House of Coffees = nasty

Here is the letter I sent them detailing my experience....
-----------------

Dear Customer Care, House of Coffees (and everyone else interested)

My wife and I decided to brave the madness of a end-of-month Saturday and came to Canal Walk to grab a few items as well as a bite-to-end. We were lucky enough to get a nice table in the corner at the House of Coffees, where I still currently find myself while my wife does a walk-about (she couldn’t wait for service any longer).

I am sad to say that our experience was not the best one.

Service was generally poor, with long times being taken between us sitting, our order being taken, our drinks arriving, and on request, the tomato sauce being brought to the table.

My wife’s food, a breakfast bagel of some sort, was cold, as was my toast as part of the Full House breakfast. The toast is staring up at me mournfully.

My steak was rather flavourless, and pretty much on the other end of rare, as I had ordered it on being given that choice.

I can also see your Cimbali coffee machine quite well, from where I sit, and sad to see that it is not kept clean – the milk steamer is covered with old dry milk, and has not been cleaned once since I have sat down. In Europe, as well as many other places in SA, I am pretty sure it is cleaned after every use.

In the time I have written this so far, our food has not been cleared away, and I wonder where our waitress is? I guess her tip will be rather low. It also would have been nice if a manager of some form had popped by to chat, but I guess that might slow down the turning of tables.

Your web-site proclaims “personal customer encounters”, but I haven’t had any of those today.

Anyway, I am sorry to say, I guess we won’t be back here.

Thank you

Frank Spencer MSc(Eng)

Chandani

Now this blog is meant to be about coffee. And it is. So even this review will mention coffee, despite the fact it is primarily about... and Indian Restaurant!

I have been watching the transformation of Roodebloem rd, Woodstock, with great delight. The latest addition to this up-the-mountain is Chandani, an "Indian & Vegetarian Restaurant". It looks pretty spiffy from the outside, so it didnt take long before Nada and I, and our good friend "Haych", decided to visit.

Leaving out the service, it was fabulous! The decor is amazingly authentic, as is the owner! Even the cutlery is stamped with Made in India. But of course that just sets the scene.

The food is to die for. I can honestly say that it is the BEST Indian food I have ever eaten, and I have eaten there twice now. Their mild dishes re genuinely mild, and their hot dishes are genuinely hot, but oh so tender and full of flavour.

But, unfortunately the service was a little slow both times, but I am going to give them the benefit of the doubt, and put this down to teething problems - they haven't been open very long at all, and are still training staff, while having to put up with the huge demand for their service - this restaurant was practically full both times we were there.

Now to the coffee - I had a double espresso. I am not sure what it was, but it was very good. Very rich and complex, and I would highly suggest you go there for a meal,and then try the coffee yourself!

Chandani is #85 Roodebloem rd. The owner is Jagdish, and the retaurant can be reached on 021 447 7887.