Friday, May 9, 2014

Good Ol Customer Service pt 2

At a small family run Asian restaurant, I once had these two old ladies come in... the restaurant wasn't too busy so there were many choices of seating available. It honestly took them way too long to decide where to sit, they decided on a table meant for six.. not that it mattered, since like i said, it wasn't busy but I found it a bit odd.
There was a special at the restaurant for spring rolls, one spring roll for one dollar. They offered two types, a veggie one and a meat one.  Veggie spring rolls are offered with plum sauce while meat ones are offered with a fish sauce..
They each ordered one veggie spring roll (one while ordering said egg roll instead, which I had to ask to clarify since her friend ordered the veggie spring roll and we were all discussing what was in the veggie spring roll)... first let me say, if you've been to a chinese restaurant, you would know sharing dishes is pretty normal. So we normally put any spring rolls ordered on to one single plate.
I brought their food out, few minutes later they complained about the sauce exact words saying "It's bland, watery, doesn't taste like anything" I noticed I accidentally brought out fish sauce instead of the plum sauce that goes with the veggie spring rolls. Fish sauce, bland? Bland my ass, woman. I owned up, apologized stating that it's fish sauce and i brought the wrong sauce to go with your spring rolls. I go grab the plum sauce and bring it to them, again apologizing (I thought I sounded sincere, since I was ... but who knows, maybe they thought I wasn't).
Few minutes later, one complained that their teriyaki dish lacked any teriyaki sauce.. a few people ordered the same dishes at different tables and none of them had complained of the lack of sauce. I go grab her some extra sauce from the kitchen, bring it out to them. At that point, I found them to be continuously rude and honestly thought I could not be serve them without showing some sort of attitude or pretend to even smile. So this other server jumped in at the end... While she was clearing their table and asking if they were ready for their bill (I was standing a few feet away at the counter doing something, so I did overhear word by word their conversation) one lady said "This whole meal was very gross, and the spring rolls... why did you put it on the same plate? Are you guys broke?"
She literally said the words, "are you guys broke"
Sorry lady, sorry that I put two spring rolls on the same plate, sorry that I didn't want to waste a plate, sorry that you had to deal with the nuisance of your deep fried spring roll touching another spring roll. The horror.
My friend was so caught off guard that there was a moment of silence and then the lady continued "And why didn't I get another plum sauce!? We'll never come back here again"
Finally my friend responded, "Yeah! We always put the spring rolls together on a plate... I'll go grab your bill" and just walked away.. She did give them a fake smile... how she managed to do it - I have no idea.
The thing is,  I checked on their table a couple of times, refilling their water and such. After my wrong sauce mishap, I did go back and ask how they were doing... and they both said they were doing fine!
While I asked that, you could have told me you wanted an extra dipping sauce to drown your one spring roll in...  Or when the one lady asked for more teriyaki sauce, you could have mentioned something about some extra plum sauce...
I just do not understand.... and the fact that they had the audacity to ask if the restaurant is broke because we put TWO SINGLE SPRING ROLLS on ONE PLATE is ridiculous.



