26 February 2013

Me & Mother Jones in Kingston, awful, just awful

| Masquara
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I had lunch at Me & Mother Jones with two friends and it was talked up in advance. What a disappointment.

The service was so abysmally slow (we arrived on time at 1 pm; ordered 1.10; main course arrived at 2.00 pm).

Now, at MMJ you are talking restaurant prices – including $7.00 a glass corkage for a beer! But what we got was not just only cafe food, but very poor food. My (very small) vegetarian lasagne was $19.50. Lasagne itself was OK, in a separate little pot thing. But the overall dish and the presentation was a joke. Said pot of lasagne (would be moderately passable in a cafe at, say, $14) was mostly ricotta and too many layers of thick lasagne pastry. And the “chef” (actually, no chef would do this) had unaccountably decided to accompany this uber-cheesy dish with an uber-cheesy salad and nothing else. The “salad” was a clump of lumps of mozarella doused in olive oil, with a few small bits of herbiage interspersed, a very few. Such a cheese-fest was very unappetising and quease-inducing. Green salad was warranted and there wasn’t a hint of acid to cut through the milk fat and olive oil. The presentation was nothing short of weird: all trendoidly sitting on a slab of red hardwood – with nothing like the border that would have held the olive oil on a plate. So I sat with the olive oil dribbling toward me on the plate and threatening to drip into my lap.

My companions fared worse. They both ordered calimari in batter, and it was not only dry and overcooked, but had been fried all clumped together. The calimari was overcooked, that is. The batter, being clumped together, was largely uncooked. It was so bad they couldn’t eat it.

You would think a waiter worth his salt would notice the bad food, apologise, and put things to rights.

Dessert was another miss. What sort of outfit serves a creme caramele in a thick pastry?

So – slow, bad service, bad food, and overpriced. No wonder it is getting cr*p reviews online on sites like yelp. Seriously: don’t risk going to Me and Mother Jones.

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actually you lot, I am a 22 y/o female who lives right next to the place and i like going here for a drinks and tapas with my friends.

I guess from the comments that I’ve been quoted from, that it has just backed up what i said about the negativity on these types of forums.

ill continue to go there anyway..and for those who care…its a similar vein to places like Suburban in Dickson

Guest86 said :

I think its a lovely place to go for a coffee late morning, or a cocktail after work in the sun.

And really, the food is good too.

Prices are too high? Welcome to Australia 2013 where, yes, things are expensive.

I wish Canberrans would be a little more positive and encouraging and appreciative

Yes, we should all be so appreciative of being overcharged and under served.

Thanks for the warning. It sounds like one of those places that you go to (if you go to it) once.

Blen_Carmichael8:29 am 17 Aug 13

khepri said :

They also charge a Sunday surcharge despite not having separate menus, after calculating $42 for a rather terrible breakfast (for 2), and then they added on another 10% it just got a bit ridiculous. I tried telling them that they can’t really do that in the ACT anymore but the staff member didn’t seem to get it!

Up until recently I too thought that practice was illegal, but apparently not anymore:

Restaurants, cafes and bistros that charge a surcharge on certain days do not need to provide a separate menu or price list or have a separate price column with the surcharge factored in. However, the menu must include the words “a surcharge of [percentage] applies on [the specified day or days]” and these words must be displayed at least as prominently as the most prominent price on the menu.

http://www.accc.gov.au/business/pricing/displaying-prices

poetix said :

Pork Hunt said :

poetix said :

johnboy said :

Let’s not get into disappearing up our own rectums with allegations of sock puppetry.

We moderators do block the most egregious examples.

I love that word egregious. I must try and use it somehow.

Find a word that rhymes with it?

I don’t regard rhymes are more prestigious than free verse. (Only nearly works for those favouring septic pronunciation, god damn them.)

I could offer a soft-rhyme, but it would just be facetious :p

khepri said :

They also charge a Sunday surcharge despite not having separate menus, after calculating $42 for a rather terrible breakfast (for 2), and then they added on another 10% it just got a bit ridiculous. I tried telling them that they can’t really do that in the ACT anymore but the staff member didn’t seem to get it!
Next time I’m walking the 20 steps down to 2 for Joy – better service, better food, better prices.

Hang on! There’s something significant about 10% of $42, something very important to my people! But… I’m too stoned to figure it out.

