Genius Cafe Sanur — Restaurant in Denpasar Selatan

I have been a frequent visitor to Genius Cafe, typically using it as a co-working space where many people bring their laptops and work. The beachfront location and ambiance are great, and I usually spend between 150,000 and 250,000 Indonesian rupiah each day on coffee and meals. However, I can no longer recommend it due to recurring issues with one particular server who often asks me to change tables, usually from a larger to a smaller one, ostensibly to accommodate bigger parties. This has happened between five and ten times, and it is frustrating to see other single individuals sitting at large tables without being asked to move. What really pisses me off is that I am asked to vacate my table, and then another single individual sits down where I was sitting and they are not asked to move. This happens within just five minutes of me vacating the table, which is very inconsistent and very unfair.

Yesterday, for instance, I was asked to move from an outside picnic table to an indoor table, which was less desirable. There were other solo diners at similar tables who were not asked to move. This incident, in particular, was what prompted my decision not to come back. When I brought this up with the manager, he claimed the table was reserved but acknowledged there was no reservation sign, suggesting a miscommunication. Despite feeling embarrassed and frustrated, I expressed my concerns about being singled out, which the manager dismissed politely.

During our conversation, the manager's dismissive behavior stood out. He laughed off my concerns, implying that I was imagining things and making assumptions. Despite my attempts to explain the pattern of differential treatment I've experienced, he did not take me seriously. This dismissive behavior was very frustrating and made me feel unheard and invalidated. Can you imagine a manager interrupting you and dismissing you by telling you it's a miscommunication when you're trying your best to communicate? During our conversation, I said that if I felt singled out, I would make a complaint. The manager responded tersely, "I accept your complaint" in a loud aggressive manner. That's basically telling me to go away rather than engage with the issue meaningfully.

Often I get asked to change tables when there is generally no reservation situation, such as what happened yesterday. Usually, the cafe is half full and can accommodate everyone present. There's no reason to ask people to move when it's not even busy. It doesn't make any sense for me to be asked to vacate a table when the cafe is only half full.

While most of the staff is generally accommodating, this one server consistently targets me, which I find unacceptable. Being a regular customer does not warrant such treatment, and I dislike the inconsistency in how I am treated compared to other patrons.

Prices have also increased significantly; for instance, the Holy Guacamole went from 50,000 to 75,000 rupiah, and the Mexican Glory rose from 95,000 to 125,000 rupiah. Fresh coconuts have gone up from 35,000 to 45,000 rupiah, and pasta dishes are now priced in the hundreds of thousands.

Given these issues, particularly the unfair treatment, inconsistent & discriminatory seating policies, I will not be returning to Genius Cafe. After all that drama, I left Genius for Retro down the beach, and the server greeted me with: "sit...

Title: "Dry Chicken Chronicles at Genius Cafe Sanur"

I recently dined at Genius Cafe Sanur, enticed by its promising location. Eager to savor the local flavors, I ordered nasi goreng. To my disappointment, the chicken resembled the Sahara Desert – dry and parched. When I politely informed the staff, their solution was offering more sauce, as if I was attempting to turn a poultry dish into a swimming pool.

I thought maybe they misunderstood, so I emphasized that the chicken wasn't just too dry for me but was on a quest to redefine aridity. Instead of acknowledging the culinary calamity, I received a nonchalant "sorry it was too dry for you" from another server, who seemed to be auditioning for a dry humor competition.

As I requested the bill, I reiterated my concerns, hoping they might turn this dining disaster into a learning opportunity. Alas, all I got was a half-hearted acknowledgment – "oh, sorry it was too dry for you," as if I had ordered a side of desert with my meal.

I've traversed the streets of Indonesia, exploring the culinary wonders of nasi goreng in both fancy and hole-in-the-wall establishments. Genius Cafe Sanur, unfortunately, failed to meet even the basic standards. The chicken should not feel like a challenge for hydration, especially in a land where even the modest roadside stalls master the art of juicy nasi goreng. Genius Cafe, you might want to rethink your approach to moisture management in the kitchen.

While the Sahara-inspired chicken left me longing for an oasis of juiciness, I eagerly await Genius Cafe's forthcoming apology. I envision it might read something like, 'We apologize for the dry chicken, and we'll address it with the kitchen team.' Spoiler alert: your apologetic crystal ball is as dry as the chicken I encountered. Here's to hoping they hydrate both their poultry and their customer relations strategy in the future. I gave you two chances to sort this dissapointment, but the place is more about taking your money, and run off.

The follow up after their response. Dear Genius Team,

Firstly, I appreciate the prompt response to my gastronomic misadventure at Genius Cafe Sanur. Your apologies are noted, much like my notes on the Sahara-like chicken.

While your eagerness to address the issue is commendable, I must express my bewilderment at the proposed solution—contacting you via email to unravel the mystery of the parched poultry. In the spirit of culinary camaraderie, might I suggest a more immediate and practical resolution, such as miraculously removing the offending dish from my bill? It would be a move as refreshing as a well-hydrated chicken.

Your invitation to engage in an email exchange feels akin to adding more sauce to an already dry situation. Nevertheless, I will ponder reaching out, like a culinary detective solving the case of the desiccated drumstick.

In the realm of customer satisfaction, actions speak louder than apologies. A proactive gesture, like removing the desert-dry dish from the bill, might just reignite the spark of hope for future visit. Or an easy, let us get you something else would been enough. Too bad we dont live in the era om time traveling yet.

Sincerely,

The Explorer of...

My partner reserved a table at Genius for my birthday due to how pretty it looked and the good reviews it has. We were sat outside on the beach and the service started well, we ordered a starter (3 dips with nachos) which was really nice with a mojito and an apple and mango cider.

We decided to move tables as where we were sat wasn’t really ideal for eating a proper meal as it was more of a lounge seating arrangement. We opted to sit at a table which staff showed us to and accommodated.

This is where the evening just went downhill, and we felt forgotten about, we had menus given to us and we sat with the menus for about 30 minutes before I flagged down a member of staff asking to order mains. We both ordered the Thai Red Curry, which was full of flavour and full of spice (a bit too much for me, however this is a traditional dish so I have no complaints here).

During our meal, no member of staff even bothered to ask us whether our food was okay, or if we wanted any further drinks, there was a particular member of staff who was initially serving us over by the beach who seemed more interested in an American couple than any other customers, ourselves included.

When we had our mains eventually cleared away when I had to flag down another member of staff to get the bill, we felt we couldn’t order a dessert due to how poor the service had been.

Once we were paying for our food, the waitress didn’t even ask if we had a nice experience, or if we had a nice meal, just zero interest in how we had been treated, if we were asked, I would’ve been honest with her.

Overall, the food here is really good and I have zero complaints with it, the service was absolutely appalling, the worst levels of service we had experienced since being in Bali. Maybe we were just unlucky with the staff on shift here, or if it’s a one off, however, we personally won’t be recommended Genius as a...