High-Price Chow at Mr. Chow

Comments (0) By Lee Klein Thursday, Nov 12 2009

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Side dishes are priced at $6 each. Per person. With a two-person minimum. Yes, that's right, you arithmetic whiz-kids, this means sides are actually $12 apiece. Why not just come out and say so? Maybe because the owners are embarrassed to write that double digit number next to "bowl of white rice." Actually, I'm exaggerating; the rice was indeed white, but it was called "vegetable fried rice" and encompassed scallions and slices of asparagus stalk — and a single pea, which this time I nabbed (different visit, slower guest). The most intriguing side seemed to be lily bulb with mountain potato, which unfortunately was translated into a dish of sugar snap peas, carrots, and onions.

American-style desserts — cheesecake, chocolate cake, pear tart, and so forth — are displayed on a trolley that is rolled around the room to some, but not all, tables. We were among those who weren't granted the show, and we didn't get much help verbally, either. Upon inquiring what "almond alfresco" was, we were told it's "like an almond lemon tart." Rather than ask how that might differ from the menu's "almond lemon tart," we ordered the latter, a thin layer of lemon-fresh custard in flaky crust, with powdered sugar/almond crumb topping. A check was promptly brought to the table as soon as we finished — even though we hadn't requested it.

Joe Rocco

Location Info

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Mr. Chow

2201 Collins Ave.
Miami Beach, FL 33139

Category: Restaurant > Chinese

Region: South Beach

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Details

Mr. Chow W Hotel, 2201 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-695-1695; mrchow.com. Breakfast Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; brunch Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; lunch daily 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; dinner Sunday through Thursday 5 p.m. to midnight, Friday and Saturday 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.

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Everything about Mr. Chow is awful. Music was Abba, Van Halen, and other golden oldies rock dreck. Restrooms are located in the W hotel lobby, far enough away from the back seats that they ought to consider installing a shuttle service. The timing of the food was too fast on the first visit, and too slow on the return; service was at worst amateurish, at best mediocre. Portions are too small. Have I mentioned that most entrées go for $28 to $35? Considering the dining experience, this is more obscene than any insult ever hurled by Mr. Fong.