Having worked in the Hospitality Industry with some of the most prestigious brands in the world, I very well understand and embrace the ethos of Customer Service and Hospitality. It is nothing less than a shocker when you walk into a restaurant and see an absence of such values. Seldom does one see customer service values missing in a place where it is believed to be a corner stone.
Farzi Cafe, Cyber Hub, is certainly one such restaurant which lives up to the reputation of Farziness. Let alone customer service, they profusely displayed an epitome of customer rudeness.
The bitter FARZI experience started way before I could take a seat. I walked in and the waiter (who looked as if he was trying to model for some suiting brand) smiled and decided to walk away not paying heed that I had walked in and would like to be attended. It is only when I said; "Table for Two Please" was when he looked again and directed me to the seating area inside the restaurant.
This however was not even the Tip of the Iceberg. In the absence of any further courtesy I decided to choose a table and took a seat. At any restaurant the moment you take a seat, you expect to be greeted by the staff and presented the menu amongst other pleasantries that make you feel at home especially when it is your first visit.
The very next thing that happened is an abomination to the operation of any restaurant. The words – ‘Shocking’ and ‘Disbelief’ do not even come close to this new dimension of treating customers I was introduced to. A balding gentleman who was dressed as a National Security Guard walked up to me and asked in a very stern tone, ”Do you have a Reservation?”. I earnestly replied, “No”.
The next question I was asked was, “Did someone ask you to sit here?”, to which I replied, “I was directed here by your staff and because no one showed me a place I decided to take this table and I very well quite like this place.”
The argument given to this by the balding man was absolutely ridiculous and in a tone which gave me an impression that by taking this table I had committed a dastardly crime of the highest orders and would be reprimanded for it. He said, “This is a table for four and I have a table for two in the front of the restaurant. I have other guests coming in and I can’t let you on at this table.” For a minute, I didn’t even believe that this happened. Instead of a polite request, I – the guest, was being ordered off. Still in disbelief I decided to confirm if this really happened and I said, “Are you asking me to move from this table?” The reply was a stern YES.
I then decided to retaliate to this desolation imposed by this extremely rude behavior and politely said, “I quite like this table and would like to have it”. With no signs of politeness I was told, now in a loud voice as if I didn’t hear him the first time, “this table is for four, I have a table for two in the front, I can’t let you be on this table.” By this time, I had a confirmation that FARZI Café doesn’t pay any attention to the people they hire nor do they care for its customers.
With no hope of any kind, I decided it is best to prevent myself from suffering a tragedy of Customer Service. While leaving the restaurant I decided to inform the National Security Guard (who was more bothered about saving the table of four) that I refuse to dine considering such a behavior. When I did state the same, I was replied with these words, “No Problem, Sorry”.
To the owner of Farzi Café, I would like to advise that your menu is quite adventurous and I had gone in with an intention of experiencing the food and the hospitality. However, your restaurant is an epitome of dissatisfaction in terms of customer service. The rudeness exhibited by your staff can be used a perfect example of How NOT to run a Restaurant.