Year End Function - Terrible Service

Good day Jiah,

On Thursday, 14 December our company hosted their Year End Function at Jiah Restaurant. The booking was made in advance, for 25 people. When making the booking, via telephone, I liased with Fortune, who was not very friendly nor helpful. Yes, she answered all my question and successfully made the booking, but I had to be the one to ask important questions she should have been asking me. One time she even told me to "Hold on" while she went and finished a conversation with a colleague I assume.

In addition to this, the background noise was so overwhelming that I could hardly hear what she was saying most times. I even asked if she could put the music softer, to which she said "It's not the music, we have people over for lunch". Again, I had to be the one to contact your restaurant, on Monday 11 December, to just double check that all was in order for Thursday and provide an updated amount of guests attending. Later that day, someone contacted my boss to confirm what I had already called about earlier that morning and the gentleman who called 'ran out of airtime', resulting in my boss having to call back. Talk about unprofessional.

Nonetheless, we kept our booking as it is a very busy time of the year and reservations are scarce. We had made our booking for 14h00 yesterday and arrived on time. We were told to wait outside as our tables were not ready. Only at this stage were we asked whether we would like to be seated inside or outside. This should have been done on 29 November already, which is when the booking was made. The gentleman who told us to wait said that it will not take longer than "3-4minutes" as they are almost done setting up, bare in mind. it was already 14h20 and the staff was restless. He tried to soften the mood by saying that our time has been extended from 14h00 - 17h00. We were even asked to stand up at one stage as the "Guests eho have booked this table (outside table) have arrived. After waiting it out for more than the abovementioned time, we decided to go up anyway, whether the staff were done setting up or not. When we got to the top floor, they were far from done. only one table had plates laid down, excluding cutlery and glasses. We ignored this and proceeeded with our formalities and awards. by the time we were done, the staff had just finished. It was now 14h50 already and we were out in the sun the entire time.

As we were getting seated, another company arrived, to an already set table. The venue we were sealed in was hot and we were already bothered. There was an aircon right abovr our table near the door, but not once were we asked if it should be switched on. In addition to this, our drinks, which was finalised when making the booking, was not brought out until I asked for it, to which the waitress responded, "We will come take your oder now". Why would she need to take my order if it was already ordered?

A colleague and I ordered a Ferrero Milkshake to share, knowing that the last time it was a 1litre milkshake (she enquired about the size then). The waiter asked "In two?", having us assume he would bring two glasses - 1litre divided into two. When he brought it, he only brought one glass. We were first confused about the size as it came in a short, round glass and only one of it. She asked if this was it, to which he said yes, that is the milkshake for R59.

It was highly upsetting that as a first time visitor, bringing 22 other staff members with, this is the type of service guesses receive. The entire time spent there was uncomfortable, unprofessional and disappointing.

What a way to end off the year.