I had a reservation March 4th @ 7pm – party of 6, at “M’s” in Miami.
Overall, our experience at M’s was very costly and painfully sub-par. I read their website’s bios etc. and all of their press, especially from NYC critics, including the NY Times and James Beard pieces.
M’s should NOT believe everything it reads. Unfortunately, we are only as good as our last performance. Instead of focusing on all of their press (earned or purchased), they should be seizing the opportunities that their patrons graciously provide to them each and every business day! M’s must learn to thrive in the moment or it will be obliterated by an avalanche of its own press clippings!
I too received my culinary education and training in NYC, was published in books, written-up & featured by the NY Times, did the Oprah Winfrey Show, did several Food Network shows and The NY Chocolate Show, was honored by the Salon De Culinaire for my sugar work, sold a successful retail confection line in exclusive NYC shops, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah!
I do not look back, neither should M’s.
M’s service staff is unsophisticated, grossly uninformed about FOOD and rude. And very, VERY unorganized! More “CLUELESS” than “GENUINE.”
I notified the restaurant the week before that one guest in my party was vegan. Nothing was prepared by M’s to accommodate this request ahead of our arrival. After being seated, I asked our server if the chef had a menu suggestion since I can not eat dairy. I was told to select from the menu and request that cheese or cream etc. be eliminated. The server said “They never make any substitutions.”
Furthermore, when we asked if a specific cheese was pasteurized, our server told one of my guests (who is 4 months pregnant and can not eat unpasteurized dairy) that the cheese “is OK for you because it is either pasteurized or aged 6 months”! IT was truly the most incredulous and IDIOTIC logic we had ever heard. And a dangerous path to follow for a business catering to the general public.
The kitchen and dining room are completely out of sync – the server placed the 1st course dishes randomly – he watched as we tried to unscramble his puzzle and match the 1st course dish with the guest that ordered it. He never attempted TO correct or apologized FOR his mistake. One guest’s entree was sent out 8 minutes AFTER all the others were served!??? Again, NO warning, NO explanation, NO apology. The server even removed one of my guest’s plates and utensils while we were still eating!!!
When we ordered dessert, I asked the server if any items were dairy free. He said no, so I asked him what flavor sorbets were available. He said “rhubarb and white chocolate.” I then ordered the rhubarb sorbet. He then tells me “no, it is rhubarb and white chocolate.” I then ask him “you mean it is one flavor – rhubarb with white chocolate?” The server then tells me “no, it is 1 scoop of rhubarb and 1 scoop of white chocolate!” Then I tell him I will take 1 scoop of rhubarb – HOLD the white chocolate since I can not eat DAIRY and white chocolate HAS DAIRY IN IT!!!” He was informed throughout the meal about the dairy issue. His demeanor was callous and extremely offensive. It is outrageous that M’s would subject their guests to such a CIRCUITOUS route when ordering a DESSERT!!!
Actually, for M’s to present a dessert menu without any main item dairy-free is very neglectful and un-evolved. THIS IS THE 21ST CENTURY!
Our hospitality experience at M’s was regrettable and truly unforgettable. This restaurant touts all of their NY press on M’s website but if THEIR “performance” that night was on a NYC stage rather than in a Miami dining room, their “show” would be closed after a few performances. LIGHTS OUT!
Overall, it was the worst dining experience for all of us in a VERY LONG TIME!!! Every chef has a restaurant in him, which in M’s case was the best place for it.
This joint really does believe its own press! Miami’s M’s is nothing more than the flawed formula that PLAGUES our hospitality industry: 1 cup of BAD service, a dash of MEDIOCRE food and a pinch of SHABBY decor for a WAD of $$$!
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
You must be a blast a parties, you pompous douchebag.
While I can sympathize with the apparent miscommunication from management (regarding food allergies and choices), you do come across as very pompous. The guest who cannot eat unpasteurized dairy is one thing, that's a definite medical condition. As for the guest who's vegan — that's a CHOICE.
I bet your group was a real joy to wait on. Nine chances out of ten the chef spit in your food. Why not post the name of the restaurant, so we can send them a sympathy card.
Go back to the 60's you filthy hippy/vegan. You make me sick. And, I have to agree with Jack, send me the name of the resteraunt so I can write them a sympathy card too.
Oh, and by the way, I am not making fun of your dairy allergy, just that you are a vegan, and therefore dirty.
Most restaurants, unless they cater specifically to vegetarians & vegans, are not equipped to handle vegan-only requests, with the exception of salads, fruits & vegetarians. Most don't have vegan-specific items on the menu and you can't expect them to run out and get vegan foods for the occasional and probably rare request.
That being said, if you're vegan or vegetarian, at a non-vegetarian/vegan restaurant your cooked food is still prepared on the same grills and in the same pots, pans & skillets that are used to prepare meat, fish & poultry.
What's your point, with the same grills etc? What do you think the point of veganism is?
I believe that the OP was aware of the difficulty in catering for vegans – that's why s/he notified the restaurant early, and, presumably, was told it wouldn't be a problem.
I would also disagree on the statement that mainstream restaurants don't have vegan items on the menu – many do. I make a point of looking for them, so I know what I can order before it becomes an issue.
I don't disagree on the many comments on the OPs tone – no one wants to wade through paragraphs of how fantastic you ARE (or random capsing) to get to the point.
As a now vegetarian that was a vegan for 5 years, I can tell you: as long as you are polite and respectful, I have never, ever had a problem at a restaurant (especially a nice one), when I have informed the server that I was vegan and asked what the options were.
My guess is that you were a jerk, or rude to the server. At the very least, your obvious disdain was probably not as well hidden as you think, and then no one is going to want to accommodate you. I always go way out of my way to be polite, understanding that I am the one making the out-of-the-ordinary request. Nine times of out ten, I come out with meals that are fantastic (often to the envy of my meat eating companions).
And, for those of you who have so blatantly bashed the food choices of others: go get a masters in microbiology and spend a semester interning at a processing plant, and then tell me you never thought about giving up your eating habits.
Wow. I’m not going to bash your one guest’s choice of being a vegan or the fact that another was pregnant. I’m not even going to bash you for your dairy intolerance. You do, however, come off as pompous. My suggestion to you is the next time you try not to come off as pompous in real life as I am thinking that 90% of the problem and the definite cause of the attitude you received was your own attitude. If you’re gracious and nice people tend to try to fix things for you. If you’re a rude jerk, they spit in your food. You might want to just consider that. Have a nice day!
You are the douchiest Douche I have ever encountered or heard of. You might just possibly be the worst person EVER.
You are a server's nightmare, a pain in the ass, and probably a 10% tipper. If you don't eat dairy , if you don't eat meat, if you have a problem with pastuerized/ un cheeses…do us all a favor and either stay home or bring your baba in so we can heat it up for you.
I wish you would post a picture of yourself so that I could post it my kitchen in the restaurant with strict orders to immediately throw your ass out the door the minute you walk in.
mmmmm rhubarb and white chocolate, that sounds yummy.
tldr