If you do not want to be disappointed and humiliated, avoid this restaurant!!
如果您不想失望和屈辱，請避開這家餐廳
My Friday night was completely ruined by this restaurant! I feel obliged to write my first ever review and warn people DO NOT BOOK this restaurant if there is a slight chance that you may not make it on time, otherwise it is a GUARANTEED DISAPPOINTMENT. And don’t attempt to call or go if you could be over 15 minutes late, even just by 1 minute, as you will certainly be pushed out of the door and find yourself embarrassed in front of your guest.
I booked this restaurant many weeks ago. At the time of the booking, the dine-in restrictions after 6pm were still in place. After the government relaxed the restrictions, the restaurant called and rearranged the booking to their earlier session, which was 6:15-8pm. At the call, I informed the female staff that I am unlikely to make it on time at 6:15pm, and will arrive around 6:30pm. She told me to try to be punctual as we may be unable to finish the full course if we are late. I told her at the time that I could only leave work at 6pm and emphasised that I will arrive around 6:30pm to be realistic and asked her to make a note on that.
I received no further call or confirmation until around 3:45pm on the day of my booking. I acknowledged that I confirm the booking for the night. There was no mentioning of any policy that they will literally push you out of the restaurant if you are over 15 minutes late at any time.
Later in the day I was held up at a meeting and needed to leave work slightly late. When I was on my way at 6:13pm, I received a call from the restaurant, bluntly asking where I am. I was surprised and told them I was coming from the direction of IFC, and questioned as it was not yet even time for the booking. They urged me to come as soon as possible as they were waiting for me to start the meal. Again there was no mentioned at the time when I booked that every table must start at the same time.
When I arrived at the restaurant, at around 6:32pm, which was slightly past 6:30pm, they refused to let us in as our booking has been cancelled and it is their policy that they will not accept guest after 6:30pm, and will enforce that strictly. I was surprised to hear that for the first time as I have only just told them I was on my way from IFC and, needless to say, it will take over 15 mins to walk over given Central was really packed at 6pm rush hour. I questioned why they did not mention the “6:30pm” policy at the time of the earlier calls today, or at the time I book. I tried to explain that when I booked, I asked the lady staff to include a remark that I will arrive around 6:30pm, but was pushed out of the restaurant door for the reason that we were disturbing other customers and “let’s talk outside”. When the male staff pushed us out of the door, he said sorry and closed the door, instead of “talk outside” as claimed.
I am totally disappointed by the level of service offered by this restaurant. My questions are:-
1. If “time is of the essence”, and they have a policy that they will kick their customers out when they are over 15 minutes late, they should have made it clear at the time of the booking, so that people can judge whether they wish to proceed with the booking.
2. They have ample opportunities to warn me, at the time when I book, when they reconfirm booking, and when they call at 6:13pm on the day.
3. Also, they could have reconfirmed booking one day in advance, in order to allow people to make alternative arrangements.
My friend and I were very looking forward to the dinner, and have even cancelled other appointments for it. My Friday night was completely ruined by this restaurant and I will never dare to go back again in case I am stuck at work or traffic. Also, please be warned not to bring important guest to this restaurant as you will certainly find yourself embarrassed by being pushed out of the restaurant. And don’t worry, they are also not apologetic for the ill treatment to their customers. I am certainty not suggesting that the restaurant is wrong by any means as I am indeed late and there is no excuse for that. They are also free to set whatever policy they wish. I just wish there was advance warning on that policy and hope no one will have the same disappointing experience as it certainly ruined our night and mood. Now I saw that they have updated their website with the policy, so BE WARNED, if you want a nice relaxing dinner with decent service, look elsewhere!
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