Thursday 12th June 2008
Last night I went out to dinner with two other people to a Thai Restaurant in Broadbeach. It was a disappointing experience in terms of service (the food was fine). When W/we arrived, and despite the place being quiet, the waitress, without asking whether W/we had a preference for being indoors or out, immediately led U/us outdoors. I had to call out to her as she rushed off in front of U/us to ask for an indoor table - she did not look happy. W/we were then directed to a small table for two which had been set up for three people (and in My opinion was only suitable for ONE person), despite other larger tables around U/us which were clearly available. I decided not to say anything but that was already two areas they had failed in.
Entrees arrived and were delicious. I ordered a "Bug" dish for My main meal and for those of you who have eaten Moreton Bay Bugs, you will know what large shells they have which must be discarded once the flesh has been removed. Two of U/us were eating the same dish so double the number of shells. Main course arrived and looked and smelt divine however, before the plates could be put on table, some juggling of glasses and extra plates which obviously would not fit, had to be removed and given to the waitress first. With O/our main meals in front of U/us, there were two additional rice bowls to fit on the table as well - what fun. Began My meal and got to My first bug, removed the flesh and realised I had nowhere to put the shell. I certainly wasn't going to leave it in My plate as My dish was already full to the brim and removing empty shells would make it easier to eat My meal! W/we began piling up the shells on a tiny plate literally under O/our elbows and they were almost knocked down onto the floor on numerous occasions due to the cramped space at O/our table. That was the third area they failed in - not providing a bucket to discard the shells into as they were finished with.
Managed to finish the meal without incident, plates were cleared and no offer of a bowl with lemon water to rinse our fingers which was obvious as W/we had ordered a seafood dish which required handling with fingers. Failure number four. By this stage I was even less impressed and by that point, I decided that I would NEVER return to that restaurant despite the quality of the meals. When I eat out, I expect good service from whoa to go, not just in terms of the food.
Restaurants which neglect to look after their patrons with the little things, have lost touch with true customer care. As a diner, I certainly expect EVERY restaurant to have top notch service as well as top notch food! you cannot have one without the other and remain successful. Admittedly, it could have just been a bad waitress W/we ended up with but I still blame management - someone should be overseeing the service to ensure EVERY table is getting top service from ALL of their staff!!!
My pet peeve is bad service at any restaurant but even worse when a restaurant which has placed a lot of effort in ambience and food presentation and then forgets to provide the little things which sets them apart from their competition and which their patrons truly appreciate.
Entrees arrived and were delicious. I ordered a "Bug" dish for My main meal and for those of you who have eaten Moreton Bay Bugs, you will know what large shells they have which must be discarded once the flesh has been removed. Two of U/us were eating the same dish so double the number of shells. Main course arrived and looked and smelt divine however, before the plates could be put on table, some juggling of glasses and extra plates which obviously would not fit, had to be removed and given to the waitress first. With O/our main meals in front of U/us, there were two additional rice bowls to fit on the table as well - what fun. Began My meal and got to My first bug, removed the flesh and realised I had nowhere to put the shell. I certainly wasn't going to leave it in My plate as My dish was already full to the brim and removing empty shells would make it easier to eat My meal! W/we began piling up the shells on a tiny plate literally under O/our elbows and they were almost knocked down onto the floor on numerous occasions due to the cramped space at O/our table. That was the third area they failed in - not providing a bucket to discard the shells into as they were finished with.
Managed to finish the meal without incident, plates were cleared and no offer of a bowl with lemon water to rinse our fingers which was obvious as W/we had ordered a seafood dish which required handling with fingers. Failure number four. By this stage I was even less impressed and by that point, I decided that I would NEVER return to that restaurant despite the quality of the meals. When I eat out, I expect good service from whoa to go, not just in terms of the food.
Restaurants which neglect to look after their patrons with the little things, have lost touch with true customer care. As a diner, I certainly expect EVERY restaurant to have top notch service as well as top notch food! you cannot have one without the other and remain successful. Admittedly, it could have just been a bad waitress W/we ended up with but I still blame management - someone should be overseeing the service to ensure EVERY table is getting top service from ALL of their staff!!!
My pet peeve is bad service at any restaurant but even worse when a restaurant which has placed a lot of effort in ambience and food presentation and then forgets to provide the little things which sets them apart from their competition and which their patrons truly appreciate.
Posted by Mistress Adira at Thursday, June 12, 2008 11:28 PM 
Categories: Pet Peeves, Personal Journal, Dining Out
Categories: Pet Peeves, Personal Journal, Dining Out
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