boon's log 2307.01: Chili's in Penang...
Yup, the invasion of the West has been further extended with the opening of Chili's at Gurney in Penang - it's actually situated inside the G-Hotel, but people would like to refer to Chili's at Gurney Plaza. It's the same place anyways.
Chili's in Penang
We checked it out last Friday. The first thing that hit us was the house-rule whereby they do not seat incomplete parties.
No Chup-ping Allowed!
One of the assistant managers (guy in picture) kept on insisting that this is a Chili's International rule whereby they cannot seat incomplete parties. We thought it was crap, because we do not remember seeing / hearing such rule in the States before. We reserved for 8 persons, but 2 out of the 8 were running a little late due to traffic, and they just insisted that they cannot seat us and gave our table away (!!!). We were so ready to leave... after arguing with with the assistant mgr for about 10 minutes, our final 2 arrived and then we got our table.
Anyway, somewhere in the midst of that verbal exchange with the Asst. Mgr, I asked him, what about if I change my reservation to 6 (instead of 8) and then add 2 more when the other 2 comes. The answer was - "Cannot, because you've innitially reserved for 8"...
what the "bleep"?!
Well, I guess that was the worst moment throughout the dinner... the rest was what we'd expected - HUGE-DINO-SIZE portions, and bottomless drinks. IL ordered the Fajita Quesadilla while I took the Cajun Chicken Fajita. We were both stuffed; IL did not even finished her Quesadilla. We had to box it. Oh by the way, I used the phrase "Box it" but the waiter did not understand what I was saying - I had to use the phrase "Tah Pao"! - which basically means "Box-It" in Cantonese.
Fajita Quesdilla
Didn't really feel like taking Al that night, so just ended up with Bottomless Apple Juice. It was quite a satisfying meal overall. Also, it was worth mentioning that the (angmoh, a.k.a. caucasian) Restaurant Manager (Flintstone-look-alike) checked on our table quite a few times (probably sensed that we were not really happy at the beginning of the dinner).
Our first Chili's Penang experience? 3/5 stars.
And my suggestion is: Reserve for 1 (or 2 persons) and then bring the entire kampung (i.e. village in Malay)!
boon out...
posted by Boon @ 10:30
6 Comments:
B,
The ass(t) manager is right; that is the practice here. And not just for Chili's either.
Lily: Interesting, we've been patronising all the steak houses and have not encounter this before, though. Perhaps they were just being nice to us Asians... ;P
By the way, I still owe you are reply on your "question". Will get to it soon.
Perhaps laid back California is a tad different than NY? Hmmm...
ha.. guess what..my hubby laughed out loud when reading your blog. He commented he would do the same thing because he also never experienced this ridiculous house rule in the State. I only visited Chili's once in New Jersey.....Could not recall well how it was like...may need to flip my photo album,,,
Lily / ccpling: Yeah, looks like this house rule is only enforced in certain states in the US. But right here in Penang - looks like they are the only ones that are enforcing it. Not sure if it is going to last... What's the difference between 6 and 8 anyways, we will still occupy the same amount of tables... Sigh... well, it's their restaurant and their house rules. We'll just have to stick with it - just reserve for 2 and bring 8. ;)
Here's my rule: House rule or not, you have to meet the culture. If that is my restaurant, my goal is to ensure my customers are happy no matter what rules are written out there.
Folks, don't forget, we’re not here for a long time, we’re here for a GOOD TIME!
Post a Comment
<< Home