Please bear in mind, this review is for the China Gate inside the mall which also has Croma, the one opposite KFC...and not for the one on Waterfield Road (which by the way has superb food and service)
This china gate has a buffet system and i went to this place on a Wednesday night with a friend, the food spread and the ambience and decor of the place looked very appealing for starters. Then the problems started, we were seated at a table really close to a fountain type of thing in the centre of the restaurant and soon the water had started overflowing all over the floor under our table. We complained to the manager and we were promptly moved to another table...now it doesnt take a scientist to figure out that you should have a table freaking cleaned before you let guests sit on it, there were food crumbs all over the new table!!......worst of all, it took them a good 10-12 minutes and multiple reminders to finally send someone to wipe the tables....add another 10 to get us some freaking silverware and chop-sticks and napkins!! ridiculous, and all this while we had hot food on our table! needless to say, my dumplings had become soggy and inedible.
the sushi and sashimi was passable, the dumplings (dim-sum) section was better, the stir fried section was good too although im sure there is a simpler way of ordering it than dropping those table numbered pins in the bowl (you will know what im talking about once you get there).
another thing that irked me no end at this place was their main course....they did not have any non-veg fried rice or noodles!! now, at rs. 1000 a head, why would any restaurant try to cut unnecessary corners, it is insane that a chinese restaurant doesnt serve "Chicken fried rice", that to me is like an indian joint not having chicken tikka masala, SERIOUSLY!.......when asked, the guy behind the counter said "sirrr rice and noodles common sirrr" wow!
the chilli sauce (bright orange colored) kept by the dim sum section was very nice, please try it. desserts were fine, but by that point we were not really expecting to be wowed by a 1000 rupees buffet and seeing the overall service.
in a Nutshell: good food, good decor, third-grade service...too big a dinner spread with no real substance. the management should probably look to cut down a few food items and VASTLY improve their service skills.
siddhster
