We remember months ago when we went to the Fort. This Chinese restaurant had just opened and had the longest queues so we were intrigued.
Anyway, it was a Friday night we were in the area again so we thought ... ah why not go to Kirin? Upon arriving inside the restaurant, there was absolutely no one to greet you. All the service staff were busy running around and clearing the tables. hence ignoring incoming customers - in fact, we had to seat ourselves down at the nearest available table.
The service was very poor. It seems they were under-staffed or just too concerned with clearing the dishes rather than entertaining the arriving guests. There was also no system in place. One irate guy was making a scene by the door as he had been told to wait outside for a long time yet other people who step into the restaurant after him seem to be able to get a table first. That was the only time the service staff seemed to make an effort. I mean, do we really need to get angry first before we get any service?
We ordered the following appetisers: Xiao Long Pao, and Spare Ribs with Tausi Dimsum. The Xiao Long Pao has got soup in it so in our books, it was good. The spare ribs were okay.
For the main course, we had Seafood and Vegetable Fried Noodles and Peking Duck. The fried noodles were not what we expected. It's hard to describe it, really. There was a thick sauce over it and the noodles were clumped together and sort of half-cooked (?) We had the Peking Duck cooked 2 ways: wrapped in Pancake and with Lettuce. The waiter took so long to do the first way that by the time he was done, the dish had gone stone cold. Apart from being such a slow poke, he seemed more concerned with clearing up. Instead of serving the dish quickly, he even left his post for like 5 minutes to bring the duck up to the kitchen to be cooked the second way. The second way was better. It was served steaming hot - the way all dishes should be served. Our drinks? Lemonade - it was a bit watered down.
The food we ordered too so long to arrive and there was no effort on presentation. It was hard to flag down the waiters for refills. There was only 1 small disposable table napkin per person and you have to ask for more. Even the bill took so long to arrive.
We also noticed that the sensor to the automatic sliding doors were defective. Meaning, some guests who went outside for some reason, could not get back in since the door wouldn't open. And because the waiters were so busy running around and clearing tables, they did not assist these poor people standing outside looking awkward. They have to wait for other guests to go out the door so they are able to get back in. (the sensor seems to be working from the inside)
Our overall rating? VERY POOR. If they keep this up, I don't think anyone would want to go eat there again - SERIOUSLY.
