Had been visiting Samarkand for more than 8 years now(Have seen it right from the days when they used to refuse to provide cutleries and I liked that style). But then, I have seen the levels of service go down gradually and the last visit is a breaking point beyond which I cannot tolerate.
Thought of treating my wife on her birthday, First of all - seemed there is no reception for a couple as the person was endlessly taking orders and no one to backfill him.
Secondly, no one came to take orders inspite of raising hand, and asking a couple of waiters about giving order. After 15 minutes a fat person came supposed to be designated for that role.
Finally, it was 8.30pm(restaurant is open from 6-11pm), and we ordered the main course(Ghost dum biriyani) after a round of starters. Was shocked to hear in an impolite way that the Dum Biriyani was over and we had to order something else. When we decided to close this expressing our displeasure and asked for the bill, we were told that they could provide this biriyani as someone cancelled it. It was more of a patch up and we were no more interesed. We were told we should order dum biriyani as soon as we went in for no one was there to receive and take order. In which other high end restaurant is this followed?
The main ingredient in any restaurant or hospitality business is the service. Business angle is one, if the restaurant has the policy that it would serve-well only for people ordering alcoholic drinks(as the profit margin is more) that would backfire - as people come with different circle of friends/family for different occassions(I myself have been visiting with a variety of groups). So if such an attitude prevails in service, it would not set a right tone for people to continue.