Review #12 - The Mongolie Grill

The Mongolie Grill
Variety: Mongolian
Address: 1645 Granville Street
Date Visited: Thursday, December 23, 2010
Orders: Two bowls of soup & stir-fries with miscellaneous vegetables, sauces and chicken

Taste: 10 + 10 = 20/20
Portion Size: 10 + 10 = 20/20
Presentation: 8 + 10 = 18/20
Value: 8 + 10 = 18/20
Service: 10 + 10 = 20/20
Bonus: -
Minus: -
Final Grade: 96% (Excellent)

(Scoring: 100% to 140% = Exceptional, 85% to 99% = Excellent, 67% to 84% = Good, 60% to 66% = Satisfactory, 50% to 59% = Marginal, 0% to 49% = Poor, -40% to -1% = Abysmal)

Notes: The thing about critiquing this kind of restaurant is that you're critiquing your ability to make a meal. We think we did awesome. For those of you who don't know, at The Mongolie Grill, you get a bowl in which you pick whichever items you want (vegetables, meats, noodles, nuts, sauces, etc) and put how much of each you want in there, and you pay by the weight. What's cool is that you get exactly what you want, and exactly the amount that you want, but the cost can add up quickly. If you're not careful, you'll end up in their "Pile High Club" (when your food alone weighs in at over $30...yikes!). That's why it's best to stay on the modest side, and to avoid the heavier vegetables and all noodles (because you get a bowl of rice and mooshu wraps, which kinda negate the need for the noodles). When you're ready, they weigh your creation and tell you how much it costs, then they cook it up for you on a big metal hot plate, and bring it to you when it's ready. It's really fun to go in a big group, both to see what people get, and to see what people have to pay...but it's more fun when it's on someone else's dime. That's pretty much the only complaint - it ain't cheap. But, if you know what you want/like, you're gonna walk out of there satisfied!