Aug 3rd, 2009
Barbarossa sucks, period. So we have heard legendary stories about how bad the service was here, but we came anyway on a Sunday night because we wanted to chill out and have a relaxing night. Let me go down the list about how shitty this place is.
1. Service is TERRIBLE. Despite ordering drinks, the waiter REFUSED to give us water, saying that the "bar was closed". First, the bar wasn't closed. There was a bartender standing right there, idly doing nothing. Second, the waiter went to get us water eventually, and guess where it was? NOT BY THE BAR. It was chilling on one of those serve stations. Ashtrays were removed and not returned to our tables, despite us clearing smoking. The cheque was brought to us even before we asked for it. I thought that was rude and unnecessary. Was that Barbarossa's way of asking us to leave? Although these were all minor incidents, they added up to an extremely stressful experience.
2. The shisha was terrible. Had to ask them to re-do it. I've been smoking shisha since I was a mere teenager, so I know what even poor shisha is supposed to taste like. Trust me, I wouldn't even pay 10 kuai to smoke this crap.
3. The operations manager was truly unprofessional, rude,and proved quite clearly his lack of experience at dealing with situations in a polite and efficient manner. His attitude was extremely appalling. There have been reviews elsewhere specifically targeting this man, and I now know why that was the case. An international establishment needs to recognize the value of service and professionalism, both of which were definitely not present in this individual.
4. We also witnessed a group of about ten waitstaff (who were clearly not waiting the tables) physically assaulting what looked like a customer. Although the victim in question was not a part of my group, I felt immensely bad for the abuse he had to undergo. That show of unprofessionalism, in clear view of all first-floor patrons, contributed poorly to my restaurant experience.
5. prices. slightly pricey, but i have no problems paying if it means having a good night. the ambience/location was great, kudos to that. but the service (or lack thereof) was so unbearably stressful, the "operation manager"'s attitude so appalling, that it negated any merits that this place might have
6. i will give credit where it is due... there was one very nice staff member there, whose name i forgot to ask for. he was helpful, professional, and basically the anti-thesis of everyone else.
i predict the demise of this place soon enough, unless someone from the Real Management (no, not the "operations manager") actually pays heed to what the customers have to say. As it is, shanghai has LOADS of better places where i don't have to deal with your such a stressful experience.
there. my two cents worth. never going back again, and i suggest that all of you smart people on smartshanghai.com take your yuans elsewhere too.