Well, I have waited very long to write this post as I was convinced by my Mum that this person's service is due to his character and that we should be more forgiving.
Forgiving or not, I think bad service is bad service. It's no excuse. Where am I talking about? I am talking about the Han's at Novena Square. I usually eat a late dinner there and this Filipino guy at the cashier is not one of the most polite person in the world. There is no discrimination intended here. I am just reporting as the situation unveils. Today, if it were a local who has given bad service, I would have wrote it down as it is.
The very first time that I felt that this guy's service was not good, was when my Mum ordered vegetarian bee hoon about a month or so ago. She is Chinese-educated and has a little difficulty speaking English, let alone decipher accents.
After she has ordered, this guy asked her, "Eat here or take away?" His voice was loud but because in his environment, it was necessary. I heard him speak the first time, but even I could not really make out what he was saying.
My mum said, "Huh?" and he repeated his question in that same monotonous tone and in his own accent. I do not blame anyone for having an accent but a person with the slightest idea of an average service standard would realise that the customer does not understand and he/she may need to slow down or change the way that he/or she was asking the customer.
He repeated his question a third time, without any "would you" or whatsoever and finally, my poor Mum got what he was trying to get at and told him that she was eating in. You know, it was rude, a little humiliating and unnecessary. Luckily my mum had a thick skin. If it were me, I would be so embarrassed that I would have flipped or given him a piece of my mind. Then again, I might be a little too thin-skinned. Haha!
The second incident came about a week ago. I had a late dinner with Mum again. This time, another lady (she seems like the maitre d'hotel as, unlike others, she was wearing black) took my order. But she went back to her station (as I read their body languages), which was the coffee station and allowed that guy to take over his station, which was the cashier.
He did not look up to acknowledge my presence or give me any sign to ask me to wait. He was too engrossed with some previous receipt at the cashier, even as I held out the money for him. The maitre d'hotel had to tell him the price of my dish (which was turkey ham set meal) before he keyed in and took my money without so much as a word of thank you.
The last straw came when my Mum could not finish her fried rice and I had gone to the counter to ask him to pack it up for me. I went to the counter, smiling and asked whether he could pack "this" (the plate of fried rice) up for me. He took the plate and told his staff "da bao, da bao". I went back to my seat.
Now I know Han's is a no frills, value-for-money place for Western cuisine. Most of the time, it is a self-service place. I had thought that packing the food up would take some time and had gone back to my seat to wait. Instead of calling me when the food was packed, I had to peer to see whether it was ready.
I saw this packet at the coffee station and not being sure, went to ask him whether that was my packet. I was still all-smiles and politeness, but what did the guy do? He was counting some receipts or other, did not life his head up and just used his hands to point in the direction of my packed food.
I do not know about you. If it was dry humour, I did not find it funny at all. If you tell me he was shy, then I would tell him not to work in this line. I was totally flabbergasted by his action and did not know what to say.
Yes, Han's is a no-frills (now) not-so-cheap place to eat, andthey have never known to have good service but curt questions and replies. But I think that basic service standards should be met.
I do not even need a smile. How about some eye contact? I do not even need you to say a "please" or "thank you". How about giving me the right tone of voice and body language? If it was not for the fact that they open till 12 midnight I would not have eaten there.
That said, there are other Han's that have better service and their food remains OK. Don't expect to eat like you were at Jack's Place, but to me, it is still comfort food whenever it is needed. Their Hor Fun is exceptionally nice too, but with service like that, it really discounts the whole eating experience and I would think twice about going there.
Sunday, 26 December 2010
Sunday, 19 December 2010
Food Opera @ ION@Orchard
Last Friday, I was at Ion@Orchard and was contemplating what to eat. For all that great shopping, there were not many choices for good, reasonable, sit-down food to eat. In the end, I chose to eat at Food Opera, the food court at Basement 4.
