Gurney Paragon did a roaring trade on Valentine's Day.
Many made a beeline here causing many food outlets in Gurney Plaza to suffer a dip in business.
There were no long queues to be seen cos most wanted to try this out.
Even Brussels Beer which is conspiciously empty most days and reeking of smoke was surprisingly filled to the brim.
People actually come here because of the fountain,but it's got a mood I tell you.
Perhaps its got to do with the original building,the focal point of this place.Pretty spooky even though its nicely done up.You get creeped out cos the back of your mind envisions some ancient ang mo walking its corridor as you make your way to sheeshee nearby.
Toilet facilities at this complex is horrendous.
You have to walk out of your chosen makan place,outside to the back area flanking the old building,doing your business much like an outcast who's just consumed petai.There's no ventilation at all.Feels like a cross between peeing in a dungeon cum carpark.
Parking is a preposterous sham,the two entrances in the building are for residents only,which will leave you with the choice of valet parking or the only miserable available parking space in a weirdly designed lane on the left of the vicinity or MPPP parking lots opposite the road.
Coming to TGIF,this outlet is world's apart from their outlet in Queensbay Mall.
I was prepared for the worst,but I swear the waitresses in Gurney Paragon fussed over us,attending to our ever need,and were so incredibly attentive,that at one point we felt like we were some kind of superstar VIPs.
While portions were gargantuan,I wasn't impressed with the following
The Bad
Tenesee sauce too sweet for my liking
Fajitas no oomph
New York Steaks while quite good, are cuts containing a bit too much marbling which means you'll have to reach for the toothpick every now and then
Grilled Meats pretty bland with not much flavouring,guess that's what the salt n pepper grinders on the table is for
Buffalo wings ,the chicken is not exactly fresh.And the sauce is uninspiring.Either they got their supply from the supermarket or it's been in the fridge for a bit too long
Loaded Potato Skins too dry,too hard,no taste
Cheeses a bit of a problem,they harden real fast and unless you have a microwave next to you,it's gonna be one chewy experience
Non Alcoholic Drinks way too sweet
Overall very sparing with the sauces cos they don't wanna overwhelm the dishes I suppose
Managers(not in uniform) the only people wearing a perpetual frown on their face as if their thesis was due tonight cos its hard juggling and maintaining such an exceptionally smooth running place like this
The Good
Price may seem steep initially,but is real value for money if you are a big eater
Service staff : one of the best on the island
Time taken for food to arrive at your table after ordering : Superman category
Atmosphere and music : well designed,various themes are well compartmentalised with a sweeping but welcoming bar and a very nice lounge/verandah open air area with comfy sofas on the outside
So what would I return for?
Park myself at the bar,have a tequila before I go onto a nice juicy steak,add on some mashed potatoes and a some nachos with the Queso Fondido as a snack on the side.
Nice.
Many made a beeline here causing many food outlets in Gurney Plaza to suffer a dip in business.
There were no long queues to be seen cos most wanted to try this out.
Even Brussels Beer which is conspiciously empty most days and reeking of smoke was surprisingly filled to the brim.
People actually come here because of the fountain,but it's got a mood I tell you.
Perhaps its got to do with the original building,the focal point of this place.Pretty spooky even though its nicely done up.You get creeped out cos the back of your mind envisions some ancient ang mo walking its corridor as you make your way to sheeshee nearby.
Toilet facilities at this complex is horrendous.
You have to walk out of your chosen makan place,outside to the back area flanking the old building,doing your business much like an outcast who's just consumed petai.There's no ventilation at all.Feels like a cross between peeing in a dungeon cum carpark.
Parking is a preposterous sham,the two entrances in the building are for residents only,which will leave you with the choice of valet parking or the only miserable available parking space in a weirdly designed lane on the left of the vicinity or MPPP parking lots opposite the road.
Coming to TGIF,this outlet is world's apart from their outlet in Queensbay Mall.
I was prepared for the worst,but I swear the waitresses in Gurney Paragon fussed over us,attending to our ever need,and were so incredibly attentive,that at one point we felt like we were some kind of superstar VIPs.
While portions were gargantuan,I wasn't impressed with the following
The Bad
Tenesee sauce too sweet for my liking
Fajitas no oomph
New York Steaks while quite good, are cuts containing a bit too much marbling which means you'll have to reach for the toothpick every now and then
Grilled Meats pretty bland with not much flavouring,guess that's what the salt n pepper grinders on the table is for
Buffalo wings ,the chicken is not exactly fresh.And the sauce is uninspiring.Either they got their supply from the supermarket or it's been in the fridge for a bit too long
Loaded Potato Skins too dry,too hard,no taste
Cheeses a bit of a problem,they harden real fast and unless you have a microwave next to you,it's gonna be one chewy experience
Non Alcoholic Drinks way too sweet
Overall very sparing with the sauces cos they don't wanna overwhelm the dishes I suppose
Managers(not in uniform) the only people wearing a perpetual frown on their face as if their thesis was due tonight cos its hard juggling and maintaining such an exceptionally smooth running place like this
The Good
Price may seem steep initially,but is real value for money if you are a big eater
Service staff : one of the best on the island
Time taken for food to arrive at your table after ordering : Superman category
Atmosphere and music : well designed,various themes are well compartmentalised with a sweeping but welcoming bar and a very nice lounge/verandah open air area with comfy sofas on the outside
So what would I return for?
Park myself at the bar,have a tequila before I go onto a nice juicy steak,add on some mashed potatoes and a some nachos with the Queso Fondido as a snack on the side.
Nice.
