WALKING OUT FROM FRESH FRUITS LAB

Today's a pretty memorable day because it's the first time I've ever walked out from a restaurant. I thought it only happened on restaurant week of Master Chef and that it was scripted because how can a hungry stomach forego his forthcoming meal?! Turns out there are instances that will silence your tummy - it involves major disappointment and the last drop of your patience. Before I tell you about today's failed brunch, let me first give you a background of my experience with the cafe in question.

Luke and I have passed by Fresh Fruits Lab several times before but never really paid attention as we inferred it was a juice bar or a healthy food place. Only upon reading an advertorial on Ladyironchef did we find out that it served actual food and we decided to drop by.

Our first visit was during the brunch peak last January. Food was a bit slow but it was understandable since the advertorial just came out and it was packed! We went out of the cafe happy with our new brunch place that was in the general Eastern vicinity.

Two days later, we came by for dinner. The Mushroom Fritters which were excellent the last time wasn't as good. The pasta was very filling, I couldn't even half it because it was too rich. If creamy is your thing, go for this one! The chicken club sandwich was so-so but at that time, the burger was already sold out. Ordered the lychee cake thanks to the tips on FourSquare, I won't be making the same tip. The one I had, although pretty, was dry and tasteless.

Fast forward to February, was hesitant to go for dinner again because I felt that the brunch menu was stronger but since we were in the area, we popped by after work. Wrong decision if you're coming on a hungry stomach - the wait was really long for a restaurant that wasn't packed, too long, actually. Luke finally had his burger, which he liked by the way but I thought it tasted like a bottle of Worcestershire sauce. I ordered medium rare rib eye, I got it well-done. It was when I decided once and for all that Fresh Fruits Lab is a brunch place. The quality of the steak, apart from the cook, was subpar. I told Luke that we should've gone to the coffee shop we frequent (across the hospital) for steak and we would've gotten a better one for a fraction of the cost.

Now, with less than stellar experience, one would wonder why I would still bother to go back. The answer is that the location is convenient and I had one decent experience there. So, we went there today for brunch as I was craving for Eggs Benedict. We called around 2pm asking until what time brunch was and they said 230. Great! Got there, ordered, and waited. Should be used to all the waiting by now. Saw a couple come in with the guy carrying the girl friend's (or maybe his) Balenciaga Mini City bag and we ogled at them for a bit and then went back to waiting. By this point we were getting impatient coz we didn't think it would take that long since the brunch crowd has already passed and most of the folks there were already having dessert. Tried to entertain each other a bit and waited some more. And then we saw the Balenciaga-toting couple get served before us.

That was the last straw. I would've waited (similar thing happened to me before in Artichoke when they forgot to key-in the order) but it was the staff's apathy that really turned me off. It was really disappointing that there was no hint of concern when they broke the news that after 45 minutes of waiting, they were only gonna start prepping. They said the paper with our order got jammed in the kitchen printer. Which, upon thinking about it, made no sense because as Luke pointed out, if it jammed the printer, how come later orders got served? We decided the food wasn't worth it. We paid for the iced latte and left. Something really must be done about their organization, if not their execution time. Moreover, they really should brush up on customer service. They should train their staff to show more interest and initiative.

Long story short, we walked out from Fresh Fruits Lab because they've sucked the last of our patience. Yes, it might be well-raved, brunch might be good, it's in a convenient location, the plates are pretty, the portions are big. Maybe we've just been unlucky. But 3x unlucky isn't a streak I'm keen on pursuing. I might be the odd man in saying that it isn't worth it but I'll say it anyway. Based on my personal experience, it's not worth it. That is why I walked away from yummy Eggs Benedict. :(

What about you? Have you ever walked out from a restaurant before? Share your experience in the comment box below.