We arrived at the restaurant for our 7:30 PM reservation around 7:39 PM. Upon entering, we found the host stand empty and had to venture further inside to get someone's attention, as the host area was not close to the dining space. Given our slight delay, it was crucial to announce our arrival.
After a short wait, a host finally appeared. I mentioned our reservation time, but her overly cheerful response was disheartening: "You're 20 minutes late, and we only seat for two hours." Surprised by her claim, I checked my watch, which read 7:40 PM, and pointed out that we were only 10 minutes late. It felt surreal as she insisted we were indeed 20 minutes late.
I reiterated that it was still 7:40 PM, questioning how we could be considered 20 minutes late for a 7:30 reservation. After some back and forth, she adjusted her statement to say we were 15 minutes late, which still didn't seem right. Thankfully, my friend suggested we drop it, as I was tempted to continue the discussion, curious about her grasp of time.
At 7:41 PM, we found ourselves squeezed into a tight area, eagerly anticipating service. By 7:55 PM, our patience was wearing thin as we still hadn't seen a waiter. Frustration set in, prompting us to consider other dining options nearby, especially since our initial welcome felt as if it came from someone in a different time zone. It was perplexing that no one had approached us to take a drink order or even offer a friendly greeting.
Just as we were about to leave, the host finally returned to inquire if anyone had taken our order. The restaurant was divided into two sections--one filled with a distinct hookah scent and the other, where we sat, appeared to be less busy--yet we had been completely overlooked. The host offered us a complimentary round of drinks, but my best friend made it clear that the decision to stay was up to the birthday girl, our other best friend. Her expression spoke volumes; it was clear she was not interested in staying.
Having backgrounds in customer service, with two of us having worked in restaurants, we could easily sense her disappointment with the lack of attention. After a brief discussion, we made the decision to leave. The host lingered at our table, perhaps still disoriented by that time zone mix-up, and muttered something under her breath. Fortunately, I was the only one who heard it; otherwise, she might have needed a serious wake-up call.
I chose this restaurant because I had a wonderful food experience there for my birthday a few months back, and I was eager to return for my best friend's birthday celebration. As a Nigerian American, I have a good sense of authentic flavors, especially after enjoying the real deal in Nigeria. I do believe Eko should consider transforming into a full-fledged Nigerian restaurant or hire a genuine Jamaican chef from the countryside, as they truly know how to cook.
Unfortunately, from the moment we arrived, the atmosphere was disappointing. My friends and I are all about positive vibes, and this just didn't cut it. Thankfully, we found another restaurant after leaving, and it was a complete turnaround. The new place had a vibrant atmosphere that saved the night for the birthday girl. To top it off, the host was in sync with our time zone, which was a nice touch, and we were warmly welcomed as soon as we sat down, despite the restaurant being packed. Our waiter introduced himself and provided exceptional service throughout the evening.
Eko, it's crucial to invest in better training for your hosts to enhance the overall hospitality experience. read more