My sister and I ate here during happy hour today (9/22/2014). Kona Grill has always looked busy whenever we went to Chandler Fashion - it was always packed inside and out (in the patio area). They have a huge aquarium near the hostess station and a small boothed seating area while you wait to be seated. So, after wandering in for happy hour, we looked around for a host/hostess. None were to be found! We looked over at the sushi bar where there were a couple of sushi chef's there prepping or something, but I'm sure they saw us two waiting by the station to be seated. A waitress soon came by and asked if we were going to be seated inside for happy hour, or wanted to be outside in the patio area. We said inside and she promptly sat us at a booth. A few seconds later a waiter came by and asked us if we were there for happy hour, in which we replied with yes. He then stated that happy hour was only in the patio and that we had to move tables. Confused, my sister told him what the waitress had said, and he said that she was in the wrong and they don't seat happy hour customers inside. So off to the patio we went, we were told that we would be brought menus again, we picked a random table and thought the waiter was following us with menus, but when we sat down, menus, and waiter/waitress, were nowhere to be found. As we sat awkwardly for about five minutes outside, our original waitress appeared! Handed us menu's and asked us what we would like to drink (water and a sprite). After she had left, my sister leaned over and said, "They forgot about us. The bartender saw and told someone inside that there was a table not being waited on." Thank you Mr. Bartender for dragging our waitress back to doing her job! We ordered the BBQ Flatbread, Chicken and Shrimp Lettuce Wraps, and my sister got the Crunch Roll Sushi. The BBQ Flatbread is spicy, so watch out! The Lettuce Wraps were very good, they use butter lettuce for the leaves, and the peanut sauce that comes with it is also spicy and has a kick which leaves you craving for more. My sister was not impressed with the sushi, it was good, but nothing to really rave about. The food did take a while to get out, we only ordered three simple dishes, and they brought my sister tap water... so yeah, there's that to think about the next time you order water on a weekday. By then more people had arrived to eat, and it started to pick up. We saw others seated around us, and other waters and waitresses bustling around us. Our waitress refilled our drinks and then disappeared! I saw her maybe one more time waiting on another table that was not far from us, they too were waiting for what seemed like a while like we did for service after they were seated. And, well, it was time to pack up, pay the bill, and finish our shopping! But... our waitress was nowhere to be found, again! We managed to get a small to-go box from her before she mysteriously vanished within the semi-empty restaurant. And we waited. And waited. And waited. Ten minutes later my sister and I looked at each other and said, "Let's just go. We can't even pay for our food, so let's go." but my sister managed to flag down another waiter and asked him politely, "Excuse me, I'm sorry, I know you're not our waiter, but we've been waiting for our bill for the last ten minutes." (it was pretty obvious we were ready to leave, we even stacked the dishes out of boredom) and after asking us who our waitress was, that's when we then realized she never gave us her name (go figure). We had to say she was one of the brunettes - and there was another brunette waitress also working there. But it looked like the guy knew who we were talking about (our waitress had permanent b**** face on, so). He apologized, brought us our bill, and when we stuck the CC in it, our waitress appeared! Whisked the pay away, came back, mumbled, "Thank you for eating here, have a good day." and walked off. My sis and I shook our heads in laughing disbelief, we've never had such a bad wait times on such a slow day! So the next time we're at Chandler Fashion, we're going to be avoiding this place, and not be recommending it to anyone we know. I think we were better off getting something in the food court.
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negative

So this is where all of the Chinese people have been hiding! At least the Chinese people who enjoy authentic delicious food! We ordered the noodle soup and it was exactly what we were hoping for. The spice level was numbing and the broth was so flavorful- just as we had experienced in the Yun Nan province. This alone is a 5 star dish and I will definitely order it again and again. From the cold counter, we picked out some spicy cold beef, pig ear, and peanuts with dried anchovies- to quiet our rumbling tummies while we waited for our order. It was the perfect appetizer and the heat in the beef prepped us for the spice level that was to come. We also ordered the spareribs in fried garlic, sauteed pea sprouts, and chicken fried rice. These were pretty good as well- but obviously that noodle soup was the star. The service wasn't the friendliest, but quick and efficient. It is that numbing spice that is calling me back! I am so glad to have finally found a Chinese Restaurant that I can proudly take my in-laws when they are visiting from Hong Kong.
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positive

Are you looking to take every delicious teaspoonful (ahem, alright, HEAPING tablespoons) of Nutella to the next irresistible level? Or what about that favorite meal you love to make that needs a little "umph" this spring to keep it in its place? I've found the secret, and it's so delicious, I can't possibly keep it to myself. I've visited Olive and Marlowe for the past 2 weeks in a row, and I have no intention of stopping. Was it the charming little girl who greeted me at the door exclaiming "Wow! You're tall!" (I'm all of 5'5 on a good day)? Was it the smorgasbord of taste-testing options for the infused olive oils and vinegars they feature? Or was it the incredible comforting scent of freshly baked goodies from La Gourmandine on Saturday? Whatever keeps drawing me there, will likely be a treat for you, too. I bought a lovely Basil Olive Oil that is my new favorite ingredient to top off the perfect Caprese Salad. I bought a croissant that challenges just about any croissant I've had in all of my world travels. A few minutes in the oven turned this croissant into a fluffy, flaky and buttery perfection that only could be improved with a (ahem) "dollop" of Nutella. This alone, should make you run to check this place out. Lastly, the owner has wonderful suggestions and ideas for your next culinary adventure. I appreciate her recommendations and value her input. Her suggestion of making a grilled cheese using one of the oils and the ciabatta bread that I bought was a delicious, quick dinner on a busy night for me this week. Community collaborative cooking? I like it! Having moved here from out of state, I've often been told that the best food in Pittsburgh is made right in your own kitchen. After making a stop at Olive and Marlowe part of my new weekly routine, I fully understand why this saying is true. Hope to see you there when I stop by this weekend, but please be kind and save a croissant, and a compliment for me!
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positive