What a mistake that was. I already knew that it was going to be expensive and subconsciously, I already knew that the portions would not be generous, but I went ahead to eat there anyway. It was the only place one could find a decent sitting place.
What caught my eye too, was the new Vietnamese stall selling Pho and all that typical Vietnamese food fare. Should have listened to my little brains but no! I had to go and order the sliced beef Pho which cost me $6.50. The bowl was very big alright but the glass noodles were...pathetic. If they charged me $4.00, I would still have thought it a little expensive.
Anyway, what irked me was not so much the amount of food but the way that the man who was serving me, was talking to me. First, it was a lady who took my order. Then this man (another staff at the stall) came and asked me again what I wanted and repeated my order. He spoke in Mandarin.
The most appalling was when he finally presented my bowl of Pho onto my tray. He said, "Be careful, huh...hot-hot, hor."
HOT-HOT!!!!
Do I look like I am a stupid 3 year-old toddler that needs to be spoken to in baby-speak????????? I don't even speak to my kids like that!!!!!
I was absolutely disgusted. Yucks! Pui! Sorry, but I have really never had anyone spoken to me in this way before and I made my displeasure known by making an awful expression. In fact, I wanted to puke there and then.
Reminder to self: Do not eat at any Food Opera or Food Republic or any such places owned by Toast Box group. Too expensive for too little. Plus, not so good service (in my opinion, at least).
What a mistake that was. I already knew that it was going to be expensive and subconsciously, I already knew that the portions would not be generous, but I went ahead to eat there anyway. It was the only place one could find a decent sitting place.
What caught my eye too, was the new Vietnamese stall selling Pho and all that typical Vietnamese food fare. Should have listened to my little brains but no! I had to go and order the sliced beef Pho which cost me $6.50. The bowl was very big alright but the glass noodles were...pathetic. If they charged me $4.00, I would still have thought it a little expensive.
Anyway, what irked me was not so much the amount of food but the way that the man who was serving me, was talking to me. First, it was a lady who took my order. Then this man (another staff at the stall) came and asked me again what I wanted and repeated my order. He spoke in Mandarin.
The most appalling was when he finally presented my bowl of Pho onto my tray. He said, "Be careful, huh...hot-hot, hor."
HOT-HOT!!!!
Do I look like I am a stupid 3 year-old toddler that needs to be spoken to in baby-speak????????? I don't even speak to my kids like that!!!!!
I was absolutely disgusted. Yucks! Pui! Sorry, but I have really never had anyone spoken to me in this way before and I made my displeasure known by making an awful expression. In fact, I wanted to puke there and then.
Reminder to self: Do not eat at any Food Opera or Food Republic or any such places owned by Toast Box group. Too expensive for too little. Plus, not so good service (in my opinion, at least).
Nando's @ Bugis
This is the second time that I am eating at Nando's and I am also really happy to say that they are going to open their third outlet at Plaza Singapura, which would be even more convenient for me!
The very first time I ate at Nando's was 1st September 2010. Yes, it was Teacher's Day and my Dad and I, two teachers, have gone out to celebrate. It was lunch then. Service was not so good but I would say, average.
Last night, we were there again, me and two other girlfriends. I sat exactly where I sat the last time I visited, which was diagonally across from the wash basin, near the kitchen entrance. Well, I guess it is not as bad as sitting right next to the restaurant entrance. That to me, is a big no-no. Human traffic would be too heavy.
This time around, the table was much cleaner but the cutlery was sticky. Had to use my wet wipes to clean it again. Not a very nice feeling. The other boo-boo was that I found this sliced carrot with a green 'core' in my grilled vegetable sides. To me, that is also a no-no to serve veggies that are not fresh and/or spoilt.
Of course, I was not too happy yet again with the fact that they charged for water (even though it was bottled water). The whole stretch, as explained in my posting on Lena, had adopted the pay-for-your-water policy. In the end, I ordered a Redbush Refresher, which was some kind of lemongrass tea with mint leaves. You would wonder why I went to order something more expensive but somehow, my logic is that, since I am already paying for something, I might as well order something other than just plain old sky juice.
