We had one evening to spend in Manhattan Beach on a trip from Australia to Europe. We chose to have dinner at Beaches. Fatal mistake: we should have read the reviews. We had Margaritas in the drink section. The waiter didn?t bother to change the stained paper table cloth nor to take our drinks to our table in the dining section. Great view but that is all. After quite a while the the waitress appeared. We ordered a dozen oysters, which proved to be a dangerous move. So close to the ocean you would expect the oysters to be fresh. Well, the waitress brought half a dozen only, either because of a short memory span - she had just started she told us - or maybe because that would make it two half dozens, which of course would be more expensive. Anyway, that didn?t make any difference because we sent the oysters back, due to their advanced state of decomposition. Didn?t the cook smell them? Well, it is true that I did swallow one, never having been served decayed oysters before.The manager didn?t even bother to come and apologize. The waitress said there was no problem and they wouldn?t charge us! Then we asked about the free meal for our six-year old daughter since Beaches advertise free meals for children who take their parents out for dinner between 5PM and 7 PM. The waitress said she would have to check the time the order was taken and ask the manager. The only time we saw her again is when I called her for a glass of wine in the hope that the Chardonnay would take care of that oyster?s curse. She even forgot that order until I reminded her. The entrees (blackened prawns and blackened mahi-mahi) was mediocre. To be fair, Beaches didn?t charge us for the decayed oysters nor for the child?s dinner. We are flying to Europe tomorrow. I am sure you can guess what my prayers are regarding the oyster I swallowed?
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