Okra – started off about 8 years (or so) back from the same place it occupies now, serving semi-low budget Pakistani food. The place had potential, convenient location (Zamzama wasn’t as crowded 8 years back), great food and moderate price.
The place took off. The menu was modified to cover continental cuisine, the prices went up and the location remained the same. But the MOST significant change that happened in Okra was the change in the ‘attitude’.
You don’t do anyone a favor by serving them food, especially when you charge them the prices Okra did (I use the past tense because it HAS been 1 year since I went there).
I am sure you are now waiting to hear what pissed me off to completely write off the place so here goes…
It was a friend’s birthday and 7 of us made reservations at Okra for 8pm. We got there promptly at 8 and were told that due to back to back bookings “we would have to leave by 9:15”. That gave us with a reasonable 1hr 15mins to have dinner – which isn’t bad or so it seemed. We were waiting for some of the friends to come over so we hadn’t ordered food till 8:15 at which time one of the waiters came up and said “you have to order your main course NOW”. We apprised him that 2 people from the expected group of 7 were around the corner but we got a response that resulted in 5 very surprised faces.
“You need to order NOW, because we will take 50 minutes to serve your order, which means you will have 10 minutes to finish your food!”
50 minutes – Seriously?! Are you butchering a New Zealand Calf to cook me a steak? Are you planning to run off to Malir and get fresh potatoes for the gratin?! Seriously?!
It wasn’t as if he was asking us ‘nicely’, ‘politely’ to ensure that we do vacate our table in time for the next party.
He quite literally had ‘I am doing you a favor by serving you food’, written all over his face.
My friend spent about Rs. 8K that night on great food, elsewhere, because the party of 7 was hungry and wanted great food. Each of the 7 people in that gathering must have very easily spent about Rs 50K each on eating out in the past year. And how much of that has gone to Okra – ZERO!
We all happen to enjoy a great meal – without the side order of attitude. This may have happened a year back – but was harsh enough to remember.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
serves you right for going to Okra. I went once a long long time ago, and never went back again... In my opinion its the worst restaurant on Zamzama... I know I'm going to get hammered for this...
hmmm i used to like okra back in the day - i think it was exclusive enough to appeal to my dress up and go out snob sensiblities hehe but i think its been two years since i went back. you are right. i want to be given good food and not the impression that you are doing me a favour by giving me food im paying for!
Post a Comment