Good company, good food and slightly above average service this time around, we were all satisfied to the brim.
The very first time I ate at Nando's was 1st September 2010. Yes, it was Teacher's Day and my Dad and I, two teachers, have gone out to celebrate. It was lunch then. Service was not so good but I would say, average.
Last night, we were there again, me and two other girlfriends. I sat exactly where I sat the last time I visited, which was diagonally across from the wash basin, near the kitchen entrance. Well, I guess it is not as bad as sitting right next to the restaurant entrance. That to me, is a big no-no. Human traffic would be too heavy.
This time around, the table was much cleaner but the cutlery was sticky. Had to use my wet wipes to clean it again. Not a very nice feeling. The other boo-boo was that I found this sliced carrot with a green 'core' in my grilled vegetable sides. To me, that is also a no-no to serve veggies that are not fresh and/or spoilt.
Of course, I was not too happy yet again with the fact that they charged for water (even though it was bottled water). The whole stretch, as explained in my posting on Lena, had adopted the pay-for-your-water policy. In the end, I ordered a Redbush Refresher, which was some kind of lemongrass tea with mint leaves. You would wonder why I went to order something more expensive but somehow, my logic is that, since I am already paying for something, I might as well order something other than just plain old sky juice.
Good company, good food and slightly above average service this time around, we were all satisfied to the brim.
Kichi Kichi Express Rotary Hot Pot
My girlfriends and I finally went to eat at this much spoken about hot pot place, which again, I feel, is a novelty stint. It married the idea of hot pot and kaiten sushi whereby you pick whatever you want to eat off a conveyor belt.
Our conclusion is that though it is touted to have over 60 ingredients, a large part of it is not included in the "eat-all-you-can" category. They are so called premium ingredients and are payable. Overall, the whole experience is not too bad though, as it was a clean environment with efficient stuff who were constantly clearing our plates.
I will not be in too much of a hurry to go back there so soon, but it is definitely ad option that I will keep in mind for future dining experiences.
I will not be in too much of a hurry to go back there so soon, but it is definitely ad option that I will keep in mind for future dining experiences.
Sunday, 26 September 2010
Winter Time at 313@Somerset
Well, I thought that I would only be writing about services in the food industry, but I have decided to put in this entry as I found their service too atrocious.
Last Monday, I went to Uniqlo to enquire about their Heattech inner wear as I was preparing for my trip to the Netherlands. The sales person was very nice and told me that the earliest that winter collection is going to come would be the end of September. Most guaranteed month would be October, by which time I would have already flown over to Europe.
Having done my little research, I thanked her and went one floor up to Winter Time, where they sold all things that were winter-related. I have bought quite a lot of thermal wear from their Vivo City branch before.
At first, the service seemed alright but when I said I would take the short sleeved modal thermal top, the sales person, a woman of plus size, took an XXL for me. I was quite appalled and it was obviously too big for me. I can quite remember that I was only an "M" and I told her that I was either an "M" or an "L". No bigger.
The sales person somehow did not seem to hear me or heed my advice. She took out an "XL". When I asked if I could try it. She curtly said," Cannot". I actually knew the answer as I know these are inner wear and should not be tried on. I was just trying my luck and she did not need to answer me so rudely. She actually would rather take it out all the sizes rather than give me what I wanted. After "XL", she took out? You guessed it: "L".
By this time, I was quite frustrated and a little angry. I felt that this girl did not know her job. An experienced sales person would have been able to tell one's size at first glance. It was discrimination, but I held myself back and did not say anything.
At the cashier counter where I was going to pay, the two sales girls (probably not the most political correct words to use but they were females) were talking amongst themselves, most probably discussing about the size that I took.