They also charge a Sunday surcharge despite not having separate menus, after calculating $42 for a rather terrible breakfast (for 2), and then they added on another 10% it just got a bit ridiculous. I tried telling them that they can’t really do that in the ACT anymore but the staff member didn’t seem to get it!
Next time I’m walking the 20 steps down to 2 for Joy – better service, better food, better prices.

Well if people are going to revive old threads I’m going to add my 2 cents worth and swim against the tide here.
We went there for lunch back in January not long after it opened, being summer we thought inside would be good but their no booking policy meant we would have to wait a little while.
We were happy to do this however after hearing the really bad accoustics due to the sparse industrial styled space we opted for outside. This was not a problem and we found the service to be very upbeat, friendly and accomodating.
As for the food, my young fella wanted a burger but this was not available in a kids size however they accomodated us (it was still pretty big!) and the rest of us were quite satisfied with our meals, the service was outstanding initially, there was a service change midway through the meal and we ended up with a different waiter which is were the service dropped a bit.

Overall we were quite happy and enjoyed our meals, I can understand comments about the size of the meals however quality beats quantity in my book and quality of ingredients and execution on the plate meant that they delivered on our expectations.

poetix said :

Pork Hunt said :

poetix said :

johnboy said :

Let’s not get into disappearing up our own rectums with allegations of sock puppetry.

We moderators do block the most egregious examples.

I love that word egregious. I must try and use it somehow.

Find a word that rhymes with it?

I don’t regard rhymes are more prestigious than free verse. (Only nearly works for those favouring septic pronunciation, god damn them.)

I see what you did there. 🙂

Jim Jones said :

Deref said :

Have you seen my wife, Mr Jones?

Yes.

Cute, eh. 🙂

To quote the last words ever spoken on the Moon: “Let’s get the mother out of here”.

Pork Hunt said :

poetix said :

johnboy said :

Let’s not get into disappearing up our own rectums with allegations of sock puppetry.

We moderators do block the most egregious examples.

I love that word egregious. I must try and use it somehow.

Find a word that rhymes with it?

I don’t regard rhymes are more prestigious than free verse. (Only nearly works for those favouring septic pronunciation, god damn them.)

poetix said :

I wish people would point out when they bump an old thread. I almost accused Masquara of going back to the place where she had a bad experience previously!

She wouldn’t have liked that.

Normally I might go back to a restaurant where I’ve had a bad experience but other reviews are positive. But seriously, Me & Mrs Jones was pretty much the worst (taking the prices into account) dining experience I’ve had in Canberra, and nothing other than a complete overhaul and a new manager as well as new chef and wait staff and pastry chef (or supplier) could do anything for the place.

poetix said :

johnboy said :

Let’s not get into disappearing up our own rectums with allegations of sock puppetry.

We moderators do block the most egregious examples.

I love that word egregious. I must try and use it somehow.

Find a word that rhymes with it?

johnboy said :

Let’s not get into disappearing up our own rectums with allegations of sock puppetry.

We moderators do block the most egregious examples.

I love that word egregious. I must try and use it somehow.

Guest86 said :

I think its a lovely place to go for a coffee late morning, or a cocktail after work in the sun.

And really, the food is good too.

Prices are too high? Welcome to Australia 2013 where, yes, things are expensive.

I wish Canberrans would be a little more positive and encouraging and appreciative

Appreciative of getting ripped off?

Deref said :

Have you seen my wife, Mr Jones?

Yes.

Have you seen my wife, Mr Jones?
Do you know what it’s like on the outside?
Don’t go talking too loud you’ll cause a landslide,
Mr Jones.

Avy said :

DrKoresh said :

Avy said :

I hope RiotAct screens for sockpuppets.

Eh, it’s not the mods job to become internet sleuths, and most sock-puppets are transparently obvious anyway. I just hope it wasn’t the owner jumping in to defend their business, because they gained nothing from reviving an old thread like this.

How do you know what they gained? Or is it ‘obvious’?

Well, from where I’m sitting, all Guest86’s post has managed to do is prompt more people to complain about their experiences at the cafe. I seriously doubt the owner(s) want that, so if they are using Guest86 as a sockpuppet they’re doing a terrible job.
What’s not obvious is what the hell you’re getting at in your post and why you decided to get all snarky at me. Are you another sock-puppet, maybe? Or just an obstreperous, condescending jerk, it’s hard to tell.

Let’s not get into disappearing up our own rectums with allegations of sock puppetry.

We moderators do block the most egregious examples.

