Sahib Sindh Sultan - Cunning business trick - Felt cheated

Sahib Sindh Sultan – Cunning business trick on V-day (14-FEB-2011) – Felt cheated

 

On this Valentine’s Day I took my wife out for dinner to a restaurant called Sahib Sindh Sultan. It is located inside Forum Mall, Koramangla, Bangalore. I had a nice feeling when I entered it – felt romantic and was looking forward to having a nice quiet candle-lit dinner to celebrate the day with my beloved. I had anticipated the rush and a long waiting queue at the restaurant – so I had made advance reservation online, through HungryZone.com. But while coming out, I had mixed feelings – one of which was of being cheated and bullied into paying exorbitantly high price for a dinner. Other feelings were, less extreme. Food was good (7/10); ambience was superb – colonial railway station and ultra-luxury train theme with stewards dressed as ticket checkers (8/10); service was cordial and prompt (7/10).

 

I knew before-hand that this one was a bit on the pricey side. I had been there once before a couple of years back. Quick check on reviews and past experience gave me a rough estimate of 1000 bucks for a dinner for two (without any drinks). But I think these guys went a bit overboard in an attempt to cash-in on the V-day rush. They had removed the main course menu card altogether and replaced it with V-day special package with the price tag of 899 + tax, which came out to be 2245 finally for one couple. Now what pissed me off the most was there refusal to serve à la carte. This package was not an option – I was told very politely that today, they shall be serving this package only.

 

Clearly it was a cunning business trick which they played on unsuspecting love-struck diners. When you are in there for a dinner on V-day you are not likely to spoil your evening by getting up and leaving the place, in search of another restaurant. Besides, you may not get seat in any good restaurant at that time of the evening. So, very cleverly, the restaurant has played upon this by not announcing table d'hôte evening either at the like of booking confirmation or at the entrance.

 

Summary – please do a check on the approximate cost for a dinner at such pricey restaurants, to avoid last minute shockers like the one I had. About the restaurant – Not good value for money.