Jun 28, 2005 03:20 PM
36013 Views
(Updated Jul 17, 2006 07:23 PM)
I love to criticize, I love to scream and I love to call a spade just that- a spade.
I am not bothered by what you think of me; rather I am bothered if I don't speak out the truth.
I have spoken the truth about websites, movies, airlines, cities, newspaper and of course cell phones and TV channels. My truth has manifested in critical and or unbiased reviews of these products on Mouthshut. Mouthshut has given me a chance to tell the whole world as is. Not for a mountain of gold will I change my opinion on mouthshut.com
It is disgusting how restaurant pay money to newspapers and restaurant critics to hype their joints. I hope Mouthshut does not get paid to review any restaurant, for then my blind faith in mouthshut will be shattered.
One such restaurant that pays money to newspapers is located in the city where I moved two years ago (Mumbai). It is called Olives. It is always in news for ''spotting'' the who's who of Mumbai. These who's who of Mumbai are nothing but Bollywood celebrities and upcoming casting couch wannabes.
Recently Olives was mentioned in Mumbai's Metro newspaper (owned by Mid-Day group) to be the most kid-friendly restaurant in the hip-hop neighborhood called Bandra. Upon reading this, I was infuriated and it prompted me to review this restaurant, for I feel it is the MOST UNFRIENDLY restaurant for parents with kids and toddlers. Also this restaurant is owned by the most arrogant man, who needs to take lessons in ''customer service''.
KID-FRIENDLY?
---------------
I have been to Olives atleast 6-8 times in the last two years and not a single time have I seen any toddler around. On the contrary, once (6 months ago) I was with my friend Sanyogeeta ( https://mouthshut.com/user/sanyogeeta.html ) and we decided to spend the evening at Olives at Pali Hill in Bandra. Sanyogeeta and her husband and their 6 month old baby-boy were visiting Mumbai for 2 weeks. We drove to Olive in my Honda Accord. We were greeted by the valet at their entrance. I climbed the few steps that leads to Olive's courtyard, but can you believe SANYOGEETA WAS NOT ALLOWED TO ENTER THE RESTAURANT!!!
She was told by the security guy at the entrance that Olives does not allow babies! Sanyogeeta protested and her husband, Raj intervened. I turned around and decided to protest but Raj decided to move on to another place rather than spoiling our evening arguing.
I can’t take things lying down- but having read about AD Singh and his abrupt management style, I was not surprised at the rules disallowing kids in Olive. I'm OK with it, but why claim in Mid-Day metro that you are child-friendly?
CUSTOMER IS IMPORTANT?
----------------------
AD Singh and his team need real good customer service lessons. Most restaurant owners walk up to their patrons and greet them and enquire if everything is good. AD Singh is usually found sitting on a table with his employees discussing ''STRATEGY'' for the restaurant. He seems to be least interested in his patrons and will only get up to greet you if you are a Shahruk or a Katrina Kaif...you get the drift? Ordinary mortals like us who PAY at his restaurant don't matter to him.
FOOD:
-----
The less said, the better. Olive's menu has only a dozen or so food items and 450 wine and alcohol choice. Its Mediterranean theme menu is bit unique but is not meant to fill your stomach, rather to boast and brag that you ''ate'' at Olives.
PRICE:
-------
Can you believe paying Rs. 300 per person for a simple non-edible clear, tasteless soup? In my opinion, this restaurant is an experiment on ''How to cheat your customers and still receive no complaints''
AMBIENCE:
---------
This is the single most attraction at Olive. Its setting- quaint, rustic, candle-lit and yet in the heart of Pali, Bandra. I can bet there is no other place in the heart of Mumbai that is as originally romantic as this. Candle lights all around, open air courtyard, rustic lime walls. Branches and leaves above you. I can go on and on.
SERVICE:
--------
The waiters and servers are decent, soft-spoken and well mannered. Over staffed at times, they hang around you which makes a private person like me bit uncomfortable.
Overall Opinion:
----------------
If the owner makes it kid-friendly and takes pride in EVERY customer, then and only then will I recommend this restaurant to someone, otherwise it can be easily skipped.
Your comments are welcome. I hope the Amrita bashers on Mouthshut will read the emotions that have gone in writing this simple, honest and MY OWN REVIEW on this place called Olive.
