We first met the chef and owners during a tasting soon after Luca & Leonardo opened. Whatever anyone’s opinion of Luca & Leonardo or La Lupita may be, there’s no denying both restaurants have easy-on-the-eyes decor that is not a bore. And that’s enough about decor.
Make no mistake, this guy appears to have poured his heart and soul into every aspect of his restaurants, which makes it even harder to understand what is up with the service. It was spot on during two scheduled tastings (shocker) upstairs at Luca, but when we came in several other times the service was borderline frightening. We were extremely curious as to how our first visit to La Lupita would unfold.
Painful. There are several things to consider when feeling a substitution is an obtainable task. Is the kitchen slammed? Is the request super simple? Is the substitution going to change the chef’s vision of the dish? Is this kind of request going to cause the earth to slam into a meteor, ending civilization as we know it?
The quesadillas were listed without shrimp as an option. Asking if shrimp is within the realm of possibility isn’t going to bring the back of the house crashing down.
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AV: Hi. Is it possible to have a shrimp quesadilla instead of just cheese?
Her: No. We can’t do that because it makes the kitchen grumpy. They get in a bad mood when we ask. They don’t like it.”
AV: Really? So, basically they can do this, but you aren’t going to ask because they will become grumpy?
Her: I’ll get a manager.
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No one needs a manager. Taking no for an answer is fine. I know the restaurant deal. We can all move on now. Thanks. Thanks a lot. As the manager stopped by, our chat about shrimp and questions making people grumpy began. He quickly barked, “Well, there’s the chef. Go ask him yourself.” Double wow. Just ten double wows in a row on that one. Check, please. Sometimes ordering a taco with some kind of random dessert is the right thing to do. Rainbows can then appear causing everyone in The Woodlands to be happy.
FIVE: High 5!
FOUR: Please & Thank You
THREE: Yada
TWO: Double Wow
ONE: Wow + Ouch = Wouch
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La Lupita Mexican Cuisine & Bar
20 Waterway Avenue
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(832) 510-2111
lalupita-restaurant.com
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