DrKoresh said :

Avy said :

I hope RiotAct screens for sockpuppets.

Eh, it’s not the mods job to become internet sleuths, and most sock-puppets are transparently obvious anyway. I just hope it wasn’t the owner jumping in to defend their business, because they gained nothing from reviving an old thread like this.

Won’t someone think of the sock-puppets?

Holden Caulfield3:05 pm 16 Aug 13

Will be interesting to see how business goes when the Ottoman’s new venture opens (on the currently empty corner near the IGA). Although, that could still be a while away yet.

DrKoresh said :

Avy said :

I hope RiotAct screens for sockpuppets.

Eh, it’s not the mods job to become internet sleuths, and most sock-puppets are transparently obvious anyway. I just hope it wasn’t the owner jumping in to defend their business, because they gained nothing from reviving an old thread like this.

How do you know what they gained? Or is it ‘obvious’?

Jim Jones said :

Guest86 said :

Prices are too high? Welcome to Australia 2013 where, yes, things are expensive.

$7.50 corkage for a beer? $20 for a tiny vegetarian lasagna? That’s not expensive, that’s recockulous.

I can open my own beer thanks, what’s the point in BYO if you’re paying a corkage fee that costs more than a beer does? When I go out to BYO establishments, I can perhaps be persuaded to part with a modest corkage fee, but it has to be $5 or less and cover me for the entire 6 pack, not per beer.

Avy said :

I hope RiotAct screens for sockpuppets.

Eh, it’s not the mods job to become internet sleuths, and most sock-puppets are transparently obvious anyway. I just hope it wasn’t the owner jumping in to defend their business, because they gained nothing from reviving an old thread like this.

neanderthalsis2:31 pm 16 Aug 13

I ate there a while ago; food was passable but in portion sizes designed for already anorexic hipsters trying the shed a few kgs to get into even skinnier skinny jeans. Atmosphere was hipster/industrial, not conducive to conversation. Service was sullen and slow. I’d rank it with Wagamama for overhyped and underdone.

I hope RiotAct screens for sockpuppets.

Anyway, we ate at this restaurant about a month ago and our opinion was identical. Though the staff were friendly, the food was far too expensive for what we received.

Pork Hunt said :

Guest86 said :

I think its a lovely place to go for a coffee late morning, or a cocktail after work in the sun.

And really, the food is good too.

Prices are too high? Welcome to Australia 2013 where, yes, things are expensive.

I wish Canberrans would be a little more positive and encouraging and appreciative

And your connection to the above business is?

Gardener responsible for the astroturf I suspect.

Guest86 said :

I think its a lovely place to go for a coffee late morning, or a cocktail after work in the sun.

And really, the food is good too.

Prices are too high? Welcome to Australia 2013 where, yes, things are expensive.

I wish Canberrans would be a little more positive and encouraging and appreciative

And your connection to the above business is?

Guest86 said :

Prices are too high? Welcome to Australia 2013 where, yes, things are expensive.

$7.50 corkage for a beer? $20 for a tiny vegetarian lasagna? That’s not expensive, that’s recockulous.

I wish people would point out when they bump an old thread. I almost accused Masquara of going back to the place where she had a bad experience previously!

She wouldn’t have liked that.

I think its a lovely place to go for a coffee late morning, or a cocktail after work in the sun.

And really, the food is good too.

Prices are too high? Welcome to Australia 2013 where, yes, things are expensive.

I wish Canberrans would be a little more positive and encouraging and appreciative

Masquara said :

KB1971 said :

This is a restaurant review from someone that thinks because a group of cyclist stole their cashmere jumper they left behind in a room makes all them out to steal anything that is not tied down.

If you think you are occupying some high moral ground, KP, allow me to remind you of a statement of your very own:

“He better not go to te pub with it like that, he will get bashed & rightly so…….”

Link?

KB1971 said :

This is a restaurant review from someone that thinks because a group of cyclist stole their cashmere jumper they left behind in a room makes all them out to steal anything that is not tied down.

If you think you are occupying some high moral ground, KP, allow me to remind you of a statement of your very own:

“He better not go to te pub with it like that, he will get bashed & rightly so…….”

KB1971 said :

Madam Cholet said :

Obviously this is one of the new places that has sprung up in Kingston that I have not yet been to. Will dutifully avoid. Gosh, you’d want to get it right in this town with RA about!

