31 replies to this topic

[RVGRINGO]

Lunched at Gossip today. I had the 'Shepherd's Pie' which was absolutely delicious. However, it was tiny and accompanied by three slices of cucumber and three of tomato with yoghurt, it was hardly worth the $89.00 they charged for it. My wife tried the oysters, which were OK, but deserved no raves. Granted, we're not on Prince Edward Island here. The place is neat, but very noisy with heavy traffic going by. Maybe the servings are sufficient for a small person, but even this light eater went away hungry and disappointed. Tasty food, and it was tasty, needs to come in sufficient quantity to satisfy, without feeling that you need to order something more. It wasn't more than 4 or 5 ounces of curried lamb and mashed potatoes...no crust!

[ChrisB]

Portion size does seem to be the main complaint right from the opening. But the owner doesn't seem to learn. He must have as much business as he wants. If he either increased the portions or reduced the prices he would be mobbed. And who would want that?

[lakeheron]

Portion size does seem to be the main complaint right from the opening. But the owner doesn't seem to learn. He must have as much business as he wants. If he either increased the portions or reduced the prices he would be mobbed. And who would want that?

Considering the excess salt in the food, the noise from the road and the pricing at Gossips we no longer go there. We found the food to be tasty overall if it weren't for the high salt content, but it isn't worth it to go back.

[bournemouth]

Considering the excess salt in the food, the noise from the road and the pricing at Gossips we no longer go there. We found the food to be tasty overall if it weren't for the high salt content, but it isn't worth it to go back.

We ate there in early days and told the owner on the way out that the salt being used was too much - it would appear he does not want to change what he does. We have never been back.

[DaveP]

Considering the excess salt in the food, the noise from the road and the pricing at Gossips we no longer go there. We found the food to be tasty overall if it weren't for the high salt content, but it isn't worth it to go back.

It's a shame you did not send the food back and refused to pay for it. That would certainly get the owners attention

DaveP

[Marty]

Lunched at Gossip today. I had the 'Shepherd's Pie' which was absolutely delicious. However, it was tiny and accompanied by three slices of cucumber and three of tomato with yoghurt, it was hardly worth the $89.00 they charged for it. My wife tried the oysters, which were OK, but deserved no raves. Granted, we're not on Prince Edward Island here. The place is neat, but very noisy with heavy traffic going by. Maybe the servings are sufficient for a small person, but even this light eater went away hungry and disappointed. Tasty food, and it was tasty, needs to come in sufficient quantity to satisfy, without feeling that you need to order something more. It wasn't more than 4 or 5 ounces of curried lamb and mashed potatoes...no crust!

Have dined at some of the best restaurants in New Orleans and eaten at some great eateries in the bayoo areas surrounding New orleans.. So I was looking forward to our meal a few weeks ago at Gossips. Yes, the salt was too heavy in the clam chowder but it was fresh and good tasting . But the cat fish was the real dissapointment, not only was it greasy and the breading too thick, salty and spicy, but it tasted as if the grease was old and the fish had an overpowering musky, muddy taste. I mentioned it to the owner and he kind of shrugged and said that's the way catfish is supposed to taste. I know catfish, and while it does taste a little more earthy than other fish this bordered on being old tasting. The fries also tasted of old oil and were way too spicy. Cajun food is spicy but the spices should enhance the flavor, not cover up the taste of the food. My cats refused the fish I did not eat and took home. (I did peel away the spicy breading before I gave it to them.) My stomache felt quesy for a few days afterward.

I will go back and try something else,since I do not like to judge a new place without giving them a second chance. My daughter's salad was excellent she reported.

[BALDERDASH]

I went to Gossip's several months ago and was not impressed. I had small cup of gumbo that was very bland; the roux wasn't dark enough and it only had 2 small shrimp and 2 small pieces of chicken in it. My German aunt and cousin who lived many years in Port Arthur, Tx with Cajun neighbors can make far better gumbo. I also had the beer-battered fish with fries; the beer batter added nothing to the taste of the fish. It was OK, but not better than I can make at home for less money. I don't remember anything being particularly salty, but, then again, I use alot of salt on my food anyway. Based on that experience, I have had no desire to return.

Ditto to all of the above. I have been there several times and always disappointed. I will not return.

[Bisbee Gal]

We've eaten at Gossips twice a week, every week, for the past 6+ months.

We love his intense flavors. The prices and portions are more than fair given the quality of the food, especially considering the cost of spices in this area. It's often busy when we go; obviously others appreciate his great food, too. We usually see other 'regulars' when we eat there. Never had less than a stellar meal at Gossips.

Food is very subjective and everyone has their own set of tastebuds. I'm posting because I hope that people who haven't been to Gossips will give it a try and decide for themselves, despite the negative reviews in this thread. The menu is very innovative and inspired. The chef's flavor points may not be for everyone, but we find Gossips to be at the top of the restaurants here, right now.

[lakeheron]

We've eaten at Gossips twice a week, every week, for the past 6+ months.

We love his intense flavors. The prices and portions are more than fair given the quality of the food, especially considering the cost of spices in this area. It's often busy when we go; obviously others appreciate his great food, too. We usually see other 'regulars' when we eat there. Never had less than a stellar meal at Gossips.

