OUTRAGED! "Fake" crab at Wolfgang Puck

[Erikarate]

Hi all! I just returned from our wonderful stay at BCV July 7-22nd. We have been DVC members since 1999 and have always loved Wolfgang Puck, visiting several times throughout each of our vacations. Over the years however, I have sadly seen the quality of the food at WP decline IMO. I am not saying that one can never have a good meal here, but it is not as consistently excellent as was in the past.

A few years ago the restaurant was sold to Levy restaurants and I noticed immediately the menu was a third of the size of it's former self. Anyone remember the HUGE menu a few years back? One of my continued favorites however was the sushi...OH the SUSHI!!! Amazing, perfect sushi....

SO when my family and I (DH, DD14, DS12, DD2) were there last week I ordered a California roll (I usually get the sushi special, but didn't care for that particular one that evening) to split with my husband along with the spring rolls (which used to be a "trio" of rolls each with different sauces). It arrived, and I ate a few pieces (distracted by my 2 y.o.) before I realized "this doesn't taste very good". Well that is because it was FAKE CRAB MEAT!!!! Basically it was on the same quality level as my local supermarket. The price of this impostor sushi was $13.00! Needless to say I HAD to complain.

Now, no one likes to be a pain in the you-know-what, but I just couldn't help myself. I told the waiter, his manager, and the managers manager how "disappointed" I was (yes, I am a mom). The waiter told me the big wig guy who decided on this change had been fired recently...I am hoping they change it back! I told them that WP is california cuisine and therefore the california roll is their signature roll and what kind of an image are they trying to convey if they are using substandard products in their signature dishes?

Squeaky wheel gets the grease...they brought me a new roll with the real stuff and it was heaven. They were probably relieved when I left, but I hope they bring it up at their next corporate meeting...

 

[oybolshoi]

Good for you for speaking up. It's inexcusable for a restaurant like WP to substitute imitation crab for the real deal.

 

[Ms. Heimlich]

That. Is. Nasty.

I think a level headed complaint goes a long way to change stupid policies... If I find the same thing, I will log the same complaint...

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[natalielongstaff]

im glad you got a replacement meal

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I think restaurants need to put it on the menu if they're using imitation crab meat. I'm glad you complained, and got a replacement.

 

[Erikarate]

I also posted a complaint on the Levy site which says quote:

"* The Sushi Bar offers the freshest, highest quality sushi in Orlando in a chic setting!"

I used this quote in my complaint saying that it is untrue! They haven't responded yet. I will post their response when/if they do.

 

[Tink3Bell]

I hate imitation crabmeat but love real crabmeat, they shouldn't even call it crab its garbage.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

That is gross...imitation crab meat is aweful and they should definitly publish on the menu if they are using it as I would NEVER order it. Good for you for keeping your calm and complaining in a way that got the complaint the attention it deserves. 13.00 for some funky white fish NO THANKS!

 

[dd50]

That is terrible. I use imitation crab for certain things but when you go out and it says crab meat and the price reflects it you want real crab meat. Good for you for speaking up. I think if more people do it things will start to change.

 

[erinch]

They would have had a real problem if I had been there, if it was listed as real crab.

I am one of those extremely rare people who can eat shellfish, but who is extremely allergic to "fishy fish" -- fish with fins. I'm extremely careful, and it's been two decades since I had an encounter with fish. The result is anaphylaxis.

If Wolfgang Puck is listing a fish product as "crab," then somebody could die. They ought to think about that in their bottom line.

 

[Erikarate]

They would have had a real problem if I had been there, if it was listed as real crab.

I am one of those extremely rare people who can eat shellfish, but who is extremely allergic to "fishy fish" -- fish with fins. I'm extremely careful, and it's been two decades since I had an encounter with fish. The result is anaphylaxis.

If Wolfgang Puck is listing a fish product as "crab," then somebody could die. They ought to think about that in their bottom line.

Oh my goodness, that would be awful. They don't actually say "real crab" on the menu, but I would think most people would assume it was considering the price...either way it is misleading.

 

[Chernabog#1fan]

They would have had a real problem if I had been there, if it was listed as real crab.

I am one of those extremely rare people who can eat shellfish, but who is extremely allergic to "fishy fish" -- fish with fins. I'm extremely careful, and it's been two decades since I had an encounter with fish. The result is anaphylaxis.

If Wolfgang Puck is listing a fish product as "crab," then somebody could die. They ought to think about that in their bottom line.

This is exactly the reason I believe that a restaurant is supposed to spell it Krab if it is not real. They can be written up by the health department. It has to be obvious that it is not real crab on the menu.

 

[BriarRosie]

Oh my goodness, that would be awful. They don't actually say "real crab" on the menu, but I would think most people would assume it was considering the price...either way it is misleading.

It's my experience that California Rolls could go either way. That is, some places I go to will use imitation crab but say they do on the menu. Other places use real crab. But your example of a place that changed it, did not list it, but charged the same price...I think you're justified in your complaint.

I'm fine with imitation crab if I expect it when I order it.

 

[luckytobeme88]

WGP has always used "the fake" crab from the get-go. We never go there for the sushi for that matter.

 

[tlynk]

I think restaurants need to put it on the menu if they're using imitation crab meat. I'm glad you complained, and got a replacement.

I agree- I'm surprised it wasn't printed on the menu. Most places I eat CA rolls at state that they are using imitation crab. Often the menus list CA rolls with real crab for a couple dollars more.

 

[NejTheLion]

I would never expect a nice restaurant to serve imitation crab in a California roll. Grocery store...yes. Small take-out restaurant...yes. I don't mind it there because that's what I would expect.

But somewhere intended to be a fine dining experience? No way!

And an excellent point about food allergies!

Darn, I was trying to decide which reservation to cancel for our upcoming trip so we could try out Kouzzina. This just made my decision very easy

 

[disneyfav4ever]

It's my experience that California Rolls could go either way. That is, some places I go to will use imitation crab but say they do on the menu. Other places use real crab. But your example of a place that changed it, did not list it, but charged the same price...I think you're justified in your complaint.

I'm fine with imitation crab if I expect it when I order it.

The only place I usually see imitation crab in CA rolls is the pre-made sushi at grocery stores.

 

[Erikarate]

OK, I got an e-mail from Levy:

I have just been forwarded your email regarding your recent experience
at Wolfgang Puck. Thank you very much for taking time to write.
I am sorry we did not meet your expectations. We do pride our selves in
using the freshest and highest quality ingredients in all of our dishes.
Your comments are very important to us and have been reviewed in detail
with our chefs.
I would like the opportunity to speak with you personally and hopefully
get the chance to invite you back. Please let me know if there is a
number and time you can be reached.
I look forward to speaking with you.

Sincerely
Kathie Raynor

Area Manager
Levy Restaurants

I will call her and let everyone know what they said!

 

[luckytobeme88]

Actually, a lot of restaurants use imitation crab. We are spoiled with places like Cali-Grill for its "real lump crab" California roll.

 

[kxs401]

OK, I got an e-mail from Levy:

I have just been forwarded your email regarding your recent experience
at Wolfgang Puck. Thank you very much for taking time to write.
I am sorry we did not meet your expectations. We do pride our selves in
using the freshest and highest quality ingredients in all of our dishes.
Your comments are very important to us and have been reviewed in detail
with our chefs.
I would like the opportunity to speak with you personally and hopefully
get the chance to invite you back. Please let me know if there is a
number and time you can be reached.
I look forward to speaking with you.

Sincerely
Kathie Raynor

Area Manager
Levy Restaurants

I will call her and let everyone know what they said!

That is nice that she wants to talk to you. Let us know how it goes.