Another time, I was working at a big restaurant in a hotel, fairly spacey and by that I mean that some tables are really far from the bar/kitchen. Big parties are usually seated far since that is where the bigger tables are.
I had this one table of 14, most of them were really nice... the dinner was a form of engagement party for the intermediate family. What I noticed is that the daughter that was engaged and her sisters were all super high maintenance. The daughter that was engaged always had snide comments, not about me or the restaurant but just everything in general that they were talking about. I don't mean to eaves drop, but when I'm walking around filling water or handing out things I can't help but overhear things.
Anyways, the problem I had was with one of the sisters, she had to be around 16 (Side note: she was wearing this weird pink fluffy coat that I would not mind burning) and had honestly no respect for me. I do not know if she had no respect for servers in general or if it was just me personally... Maybe I bumped into her on the street and didn't apologize or maybe I looked at her the wrong way on the street, who knows!
Throughout the night she would order me around, no "can you.. take these sugar packets that you can't reach away", no "Please.. take this half finished can of Dr.Pepper out of my sight" no "thank you". For the used sugar packets, they were spread out and hard for me to reach without pushing my body in someones face, so she just grabbed them and threw them at me. Well not at my body, but I was clearing a plate out of the way and she just threw them over to me but them being empty it landed pretty short from the plate I just grabbed... so wait I guess she did throw them at me. But anyways through the night it was just these little things, her throwing things to me for me to grab out of the way, the way she ordered a drink.
Another thing was, her boyfriend was with her at this family event and she ordered for him throughout the meal! "He will also have a dr.pepper." "He'll just get the sirloin.." I'll ask how the steak was to be done tonight, I looked directly at him and she still answered for him on how his steak would be cooked and what he wanted for sides... He was staring back at me, he gave a small awkward smile. And I knew he could talk since I heard him talk and he would say thank you when I gave him something or took something away.
At one point as well, her younger sister (Three sisters in total here) asked for another drink menu. I went and grabbed one and placed it in front of her, and then this bitch grabs it and starts looking through it...
If you wanted one, ask me for one! Her sister then had to ask me for another one...
Sooooo at the end of the night, this really set me off. There is 14 of them, and there is only one of me. And I only have two hands.
I was clearing the entree plates out of the way since most of them were finished, I did walk by her first but she still was finishing up. So i did my circle grabbing almost all the empty plates out of the way, my hands full of big dirty plates not stacked nicely, heading on over to the kitchen that was far away when she says "excuse me" in a veryyyyyyy rude loud tone. The whole table was pretty quiet at that time, and this princess says "Take this as well", pointing at her plate that she just finished.

Hello bitch, Do you not see that my hands are full? Do you not think I will come back? Do you really need that darn plate out of your way?

I sort of lost it... I have an attitude problem and my attitude came out. I put down all those other dirty plates at small empty table beside me and go over and grab her one darn plate and walk that one darn plate to the kitchen.
Later that night, I'm assuming it was her aunt, came over and apologized saying "Sorry! Thank you for taking such good care of us, I hope our drunk asses at this end weren't a lot of trouble" (They were drinking a lot of wine)

Honestly, if it wasn't for that big tip that I was pretty sure I was gonna get from their high bill, I may have lost it. 

Sunday, May 4, 2014

La Casa Pergola - Red Deer, AB

Oh La Casa Pergola... the great things I've heard about you. In High school my friend and I stopped by this little place and honestly I wasn't a big fan of their lunch menu...
But I've heard from many locals that this is the place for great authentic italian food. When i mention my "Meh" previous experience, they tell me the dinner menu will be worth it.


So a couple of us stopped by to check out this hidden away restaurant in downtown red deer and my reservations about this place prior were correct.

Ordered the Calamari, personally I found it unappetizing and soggy. The sauce, I was told, base is sour cream and it was weak and tasteless... Never had tasteless sour cream. Wasn't a very special dish. I love calamari and find most restaurants make it a little too oily, it wasn't oily here... when i say soggy, i mean it was un crispy from maybe not being properly cooked or sitting there too long before it was brought out...

I had the Fettuccini Con Pollo , small portion for $17. And boy.. was it small. I could probably grab the whole portion in my small hands and cover it all.
I understand fine dining and their small portions, but this place is not exactly the real fine dining experience.
I also found this dish flavorless. The Chicken was cooked perfectly and seasoned well. But that was the only appetizing aspect of this dish.
The pasta sauce is described to be made with all these cheeses yet I honestly didn't taste anything. It just tasted like watered down white sauce with a faint faint hint of cheese.
I think those cheap side kick packages at the grocery store have more flavor then this dish.

And the price... not worth it.
(They ran out of broccoli that night and subbed mushrooms.)


