Monday, September 6, 2010

The Scone Witch


I've been asked a few times recently why I don't post any bad reviews about restaurants. My answer to that was, “Why would I?” I do this in my spare time and I do it to keep a log of the wonderful food I've had. If I don't feel something is worth my time writing about, then I just don't write about it. Unless of course, it was so completely awful that I must let people know, so they don't waste their money. Which makes this post a bit of a weird one – it's somewhere in between.

I occasionally dart up the street to the Scone Witch for some fresh, warm and delicious scones. I love their feta, herb and onion, and oatmeal scones the best. I can never make up my mind so usually end up buying all three and sharing them. I love everything about the little shop on Albert street, except for one thing that unfortunately remains consistent – the service.

Ok, maybe not the actual service per se, they hand me the scones I ask for. But never with a smile. Never a thank you. Never a bit of emotion that would make me feel happy about buying the scones. If anything, I've often felt as though I was doing them a major disservice being there. Just this Saturday, a small line-up of people stood outside the door that clearly said open at 8am. They saw us there, they even started setting up the chairs at the tables while we stood and waited, and they did this ever-so-slowly. By 8:10am they finally decided to open the door and let us in. And rather than apologize for the wait, the girl mumbled good morning, without a smile or any eye contact. Is it really that bad to work there? I have to wonder. It's not that they opened late, it's how they did it that troubled me.

It wasn't until some other people confirmed my belief (that the staff just wished you weren't there), having experienced the same thing time and again, that I finally decided to write about it. It's too bad that they have to take their name so literally.


The Scone Witch on Urbanspoon

8 comments:

Marysol said...

Amen.

Kathleen Mary Sherwood Rumley said...

Sadly, so true.

Bullie named Moses said...

I do love their scones but I also have to agree, the service is poor.

Victoire said...

I'm sad to say I agree as well! :( I understand that they are very busy, but it does make me feel as though I'm an invonvenience alot of the time!

Anonymous said...

There is a reason in our family that their affectionate name is scone bitches :P

I LOVE the scones, but the service definitely leaves something to be desired.

Anonymous said...

It actually is that bad to work there. They get yelled at a lot. The bakery I work at has inherited a slow stream of wonderful and competent and cheerful former sconewitch employees who just wanted to be treated better by their boss. So if they're in a bad mood, I'd say there's something more going on than meets the eye.

Anonymous said...

Really????? people need to F off in this day n age. I don't give a damn in what you do. Service people have to deal with the WORST people on the planet. and yes that makes them just a little bitter. If the food is as good as all say it is. the F*&^ off. Enjoy your food!!! I work in the airline industry. and believe me, seeing how people get on board an aircraft... Is mind boggling. do you spit on your floors in your own house, do you leave an unbelievable mess in your own washroom?? I highly doubt. let these people alone that are working there. no doubt working there to make ends meet, while studying and the like. no doubt exhausted burning the candle at both ends. Hmmmm can anyone on here remember doing that when they went to college, or university?? Oh that is right , half of you on here didn't go there. Still working at McDonalds and the like. Burn me all you like. I worked there as well and and am now working in Afghanistan. Get off your high horses and enjoy the food you are given and say a thank you in return!! No doubt half of you don't!!!

Anonymous said...

If you had to get up at 4 am for a miniumum wage job where the boss is a neurotic micromanaging lunatic, you'd be grouchy too. I'm so glad I don't work there anymore.