Comments on: 5 Changes I’d Like to See in Restaurants

By: John

John — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 04:23:08 +0000

On Offer Tap Water for Free: I don’t believe the PUB supplies tap water for free to restaurants in Singapore so technically it is not FOC for restaurants. Having said that I do believe restaurants should provide customers with complimentary Tap Water as a courtesy to customers. Tap water costs next to nothing in Singapore but most importantly, bottled water and specially the European brands sold in restaurants have a carbon footprint that scares even a climate change sceptic oil baron into ordering tap water.

By: Raga

Raga — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 03:01:47 +0000

Dear ILC,

i agree with you on the service charge subject as it does indeed help to motivate staff. Not only does it boost the moral, but it can also enhance the service quality in each individuals. You see, i use to work in a restaurant with NO SERVICE charge. Thats right! We have our customers notified via printed text on our menu and a ‘stamp’ on their bill. Which most of them will tip generously.

When you remove the service charge, it motivates staffs to perform harder to earn more tips. Tips are then divided among the staff whom are working for the night. Both front and back of house gets a reasonable portion. I believe that it really works. And restaurant owners eating staff’s 10% service charge is just low and I wouldn’t be surprise if the service is mere borderline.

Well you see, I’ve also worked in a place where even our tips were used to purchase groceries and vegetables. So i’ve made the best of what I have and it has indeed provide me with some sort of motivation to work harder.

By: Sön

Sön — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 06:06:39 +0000

In response to LJ, I don’t think it’s the accent that people mind so much. I can’t claim to speak for others, but I don’t really care too much if the person taking my reservation has a Singlish accent, but when they start using works that are not English (or Chinese, or whatever the language being spoken is), the line becomes blurred.

That’s like the French person telling people that she/he can confirm a reservation for déjeune on Lundi (Don’t shoot me if that’s wrong, I used Google translate ).

By: Al

Al — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 01:40:07 +0000

I think what i say next may SOUND damn corny and stupid. I think all restaurants that have chicken WINGS on their menu should be sued when the dish arrives and all you see is mid-joints or drumletts. i’m getting quite pissed with restaurants who have their named dish ” So-and-so CHICKEN WINGS” and then when it arrives you just see mid-joints. That sometimes just SERIOUSLY ticks me off. Specially since mid-joint and wings are so darn different.

By: Si Hui

Si Hui — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:27:49 +0000

where can i get those fried squids on the first picture?

By: Anshu

Anshu — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:08:34 +0000

And I would also like to see an option of having some tissues/napkins

By: Jodie

Jodie — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:48:48 +0000

Love your blog – I eat at home most of the time, so when I go out, I want it to be AWESOME and your blog really helps to nail that down!
3 pet peeves:
-Food coming at all different times
-plus plus rubbish – just tell me the price including all the surcharges! GRRRRRR!
-Clearing plates before everyone has finished eating. I find this makes the person still savouring their meal feel the need to rush through the last of their meal. Even though this is NEVER me haha!
I concur with the wifi deal.
Love your work!

By: Al Sim

Al Sim — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:50:25 +0000

Hey, I am one of your blog’s follower!
I fully agree with your point of having a nice website, get on twitter and facebook. Besides
that, I also think that having a attractive, presentable and detailed menu would make the overall dining experience better. =D

By: Elvis

Elvis — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:56:44 +0000

HI,i had read all your blog, do u have any recommend romantic restaurants for me..i need a gd place to bring along with my wife to celebrate our anniversary and valentine’s day.

Thank you.

By: LJ

LJ — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:41:03 +0000

Why do we need the receptionist to speak (English) well?

There is this assumption that speaking well/professionally means speaking proper English (preferably with a Caucasian accent?), and I fail to see why that is necessarily the case.

Somehow I doubt many would mind if a French receptionist in Singapore mangled his English vowels, yet the same latitude is not extended to the local speaking “Singlish”.

By: Norman

Norman — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:23:40 +0000

Very helpful suggestions here in numbers 2-5 – well done.

However I cannot support wifi [or mobile phones] whilst I am eating. Nobody is so important that they need to be seen to be techno
nazis by imposing their inconsequential phone ramblings and internet doodlings on customers seeking a calm, dignified eating experience.

By: Timing

Timing — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:11:11 +0000

I think that service will never improve (by much) unless we adopt the tipping culture/system. Even if the 10% service charge goes to the wait staff, that still doesn’t give them real incentive to “overserve,” as whether they give “superb” service or “just OK” service, also pocket the same 10% mah.

Of course it works both ways too, diners need to properly reward great service (via a big tip).

By: Juji

Juji — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:08:54 +0000

I wholeheartedly agree with your points, Brad!

Though, I think Australia is more than a few years away from universal free wifi in restaurants

Most hotels still insist in charging for wifi, let Lang freebies in restaurants!

My main gripe – on your websites point, is the way so many places still insist off fancy flash based websites.

A) this is the iPhone age. Flash doesn’t work! At least have a plain text HTML version so we can at least find your phone number and address!
B) flash isn’t accessible.

More places should really rethink this, in my opinion!

By: ladyironchef

ladyironchef — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:06:12 +0000

@Melody Yep you have a point, and I agree that phones should be kept away during meal times. But having free WiFi is good, especially for tourists, and also when people want a place to do some work (during working hours of course.)

@ivan yeah you are absolutely right on the tipping part, but I guess it’s not something that will change overnight.

By: ivan

ivan — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:30:35 +0000

i know it isn’t part of our culture, but i think developing a culture of tipping can increase service standards. most of the restaurants i’ve been too have very lukewarm service.

also, i think it’ll be nice to be conscious of group dinners – that is timing all the food to be served approximately the same time.

lastly, it’ll be great if we cld split our cheques

By: V Melody

V Melody — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:21:23 +0000

all agree except #1: provide free wifi.
Why? once ppl sit down with laptop, they forget that other people need to dine in.

One day I came to Starbucks for lunch, literally people there were sitting with 1 coffee (done) + 1 laptop. He looked at us and did nothing, knowing that we need the seats.

Restaurant is for people to eat.