Overall, my experience wasn't memorable at this joint. I love the ambiance of the place. Its quaint and sadly it would be a great restaurant if the food was more flavorable, or at least the price should not be that high for the quality of the food.
Don't see the great food that everyone else is saying so personally, I will not be returning to this restaurant.

La Casa Pergola on Urbanspoon

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Shiseido - Translucent Loose Powder Review

I thought I liked loose powders because its usually the better bang for the buck. But after this product, I realized my big dislike for loose powders and will not continue to purchase pressed powder.
I've heard many good things about this Loose Powder by Shieseido, I've been trying to find something comparable or similar to MUFE's HD finishing powder. You can find this usually around 40/cad at a local beauty counter comes with .63 oz of product... which is a lot! This will last you a good while.

Personally, I am not a big fan of this product. It has very sheer coverage, and was not long lasting because of that fact. You really have to pack this onto your skin to make it last most of the day, which I'm not really use to doing. And i found it wasn't really mattifying because it was so sheer. I have fairy dry skin, never really oily. But even after 12+ hour days a girl will produce oil with a full make up face, unlike MUFE's HD powder, this one would only last maybe 1-3 hours before you start seeing a shine or your make up isn't looking as fresh.

It can be a little bit messy, it being a loose powder and all. I usually just tip it upside down, give it a few shakes and then just use the power on the lid. More even pick up of product on brush that way. It being white/translucent it does not have any color effect on your skin.. that is unless you put a big glob of white powder on your face... it'll be a bit hard to blend out. I didn't notice a difference in my pores either as the product says it would keep it concealed.

Overall, not impressed with the performance of this product. I have moderately dry skin, producing oil after a lonnnng day of work and this product did not help the shine or lasting power of my make up. You can't see in the photos but there was no significant difference between the two sides of my face, with or without powder.
Would not recommend this nor repurchase.


Pointing at the side with powder
4 hrs into wear

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right after application, left side is with powder.

Sunday, April 20, 2014

The Coconut Room - Red Deer, AB

Cafes like these are all the fad these days. I'm not a big coffee drinker, prefer to get my caffeine fix from some good ol' green tea but I've heard from many coffee drinkers that they love going to the Coconut Room for 'Real Coffee'. I stopped by here with a friend for lunch when I  heard they have a great lunch menu! I wasn't expecting much for their lunch menu, knowing it was more of a cafe with pastries, but they really only had three meals to be served for their lunch. We had the coconut curry (Which i'm starting to think its one of their most popular dishes) and what I believe was called the burrito bowl...

Its a very open space, with a small gallery in the corner.. did i mention it on top of Sunworks? Nice to do a little shopping on your way out! Their plating is simple yet fitting for the atmosphere. A bit expensive for what you get... but you pay for the quality not quantity.
Didn't find much special about the burrito bowl, pretty generic in my opinion. The Coconut Curry on the other hand, I can see why most people mention this dish when they talk about the food there.
Its a pretty tasty dish, very sweet.. what i love about this dish, is that they put a dollop of coconut on top of the curry, so you can mix it in or add a little to each bite. Both dishes are very hearty. They offer a mason jar with cinnamon sticks and apples... Personally, I didn't like it but it's nice to see that added touch.

They do offer many soups and salads, all of which sound very tasty. And they have a large selection of home made pastries. I've seen from their facebook page that they do offer a changing dinner menu, all of which looks pretty tasty and worth the try. 
If you like coffee, a quiet atmosphere, do not want gluten in your pastries, want into that whole healthy raw food or want to try out one of those trendy cafes that are popping up everywhere than this will be your place. Or even if you just want a decent snack while you are in downtown, try their coconut curry.

It's a quaint little cafe, I'm glad I tried it out. Doubt i'll be there again soon, or often... not really my type of restaurant but It's definitely worth it to stop by and check it out. 


