Soon we were escorted us to our booked table right at the end. It was perfect for us since we preferred to be in a corner with little disturbance and intervention.

We had ordered 1 buffet and 5 ala carte’ items for a family of six to them. My nephew of below 3 years of age was also with us. As per the restaurant policy, a child less than three years is not charged for the buffet so we gave him one item from the buffet which he really loves the most, chicken soup.

One purchased buffet was taken by our father and he had asked me to bring some items for him since our order was going to take long time. I did so but soon was followed by the owner warning us that we have only one buffet so two people cannot use the buffet items. We were like so shocked and had to explain that it was for our father who has taken the buffet. It spoiled our mood completely, and during the entire time we were there she kept an eye on us from the Reception while gulping her food in her mouth. It was very annoying. At one point, we wanted to leave the place but since we had already prepaid the food through online vouchers, we were hesitant. Then there came a time when she placed her waiter near to her table. Good thing was that it happened when we were already moving out having finished the meal and bad thing was that we didn’t have any one else to complain this too. Anyways, we had left but had to come again, since we had more vouchers to be utilized. We were hopeful that the second time experience will be not so bad; and we were wrong!

The next time we came, we found the owner in the same job of eating at the reception without a pause. We ignored and moved on to inquire our booked table. This time she refused to give us the last table saying that it is already reserved whereas there was not reservation slab put on it and no one came till the last hour of the lunch time. We felt insulted. Still, moved on. This time, the food was not as good as the last time. The items were limited by 2 or 3. Most of them were the vegetables unlike the last time and they were not properly refilled. The leftover buffet items were in the end parceled by the owner for herself!

They took long time, longer than normal, to bring the ordered items to us. The ala carte’ items were good no doubt. Food was fresh and the taste was right. Ambience and seating arrangements well done.

However, the used utensils were disposed on a table very near to the eating tables and gave an ugly sight. The guests were well entertained by a TV with large sound systems but the wirings were not properly organized and some children actually started to play with them. They had to take care of the safety issues but did not give much importance to it – one could actually easily trip down the wirings.

When we left, we had mentioned to the annoyed owner that we would like to write down the reviews of her hotel on her website if she has. She was anxious and taken back because she knew we did not have a good experience owing to her negligent hospitality. This made her be much sweet with us and she began introducing more about the restaurant and also promoting her other businesses. We were not impressed. She offered a fine farewell…but we are sure never to go back!

http://asianflavorsrestaurant.com/

We had purchased Cobone vouchers that promised a large number of food items, including the seafood, only not to come across any of it! Upon entering the restaurant, we got a warm welcome from a smiley-faced receptionist; however when he found out that we don’t have the vouchers printed, he changed colors and started to act defensive. He started to ask for the print out vouchers instantly demonstrating the grudge lines on his forehead. My brother had to then immediately take away his Iphone in search of an Internet café where he could print the vouchers and finally he got them printed and handed over to the receptionist – to keep him smiling again!

As much as the ambience was pleasant, the cooling temperature was not. Upon asking them to do us strugglers of a car breakdown in the middle of the highway – some pity by making the temperature low,
they simply nudged their heads to a “air conditioners not working ma’am”

Well, fine, no worries…at least we could still eat. Coming to the food, the sweet dishes, around 5-6 in numbers, was lavishly presented with some fresh fruits…but in the beginning when normally they should have been in the end. The area where the main courses were placed was hidden in the opposite corner far from the eye. Only some main dishes were a tasteful to the tongue. Shrimp biryani was only for name sake, there was no trace of a single shrimp piece in it. Shawarma corner, as in live cooking, was never attended by the chef; despite us questioning again and again for the chef, we were left imagining if we are ever going to get the Shawarma – and we never did! In the end, every customer was left knifing out the pieces of the shawarma meat themselves. The most delicious item was the samosa and could have as many pieces as we wanted and still not be satisfied with it. Fresh juices were placed too but were not chilled at all.

When the sweet dishes were completely exhausted, we had asked them to refill some that we did not get to try. However, they only left us assuring that they would. We were dumb struck again.

