POOR MANAGEMENT

<p>So over the years we’ve been going to Papachinos (Clearwater) because we enjoy their food and the kids love the playground area. This year I decided to have my son’s birthday there.</p> <p>When I called to make a booking for 18 people, they said for a table that seats 13 or more, we need to take a set menu. I thought this is stupid as I don’t want a few dishes to choose from when they have such a wide selection on their normal menu. I called back the next day and booked TWO tables. One under my name for 10 people and 2 toddlers and another table under my sister-in-law’s name for 8 people.</p> <p>My son’s birthday was on Sunday, 16 April. That morning Papachinos called me to confirm the booking. Nothing else was discussed with me, I just told them yes we are still coming and we will see them later.</p> <p>On the day, our guests arrived. We ordered drinks and wine, and my sister-in-law’s table ordered their meals before us. They ordered 3 pizzas to share between the 7 of them because they had a big breakfast and I would think that’s quite normal as people do share pizza’s. (No medium size pizza available) The manager, Johan, called me aside with a huge issue that they only ordered 3 pizzas and that they were short of 4 meals.</p> <p>We explained to him that we can’t ask them to order more if that’s all they wanted to order. Never was it said that EACH PERSON MUST order a meal. Johan said if they don’t order more meals there will be a cover charge of R65.00 per person for the 4 meals that was short.</p> <p>This does not even make sense. We had TWO SEPARATE tables on TWO SEPARATE bills. Johan said, that if we were walk-in customers, then it would be fine, but because we booked we each had to order a meal.</p> <p>I told my guests about the issue as everyone could see the scene unfolding, and everyone could not believe how pathetic the manager was, so we decided to go to another restaurant nearby.</p> <p>Based on this, the manager rather let us all leave because they wanted to be greedy and make an issue about R260.00. Instead they lost out on a total bill that would be in excess of R2500.00 with the drinks, meals and possibly some desserts. Our waiter apologized on behalf of the manager and mentioned that our meals (table of 10 people) were already on the grill and some were ready to be served.</p> <p>I really think this is pathetic and disappointing from their side. I will definitely not go there ever again or recommend them to anyone. And as for the manager, Johan was so short sited and did not see the forest for the trees. Papachinos lost regular customers and possible new customers that were with us for the first time to Papachinos for a mere R260.00. Johan, your management and customer s****s need serious attention. The owner seriously needs to rethink who he leaves in charge and take such ridiculous decisions. </p>