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omnivore
The food and the service lived up our very high expectations as both were amazing! The restaurant itself was so noisy that we had to yell at each other across our table, and so did everyone else. The result cacophony detracted from the overall experience of the night. BUT, I still think of the mussels in thai red curry, the crispy skinned duck and the san choi bow, truly excellent food! more »
bowenpl
In brief our dinner booking on Saturday 9 January was a disappointing and embarrassing experience in front of our friends whom we invited to celebrate a Birthday. Restaurant manager quotes of the evening - “What do you want me to do, get a carpenter in” - response to the possibility of joining tables in the bar/lounge area. “This restaurant does not do bookings” - comment made to friend concerned about moving tables and there not been enough space. “Alright then, I’ve had it, I’ll go wrap up your bill and you can leave” - this was mid way through our set menu and in response to the way he handled questions regarding dividing fish portions/can we have knives or utensils to do so rather than use our chops sticks covered in saliva. “I don’t deal with ‘wankers’ like that” - whilst a friend tried to calm the manager down. “What do you expect, I’m a ‘Londoner’” - at the end of the night when the bill was been paid. Quote of evening from one of the older male waiters - 1. “Do you want it or not?” - comment made when 2 additional pieces of soft shell crap were served and we were concerned it should be going to another table and not ours as we had already had this when we were seated inside. The night started with only 13 places been set when 14 were confirmed via email on Friday 8 January. Our group was cramped onto one table in the lounge area after been advised at 16:30 on Saturday afternoon that we should not have to worry about the booking. We were then told the other table would be moved to Tokonoma and we could utilise the entire bar//lounge seating area. Been a birthday party we incorrectly assumed that the 2 tables could be joined and did not think the manager expected our party to separate. We were later faced with comment #1 (as per above ‘comments of the evening’). We then agreed to put up with the cosy (and rather warm due to alleged air con issues) seating. Later at 9pm we were advised the windows needed to be closed due to regulations. This is all well and good, but the manager neglected to inform us of this when we agreed to stay in the area. We were concerned all would not fit so a friend went out to investigate. Our friend reported back and thought it was odd that comment regarding bookings (manager comment #2) was made. How does one have a confirmation email if no bookings can be made?? Soon after we were moved outside to the street. At this point services such as cocktail/alcohol and water top offerings ceased completely. Food continued to come out and we were served another 2 portions of soft shell crab (insert waiter comment #1). Then we were served the Tofu, only 13 pieces came out. This was a concern as we had 14 people seated and thinking we were paying for 14 and only receiving 13 portion. Later the Salmon Teriyaki came out, which turned out to be ‘the cod’ as the waiter put it. No explanation as to why this had changed. No cutlery was provided to divide the fish so we asked the manager. The manager cracked it and in turn a friend of my partner had also had enough and this is were we insert manager comment #3. Another friend of my partner went in to play mediator and smooth over the situation. During their conversation manager comment #4 was made. At no stage did we receive the rice to go with the 3rd course meals. Thankfully the cake came out with no dramas and to the managers credit (one and only credit) he brought out a bottle of dessert sake. After cake we waited some time, restless and the entire party feeling awkward, for the dessert course to come out. I had to go into the restaurant twice to enquire about this. Finally all meals had been served and we could leave, but not before the bill was settled. Due to the blunder that had unravelled that night we were embarrassed for people to pay so we paid for everyone. While the bill was been settled we spoke with the manager, insert comment #5. The manager supposedly removed some cocktails from the bill but we had not been counting so could not confirm as there were no deductions from the bill. My partner and I have travelled the world. We have dined at many high end restaurant and some average ones, never have we received such poor service then we did at your restaurant on Saturday night. We ‘were’ frequent diners at Toko’s and keen to try Tokonoma, however, Saturday night was our last. It was also the last for our 12 friends (some being their first experience) and not to mention the last for each and every individual we and our friends have told since. more »
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