Mimi’s Cafe
Despite the odd coloring on the outside of the building, we were drawn to the lastest Short Pump magnets like the rest of the far west-enders. We visitied Mimi’s Café on a busy weekend night.
Mimi’s is a chain, and in regards to our Mimi’s, is so new that wrinkles were still in the process of being ironed out on the evening we visited. On the way out, I heard a manager lecturing another employee on how to handle a particular situation. Service for us was devastatingly slow.
One thing I found interesting at Mimi’s was the decor. They seated us in a back room with a curved brick ceiling. Eclectic French country might be one way to describe the decor, with well-padded, dark-patterned carpets, an exciting use of color, and the sense that you were visiting perhaps someone named “Mimi” in her forest cottage.
All this quaintness didn’t exactly translate to the menu. The presentation of 3 or 4 different menus when we sat down was both confusing and nonsensical. They had a special menu, a healthy menu, the regular menu, and there might have been more - yes - a menu with a “3 course menu special.” The prices were reasonable in today’s climate, but then again, you typically get what you pay for.
We both ordered salads that came with muffins. I am not sure eating a muffin (an awful, fat-free blueberry muffin at that) at night, with dinner, is normal. They serve you bread, but most of it was sweet. Then a big, giant muffin. Odd.
The salads were lackluster, but passing. They took forever to come out; while drinks and bread was timed fine. We also tried their fried zucchini appetizer which was served hot, but again, took a lot of time to come from the kitchen, and in my opinion, is a failed menu item. The thick zucchini slices were more like large dill pickles, and despite the crunchy coating falling off, the insides were still mushy - as a watery zucchini “spear” is likely to be. It came with two sauces, a creamy sauce and a tomato-based sauce.
Despite having a server who was trying hard and who was friendly, we decided Mimi’s wasn’t our type of place. They do serve breakfast, and we may return to try that (where muffins are more welcome). My ultimate hunch is that Mimi’s was designed to cater to retired women who like to lunch. It’s certainly a family-oriented place, but not the hidden-French cabin that serves gustatory delights we’d label gourmet.
4 Responses to “Mimi’s Cafe”
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Johnny
Said this on May 2nd, 2009 at 4:03pm:Mimi’s sucks so bad, don’t waist your time on this crappy Disney like chain.
mrr
Said this on May 4th, 2009 at 11:48am:I did get to try their breakfast… It’s really good… I hope to go back for the dinner. The pot roast was highly recommended by some California people I know… And when it comes to food I trust those people who are from big metro places like Los Angeles, San Francisco or New York…
Peggy
Said this on May 28th, 2009 at 9:00pm:Just got back from Mimi’s in Waldorf, Maryland. Worst meal ever. I had a large hunk of glass (from a plate) under my fries and fish, with bits throughout - didn’t notice the small pieces- thought my extra crispy fries were really extra crispy - little did I know. Called the manager on duty over and they were of course “sorry”. She couldn’t find the paper work to fill out. So I can come in tomorrow to fill it out. It ruined the dinner with my son and husband. The fish and glass chips was free - big whoop. I ate a piece of glass - no charge - thanks. Needless to say we will not return.
Christine
Said this on June 25th, 2009 at 8:45am:We’ve tried Mimi’s three times…once for dinner, twice for Sunday brunch. Dinner food was great, service was great. Brunch food was great, service was HORRIBLE. First time everything was slow, forgot muffins and juice until the end. Last time (just this past Sunday) we waited 45 minutes after ordering for our food, which was cold, forgot our juice (twice). Workers walking around with coffee pots and water pitchers for refilling never stopped anywhere…we finally had to flag someone down. We heard people at other tables complaining as well…maybe if we saw our water, we would have done the same. I ended up writing a lengthy email to them to complain, we’ll see what happens. But like I said, the food was really good so it’s a shame their service is so bad.