Cold Food, Colder Staff. Review on Taj Flight of Fancy, Adyar, Chennai

On July 6, 2010, I, alongwith my family, visited Taj Flight of Fancy, Chennai, for breakfast.

And here is my experience that I am sharing for your consideration and, if possible, action.

Cold Food: It was about 10 am, the food was super cold. Well, after paying Rs. 250, which in my opinion is what a premium eatery would charge, wouldn't it be right on part of customers to expect food which is served hot. In fact, as it was said about Ambassador cars long time back that except for the horn everything else makes noise, in this case, everything except the chutney was cold (super cold). Colder Staff: As we entered none of the staff seemed keen to usher us in and take us to a table. Not sure if that is what you want, but as customers we had to find a table for ourselves. Thankfully, the menu card arrived.

At the restaurant, there was a buffet (two of them, I realized later) and the card had something called Jumbo. With no staff not even interested in explaining or helping out, we decided to go for the buffet. Later, we were told that there were two buffets, one that costs Rs. 250 and the other Rs. 150. It also dawned upon us that Jumbo breakfast was different. That Taj's service could stoop to this level was unbelievable. The staff either were over worked or maybe the management itself is not serious in Flight of Fancy.

That is not all, the irritation rose to new high when I confronted the staff about the cold food, the service staff (one Mani) said that they were planning to close the buffet and that is why they didn't heat the food. Blimey! Not only that he tells me that this food was meant for someother aircraft and because that flight got canceled, it was laid there. Blasphemy, isn't it? It is like the reject food was served.

This infuriated me further. And my decible levels were increasing. Thankfully there was another Mani who salvaged the situation by offering me a discount. Well, must say that I too took the offer and decided to leave it at that.

But then, it remains a fact that the service at Taj which has a certain standing in the hospitality sector really really disappointed me.

Now this is not the first incident where I have faced very callous Taj staff. In December 2005, I decided to spend the new year's eve at Taj Coromandal. Having spent Rs. 8000 (for two couple passses), I reached the hotel only to be told that there was no place to sit. Very few seating arrangement around the pool were already taken. And trust me, we were not the only ones. Many people who arrived were left standing wondering what to do the whole of night. And then suddenly at one end, I saw a prominent Actor-Politician arrive. The staff who till then kept ignorning our calls to make arrangements immediately plunged into action to ensure a cozy seating arragement for the VIP. I was livid with anger. After a bit of fight, we were finally given a place.

I am not sure if the service staff of Taj have a feeling that they work in Government office or feel they are above their customers.

It certainly doesn't augur well for the brand.

Very displeased with service and food.