This is the Pizza Hut right after the tollgate on the highway to Bandung. And there’s something different about this one. Besides the fact that the staff is very happy and enthusiastic, they love to entertain kids by making balloon animals for them. There’s a huge basket in a corner which is filled with long balloon tubes. Kids come and select a color and one of the staff would make an animal or something for the kid. Kids love watching the transformation of balloon tubes into different shapes. And these balloons are easier to keep. It also makes their parents happy because the whole process keeps their kids away for a while. It seems to make the staff happy because they get to interact with different kids and spread some cheer in between taking orders and serving pizzas! The balloon hat in the picture is my contribution to the shapes now available ☺ What a simple idea! And so much WOW!
Archive for the ‘Restaurants’ Category
Pizza Hut Jakarta: Entertaining Kids!
November 18, 2007Red light = Pick up your noodle!
October 20, 2007
The Cathay Lounge at the Hong Kong Airport has a Noodle Bar that is always crowded, and for good reason. I finally decided to try it out today. The lady took my order, handed me a green thingy and said, “Come back when is red”. Call me stupid, but I had never seen anything like this before. I walked away from the bar with excitement; sat down at a nearby table and started looking at in awe. It read in English and Chinese: Your favorite noodle is ready for you to collect if the light is on or vibrates. I didn’t take my eyes off it so as not to miss the spectacle. Sure enough, in a couple of minutes the red lights around the edge of the circle start blinking – quietly announcing that my noodle is ready. WOW, what an innovative product/idea!
I wonder why this thingy hasn’t become more popular in clinics, hospitals, banks or wherever you take a number and wait for the number to be called. And the number is only called when you take a toilet break 
Fernando’s Macau: Send us a Check!
October 13, 2007
Its getting to the end of our fantastic family vacation in Macau. We plan to checkout and lunch at the highly recommended Fernando’s on Hac Sa Beach on the Coloane side. After the cab zipped us by the bridge, we finally reached the beach side restaurant with a very homely atmosphere, breezy backyard and friendly and wonderful cast around us. We had delicious finger-licking curry and friend king prawns. When we produced our credit card to pay for the meal, we were told, “Cash only”. Oops, we didn’t have enough. The manager said, “no problem, take the bill, mail us a check.” We couldn’t believe what we were hearing! There are actually people and places like that today? WOW!
[We did mail the check as soon as we got back to Hong Kong ]
[Contributed by Altaf, Hong Kong]
Pacific Coffee Hong Kong: No Money, No Problem!
October 12, 2007I’m a starbucks and pacific coffee addict. On one particular day, I was really craving a chilino from pacific and so without further ado I rushed to my nearest branch (where I happened to be a regular customer). I could already taste that coffee in my mouth before I stepped in. I went to the counter, placed the order, took out my wallet…only to realise that I was low on cash…and by low on cash I mean my wallet was empty. First thing that comes out of my mouth is ‘shit!’ as you can imagine my extreme frustration at this point. The guy at the counter, who knows I’m a regular customer, smiles and asks me what’s wrong (he already knows). I show him my empty wallet, he tells me it’s not a problem and gives me a free grande chilino of my choosing on the house! Definitely WOW!
[Contributed by Hamza, Hong Kong]
Outback Steaks Manila: Motivation Badges etc!
October 11, 2007The place was packed on a weekday at 7:30. We were given a cute colorful pager that would beep as soon as they had a table for us. WOW! The place was truly Australian with boomerangs, koalas and kangaroos, even eucalyptus plants. The food was great, and the service was excellent! Our waitress was wearing lots of badges; most of them were shaped like boomerangs. We finally asked her about the badges. She explained, “The ‘opening team’ one is only for those who have been here since this place opened; this ‘2000P award’ is for getting orders worth 2000 Pesos in one night; this one is a good service award”. What a simple but wonderful way to reward and recognize employees! WOW!
[February 2004]
Rasoi Restaurant Delhi: Must Visit!
October 9, 2007I checked into this old government-run hotel near Delhi airport to catch an early morning flight to Hong Kong. The lobby was like an empty football ground; reception staff lacked life; lift’s indicator lights didn’t work; the room had old dirty furniture and smelled of rotten food and cigarettes; no internet connection; TV was too small; no drinking water; bathroom was bare except for one bath towel and one little soap. I decided to go into the city, eat at a nice restaurant, do some shopping or watch a movie and come back when I am too sleepy.
Lobby manager told me the nearest action places were all 40-50 minutes drive and the shops close around 9 PM. It was 8:45. He told me I should try the Rasoi Restaurant in the hotel if I wanted nice dinner. So I did, and the rest is history! It was one of the best dining experiences I have had. The interior was very Indian; staff was very friendly and motivated; food was delicious and authentic. One of the highlights was the way my food was served: in dishes kept on a coal oven built into a trolley, and a waiter stood there to serve me hot food directly from those dishes. The other highlight was an Indian band of three singing Indian ghazals. They were singing with full passion though the only other diner was a drunken western guy. My applause and ‘farmaishes’ took their enthusiasm to another level. Sarwer was the singer who was also playing harmonium, Sandhya was another singer and Safi played ‘tabla’. These were people with enthusiasm for life and a passion for what they do. Thanks to the band and staff who made my dreary evening a dinner to remember!
[October 2007]
