Kloof Street in Gardens in Cape Town is making a comeback, once known for having the largest number of restaurants in one street in Cape Town, until Bree Street took over the accolade.
Now Kloof Street has been named as one of 33 coolest streets in the world by TimeOut, ranked at number 26.
The Street has a large number of eateries (including Chef Jan-Hendrik van der Westhuizen’s JAN Continue reading →
The Sweet Service Award goes to BP President petrol station in Sea Point, and its attendant Michael. Since switching to Discovery Insure last year, I have been filling up at this petrol station, and had the luck to be served by Michael on that day. Since then I have always requested him. Yesterday I went to do my monthly fuel up, and he proactively checked the oil and water, washed all four windows plus the windscreen, checked the tyres, and even found a little top for one of the tyres which an attendant at a Camps Bay garage had forgotten to put back on. What a pleasure to see and tip him each time. Continue reading →
The Sweet Service Award goes to Charlotte Rhys, and its co-owner Shaun McDermott, for arranging the same-day delivery of their products, a rare service efficiency from hospitality suppliers.
The Sour Service Award goes to BP President on Regent Road in Sea Point, and its owner Mr Zuckermann. While it has a convenient location, it is often short-staffed, noticeable especially when petrol price hikes are about to come in force. On a recent visit every bay was full but only half the number of staff was on duty. I asked to speak to a manager. The staff told me he was not there. An argumentative old man came up to my car, asked me what I was complaining about, and asked if had I been to a bank lately, and not stood in a queue there. He advised me to be patient, and just wait. The staff told me afterwards that he is the owner of the petrol station! There was no apology nor organisation of his staff by him to speed up the process.
The WhaleTales Sweet & Sour Service Awards are presented every Friday on the WhaleTales blog. Nominations for the Sweet and Sour Service Awards can be sent to Chris von Ulmenstein at info@whalecottage.com. Past winners of the Sweet and Sour Service Awards can be read on the Friday posts of this blog, and in the WhaleTales newsletters on the www.whalecottage.com website.
The Sweet Service Award goes to Terry Bingley of Bingley Tours for speedily transporting guests from Cape Town airport to Hermanus when the contracted company did not arrive to collect the guests, and for accepting payment at the (lower) rate quoted by the other company.
The Sour Service Award goes to Caltex garage at UMS Sales in De Waterkant for the poor and slow service from the attendant, who had to count the day’s takings first before he could fill the car with petrol. When the customer complained, the attendant became abusive, and the customer had to lock the car windows, out of fear. No offer of cleaning the windscreen, checking the tyres etc is ever made. The son of the owner expressed surprise and even irritation when this feedback was presented to him the following day, as he and his father are never visible at the forecourt of the garage, and yet he wanted to dispute the feedback. The customer has decided to never use this petrol station again, despite its convenient location.
The WhaleTales Sweet & Sour Service Awards are presented every Friday on the WhaleTales blog. Nominations for the Sweet and Sour Service Awards can be sent to Chris von Ulmenstein at info@whalecottage.com. Past winners of the Sweet and Sour Service Awards can be read on the Friday posts of this blog, and in the WhaleTales newsletters on the www.whalecottage.com website.