Most of you would probably never wander into this place, but here is a warning just in case you might. The
While I have to say that sounds like a pretty bad experience, I have to say I’ve been to Green Olive a fair number of times (10+) and it’s generally been OK. The lasagne is nicely cheesy and I really like the salad whenever I have it. The clam pasta in white wine sauce is nice if you actually like clams 
However, I almost always get takeaway so generally avoid any ‘service’ that may or may not be forthcoming, and I probably haven’t been for about a month now and I know things change pretty quickly around here. There’s a pasta place in the lane running parallel and north of Zhongxiao East in the same area that IMO does better pasta, so I usually go there. They don’t do lasagne, though, so I stick to Green Olive for that.
I’ll see if it’s deteriorated next time I go :s
How can we expect things to get better if we never complain… :help: It may seem like a fruitless exercise in some places I know… but c’mon people…
daasgrrl - I know what you mean. The couple times I went there in the past, the food was generally quite good. That is probably why I was sooo disappointed today.
AWOL - I might have pointed out a shortcoming or two, but when the entire experience was a disaster I felt any comment was futile.
AWOL - I assume you weren’t referring to me because to date I’ve had little to complain about with this place. However, in my personal opinion, walking out and never coming back is an entirely valid option. Sometimes you just want something to eat, not a confrontation with the manager - you have to take these things on a case by case basis.
Wasnt referring to anyone in particular.
My the opinion is that if the service or food is that bad that it drives you to never return to an establishment and/or to complain about it - then you should do something. Sure, somewhere like Taiwan it may have no impact, but look at how Carnegies, Alleycats et al have responded - quite well. (yes I know they are foreigner run/owned)
I am sure there must be Taiwan establishments that would take constructive criticism on board? Of the 10 or so times I have complained in Taiwan restaurants, I can honestly say that the ‘problems/issues’ were delat with professionally and were resolved by the time I next visited. This runs across vendors to ‘top class’ establishments.
SImply walking away and complaining will achieve nothing, thats all I am saying.
This deserves a thread to itself 
If they notice they aren’t getting any business/repeat business they might start asking themselves (or their customers) why, and if they don’t, then that’s their problem. So in that way it does have an effect. If they get customers anyway, then they obviously don’t need to change to be successful.
Carnegie’s and Alleycats have demonstrated time and again that they do care, so they are ‘worth’ complaining to. I have raised issues in restaurants in the past (not in Taiwan, mainly due to the language barrier and possible misunderstandings not necessarily the fault of the staff) so it’s not like I haven’t done it, but only where I feel it’ll be of any use.
If it’s a small thing, I might not bother. If the whole experience means I would obviously never want to come back, why would I want to expend my time and effort? I don’t think that by eating at a place I somehow ‘owe’ it to either the manager or the future customers to do so and perhaps even get abuse for it. It would perhaps be nice if I did, but don’t feel there’s some moral imperative there that dictates I should.
You mean Bella or something like that? You toast your own garlic bread and the pasta is around NT$100? I normally go there too as it is really good value. I went there first but they weren’t open yet.
AWOL - I hear what you are saying, but the management (“the blurry-eyed boss with a massive hangover”) was not in a suitable condition to consider any “suggestions”. He had enough trouble just counting my change.
You mean Bella or something like that? You toast your own garlic bread and the pasta is around NT$100? I normally go there too as it is really good value. I went there first but they weren’t open yet.
AWOL - I hear what you are saying, but the management (“the blurry-eyed boss with a massive hangover”) was not in a suitable condition to consider any “suggestions”. He had enough trouble just counting my change.[/quote]
You know what I mean though… I wasnt having a go at you, so, glad you understood that, people can get upset real easy round here.
You mean Bella or something like that? You toast your own garlic bread and the pasta is around NT$100? I normally go there too as it is really good value. I went there first but they weren’t open yet.[/quote]
I’m not entirely sure what they’re called (!) but sounds vaguely right - the front’s in the Italian red, white and green and the menu is listed in vertical columns at the front. It’s on the south side of the lane and about two doors down from a ‘Hong Kong’ restaurant. I thought the prices were around NT$100-NT$150 but I guess it depends what you order (I usually get seafood). Yum.
AWOL - I’m getting upset at you RIGHT NOW for that statement 
Bingo! Yeah it’s called Bello. They are really getting busy now. I guess the word is out. It is completely packed at lunchtime. For $100-150 you can’t beat it.