As an aside, went to Soju Girl at the weekend. Now that is a place to add to your list. Fabulous food, service, wine list, environment. Ticked all boxes. Not cheap, but worth it and obviously why it was full already when we left at about 7.30pm.

This is a restaurant review from someone that thinks because a group of cyclist stole their cashmere jumper they left behind in a room makes all them out to steal anything that is not tied down.

I think I may go there & see what it is like because I am sure it will be opposite to what the OP says it is.

Sorry, a group of cyclists apparently stole…….

Madam Cholet said :

Obviously this is one of the new places that has sprung up in Kingston that I have not yet been to. Will dutifully avoid. Gosh, you’d want to get it right in this town with RA about!

As an aside, went to Soju Girl at the weekend. Now that is a place to add to your list. Fabulous food, service, wine list, environment. Ticked all boxes. Not cheap, but worth it and obviously why it was full already when we left at about 7.30pm.

This is a restaurant review from someone that thinks because a group of cyclist stole their cashmere jumper they left behind in a room makes all them out to steal anything that is not tied down.

I think I may go there & see what it is like because I am sure it will be opposite to what the OP says it is.

gb12390 said :

Isn’t it Me & Mrs Jones?

Ha! Didn’t know my subconscious would allow such a sexist “mot”. A mother of a debacle of a place but yep, MRS Jones.

Agree it’s terribly overpriced for what it is.

Oh, I thought you were reading the left wing rag Mother Jones.

Isn’t it Me & Mrs Jones?

Me and Mrs Jones, we got a thing going on
We both know that it’s wrong
But it’s much too strong to let it cool down now

We meet ev’ry day at the same cafe
Six-thirty I know she’ll be there
Holding hands, making all kinds of plans
While the jukebox plays our favorite song

Me and Mrs, Mrs Jones, Mrs Jones, Mrs Jones
Mrs. Jones got a thing going on
We both know that it’s wrong
But it’s much too strong to let it cool down now

We gotta be extra careful
That we don’t build our hopes too high
Cause she’s got her own obligations and so do I
Me, me and Mrs, Mrs Jones, Mrs Jones, Mrs Jones
Mrs Jones got a thing going on
We both know that it’s wrong
But it’s much too strong to let it cool down now

Well, it’s time for us to be leaving
Iit hurts so much, it hurts so much inside
Now she’ll go her way and I’ll go mine
But tomorrow we’ll meet the same place, the same time
Me and Mrs Jones, Mrs Jones, Mrs Jones

Madam Cholet said :

Obviously this is one of the new places that has sprung up in Kingston that I have not yet been to. Will dutifully avoid. Gosh, you’d want to get it right in this town with RA about!

As an aside, went to Soju Girl at the weekend. Now that is a place to add to your list. Fabulous food, service, wine list, environment. Ticked all boxes. Not cheap, but worth it and obviously why it was full already when we left at about 7.30pm.

+1 for Soju Girl – fantastic food – really good for group functions.

Mr. Jones & Me?

karmatraveller said :

Me & Mrs. Jones?

mrs jones and i? myself and mademoiselle jones?

do the staff choose to be couiffed by rhubarb and me?

karmatraveller1:37 pm 26 Feb 13

Me & Mrs. Jones?

We found the food ok in taste but too small for VFM. If you’re paying $20 for egg on toast breakfast you want it to be a little bigger than the palm of your hand.

We won’t be coming back.

Madam Cholet11:28 am 26 Feb 13

Obviously this is one of the new places that has sprung up in Kingston that I have not yet been to. Will dutifully avoid. Gosh, you’d want to get it right in this town with RA about!

As an aside, went to Soju Girl at the weekend. Now that is a place to add to your list. Fabulous food, service, wine list, environment. Ticked all boxes. Not cheap, but worth it and obviously why it was full already when we left at about 7.30pm.

Corkage for beer? Man, I don’t get out enough to know about these things! 😛

It’s not a great place, charging $25 for a cheesburger. I’d prefer to walk 5 minutes to Grill’d or another 5 to Brodburger and face the wait time to eat something far better and save $12.50

Holden Caulfield10:12 am 26 Feb 13

I heard the chef is a cyclist and figured they’d have some fun with you.

And not sure what “Mother” has to do with anything, you might want to listen to this song and see if you can join the dots.

That said, I’ve only been there once and it didn’t quite match the better, if not spectacular, results from stablemates Urban Pantry and Public. Perhaps the lads need to cool it for a bit and stick to aiming for quality and not quantity.

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