First post: Arabela at Liliw

For my first post, it's going to be all about ARABELA. Arabela is one restaurant that's growing its popularity in Liliw, Laguna. To tell you honestly, the first time I visited there back in college (a few years ago- just a few years, I tell you)  I fell in love with its beautiful interior set-up and its cheap offerings. The tiny restaurant surprised me with its wide array of dishes- from pasta, pizza, shakes, imported chocolates, and desserts. Pretty much the kind of place that will WOW you the first time you try it. In fact, almost all the reviews I read about them commended this place well. I know for a fact that I was one them few, but after the following visits I had, the restaurant swept me off my feet- bad. 

                                I dont own this pic btw. But just to show you, this is Arabela.


My recent experience in Arabela was BAD. I came all the way from UPLB (approx 14 miles/2hours) just to revisit the restaurant I fell in love with. The food bloggers who praised this restaurant before should do the same. Maybe we could agree on this one. Due to its growing popularity, the restaurant can't accommodate a lot of people anymore, leaving customers waiting outside the restaurant. The service crew also needed more training in Accommodation 101, Welcome the customers 101 and Give me a great service 101. As  my girlfriend and I were waiting in the long cashier line (for some seats), waiters were in haste- in and out the restaurant, serving guests while leaving us looking like boulders blocking their pathways. Definitely there is a need for some rearrangements (layout/expansion, maybe?). After around 10 minutes of standing there, we eventually got a table. We were handed with a menu by the waitress (after getting her attention), and as we were about to order, another waiter told us that we did not reserve seats. He sent us outside their restaurant. For hungry customers, that was just FOUL. After waiting a little longer my bad temper started kicking in so I asked the same waiter if until what time we will be given seats since a lot of customers were already leaving. Calmly, he told us this "Wala pa po kayo sa list. Ineexpect ko po kasi na dun kayo sa cashier magpapareserve." Hahaha I laughed and reiterated: "Ineexpect mo kami sa counter mag pareserve? Hindi nyo naman kami sinasabihan? Kanina pa kami nakapila sa counter." And he replied: "Opo." At the back of my head I just knew I was ready to call the manager but my girlfriend said "Pwedeng pa lista na lang kami ngayon na."


For restaurant owners, never forget the golden rule: The customer is always right. Your service crew was irritating us starving people and you're going to feed us with sermons? Hahaha. Thanks- but no thanks.


After a few minutes of waiting we were finally called to our table (AT LAST SALAMAT PO LORD!). We ordered for ourselves: Carbonara, Sea food Marinara, green mango shake and a mallow brownie for dessert. We rated the following accordingly:


                                        Rate                  Comments
1. Carbonara                    6/10                  Serving size is quite small for the price, taste is                                                                 quite bland
2. Seafood Marinara         8/10                    Small serving size, good tomato sauce
3. Green mango shake      8/10                   Typical green mango shake (I can do that                                                                           myself)
4. Mallow brownie           10/10                   Cheap and great
5. Service                         1/10                  I give the waiter 1point for being calm.                                                                                Service time sucks too


As a lesson, don't let your restaurant's inconsistencies ruin you permanently. If your customers had a great time at first, don't give them a bad visit the second time around. You may regret it, you may have just lost a customer right here who is blogging negative reviews about you.


So long, Arabela.