SERVICE? GONE WITH THE WIND
The starters came two minutes after being ordered; but then, much, much later, the wrong wine arrived and the food order was mixed up
People — political leaders in particular — can disappoint you. As I said in my previous column, I am feeling greatly pleased by Cyril Ramaphosa’s election to the top job in the ANC. But I am leaving room for disappointment. I don’t hope for it, but I am realistic enough to know that one can be disappointed.
It’s a bit like my visit to the lovely, tucked-away St Francis Bay in the Eastern Cape, where I found some great places and restaurants. Like most places, however, it does have an ugly face: the gauche houses on one side of town; the poverty not far from the wealth and opulence. And top-class service at some restaurants as opposed to the soso stuff you get at others.
Like me, the other members of my family are gourmands. We like to eat, we like good service and we like to tip.
Off we went to Christy’s, the popular seafood restaurant on St Francis’ main and only drag, for some lunch. The sign at the door said severely that you had to wait to be seated. So we waited. And waited. Waiters ran up and down.
My lovely wife realised that nothing was going to happen there, and led us all to an empty table.
After about 10 minutes a sweet lady arrived, plonked wine lists and food menus on the table and rushed off; 10 minutes later she came back and we swiftly ordered.
After five minutes the manager, Chris, rushed over, sweating slightly.
“Sorry, but I just want to confirm the order because it was taken by my deli girl.” My daughters fluttered their eyelashes and shook their heads. The “girl” was at least thirty.
She hadn’t been great. She got the wine order wrong and the food mixed up, and confused the quantities. Despite the wine order being pointed out to her in the picture wine list, she managed to order a pinot noir and not the blend we asked for. Clearly no training whatsoever for “the girls” before they are unleashed on the customers.
Within two minutes of ordering the starters (deep-fried squid heads and oysters) they were on the table. We fell to, finished and waited. The drinks arrived. We drank. And waited.
After about 25 minutes the manager ran up. “Oops, sorry,” he said. “The paper on which I wrote your order was blown away by the wind. Can I take your order again?” Ho hum. He rushed off to place the order.
A table of Russians got their food. Two dads who had arrived after us with their four daughters got their Coronas and food orders served. I chewed my tongue; my stomach rumbled.
Now, I am always complaining that we don’t have enough fish variety in SA. Most of our sushi places serve salmon and tuna only. So when my lovely wife ordered the tuna and salmon sushi platter for one, it is not something I thought would cause confusion. But not at this place. Chris rushed back to the sushi station. He grabbed two plates, started walking to our table, then did a quick about-turn. What was going on? The man disappeared. We waited.
Finally, after about an hour, the food arrived. Two sushi portions, supposed to be tuna and salmon mixes, were salmon only. My West Coast sole was tasty but a bit soggy, and my daughter’s hake and chips was dry. I suspect it had been kicking its heels on the counter inside waiting for the other orders to be finished.
“Well, that was an experience,” said my lovely wife as we left.
It is one never to be repeated.
The sign at the door said severely that you had to wait to be seated. So we waited. And waited. Waiters ran up and down
Christy’s Seafood & Grill ★★
171 St Francis Drive, St Francis Bay Tel: (042) 294-1644
★★★★★ Thuli Madonsela ★★★★ Excellent ★★★ Good ★★ Poor ★ Jacob Zuma