I did not feel that taking the "L" was quite right and so I asked the cashier (the other girl) whether I could come back and change if I found that the size was not right and if I had not worn it before. The sales girl replied, "Within 3 days lor. Cannot wear. If not we will not exchange."
I then told her I know the no-wearing policy and that I was not quite sure whether mine were "M s" or "L s". I also told the cashier that thermal wear should be fitting since it is the first or second layer that one is wearing (first layer being the bra).
What made me boil was what the cashier said next: " M-size can meh?"
If I had high blood pressure, I probably would need to be sent to the hospital already, but I just glared at her and left. By the way, she packed my clothes in a haphazard manner and I knew this was going to cause trouble and it did.
This was not the end of it. I went home and immediately took out all my thermal wears from them and sure enough, it was M-size!!!! As I did not have the time to go down within 3 days to change, I asked Mum to do it for me. She was smart enough to bring the old ones to proof that I was wearing "M".
The minute the sales girl took out my purchase, she stated that I had worn it before!!!!!!! So ridiculous! I did not even open the package and when I did take it out the night before, I had already seen that one of the clips holding the t-shirt in place has already come off!
This was still not the worst! What she proceeded to do next was, and it was discrimination to the core. She proceeded to slowly take out a new piece of L-size thermal wear, spread it out and measure the one that I brought home the night before, just to make sure that the clothes were not stretch and as if to so-called proof that I did not wear it before and spoil their clothes!!!!!!
I have waited this long to pen this as I wanted myself to cool down, but I find that even as I type, I am very angry. Angry because: a)they probably discriminated me because of my plump nature or b) they thought I was from China (no offence) or c) all the above.
When my Mum told me what happened, I had a good mind to write in the CASE, but thinking about the action (or lack thereof) and the trouble I had to go through, I did not.
I just find this types of service disgusting and I will never go back to that shop again. I actually paid money to buy something and got more than I bargained for and this excess is called discrimination and very bad customer service.
Last Monday, I went to Uniqlo to enquire about their Heattech inner wear as I was preparing for my trip to the Netherlands. The sales person was very nice and told me that the earliest that winter collection is going to come would be the end of September. Most guaranteed month would be October, by which time I would have already flown over to Europe.
Having done my little research, I thanked her and went one floor up to Winter Time, where they sold all things that were winter-related. I have bought quite a lot of thermal wear from their Vivo City branch before.
At first, the service seemed alright but when I said I would take the short sleeved modal thermal top, the sales person, a woman of plus size, took an XXL for me. I was quite appalled and it was obviously too big for me. I can quite remember that I was only an "M" and I told her that I was either an "M" or an "L". No bigger.
The sales person somehow did not seem to hear me or heed my advice. She took out an "XL". When I asked if I could try it. She curtly said," Cannot". I actually knew the answer as I know these are inner wear and should not be tried on. I was just trying my luck and she did not need to answer me so rudely. She actually would rather take it out all the sizes rather than give me what I wanted. After "XL", she took out? You guessed it: "L".
By this time, I was quite frustrated and a little angry. I felt that this girl did not know her job. An experienced sales person would have been able to tell one's size at first glance. It was discrimination, but I held myself back and did not say anything.
At the cashier counter where I was going to pay, the two sales girls (probably not the most political correct words to use but they were females) were talking amongst themselves, most probably discussing about the size that I took.
I did not feel that taking the "L" was quite right and so I asked the cashier (the other girl) whether I could come back and change if I found that the size was not right and if I had not worn it before. The sales girl replied, "Within 3 days lor. Cannot wear. If not we will not exchange."
I then told her I know the no-wearing policy and that I was not quite sure whether mine were "M s" or "L s". I also told the cashier that thermal wear should be fitting since it is the first or second layer that one is wearing (first layer being the bra).
What made me boil was what the cashier said next: " M-size can meh?"
If I had high blood pressure, I probably would need to be sent to the hospital already, but I just glared at her and left. By the way, she packed my clothes in a haphazard manner and I knew this was going to cause trouble and it did.
