Dharma Garden
Prices
Average main course: $9.
Description
The Thai owners of this blissed-out spot are self-described "biospiritualists," which means that they don't serve "land animals" (only veggies and seafood), they aim to use the freshest ingredients possible (never frozen) and the bar serves nothing but freshly squeezed juice concoctions. Housemade, garlic-flecked, steamed potstickers are delicate wraps with spinach-carrot-cabbage filling, and the Dharma Garden spring rolls are the epitome of fresh, with bright flavors of Thai basil and mint. A rich coconut milk Massaman sweet-potato curry starter comes with flaky roti for scooping up every drop, but save enough room for restorative entrées like steamed lime salmon hiding under a mound of fresh garlic, ginger and chilies.
Hours
Lunch, dinner .
After reading a review in TimeOut Chicago, I went tonight looking forward to a great meal. My partner and I entered and had to wait for the staff to clear tables with dirty dishes. There was seating for nine tables, and four were dirty. After being seated we ordered our food - Dharma Garden Spring Rolls as an appetizer, my partner ordered Long Life Noodles and I ordered Pad See Ew. Their website says they hope the customers are patient waiting for their food. The appetizer took a half hour to arrive. Then about 15 minutes later the Long Life Noodles arrived. I asked my partner to eat, but he said he would wait for my order to arrive. Then over five minutes later, a dish came for me. It was sweet and sour chicken, not what I ordered. My partner's food was already getting cold, and all indications were that it would be another half hour before my correct entree would arrive. At that point we told the wait person that we could wait no longer, and would be leaving. We left cash for the appetizer which we had eaten. The staff did not seem concerned at all that we were dissatisfied. The person managing the restaurant went back to her calculator and ignored us as we left. Again, I was looking forward to a great meal, and one never came. Initially, I was patient waiting for my food, but was troubled that they felt no remorse for making a mistake and did not offer in any way to compensate for their mistake.