Disaster strikes when my husband and I turned up at Sango – a tall, Chinese waiter said he couldn’t find my name on their reservation list – there are only TWO names on their reservation list for Saturday’s lunch and they can’t make way for another table for two persons because their reservation for the day is full (yes – you read it correctly, two names on the list and it’s full booking for the day; those two whom are on their list must have reserved for the whole village to eat). What amazed me is the attitude of the waiter, he checked his reservation list and when he couldn’t find my name on the list, he just disappeared back into the restaurant, leaving us standing on the front desk, it’s only when we kept standing at the counter that he actually ask when we called for reservation, etc. but still he insist that no name on the reservation list and sounded as though that it’s my fault for turning up without a reservation. I even showed him the restaurant’s phone number which is still on my mobile’s dial list – did I speak to a ghost who confirmed my reservation a few days ago? Didn’t the waiter realize that I’m actually paying for the food? Rather, he acted as though I’m begging for food instead and what about the hassle and time spent to traveling to the restaurant? For goodness sake, do show some courtesy or at least pretend to feel sorry wouldn’t hurt. The dumb waiter even went back into the restaurant and told his colleagues in Cantonese – “customers say they had reserved but name not on reservation list” – what kind of attitude is this? The most annoying part is that he made it looked that as though I’m trying to fake the reservation rather than the restaurant might have made a mistake and misplaced my reservation. Don’t I have better things to do on a Saturday afternoon than trying to fake a reservation? Besides, it’s not like they are the only Japanese restaurant in town!

After the brief commotion with the waiter, the Japanese chef turned up and offered us a table; at least he had the courtesy to say sorry. In any case, I was already immensely disappointed and lost my appetite; my whole Saturday afternoon ended up in total disaster.

We left without eating at Sango and offered the same two cents worth to the hotel management. The staff apologized and even tried to find out who took my call on 24 March 2010, precisely at 1:28pm but to no avail and according to the staff, since the restaurant is not directly under the hotel management, there’s nothing much that could be done.

Hence, to those who are planning to dine at Sango, do think twice, besides there are plenty of restaurants that offer good Japanese food in KL. I for one will definitely opt for others in the future – sometimes it’s not just the food, customer service counts too to make up for a pleasant dining experience.

karim,
Yes, as far as I know it is halal.