilled fish was salted anyway, the vegetables looked like they found them in the trash and the were chopped with no finesse, bad tasting (woody carrots and tasteless) and it was plated like a crappy diner. The waiter chatted with the table next to us, but often ignored us when we signaled or ran away when we had questions.
I did not walk out or call the manager because I was with new clients, but this guy kept up his bad attitude throughout dinner and made us thoroughly uncomfortable. My client wondered allowed if he was a New York waiter. We never did anything offensive except ask them to hold the salt, which they did not, and this guy got bent out of shape.
Chaya used to be a favorite of mine, but I will never go again. Everything was not up to parr. Some things were awful and the service needs to be sent back to New York!
more