This was not the end of it. I went home and immediately took out all my thermal wears from them and sure enough, it was M-size!!!! As I did not have the time to go down within 3 days to change, I asked Mum to do it for me. She was smart enough to bring the old ones to proof that I was wearing "M".
The minute the sales girl took out my purchase, she stated that I had worn it before!!!!!!! So ridiculous! I did not even open the package and when I did take it out the night before, I had already seen that one of the clips holding the t-shirt in place has already come off!
This was still not the worst! What she proceeded to do next was, and it was discrimination to the core. She proceeded to slowly take out a new piece of L-size thermal wear, spread it out and measure the one that I brought home the night before, just to make sure that the clothes were not stretch and as if to so-called proof that I did not wear it before and spoil their clothes!!!!!!
I have waited this long to pen this as I wanted myself to cool down, but I find that even as I type, I am very angry. Angry because: a)they probably discriminated me because of my plump nature or b) they thought I was from China (no offence) or c) all the above.
When my Mum told me what happened, I had a good mind to write in the CASE, but thinking about the action (or lack thereof) and the trouble I had to go through, I did not.
I just find this types of service disgusting and I will never go back to that shop again. I actually paid money to buy something and got more than I bargained for and this excess is called discrimination and very bad customer service.
Tuesday, 10 August 2010
Spizza @ Club Street
Service was immaculate. Every waiter there (no joke, all guys) was smiling when we walked in and they gave us a old friend feel to it by telling us in a smiley manner that their pizza were $0.45 this 9th of August, in celebration of National Day.
Actually, it's the second pizza that will cost $0.45 but upon hearing this, it still made us girls very happy as we were really hungry. I would rate this an overall very good dining experience!
Here was what we ate:
Actually, it's the second pizza that will cost $0.45 but upon hearing this, it still made us girls very happy as we were really hungry. I would rate this an overall very good dining experience!
Here was what we ate:
 |
| Calamari |
 |
| Seafood salad |
 |
| This one's called Olivia |
 |
| This one's called Juliana |
 |
| Beef lasagna |
Saturday, 31 July 2010
No Kichi Kichi
Hmm...turns out that we were not able to get a seat at Kichi Kichi @ Ngee Ann City, or better known as Takashimaya. It was fully booked! What did we expect? It was after all, a Friday night! We forgot to make a reservation and we ended up at Seoul Garden instead.
It brought back memories albeit different ones. One of my Primary school friends (Karen) said it brought back memories of her polytechnic days while I remembered not liking it much when I was younger but had a memorable time at another branch last year with my new colleagues during our annual staff gathering.
We were so hungry that we dug in even before the soup arrived. Ooops! Is this turning out to be a food critique post? Well, let me just add that the cashier, by the name of Simon, was very efficient and professional too.
In a place like Seoul Garden Table BBQ, one would expect the service to be quite standard and should be nothing out of the ordinary. But I must add that they were good with making everything quite seamless and they almost felt invisible as they moved about clearing plates and adding soups. Must be their black polo shirts that did the trick.
Anyway, it was almost 8.30pm when we sat down to eat and we were so hungry that I did not take any pics. Sorry, next time!
It brought back memories albeit different ones. One of my Primary school friends (Karen) said it brought back memories of her polytechnic days while I remembered not liking it much when I was younger but had a memorable time at another branch last year with my new colleagues during our annual staff gathering.
We were so hungry that we dug in even before the soup arrived. Ooops! Is this turning out to be a food critique post? Well, let me just add that the cashier, by the name of Simon, was very efficient and professional too.
In a place like Seoul Garden Table BBQ, one would expect the service to be quite standard and should be nothing out of the ordinary. But I must add that they were good with making everything quite seamless and they almost felt invisible as they moved about clearing plates and adding soups. Must be their black polo shirts that did the trick.
Anyway, it was almost 8.30pm when we sat down to eat and we were so hungry that I did not take any pics. Sorry, next time!
