wang writes

Plate of lies.. I mean, fries.

Or make that lies, as a friend suggested. I’m talking about the spanking new burger place at Holland Village, opened about a week ago, taking over the tapas place (near Breko). I believe there’s another outlet somewhere on the island…

So Damian and I were both actually pretty excited to have my birthday dinner there. We’re always in the mood for a good juicy burger and hot salty chips. He booked a table for eight for my family, which after the brothers’ wife/girlfriend didn’t show up became six.

The food was actually not bad but it took at least one hour for the first of our mains to arrive, the final one taking about 15 minutes longer. Plus, they arrived one after the other, at intervals of about two to five minutes. So by the time my tandoori chicken sandwich arrived, mom was nearly done with her spaghetti (with fries — yes, hence the restaurant’s name).

Actually the final dish never did arrive, my dad’s pork chops. When asked why it was taking so long, the waiter replied: “Pork chops take a little longer to cook.”

“ONE HOUR TEN MINUTES?” I asked, flabbergasted. Even the chicken chop from the western stall at the Holland Village hawker centre takes 10 minutes tops, and tastes pretty good if you ask me!

The very apologetic manager (I presume she was the manager, she spoke/apologised with the authority of one) eventually offered us 20 per cent discount and two free slices of “birthday cake”, supposedly their bestsellers.  Oh back track a bit — when we complained 40 minutes into waiting about the absence of our dinner, they offered us one free dessert to eat first while we waited. Like, seriously?!

Anyway, there was a couple with a little kid sitting next to us and they waited as long, and were as frustrated as we were. I presume they won’t be back, just like us.

To be fair the servers were very polite and prompt in taking our order, but obviously they’re a bit clueless as to how to run a restaurant. The manager explained it as a cook didn’t show up for work today, so I guess that means uh…. waiting 40 minutes for a sandwich in future?? Obviously they’re not gunning for the burger Olympics, for my Breville would probably beat them in a world record five minutes in the challenge to make Damian’s ham and cheese sandwich.

My verdict: Go have Botak instead, or for that kinda money for a burger, Relish (slightly more expensive but much better quality) wins hands down… though the service there is also sometimes a bit suspect.

Or get a Breville and make your own tasty burger.

Happy birthday (in advance) to me