Updated: Forlino replied to my feedback and told me it was a misunderstanding between myself and their Guest Relations Officer. PLEASE. Spare me the rubbish. Misunderstanding my foot. I’ve been in customer service for every single one of my job. In fact, I still am (somehow). I know the difference between misunderstanding and rudeness.
As you all know, Sissy Tan’s birthday is nearing, and I have completely no idea what to give her.
I want to give her something she likes, but I don’t know what she likes.
The thing is, she doesn’t lack of anything, and she has practically everything. What can you give somebody who doesn’t need or want anything?
Nothing!
I tried to ask for help on Twitter, but I think because Valenetine’s day is drawing near, too, everybody thought I was racking my brains for my boyfriend. The replies I got were love and respect, effort, handmake stuff, and all.
Only Audrey and Nicole knew who I was talking about, and asked me to gift her a Chanel bag, or a customised item from an atas store. T.T
Clueless, and helpless, I went to ask Sissy Tan what she wanted.
Who knew? She doesn’t know what she want! Because like I said, she has everything!
So she asked me to treat her to a meal and meet her whenever she wants to meet her and follow her to wherever she wants to go whenever she wants me to go. -_-.
If that’s the case, I surely couldn’t just bring her to some random char kway tiao store!
So I did research on some fine dining, and made plans to let her have an unforgettable dinner.
Bottom line was, I narrowed my researches to Au Jardin and Forlino.
Au Jardin has EXCELLENT reviews online in every aspect. Though pricey, I figured Sissy Tan was worth it. So, filled with anticipation, I called to make a reservation.
But something HAD to go wrong: Au Jardin doesn’t open on Mondays and Sissy Tan’s birthday falls on a Monday. =(
I was so disappointed, that I contemplated on just bringing her to Au Jardin on another day because I was really looking forward to celebrating her birthday there.
After asking around for opinions, I decided to bring her to dine on her birthday itself, so I called up Forlino instead.
FORLINO HAS GOT TO HAVE THE WORSE RECEPTIONIST, EVER. (Assuming that receptionists are the ones answering phone bookings.)
Seriously, I have never been so rudely attended to in my life, for a moment I was wondering if I’ve dialed the wrong number.
The greeting was no where near warm, and when I asked if they could change one of the menus for me (they have 2 sets menu), she turned my down flat and alternated between saying the menu is fixed or it depends on the chef.
“Can I change one of the dishes for the Chef Mario’s classic, or is the menu fixed?“
“It’s fixed.“
I would understand if it’s fixed, but she didn’t have to use that kind of tone on me. People who offer good services would probably throw in an apology like I’m sorry Miss, the menu is fixed and probably throw in suggestions on what I can do to get the dish I want.
“How about the Degustation menu? It’s fixed too?“
“Ya. It depends on your diet.“
“What do you mean it depends on my diet?“
After that question, her tone turned from disconcern, to hostality, like I was troubling her by asking her stupid questions.
“”I mean if you eat beef, then you can change the beef.“
“So if I can change the Degustation menu, can I do the same for the Chef Mario’s Classic?“
I would love to take the Degustation Menu, but there were so many things I wanted to change there, I might as well take the 5-course, with dishes that sounded better.
“No what is it you don’t want?“
Really, that sort of tone is TOTALLY unacceptable.
I was totally taken aback when she asked me that question that I contempleted on scolding her on the phone, but I stuck to my cool and said:
“It’s more of what I wanted.“
I heard and read reviews that says they have excellent cod fish, but both the menus doesn’t have cod fish, and she replied and an equally (if not more) annoyed tone:
“What do you want?“
Whoa.
Seriously?
You dare call yourself Singapore’s Finest Italian Restaurant? Really, Forlino? Really?
Did you really think that by having good food in a place with good views entitles you to the title: Singapore’s Finest Italian Restaurant?
I’m sorry, but that’s not how the way it works. You can have excellent food, but if your service is not even one of a casual dining restaurant, chances are customers would NOT be willing to pay.
If the food is sub-par, and the service is outstanding, customers WILL return.
I wouldn’t want to go to a place that provides me crappy service. I can always dine somewhere else where I can feel welcome. And to make things worse, I haven’t even stepped into the restaurant.
Seriously. I wrote them a feedback letter the moment I reached home on Thursday. It’s Monday and I have yet to receive a single reply, not even an interim.
Chances are the woman who picked up my call was the one who saw the feedback and deleted it conveniently, or their service is just THIS bad.
Dear Forlino, please remove that ‘Singapore’s Finest Italian Restaurant’ title off you. Don’t self proclaim it when you are no where near fine.
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