Customer service corner

Kesego Ragontse | Friday November 12, 2010 00:00

Mugg and Bean has secured a special place in the hearts of many coffee lovers and teetotallers alike. It has excelled to become synonymous with a decent coffee shop, either because they serve the 'best' coffee or because of the 'Bean' in the name.

Regarding the latter, I advise you to go read their profile on the back of their beautiful menu. I went there a few weeks ago to curb my coffee craving. Well, that was the plan until I read the menu.

First impressions, sorry, it's second that really apply to their service! I walked in to the two waiting staff and greeted them, but they did not respond. I walked past them until I was stopped by another waitress who emerged in front of me. She was pretty good. I later learnt she is the head waitress. Good job, headie!

She took me through to the other end of the restaurant in Vicky's section. I had the pleasure of choosing a table. I didn't like the location of the table but it was the only one near the switch as I wanted to use a laptop. She handed me over to Vicky! That's where I discovered there is indeed FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT in Botswana!

Have you ever been out in a restaurant in which groups of people keep passing through? Probably not, if you have not been to Mugg and Bean, you don't even want to experience that! Come on Damelin students, I am sure you could use the other route or something. Maybe I am violating your right, but it is annoying! I felt sorry for the waiting staff who constantly had to make way for the ever loud students of that college! At this point, I understood why I first got ignored! Later on, Vicky reassured me that they can distinguish between the students and the diners. Probably not in my case, anyway. I will dress up next time, ha ha!

Upon being seated, I was given a menu. It's a very good menu with a wide variety of dishes. It caters for many people of different dietary needs. It is not just an ordinary menu that follows the now boring appetizer-to-dessert rut! Whoever created it surely paid attention to detail! They serve food all day! The menu is divided into seven sections, namely, breakfast (anytime), lunch, dinner, puddings, coffee, and alcoholic beverages.

The 'traditional dishes' caught my eye, though. Surely Botswana's tradition doesn't quite recognise lasagne? Which tradition are they referring to? I also like the names of the omelettes - Kalahari, Okavango, Designer and so on. Cappuccinos range from quick to serious. Oh, hang on. They are not going to pay me for advertising them!

I had a chopstix chicken salad: sticky ginger glazed chicken pieces, mixed lettuce, red onion, bean sprouts, orange segments, carrot shavings and oriental dressing. The chicken pieces were not sticky and had no ginger taste, but the lettuce and other vegetables were very fresh and crispy. The presentation was great - clean, shiny cutlery and glasses. I also had a couple of glasses of red wine. It was dry and at the right temperature. A wine list could be handy!

In the end, I liked the atmosphere because I felt relaxed and taken care of. The little time Vicky got she would go around the tables checking if everyone was ok. She is also good at making conversation. The rest of the waiting staff kept smiling and looked very relaxed as they went about their jobs, interacting with customers. Three rosettes for you. Well done!

PS: Keep the lamb shank on the menu. That's my main course on my next visit (soon)! I will also ask for a cocktail. Doesn't it sound like an idea sommelier? I liked the parasols - double protection in there!