Food is very subjective and everyone has their own set of tastebuds. I'm posting because I hope that people who haven't been to Gossips will give it a try and decide for themselves, despite the negative reviews in this thread. The menu is very innovative and inspired. The chef's flavor points may not be for everyone, but we find Gossips to be at the top of the restaurants here, right now.

I want to agree that going to Gossips to judge for yourself is worth it. The food is exceptionally tasty and different from the typical fare here. My husband likes salt so that is no issue for him. I love the gumbo and chowder except for the saltiness that is too much for my taste. If it were just less salty I would go more often even though I don't like the highway noise and fumes and I think it is a bit overpriced.

[tigerlily]

We've eaten at Gossips twice a week, every week, for the past 6+ months.

We love his intense flavors. The prices and portions are more than fair given the quality of the food, especially considering the cost of spices in this area. It's often busy when we go; obviously others appreciate his great food, too. We usually see other 'regulars' when we eat there. Never had less than a stellar meal at Gossips.

Food is very subjective and everyone has their own set of tastebuds. I'm posting because I hope that people who haven't been to Gossips will give it a try and decide for themselves, despite the negative reviews in this thread. The menu is very innovative and inspired. The chef's flavor points may not be for everyone, but we find Gossips to be at the top of the restaurants here, right now.

What are your favorite dishes? That would probably help folks choose what to order next time. Thanks.

[lakeheron]

What are your favorite dishes? That would probably help folks choose what to order next time. Thanks.

The gumbo is really good, just salty. It's my favorite.

[Renman]

Three tiny crabcakes for 89p and a 50p desert. phooey. 14p for a little piece of corn bread.

I will never go back.

[Monitor]

Have dined at some of the best restaurants in New Orleans and eaten at some great eateries in the bayoo areas surrounding New orleans.. So I was looking forward to our meal a few weeks ago at Gossips. Yes, the salt was too heavy in the clam chowder but it was fresh and good tasting . But the cat fish was the real dissapointment, not only was it greasy and the breading too thick, salty and spicy, but it tasted as if the grease was old and the fish had an overpowering musky, muddy taste. I mentioned it to the owner and he kind of shrugged and said that's the way catfish is supposed to taste. I know catfish, and while it does taste a little more earthy than other fish this bordered on being old tasting. The fries also tasted of old oil and were way too spicy. Cajun food is spicy but the spices should enhance the flavor, not cover up the taste of the food. My cats refused the fish I did not eat and took home. (I did peel away the spicy breading before I gave it to them.) My stomache felt quesy for a few days afterward.

I will go back and try something else,since I do not like to judge a new place without giving them a second chance. My daughter's salad was excellent she reported.

Never been, but I would like to comment on the catfish flavor. I've eaten most of my catfish in Florida. But any fish that tastes as you describe (musky, muddy) or dusty is not fresh. That doesn't mean it's bad, just not fresh. And that's not good anywhere.

[MountainGal]

Never been, but I would like to comment on the catfish flavor. I've eaten most of my catfish in Florida. But any fish that tastes as you describe (musky, muddy) or dusty is not fresh. That doesn't mean it's bad, just not fresh. And that's not good anywhere.

That's one reason I don't like catfish. All that I've ever eaten tasted "musky". They are bottom feeders, after all. Maybe they were always old fish. It only took a few times before I decided I didn't like catfish (and I am a fish lover).

[bmh]

That's one reason I don't like catfish. All that I've ever eaten tasted "musky". They are bottom feeders, after all. Maybe they were always old fish. It only took a few times before I decided I didn't like catfish (and I am a fish lover).

I agree with you about the taste, nothing to do with freshness, I used to eat cat fish that we would catch and they have a muddy taste. I now only eat it in Vietnamese restaurants. They do away with that taste but after having it in France, Alabama, Florida and Louisiana, I decided it was not for me .

[More Liana]

If you shop at Wal-Mart in Ajijic, look in the frozen fish department for blanco de nilo. It's Vietnamese catfish, no muddy or musky taste, and it's absolutely delicious. Cheap, too. I dust it with flour and sauté it in a mix of olive oil and butter. Mmmm...

[ChrisB]

Bubba's catfish is usually fresh tasting

[Monitor]

It's a shame you did not send the food back and refused to pay for it. That would certainly get the owners attention

DaveP

It's really very difficult to send food back. I'm usually pretty hungry by the time it arrives. Then you don't know if your whole meal will be bad, or just parts thereof. It's even more difficult when there are two or more people, because everyone's taste varies and I might wonder if it's just me. By the time you've got everyone's consensus, you need to be bold enough to make a move that will probably destroy your evening. Many people are uncomfortable with confrontation of this nature.

I also note that none of the posters were disgusted by their meals, just turned off in general, so they really had no overbearing reason to do what you suggest.

[bmh]

If you shop at Wal-Mart in Ajijic, look in the frozen fish department for blanco de nilo. It's Vietnamese catfish, no muddy or musky taste, and it's absolutely delicious. Cheap, too. I dust it with flour and sauté it in a mix of olive oil and butter. Mmmm...

blanco del nilo is a type of tilapia not catfish and a big Chinese export. Blanco del nilo is a white fis without a strong flavor.