The Coconut Room on Urbanspoon

Oh Customer Service Pt1

I decided to document my experiences with what I think are some crazy ass people. Good way to get out the frustration. Seems like these past couple of months, I just keep randomly getting angry people.
Maybe its the weather....

1) Boiling Water Lady
There were two of them that night, two old ladies. And i swear they are off their rockers. They weren't friendly to begin with, one of those people that never return a smile...
It started with the tea... let me start with that for hot water dispenser. Hooked up to the wall, automatically dispenses boiling hot water. Sorta like one of those coffee makers you see at a restaurant, and they have a red little switch above where you put the coffee filter and it dispenses hot water...
So they asked for tea, I proceeded to bring out two cups of hot water, tea bags on the side.
When i come back a few minutes later to take their order, one of the old ladies asked if I could bring her new water and to make sure it's boiling. I looked at her and had to keep my face straight. When I poured that water, i remember seeing steam.
I asked her friend if her water was hot enough since it came from the same dispenser, and she replied "Oh yes, mine was boiling"
What the frack you old cracker?
They had ordered spring rolls. First off, i've never have heard of anyone saying spring rolls being spicy unless it says so in the name. Nor have i ever had spring rolls that were spicy.. anywhere. And being asian, i have had my fair share of eating spring rolls.
Anyways, the lady with the normal hot water told me it was so spicy, she could not handle it.
Long story semi short, I pretty much just gave up on them.

2) The I'm Changing my Story Lady
At the till, I was taking a payment for another customer who had a unfortunate experience with his food, great guy. I gave him a discount on behalf of his bad experience.
The lady behind him, whom was my customer, overheard. I had checked on her party throughout the meal, and they all said everything was great... no complaints whatsoever. After the man left that I discounted for, the lady started complaining about her food.. evidently expecting a discount as well.
If there was a problem, you should have addressed it when I checked on your party multiple times so I could have found a solution, not at the end.
Sadly, there are always people like this that just try and get a deal.

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Make Up Forever - Smokey Mascara

Received this mascara as a gift with my purchase. Its a more dry formula which i usually do prefer. It is not a flakey dry formula. It says it will curl,volume, lengthen and give intense pigmentation. Quadruple threat. Who doesn't want lashes like that?? It didn't holy my curl perfectly but it didn't deflate it either. I didn't notice much volume but i did notice a bit of umph with my length. And with the intense pigmentation, I didn't notice it my lashes being darker then with other regular mascaras.

My lashes didn't clump unless i was super slow/distracted and basically tried to layer my mascara. Never had any problems of it smudging on me, its a more a natural looking mascara. Find it around $27/cad for a full size mascara. Comes in different colors.

Honestly, its a pretty average mascara. It didn't do anything stunning that made it stand out from all the other mascaras. Won't be repurchasing it.



Top without mascara,
Bottom with


Monday, March 10, 2014

Urban decay Deluxe Palette



Before this I've never tried anything from the highly raved line, urban decay! So when i saw this deluxe palette floating around on sephora for around $15 CAD i picked it up to try it out. It came with a very small sample size of the urban decay primer potion for eyeshadows (not much product in it) and this palette! While reading online, apparently this palette offers the "deluxe" shadow.. which are suppose to be more pigmented vs their regular ones.
Its a neat packaging, usually urban decay has some fun snazzy packaging for their palettes and products. This one has this sort of silvery chain mesh product, which is pretty neat and on there securely.
It has a nice sized mirror in it, i don't understand why some palettes include a mirror the size on my pupil in them.. why bother?
Personally, im more of a neutral eyeshadow gal... can't give me enough of those brown shades!
But i thought it would be fun to have some funky colors in my collection... you never know ;)
Urban decay has about five colors in this palette that
will most likely not use... can you guess which ones? ;)
I honestly rarely use this palette but I don't regret buying it.
Overall, this is a great palette to get if you are starting off your collection or just want to try out urban decay products. The eyeshadows are smooth, well pigmented and do last a while without any primer. This palette has been floating around for a couple years!