Thursday, 29 July 2010
Next change...
Next restaurant: Kichi Kichi @ Takashimaya
Will be going there tomorrow to meet up with my Primary school friends. Will update on their service level and critique on their food then!
Will be going there tomorrow to meet up with my Primary school friends. Will update on their service level and critique on their food then!
Salad Stop! Part 2 & 3
Tuesday night, after I cut my hair at Creme Hairdressing at Square 2, I decided to give Salad Stop! a try. Service is still just as not-nice as I ordered the food from the slimmer Filipina lady, the plumper one went to roll down the shutters. Oops! I almost did not get to order my food.
The thing is, I did not order the create your own salad salad. I ordered Omega-3 Baby, which was one of their "signature salads" (i.e. if they have prescribed ingredients already. Don't need to crack your brains).
Turns out that they were running out of a lot of ingredients, but they had it in their fridge though so the lady had to go in and out of their private kitchen. I also asked whether they still had soup or not (although I know that they had probably run out by then) and the answer was "no". I was fine with that.
I became not so fine when the plumper girl started talking to my SaladStopper (that is what they call their staff who makes the salad)in Tagalog. Although I did not understand what they said, but from the tone that she said it, it seemed like she was either mocking me for trying to order soup or that she must be telling her colleague how troublesome I was to order something that made them run in and out of the private kitchen.
Or maybe, I was just being my over sensitive self as I usually try to make a point of speaking a common language whenever a foreigner was around. Either way, I found it impolite to be doing this in front of me. They took quite awhile and I had wanted to apologise to the lady next in line. Then I thought, "Why should I? If anything, the SaladStopper should be the one, for she was half chatting away and she was not very sure what to put into the salad. Half the time, she is referring to the menu!"
Finally, she did apologise, but seemingly to the lady next in line and not to me (which I felt would be a right gesture. Aww! What the heck!) Even when she was saying sorry, she looked half-hearted.
Tonight, as I needed to see my Chinese doctor at an hour that is usually reserved for dinner, I had asked my mum to buy take-away from there for me. Novena Square is on the way to Pek Kio where my Chinese doc is and so mum went to get it for me. This time, through their website, I had asked mum to buy for me "Hail Ceasar". It is actually Ceasar salad, duh!
On seeing the packaging, it felt like a lot less than what I would get if I were to eat at the shop. Deep down inside I knew it was an optical illusion as the bowls that they have are quite deep and gives one the impression that one is digging into a bottomless pit. While the plastic bowl packaging was much rounder. It would actually amount to the same thing.
Nevertheless, I still gave mum the feedback (the one I just mentioned) and she reasoned the way that I was thinking in my mind (which is the optical illusion that I explained).
Regardless of the issue of portion size, the salad amazingly made me feel full! I am just a little upset that if I were to want to eat salad from that outlet in future, that I would have to brace myself for mediocre service.
By the way, those of you who are familiar with Novena Square, Salad Stop! is just diagonally opposite MPH, erm...next to the passage way to the rest rooms... .
Tuesday, 27 July 2010
Salad Stop!
Went to eat at Salad Stop at Novena Square last Sunday. I did not actually eat anything as I had a super late breakfast and was still feeling real full.
I mean salads are nothing new but then this place offers a great variety of greens, beans and meats to go with the salad. You get to choose your own stuff that goes into your salad or wrap and they will then mix it all up for you.
There is nothing special about the service. You order at the counter and then bring your own food to your table. I believe that is counter service, if I am not wrong. Except this Filipina wait staff who was very black in face and even though I tried to make eye contact with her, she was cleverly trying to avoid it. Not very nice.
According to my Dad, she did not even offer to explain how the whole system works and he ended ordering certain items that he did not really want. However, he was afraid of holding up the queue and therefore chose what came into sight and mind first. Oh well, I will eat there soon but perhaps not so often as the prices are a little on the pricey side for just greens.
