Eight of us met for a family lunch on a quite Saturday afternoon. Aside from us there were 2 other tables, each with 2 people.
Unfortunately during out dining we had to constantly prompt the waiting staff to bring starters, meals, deserts and drinks orders which were ordered but did not arrive.
It took 20 minutes for everyones desert to arrive, by which point we had decided we should all just tuck in, rather than politely wait until they had all arrived. This resulted in 2 members of our group trying to wolf down their pud after the rest of us had finished - this did not prevent the waiting staff from doing that 'hanging around' thing waiting staff do when they're keen to clear a table. We opted not to quibble that the 'fresh' cream was actually skooshed out of a can (blurgh!) or that the chocolate icecream was actually toffee.
My dad was paying the bill so we were going to chip in cash for a tip (which I didn't think was due, given the poor service) but realised in time that Cafe India automatically add a 15% service charge to the bill - so we very nearly doubled tipped terrible service. In my opinion an establishment should be very confident that it's service is up to scratch in order to automatically add a service charge. Unfortunately Cafe India just could not keep up on a quiet Saturday afternoon when patrons where ordering from a limited lunchtime menu; perhaps that was why such a prime spot was so quiet at the end of the month? Either way, I'd hate to have been there on a busy day/evening while a more expansive menu was available and won't be returning anytime soon.
There is a parking lot right next door to the restaurant and there was a sign on the menu saying your first hours parking there would be free. Unfortunately when I asked about it I was told that they had no valid vouchers left but maybe if I showed the receipt I'd get the discount - however, our bill was paid by my Dad using his card, so he didn't want to surrender the reciept.
Positives: Good food when it arrived, nice fresh and modern decor, parking nearby, heart of Merchant City.
Negatives: automatic 15% service charge, Poor service, cheap ingredients (canned cream!), staff loitering around to clear the table when members of our party had only just received their puds due to the poor service, parking discount voucher advertised but not available.
All things considered, I have to give this place a POOR rating and wont be returning.
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Aug 25th, 2008
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