Swensen's Terminal Two and My Stand on Service

2005-03-29T16:17:00.000+08:00

I've had not one, but TWO bad experiences at the Swensen's at Terminal 2. Interestingly, I've had nothing but FANTASTIC service at the Swensen's at Terminal 1 (at the end of the viewing gallery). So, if you're really hankering for the earthquake, I suggest you lug your bags to Terminal One. Bad experience 1: This was in January, 2004. Before my boyfriend, Bruce, left for Perth, he decided to use the remainder of his Singapore dollars to treat my sis and I to Swensen's. He ordered a lime soda while I had one of those chocoholic sundaes. I can't remember what my sis had. I love the marshmallow sauce at Swensens, so I ordered extra marshmallow topping for my sundae, which cost, I think 50-80 cents. I was thus, quite taken aback when I was given a small pot (the same pot they use for tartare sauce with the fish meals), which was filled with possibly less than half a centimetre of sauce. Mind you, I ordered a SUNDAE, which had at least two scoops of ice cream, maybe even three. I went up to the managress at the counter, and asked her about the sauce. I explained that I didn't think that I got enough sauce foy my sundae. She didn't apologise, she just went up to the ice cream bar, and asked the guy at the back of the counter to pump the machine. She wanted to demonstrate that its only one-two pumps for extra sauce. Whatever you say "teacher" (yes, that's exactly how I felt, like a schoolkid being taught something in science class). She showed me the results of the pumping, almost as if to say, "hah! I told you so, therefore you cannot call me stingy." I told her, that if that's all I was getting, she can keep the sauce, I thought would get more for my sundae. She decided to add a few more pumps, and gave me the slightly fuller pot. No apologies, whatsoever. And I even thanked her for the service. Interestingly, the managress only apologised after I went back to my seat. She actually walked up to my table, and sat down with my sis, Bruce and me. Coincidentally, she was also nicer - possibly because my boyfriend's white? She explained that the dispenser was "sticky" from the marshmallow sauce, that's why it wasn't working properly. Sure thing lady, whatever you say. Oh well, at least she waived the extra topping fee for us. But I'm starting to think that I'm going to need a white male as a dining accessory to get decent service. Bad experience 2: February 2005. This time, I went with a group. Namely, my family, an aunt and her young daughter, and my friend. The staff were plain unhelpful. My mother wanted a sticky chewy chocolate sundae, but they ran out of sticky chewy chocolate ice cream. The waiter insisted that she couldn't change flavours, which I found suss because: 1. Other Swensen's outlets allow us to swap flavours in our sundaes. 2. You ran out of sticky chewy chocolate - can't you offer to swap the ice cream flavour, but still make it in the similar style of the sticky chewy sundae? I was quite irked that the person serving our sundaes had a plaster in wrapped around his finger... which is actually not too bad, until you realise, dear readers, that the plaster was OLD and GROTTY... it looked like it had been on for a few days. Personally, I don't mind if you wear a plaster for a few days in a row, if it still holds BUT if you are in food industry, hygiene is foremost. Ditto with the service industry - if the customer can see it, it should at least be presentable. The minute we finished our sundaes, out came the bill, as if they were trying to chase us out. Also, when it came to bill time, the waitress offered the bill to my aunt, when there were two men at the table. Okay, so maybe that's a little thing, so we politely directed her to my dad, and my dad paid the bill. Then she took bloody eons to return with the change, and when she did, again she gave it to my aunt. I mean, where are the brains??? Of course by this time, I was incensed and I said "CHANGE, OVER THERE" gesturing towards my dad. She looked sheepish as she went over to my dad. I am generally a good patron. I am very easy to please, all I need is prompt service, and some initiative on the part of the staff. And I am always good natured towards staff, unless I'm feeling terribly ill, and thus a little cranky. I thank waiters EVERY time they refill my water glass. I treat the cashiers nicely - I say thank you and even make small talk. I compliment service people when they are exceptional, likewise, I tell the staff when I think the food is divine. Thats why, there are only two entries in this blog so far, despite the fact that its been here since December 2004. Even when I am not particularly happy with restaurant service, I tend to grin and bear it. It's only when I am really rubbed the wrong way, that I get annoyed, and snappy. An anonymous commentator mentioned that I should be blacklisted from restaurants. Perhaps I should, if I broke all their plates and glasses, despite being treated to good food and excellent service. As I replied, Singapore has a ten percent service charge. I don't think there are many other places in the world which has service charges all year round. I know in Australia, some places only charge a service charge on public holidays, which is fair enough because you're asking people to work on what is meant to be a universal day off. Even if no service charge existed, service staff are OBLIGATED to provide good service. And no, I do not mean they should be slaves to the customers, but they should at least show initiative and a smile. Is that too much to ask? If you do not please your customers, how do you expect to keep your business thriving? How do you expect to get repeat business? I think most consumers are like me - we just want basic courtesy, and to be taken care of. If its so much of a hassle to go out and eat, what's the point of dining out? I may as well stay home and cook. No service charge. No GST. No need to follow a dress code. I get to watch TV or use the internet while I eat in my comfy pajamas. Oh.... and I don't have to deal with stupid service staff either.

MAX BRENNER'S SINGAPORE

2004-12-04T16:12:00.000+08:00

Welcome to the BlackList! I set up this blog out of vengeance for the idiots who attempt to run restaurants but fail spectacularly. And the dubious honour of being the first restaurant/cafe to be on this list is Max Brenner's Singapore. I went there yesterday with a friend for a good girly chat. Seeing it was nearly empty, we thought it would be a nice quiet place to catch up. Little did we realise that the emptiness would signify something else... We ordered Crepes and a Chicken Sandwich, and had water to go with it. The sandwich came first, and at first, looking at its size, I thought... well ok, the nine dollars is justifiable. But I was so wrong - the reason it was so big was only because of bread. Honestly, the sandwich should be renamed a Chutney Sandwich - there was more chutney than anything else. I could count the number of chicken pieces.... and to make it worst... there was gristle on the chicken as well. So that was bad... then my friend's crepes came along. The only saving grace of the meal was the ice cream and chocolate shot. The crepe was rubbery... and the banana was under-ripe. Was very disappointed. When we finally got someone to call for more water (which should have been a simple task seeing how there were as many staff members as there were people), we asked the girl about the crepe. And she said she'd ask the manager. When she came back with our water... she said nothing till we asked her about it. Was very very disappointed. I went to Fiesta the day before. I was a complete bitch towards the staff... and the manager STILL apologised to me for the service. Even did so humbly after I complained more. And they had a reason to be late with my food - it was packed to the brim. But there was still good service. We got NO apology from the manager of this outlet. There was NO good service. Heck, the food was not even up to par to counteract the lack of attention from the wait staff. Did a bit of research on the net, and I found several complaints against the joint. Complaints against Max Brenner's So yes. Do yourself a favour and forget Max Brenners - you're better off buying yourself a box of lindt chocolates instead.

The Blacklist

Swensen's Terminal Two and My Stand on Service

MAX BRENNER'S SINGAPORE