Well known Phnom Penh DJ and restaurant tycoon DJ "Diamond Jim" Brady was recently spotted ambling up to the bar at Cali 2 ordering a marguerita. Drink arrived, and if previous experience serves, it likely arrived in a large snifter or beer mug containing among other things, a long free-pour of tequila for the god-fearing price of $2.50. Patron takes a sip and does a spit take: "col blimey, there's salt in me drink guv!" Apparently during the mix a bit of the salt from the rim washed to the bottom awaiting the first little sip. Funny, I thought they're supposed to taste a little salty anyway. Patron rejects the drink and orders another, to which Cali staff politely and carefully comply. Fast forward a couple weeks...
Same patron returns to Cali and this time orders a "double mekong coke". Drink arrives, patron takes a sip, and: "bloody 'ell, I cant drink this shite!" Slides the glass across the bar and asks for a replacement stating it's not what he ordered. Apparently what he meant to order was Khmer mekong and not the Thai variety his drink was mixed with. Never mind that he didn't mention that when the order was placed. Now we're not talking about Johnny Blue or Hennessy XO, but 50 cent mekong whiskey, the stuff even countryside Khmer's won't drink. Ubercon's pedestrian tastebuds can barely discern the two when mixed with coke, but apparently the more refined palate can. Cali staff have since been instructed to refuse any drink order by DJ Chauncey Uppercut unless it involves a can.
His own establishment serves margueritas as well, also with salt, but in the same tiny glass as the $1 Sharky variety, and for the not so God fearing price of $3. Beer used to be a fairly good deal until the owner raised the prices because "customers were complaining that the beer was too cheap". First time I heard that one.
In all fairness the burgers are kickass and IMO deserve their notorious reputation as the biggest and among the best around. Just be careful not to make the same request as one expat did recently. Asking if the fries with his double burger could benefit with a little dollop of chili, he was informed that he could have either:
His own establishment serves margueritas as well, also with salt, but in the same tiny glass as the $1 Sharky variety, and for the not so God fearing price of $3. Beer used to be a fairly good deal until the owner raised the prices because "customers were complaining that the beer was too cheap". First time I heard that one.
In all fairness the burgers are kickass and IMO deserve their notorious reputation as the biggest and among the best around. Just be careful not to make the same request as one expat did recently. Asking if the fries with his double burger could benefit with a little dollop of chili, he was informed that he could have either:
- single burger with chili fries
- double burger with regular fries
- but under no circumstances, have both
After being informed of the joint's draconian chili-fries policy, the complete stranger and fellow diner seated next to him kindly offered him her chili.
Update. A hundred apologies but what actually happened was this. The expat ordered the single burger with chili fries option. But by mistake he was served its close cousin, the double burger with regular fries. Then, after asking if he could have a bit of chili anyway (presuming that's why he ordered what he did) was basically told no, but not to worry because he got the better deal anyway. After which stranger offered her chili and so on and so forth.
It's a good place to eat, just with a few half baked Khmer-style rules such as the customer is always right as long as he agrees with the maitre d'. It's also not a good idea to try to order a burger medium rare as this will likely be met with unbridled disgust. And some days you might do well to bring your own ice and serve it yourself. Other than that, top marks.
Update. A hundred apologies but what actually happened was this. The expat ordered the single burger with chili fries option. But by mistake he was served its close cousin, the double burger with regular fries. Then, after asking if he could have a bit of chili anyway (presuming that's why he ordered what he did) was basically told no, but not to worry because he got the better deal anyway. After which stranger offered her chili and so on and so forth.
It's a good place to eat, just with a few half baked Khmer-style rules such as the customer is always right as long as he agrees with the maitre d'. It's also not a good idea to try to order a burger medium rare as this will likely be met with unbridled disgust. And some days you might do well to bring your own ice and serve it yourself. Other than that, top marks.
1 comment:
Hey never thought I'd be getting famous for my drunken behaviour in Cali 2, but very funny!
Thought I'd quickly try to clear up a couple of things though.
First in the margarita incident I did let a couple of people taste it and they agreed. Whilst it was being replaced a guy at the bar told me he had just had a drink made with salt added and maybe they'd made the same for me. I think an honest mistake, the second was fine. With the Mekong maybe it was pedantic but I can't stand the Thai stuff.
As for my establishment we do sell Margaritas in glasses the same size as Sharky - when we sell them on a Monday for $1 (Sharky is $1.50 now). Regular margaritas are $3.00 and $2.00 on happy hour.
The burger incident sounds like my mistake, it was quite a while ago and I can't quite remember it, but if it was a miss order the customer should have been able to get the extra chilli; sorry to whoever that was. As for rare burgers we cook them from frozen so rare would be cold.
Ok, cheers for an amusing post, and hope that clears a few things up. Mark.
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