Will let you know once I have tasted it.
Saturday, 24 July 2010
Lena
Let me start from the latest food adventure and if I have the time, to work my way backwards.
My girlfriends and I met up yesterday and decided to go for Italian food. We have been 'cooking' so much in Cafe World that we have funny cravings. Or at least I do. We checked out this new place called Lena at Bugis Junction. It was under the Ministry of Food (MOF) chain and had taken over what used to be Aji Tei. Aji Tei is under the Ajisen group of restaurants. This is all very Japanese, I know. It somehow just is.
I had quite high expectations of it for it looked promisingly crowded the last time I passed by that place. I was rather hungry when I arrived and my friend and I, while waiting for the final one third of the threesome, had gone on ahead to order calamari fritters and the portion was a little pathetic for $7.
Next, came our mains. I ordered a spicy Aglio Olio (they have spelt is as Agilo Olio on their menu) with bacon and mushrooms. It was an olive oil based pasta. The plate/bowl was very big (especially the rims) but the portion, not quite enough to satisfy the appetite. I don't think I was the only one who felt this way. I think my friend who ordered the chicken pesto also felt a little short changed. Well, I suppose their disclaimers about the photos in the menu being an example and may not represent the real thing is true then.
Back to my aglio olio: when it came, the proportion of the flatware and the pasta already sent funny signals to my brains telling my stomach that I will not be too satisfied after finishing the pasta.
Next, even before I stirred the pasta, I saw lots of water/soup. This should not have been. It showed that the pasta was not drained properly before being fried and/or mixed with the bacon and mushrooms. Either that, they had cooked the mushrooms for too long and it had produced water, as mushrooms tend to do. Either way, it made the already-not-crispy bacon more soggy. Well, I suppose I am picky about my bacon too, but I shall leave that part of the argument for another day.
Halfway through my pasta, I could see my friend still feeling peckish and I asked if we would like to order a pizza to share. We all agreed, ordered and waited, and waited, and waited. It felt like an eternity and I felt a little way too long, even for pizza. The least staff could do was to check in on us from time to time and not leave us on the lurch like that. We had to ask them to check our order for us before the pizza made its appearance. They were more interested in trying to sell us the membership card rather than care about our dining experience, I feel.
By then, I was full from waiting and the pizza did not go down that well as when compared to say, if I were still half hungry. The pizza we ordered was smoked salmon and it was actually not bad.
Water costs $0.50 and even though we asked for warm water, it was tepid. They were also not attentive enough to refill our water. My other friend had to call them on two occasions to come and fill up our cups. Service standards fail!
Even as one of the waitresses tried to sell us the membership card again as we were paying, she sounded mechanic and was trying to regurgitate everything that she had memorised. Either that or she had repeated herself too many times. We did not get the membership card, which was $10.
I do not think I will be going back there any time soon. Maybe for the pizzas but I think I will be able to find other choices and perhaps a better service experience?
p/s: check out the reviews of Lenas at the hungry go where website. Really goes to show that I am not that picky after all :)
My girlfriends and I met up yesterday and decided to go for Italian food. We have been 'cooking' so much in Cafe World that we have funny cravings. Or at least I do. We checked out this new place called Lena at Bugis Junction. It was under the Ministry of Food (MOF) chain and had taken over what used to be Aji Tei. Aji Tei is under the Ajisen group of restaurants. This is all very Japanese, I know. It somehow just is.
I had quite high expectations of it for it looked promisingly crowded the last time I passed by that place. I was rather hungry when I arrived and my friend and I, while waiting for the final one third of the threesome, had gone on ahead to order calamari fritters and the portion was a little pathetic for $7.
Next, came our mains. I ordered a spicy Aglio Olio (they have spelt is as Agilo Olio on their menu) with bacon and mushrooms. It was an olive oil based pasta. The plate/bowl was very big (especially the rims) but the portion, not quite enough to satisfy the appetite. I don't think I was the only one who felt this way. I think my friend who ordered the chicken pesto also felt a little short changed. Well, I suppose their disclaimers about the photos in the menu being an example and may not represent the real thing is true then.
