swish by han (travelzoo)

[lostkiddo]

I called to book a reservation for two for Swish by Han. Everything was confirmed until I told her I was redeeming a Travelzoo voucher. Right after I told her that she tells me she can't book me because everything is full (while whispering to a guy who I assume is the owner). I than asked to be booked for Saturday afternoon and got shot down right away and than told me they all book all weekend and that they are a very busy restaurant. So I asked her when I could book and I hear her go to the guy "the voucher expires this weekend right?" and said to try back on Monday. I told her it expires by than and she said there is nothing she could do and very rudely said I should have booked earlier. I told her I knew what she was doing and she didn't have a reply, so I was like whatever and hung up. Wasn't worth fighting to eat here knowing how much she detested me for using a voucher. That is all, thanks for reading.

[TorontoGalG]

DINER BEWARE .... eat here at your own risk!

I am a regular at Swish by Han - the wait staff know me and greet me. What happened on Friday night when I went to dine with my adult daughter was inexcusable. To be clear - the food is palatable and the music is ear shattering. The wait staff do not like customers, in fact they think being rude and out and out lying is good customer service.

My daughter cannot have spice and there is spice in some of the food. She inquired about the potstickers from a 'new' waitress - the lady who always wears a white top (she is related to the chef and the owner) did not take our order. She was assured there is no spice. This is not something I have ever ordered so I didn't know.

The dish arrives in a sea of soy sauce and chili oil. We call the waitress over - this time we get the 'lady in white' - the one who is always there - the one related to the owner. My daughter explains the problem - she can't have spice, she asked before ordering, this has spice, she cannot eat it - what can be done. Here the comes the unbelievable part - and I am paraphrasing but very close to what is actually said -

1. Oh! - the other waitress should have told you - I will go let her know that she made a mistake. She is new here and doesn't know the menu I guess.

2. It isn't that spicy - you can eat it anyway - NOTE: at this point we told her that chili oil makes my daughter ill -

3. The chef is particular about his food and he makes no allowances for guest allergies, you get it the way he wants it and if it isn't what you can eat that is your problem.

We ate quickly and got the bill. I live next door to this place and am fond of it, so I went back to see this was just some sort of misunderstanding. I get 'lady in white' - I am just a waitress I just work here it isn't my job to deal with upset customers' I ask where is the manager, there is nobody here to talk to. Shortly afterwards another lady appears claiming to be 'the manager'. She listens to me. I ask her isn't the 'lady in white' part of the ownership - yes she assures me she is. She will pass on my comments.

No the bill was not adjusted - yes it was $7 and I paid for the dish, but that wasn't the point.

No-one apologized - the final suggestion as we were leaving - we should 'order' more carefully in the future. If we can't eat something don't order it.

Okay folks - this is not acceptable by any means at any class of restaurant.

[YLSF]

I had this place on my list of spots to try but based on the first poster's comments on how they dealt with the voucher I don't think I will bother trying it. I hope that OP contacted Travel Zoo and got the voucher refunded. That is very lame to take a reservation and then cancel it when finding out a voucher is being used.

To the 2nd poster, you should post up your review on yelp, chowhound, etc if you haven't already. Doesn't sound like good customer service especially since you are a regular! How do they treat normal customers?

[kmarcie]

I went there twice (never used any vouchers) and found their waitresses quite helpful. Both times I was asked whether I've been there before/familiar with the menu etc. Initially when I said I've never been there, the waitress explained the menu and we placed our order. I found that she returned often to check up on us, bringing out the appetizers one by one, etc.

The food was average-better than average, music wasn't actually that loud.

I went there first in November last year, and then January this year.