went to the balcony at the heerens today and i seriously felt it's overhyped... probably we had high expectations of it after hearing raving reviews from some friends and blogs but it was quite a disappointment, mainly due to the poor quality of service.
first of all we entered by the second level. it was 3pm in the afternoon. being idiots we didn't know that only finger food/drinks were served upstairs. but nobody bothered to give us a menu and we sat ourselves wondering what's happening. until we asked for a menu, and were given a drinks menu then we enquired if there's food being served. so in the end we were told that lunch/dinner is served only at the ground level caf�.
downstairs we went and we waited for awhile before the hostess led us to our seats. the crew seriously lacked organisation. the hostess/ waitress had to asked the next table if the table she intended for us was taken anot. ?!? the table was cleared but not wiped clean. of course, it was not set properly either. we sat down, ordered some food and asked for iced water. The food was served promptly but no iced water. Doesn't matter since we ordered drinks anyway, thought maybe the waiter didn't hear us clearly. After we finished our meal, we asked for iced water again. The waitress looked like she heard us clearly, then she walked to the cashier, uttered something to her colleague, couldn't seem to find the ice water, went to a station, took a cloth out and started to wipe a table. no ice water! wat's up?
then then then we asked another waiter for ice water for the third time. luckily for them it was served promptly. but it was enough to create a really bad impression.
besides the ice water incident, the service was rather slow too. we asked for a plate for sharing but the plate was brought to us only after all the food was served. Sugar syrup was served only after the coffee was served. Are the waiters banned from using trays? I don't think the above is too much to ask for, especially when the food is not cheap and a service charge is levied.
there were many tables not immediately cleared after the patrons left. i can't help to suspect if that's part of the concept of the 'balcony' - to leave unwanted food debris to attract birds/flies? it is certainly quite undesirable of a caf� to attract a yuppie crowd.
well so that's all i can say of it. i suspect if this is the first bad review of the caf�?
on another note, do visit this new fish shop in marina square, right opposite venezia gelato store, same level of giant hypermart. the price is reasonable and the food is quite good. the fries are like long john silvers' but nicer!
this is probably my last entry of the year. it has been amazing. soon my entries might start to begin with 'last time this year, i was in...' please don't blame me because i think this is the only place where i can 'replay' those memories. one of my new year resolution is to get in sync back to the sg pace, so i'm not supposed to think back too much.. haii you understand?
it'd better be good, 2oo6. best wishes to everybody
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