China Lane — Restaurant in Sydney

Probably one of the worst restaurant experiences - thanks to the “manager” Eros.

My 8 months pregnant friend and I went there last night (Tuesday) for dinner. When I came in to the restaurant, I was greeted by a very dry “Hi, how can I help you?”, I told I had a reservation and was escorted to our table without any words, no smile. I was a bit surprised by that, but I hoped that the person was just a host and we wouldn’t have to deal with him any later.

We placed our order - some entrees and mains. We saw that the restaurant was busy, but 30 min later with no food, my friend decided to check on it. She was able to get the attention of the same unfriendly host (Eros) who was around the kitchen area, she asked about the delay and he said he will check (no apologies whatsoever) but never got back to us even though he was standing next to the kitchen. Then our waiter said to us that they have our order and they didn’t forget about it. Another 10 min and the table that came after us got their food. 40-45 min no entrees, waiters all seemed to be busy, I approached the same unfriendly host who was standing next to the computer and asked if I can speak to a manager, he said he is the manager. From the moment I approached him, he seemed to be hostile. I explained the situation and he just kept looking at me absolutely indifferently, I mentioned that the table after us already got food and he just kept looking at me saying “mmm”, no apologies no nothing and I asked him if he could ask the kitchen to start making the mains as well because we can’t be waiting for mains after entrees for another 40 min. He said “ok”. I left back to the table feeling very appalled by the “manager’s” response. As I sat back to tell my friend all about it, he gave me a death stare or at least that’s what it looked like (to note: the computer is facing the entrance so if he standing at the computer he can’t be turned to me, and I’m sitting slight behind the computer to the right, so, no, it did seem like an accidental look at me). At this point we actually felt that it was creepy and felt a bit threatened. Honestly at that point I wanted to get up and leave. We got our entrees, and I wanted to say thank you to Charlie as he was the only person who apologised to us at that stage and was nice and friendly to us. We did get a complimentary dish for the long wait, so that was nice. Then another weird situation happened - Eros (the unfriendly host - manager) as he was walking to the kitchen dropped a bunch of plates and then what it looked like from the anger/frustration he purposefully drops another plate he was holding and kept walking. At this point we already think that there’s something really off with the guy. We kept looking at other staff members reactions, they seemed to be a bit startled but not surprised. And I might be wrong but it gave us a vibe of a toxic atmosphere going on at that place. Anyway we had our dinner, food was good but it’s really hard to enjoy it after such an appalling treatment from the manager of that place. I should say we really liked wok tossed beef tenderloin. At the end after we paid we asked our waiter for Charlie and Eros names (they don’t have any name tags) and he asked us if something went wrong. I asked whether Eros is actually the manager and he said that Eros is the second manager and our waiter (I don’t want to be wrong but I think his name is Lewi) is the actual manager. We were shocked, told him everything, he apologised and gave us complimentary desserts to take home which was nice. This is the longest review I have ever left, but I wanted to fully describe this unique experience. So I gave 1 star for the food, 1 star to Charlie and 1 star for our complimentary desserts at the end. Would I return to this place? Absolutely not while Eros is...

I give them 1 start only because I could not give them negative star.

Last night we went there as a group of 6 at 6.30pm. We were served with our main at 8.40pm. They could not figure out what went wrong with the order inside their kitchen.

The waiter who is a French with a tattoo on his left arm is high on drugs or something else at the whole night. He was giving wrong orders and was confusing everyone one the table. He could not even explain what the food would be like, nor suggestions on how to order as a group. We ended with two same bum dish as entry and main course and they explained as : "yeah, they are the same one on both entry and main menu." What a joke.

The food is horribly overpriced as we were ripped off with rice for 6 for $24. with $24 one could probably buy rice for around 20 people in any other restaurant. The rest are salty and over supplied with spicy. The fish was worst than any fish and chips store in any CBD corner.

They do not give you knife or fork until you ask for. for 3 hours we had nothing to eat but tap water while the guy on drug is trying to push a sale for their overpriced wine.

Guess what in the end? We were charged with credit card fee while we were paying with cash. The manager or whoever on the computer could not even proper play with the machine and I need to go back to him to point out we just paid with cash.

This is what the kitchen should go to...

NEVER CELEBRATE YOUR PARTY HERE !

One star to appreciate the nice food .

But, MINUS for THE SERVICE.

First, they double our order. She put 18 dishes for 8ppl, when we just ordered one each of 9 different dishes (not included drinks).

Second, they forgot one of our order . We asked for it, then she said the kitchen already closed (she never mention about the kitchen already close or asking for last order before). But then they brought the food, two servesss. When we already clearly said at the first time they brought the food out, we just ordered one each. And, the staff very arrogantly said “now everything ok right?” while serving us the food. We’re still fine even after had this kind of treatment from all the rude staffs there, plus the last food came out so late.

This is not all yet, The WORST one when we asked the staff to help serve the birthday cake after our dinner , but they just give the cake that is still IN THE BAG . We already put the candles and lighter inside, we are not even asking candles from them or borrow their lighter. I think its a very difficult request for them.

Then, the manager blame the new staff for the situation and not even say sorry at all.

At the end, they still charge one of the food double, PLEASE CHECK YOUR RECEIPT WHEN YOU PAY THERE.

I think they are not even ready to receive simple request. They are very lack of hospitality attitude and...