Back to my aglio olio: when it came, the proportion of the flatware and the pasta already sent funny signals to my brains telling my stomach that I will not be too satisfied after finishing the pasta.
Next, even before I stirred the pasta, I saw lots of water/soup. This should not have been. It showed that the pasta was not drained properly before being fried and/or mixed with the bacon and mushrooms. Either that, they had cooked the mushrooms for too long and it had produced water, as mushrooms tend to do. Either way, it made the already-not-crispy bacon more soggy. Well, I suppose I am picky about my bacon too, but I shall leave that part of the argument for another day.
Halfway through my pasta, I could see my friend still feeling peckish and I asked if we would like to order a pizza to share. We all agreed, ordered and waited, and waited, and waited. It felt like an eternity and I felt a little way too long, even for pizza. The least staff could do was to check in on us from time to time and not leave us on the lurch like that. We had to ask them to check our order for us before the pizza made its appearance. They were more interested in trying to sell us the membership card rather than care about our dining experience, I feel.
By then, I was full from waiting and the pizza did not go down that well as when compared to say, if I were still half hungry. The pizza we ordered was smoked salmon and it was actually not bad.
Water costs $0.50 and even though we asked for warm water, it was tepid. They were also not attentive enough to refill our water. My other friend had to call them on two occasions to come and fill up our cups. Service standards fail!
Even as one of the waitresses tried to sell us the membership card again as we were paying, she sounded mechanic and was trying to regurgitate everything that she had memorised. Either that or she had repeated herself too many times. We did not get the membership card, which was $10.
I do not think I will be going back there any time soon. Maybe for the pizzas but I think I will be able to find other choices and perhaps a better service experience?
p/s: check out the reviews of Lenas at the hungry go where website. Really goes to show that I am not that picky after all :)
The essence of this blog
Service! It is an English word, and yet, it is also a French word. It can mean "waiter" in French and if you say it as "a votre service" in French, it means "don't mention it" or "not at all".
How polite. Yet, here in the Little Red Dot of an island called Singapore, I personally find that service is far from dandy. It really mars the whole experience of whatever we are doing; in my case, eating.
This blog was started because of two girlfriends, who are probably very fed up (by now) with my grumbles and scrunched up face every time we go out and eat. My apologies, ladies. I shall try to be more accommodating next time.
Being an ex-wait person who worked overseas and in some hotels here, I just feel that more could be done. The government themselves are trying to up the service levels of service personnels as we speak!
I would not say that I would be a 100% good if I were to do the job now (as I am a little rusty) but as long as I am a customer sitting in a restaurant/cafe/eatery, I have the right to demand for basic, if not good service.
Let this adventure begin and let's see what joys, tears, laughter it will bring. Food is very much enjoyed when friends gather around to eat. Let us just see, if the wait staff can make our memories all the more sweet.
How polite. Yet, here in the Little Red Dot of an island called Singapore, I personally find that service is far from dandy. It really mars the whole experience of whatever we are doing; in my case, eating.
This blog was started because of two girlfriends, who are probably very fed up (by now) with my grumbles and scrunched up face every time we go out and eat. My apologies, ladies. I shall try to be more accommodating next time.
Being an ex-wait person who worked overseas and in some hotels here, I just feel that more could be done. The government themselves are trying to up the service levels of service personnels as we speak!
I would not say that I would be a 100% good if I were to do the job now (as I am a little rusty) but as long as I am a customer sitting in a restaurant/cafe/eatery, I have the right to demand for basic, if not good service.
Let this adventure begin and let's see what joys, tears, laughter it will bring. Food is very much enjoyed when friends gather around to eat. Let us just see, if the wait staff can make our memories all the more sweet.
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