Overall – an average dining place. Pass on..

http://www.jawhara.ae/garden-hotel

As much as its exterior draws you towards it, its interior tells you tales of unhealthy ambience, untidy surroundings and stale food!

From the time me and my family entered in the restaurant to break our fast during the Ramadan, with much anticipation of a rewarding time, we witnessed a very dull environment holding us. The lightening was poor, furniture was rotten, bathroom was stinking and dirty, the utensils were old, seating congested, attendants and servers roaming around very unprofessionally with unclean and shabby uniform and what not!

The food was poorly served on the buffet. Fruits (even bananas) were cut and kept on a plate only to allow half of it to fall around in 360 degrees. Some of the food items tasted well but failed to give a healthy and fresh look or feeling. We had the option of either water or soft drinks but came to know this only towards the end when we were about to leave. No sweet dishes were served and when we inquired, they said they have 3 sweet dishes on the menu and we can have all we can eat – they were not served on the buffet table however! We ordered for all three but only one had come in front of us in very limited quantity – we hesitated to speak further!

The terrible experience took its toll when we caught a live cockroach walking on our table! Unfortunately we could not spot the manager and took a hurried leave. Later we did comment on their customer service portal to attend this dire hygienic need.

Would never want to refer anyone!

http://www.mezbaandubai.com/

Its interiors gave ethnical limelight. The ambience was sound and peaceful – one would never really get intervened with any uninvited noise or sound. Surroundings appeared neat and tidy; the tables and lower seating arrangements were all well done. The only inconvenience felt was bad cooling arrangements upon an increase of restaurant crowd. We complained and they tried to sort the problem out but guess there was mechanical default with the air conditioners that could not be taken care of during that time.

The hospitality was great – the Pakistani and Afghani attendants/ servers proved what their region is famous for. They never hesitated to assist you with a smile even in busy hours and regularly appeared to inquire a further need rising. All were well presentable and showed efficiency in their customer service.

Food – the best part of the restaurant! From the fresh and mouth melting seekh and chapli kebabs to the variety of salads, seafood, chicken and rice items – all were splendid. The desserts were not only well decorated but had the right proportion of taste and sweetness leaving you with room for more.

The stars of the show for us however were the limu pani (lime juice) and the traditional green tea taken with rabri (sweet milk ball coated with sesame seed) in the mouth. All seven of us dining had an equal number of limu pani glasses!

Kurkuman Restaurant definitely deserves a countless visit!

http://www.kurkuman.com/homepage.htm

We placed an online order to the renowned confectionery, Ginny’s (www.ginnys.ae) for a two-layered Looney Summerland cake almost 2 weeks prior to the birthday event along with the Number Candle cake topper.

On the big day, the order did arrive but we were stunned and disappointed to find that it was a total mishap as it was changed completely. Instead of a two-layered beautiful figure with miscellaneous decorations, as ordered, it just stood as a flat rectangular shape with only 2-3 objects on it. It was shocking and more further when we did not find the candle cake topper!! Instantly we called the Ginny’s Bur Dubai outlet to find details about this. First of all, the staff sounded extremely sleepy. Upon giving them the order number and narrating the whole disaster that happened, they did try to console us saying that the decoration of the cake depends on its weight and in our case the weight was not enough to support a two-layer shape. But they should have mentioned this on their website which we failed to find whilst placing the order.

When we asked about the candle cake topper, they bluntly responded that they ran out of stock with it so could not be delivered!! How convenient?! how can you then not call and inform about it, especially when already paid for it! We asked for a compensation and they agreed to refund confirming that the driver would return to the delivery point with the refund the same day. To our surprise no one showed up and we never got any call from Ginny’s to date re the refund.

We never expected this from Ginny’s. We have always loved Ginny’s and have been taking manual orders from them on several of our occasions. I remember my own birthday cake a month ago was arranged with Ginny’s. But i believe this time they failed heavily and left us with a total embarrassment in front of our guests and disappointed in front of them. Ginny’s is out of our list henceforth for good now!!!