I have to say I was very disappointed at my last visit at Lola Bar/Le Comptoir last Friday, March 11th.
Prior to that, I was there in September with a large group for my university's alumni event which I organized and had a pleasant experience. That's the reason why I decided to hold my birthday party at the same venue.
I didn't know that there was a change in management. I made the reservation for a group of 25 people a couple of weeks in advance. I even went a few days before the event to look at the menu and order ahead and I also made sure to have the courtesy and ask if I could bring a cake. I was informed that they would charge CHF 2.00 per person if they serve us but if I bring my own plates etc., it would be fine. So I opted for the latter.
On the night itself, the bartender/waitress was rude from the moment I arrived. A friend had arrived before me and I waited awhile to be attended to even though the place wasn't busy at all. Finally, when I mentioned to her politely that I have a reservation, she was quick to cut me off and say, "Yes, I know!" and even sounded irritated.. She didn't say anything else so I asked her where we can place ourselves and she just gestured and said, "Around here!"
She wasn't welcoming at all and I was already put off but decided to ignore her rude behavior. She finally told us we could occupy 3 tables. The tables were far apart and I wanted the group to be together. I asked if it would be okay to put the tables together. She once again sounded irritated and asked me, "Are all of your guests coming? You didn't order enough food!" I explained to her that I only ordered small appetizers for 20 people because I was paying for those but the guests will be paying for their drinks and for sure will order more food, which did turn out to be the case. That was strike 2!
I tried to hold my tongue and be polite as I didn't want to let her rudeness ruin my birthday. I was informed after awhile by guests that they did find her rude when they were placing their orders, so it wasn't just me.
I decided to pay right away for what I ordered and it was only then that she acted nice.
Towards the end of the evening, she said she wanted to talk to me and told me that because I brought cake, they will have to charge me. I told her what the guy I spoke with had told me about their policy on bringing cake from outside.
She brought out the manager and he also had a cold and haughty persona. I told him that I came days before and I do understand the policy of charging food brought from outside which was why I made sure to ask first. He told me that they provide cakes, which was not an option presented to me by the man I spoke with days before. Had I known this, I wouldn't have brought a cake and would have ordered from them. The manager was insistent I pay CHF 2.50 per person and this is when I had to tell him how upset I was with them. Because I was starting to get emotional, he said "OK, forget it!".
It wasn't the fact that I have to pay that made me upset. It was that they told me one thing at the beginning and then something else on the night itself and the manner they addressed me and behaved towards me and my guests really got to me. There weren't even many customers that night. I actually brought them their evening's customers.
With the new management in place, I do not recommend this place to anyone. The food is not as good as it used to be. The kimchi buffalo wings for instance were too salty. Now I understand why there weren't many customers on a Friday night. read more