Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Best Restaurant Rant EVER: The Owners Speak Out
This is hilarious... and weird.
Back in 1998, my family took my grandmother out for her 89th birthday to a restaurant that fused French and Asian. The quaint little restaurant in Chicago's suburban North Shore village of Wilmette was appropriately named Chinsoiserie. The seven of us were seated and we immediately ordered fifty dollars worth of delicious appetizers. When it came time to order our meals, half of what we desired sent the waitress back to our table explaining they were out of ingredients. No big deal, we'll take a few minutes and change the order.
Too bad the chef ordered something else: our ejection from the restaurant. Angry at taking "our time" ordering, he came out clad in a greasy apron and spatula in hand screaming for us to leave. My grandmother was so confused.
So 9 years later, I am visiting family and we are deciding what to do for my sister's birthday. Lo and behold, what comes in the mail? A delivery menu from the restaurant we hardly knew with one page devoted to the most hilarious essay I have ever read:
If it looks like a typo, it ain't ours...
Located "Off The Beaen Path" in a hidden area of Wilmette called 4rd & Linden (Where one has very little reason to frequent whatsoever!) Chinoiserie Restaurant has struggled to survive for almost 12 years as one of the North Shore's "Best Kept Secrets." WELL FOLKS THIS HAS GOT TO STOP! LET THE SECRET OUT!
Everyone says our food is FANTASTIC. Everyone says our decor is CHARMING. Everyone says they LOVE our restaurant. Then where the heck are you guys???
LOOK - You whined that we didn't accept change cards and what did we do? We raced right out and 12 years later we take change cards! You complained that you wanted your entrees to come to the table at the same time and now we do our best to honor that ridiculous request. What more do you want? Soup - well guess what!? Do we have soup!!!! You speak and Chinoisere listens!
Yes, in the past our prices were a lot higher then our competition - But check out our new prices. Now they're just a little higher - but still with the same first rate high quality ingredients. After all, did you marry your wife cause she was a little cheaper?
Maybe you just forget about us? Well, we didn't forget about you - we love you guys! You were the best we ever had. Now come on over for the best You ever had!
Sponsored message
Chinoiserie
509 Fourth Street
Wilmette, IL 60091
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
