Jugnu's Little India — Restaurant in North Island

What customer service???!!!

Yesterday evening -and what a beautiful evening it was- I bowled up to the restaurant with 2 other friends and were immediately approached by the duty manager (who failed to introduce/ identify himself) and, without a 'Hello', he asked, if we had a booking? I said no. His manner then changed to that of a loud mouthed arrogant staff member who shouted out (so all customers could hear) 'We cant take anyone without a booking! We have a staff shortage!!'.

Firstly, if you weren't taking bookings it is considerate new customers to inform them by noting that on your Google page. There was nothing about not taking bookings that night on your Google page at all.

Secondly, no apology was offered at all due to the managers ego and arrogance.

Thirdly, how do you expect customers to return or try out your restaurant with that attitude?!

Because the restaurant was not even at half full capacity- not even a third full- why bother opening if you don't have the staff to maintain the restaurant at half full capacity? You were aware of the problem a month ago.

And keep your Google page updated so that customers travelling long distances are not disappointed to find you don't take customers without bookings.

Lastly, the restaurant was my 2nd choice- it will be my last option from now on. The good thing was that being turned away allowed us to discover a far better restaurant in all areas -customer service, food quality and very good pricing- so thank you 'Indian Alley' for respecting your customers! Little India perhaps, you could learn something from them.

My advice is, despite your failings, it is better to lead with respect rather than arrogance and indifference -even when dealing with your own people. The failing would have been acceptable if you had shown respect and consideration to new customers.

As for low on staff/staff shortage this appeared to be the case over a month ago and obviously plenty of time to do something about it. Refer review a month ago -it's good you fixed the fan but what good is a fan if you don't have the staff to maintain full capacity in your restuarant!!!..

"Response from the owner a month ago Good evening Harry. You are absolutely right. We screwed up. The day has been full on with trying to get our exhaust fan fixed that was damaged by a seagull. Our resources are also very limited with great shortage of staff. The good news is that a new motor was found and the fan is up and running and we reopen on Wednesday. I have now blocked out our online booking system for the day. Humble apologies

Refer review ...where once again, showing unapologetic manager for poor service.. "Oopzy Oopzy ,4 reviews·1 photo,10 months ago If you're pani puri lovers don't order it here! Food size not deserve with expensive price $10 because very less stuffs inside the ball, like nothing. Pani taste like water in green color. Even I give a comment to someone (probably manager) no even sorry or discount for disappointing food. Not recommended!!!"

Refer review where no update on Google for changes in service.

"Harry Chrisp,8 reviews·2 photos,a month ago We made a booking, got the confirmation email and everything… showed up to find they were closed. They didn’t give us a warning and still appeared open online. This, not only disrupted our dinner plans but also, made it hard to make our following arrangements on time....

My first choice when it comes to dine out/takeaway with family was Little India Lower Hutt/Wellington/Porirua. But definitely this choice would change from tonight's experience. Customer Service at its LOWEST. I live in Johnsonville and ordered Aloo Saag for takeaway at Blair Street branch. Came home, opened the food and the smell was bad. My wife checked and then again I myself checked- still was'nt right. Ok, called the restaurant and informed about bad smell. The response from Manager was- "I have taken 10 orders today for this meal and nobody has complained" That's such a rude way of handling a customer query/complaint. I insisted that the curry smells bad and I can come back again and get Karahi Paneer instead. The manager agreed. At 9:00pm almost closing time, I drove back again from Johsonville to City to swap the curry. The manager handed the Aloo Saag to 3 Chefs in the kitchen who started eating and did'nt say anything. The manager came out with my Karahi Paneer and said your food is ready. I said "I can pay the balance of 2 dollars for Karahi Paneer." To my great surprise- the manager did'nt even say No and took the extra 2 dollars which I am absolutely fine with. I told him, mate I would personally request you to plz smell it once. He still insisted and was adamant that there is nothing wrong. I came back home.

Overall: There was not even a single instance where the Manager apologized or accepted what I was saying. Mate- why would I drive from Johnsonville to City again at 9:00 to swap a curry and pay extra 2 dollars. Would'nt be for fun I am sure. I myself have been working in Hospitality from past 11 years. You did not care to apologize or accept or offer complimentary. I belong from Punjab village where Saag is cooked almost everyday in winters. I better know the taste and smell of it than that from you and your chefs. I am not from Mumbai or Gujarat where people would'nt know the authentic SAAG's smell or taste. Totally disappointed, would prefer going to other Indian restaurant's where customer query is at least heard rather that totally negating...

My experience dining on Friday left me and my friends feeling awkward and uncomfortable, and I will not return to this restaurant. I ordered a mojito but sadly that is not what I received. In fact, I received something that had something yellow in it (they don't have yellow ingredients) and it had a foul taste (was undrinkable) and a foul smell. I tried to be polite and tell the waiter that the drink did not taste right. He went and got the Manager who came to our table and berated me for not liking her drink. She told me it was not a normal mojito (why in the world would you list it as a mojito then?!). She even went so far as to go and get her recipe, read it to me and tell me that I was wrong. Apparently there was nothing wrong with her drink, and I'm the only one to ever complain, yet when I suggested she go and taste it she said no. She did not want to have a bar of our feedback (my other diners felt the same about the drink) and was offended when I said it had a funny smell (I pulled out the straw and sniffed it and likened it to sulphur).

Instead of behaving like a good host and apologising for my experience she doubled down on being rude and made us feel incredibly awkward and uncomfortable. She even continued to go on about it when my friends were paying for their meal. After reading some reviews on here, it seems like this behaviour is not all that uncommon.

The food was OK but nothing to rave about (the food at the Lower Hutt location was...