Singapore Restaurant Food Guide 

Comment from Eileen Yeo
Time: July 30, 2006, 7:52 pm

Blk 98 Whampoa Drive
#12-148
Singapore 320098

29th July 2006

Attn: Person-In-Charge
Chummeez’ HK Cuisine
238 Thomson Road
#03-27 Novena Square
Singapore 307683

Dear Sir/Ma’am

RE: LETTER OF COMPLAIN ON YOUR RESTAURANT MANAGER

Today, 29th July ’06, my sister and I had an afternoon tea at Chummeez’ HK Cuisine between 2.30pm to 3.30pm. We had a very disappointment encounter with your restaurant manager (whom he called himself).

I always like to patron Lao Beijing by Tung Lok Group at Novena 2nd level. My sister is one of the Tan Tock Seng staff, hence she visited Chummeez’ HK Cuisine few times with her colleagues during lunch hour. She mentioned to me a few times about Chummeez’ HK Cuisine, and finally brought me there today, but leaving to me is a very bad impression.

I do not know whether that hour consider your “very” busy hour whereby your staffs could not communicate in proper manner. As most of us know, nowadays Singapore government is very much looking into better service level which our country in short of. But according to my experience with others place, most places are improving much better then before. Like “Lao Beijing”, “Terminal Restaurant & Bars” at Changi Village, “Tian Tian Steamboat” at Tan Quee Lan Street, even the hokkien fishhead steamboat eating house located at the corner between Balestier Road & Ah hood Road, the golden hair boss always serve with pride no matter how busy they are.

When we started to order for food, there was a waitress seem very busy with her body language. My sister asked about the menu between buffet and A la Carte. The waitress was not really concentrated while she tried to communicate with her colleague from another corner. While my sister asked for A la carte, the waitress answered back that “Buffet cannot ordered this menu”. So we had to repeat ourselves that we were not looking into buffet. Anyway that was a small matter, more coming up.

I understood that we were only 3pax (plus my 3years old kid), furthermore we ordered tea break items (Cheaper menu, perhaps), therefore, Our table did not really being taken care of. Instead, those bigger tables had more attention. It did not affect my mood as I always like to eat around and did some recommendation by email or to friends. But my sister of course rather disappointed as she spelled a lots of good points about your place, unfortunately ended up seem much different. Maybe many places do not mind about their services as they think their foods nice will do.

We ordered about 8 or 9 tim sum and took more than half hour to consume before we realized we shorted of 1 tray of Cha Siu Bun. During that moment, my kid needed to attend to washroom. We tried a few times to call for bill before 1 staff could see our hands and moved forward. I told her to cancel that Cha Siu Bun as we were leaving. I had not finished my sentence but she walked away while mumbled in Chinese “I checked 1st, maybe done already”. The meaning she’d given to me liked “The Bun is mid of making only. If it is done, we cannot cancel”. Actually my next incomplete sentence was to ask them to pack for me if unable to cancel.

Then there was a man (not very tall) not in uniform attended to us with the bill. My sister asked him was there any discount, before my sister completed her sentence, he replied “No”, not even asked or took a look what kind of card my sister was holding, and turned to the next table which sat with more wealth-off people. He kept facing that table, without the people on that table asked for anything, not even eye contact with my sister, but only using his side face. Next, my sister told his side face that she was given discount 2 weeks ago. This man seemed much unhappy, rising his voice to let others know that we were looking for discount. He said “Only Hsbc card”. I was upset as the first thing he never even asked whether we got any Hsbc card or not. I also wondered was it double standard as this restaurant staffs not very sure with their products and of course, services. Then my sister asked whether could double confirm or checked after seeing his unpleasant replied. Again, before my sister completed the sentence, he raised his voice even higher “I am the manager here! Of course I know! If you want discount, never mind, I give you lor!” in English exactly the same here. Next few tables also looked over to our direction, wondered what happened. At that moment, I thought to myself “oh no, what is he trying to do? I don’t think this is a very big issue that needs to be over reacted”. Perhaps, this restaurant staffs enjoyed to interrupt before anyone complete his or her sentence.

My sister really very depressed and felt sour because she highly recommended to me, and to some other friends too. She never really concerned were she been given a discount or not, as anyone can just explain in proper manner to her, or just kindly react like a human will do. But it was the reaction of this particular person who so-called himself “Manager” was hardly being accepted (React like Ah Beng). The so-called manager pushed the bill and card to his female staff and refused to come over again!!! He walked around the restaurant, glance at us few times, like very unhappy??!! Till now, I don’t know what had we done wrong that made him so worked-up. My sister said she would never step in again.

It’s normal for a Chinese restaurant’s staffs speak Chinese, or unable to speak proper English. But this is the 1st time I witnessed they must reacted so unhappy over small matter. Maybe was because we were not “expensive guest”.

Please do not hesitate to contact me at 93391955 or via email at linnil347@yahoo.com.sg should you have any inquiry or reply.

Thank you & best regards.

Yours faithfully

Eileen Yeo

C.C.: Singapore Restaurant Food
Food & Entertainment

Comment from Eileen Yeo
Time: August 8, 2006, 8:35 pm

I’m glad that that CEO of Chummeez’ HK Cuisine, Mr. Joseph Chan had called me up to explain and rectified the matter immediately. He also willing to do further special arrangement on our next visit.

Local service level is on the track of trying to improve better than before. I never expect Mr. Chan who is the boss will look into the issue so soon and prompt.

The very true facts is : the food is very nice. Perhaps, it might become an added advertisement or awareness after this misunderstanding.

Regards
Eileen Yeo
__________________________________________________________

The enclosed is the reply from Mr. Chan:

Hi Eileen. Joseph Chan here.

Again I wish to tender my apologies to you and your sister on the unhappy ocassion when you dined at our restaurant. I am glad that you now have a better understanding of the whole issue after my investigation.

I am glad that you did mentioned that you find no fault with the quality of the food and were happy with it. I do hope to be able to serve you and your sister again in the near future where my manager and his assistant will be able to tender their apologies to you all.

Thank you.

Best regards/joseph chan.