Tianshen Chinese restaurant, Alsancak

[TB10pilot]

We went to this restaurant on Saturday and had a very poor experience. We were the only diners. Was it a one off bad night or have others been too? Do we give it a second chance? Every restaurant can have an 'off' night.

[Groucho]

We went to this restaurant on Saturday and had a very poor experience. We were the only diners. Was it a one off bad night or have others been too? Do we give it a second chance? Every restaurant can have an 'off' night.

Service and food should never be 'off', only one chance to make a first impression.

Did you raise the problem with staff?

[EnjoyingTheSun]

How was the food? As a rule of thumb in London's Chinatown, the ruder the service the better the food

[Groucho]

How was the food? As a rule of thumb in London's Chinatown, the ruder the service the better the food

Ha ha... we've been there. My pal insisted on giving them large tip... we were flabbergasted. The food was good but no better than we were used to. If I wanted rude service I could get that at home...

[TB10pilot]

Yes, we did raise our issues, several times until it all became a bit of a farce!
Warm white wine, red wine served on ice, rice arrived on cold plates and the when we asked where the mains were? the waiter replied 'coming in 5 minutes'! We asked them to take it back and serve altogether on hot plates. Food was fair but not China Town quality! The service was dreadful. Two other diners who went with us actually said at the end of the meal to the waiter, 'That was the worse meal we have ever eaten in Northern Cyprus in 20 years'. No offer of a coffee/brandy or a deduction on the account followed.

[Groucho]

Yes, we did raise our issues, several times until it all became a bit of a farce!
Warm white wine, red wine served on ice, rice arrived on cold plates and the when we asked where the mains were? the waiter replied 'coming in 5 minutes'! We asked them to take it back and serve altogether on hot plates. Food was fair but not China Town quality! The service was dreadful. Two other diners who went with us actually said at the end of the meal to the waiter, 'That was the worse meal we have ever eaten in Northern Cyprus in 20 years'. No offer of a coffee/brandy or a deduction on the account followed.

At least your friend didn't say "the chicken was rubbery!" to which the Chinese waiter replied "fan you velly mush"

[TB10pilot]

ha ha ha !

[Keithcaley]

Attracting the waiter's attention was a challenge in itself - in the end, I shouted "HEY YOU!"

The waiter came across and said "How you know my name?"

[EnjoyingTheSun]

The more I hear of how bad the service is the more I'm surprised that the food isn't great.
Usually when we go to a Chinese restaurant in Chinatown and we are rudely pointed to a table and had a menu thrown at us me and Head Office look at each other and say this is going to be great food.
It's similar to seeing a ginger contestant on Ninja Warrior UK. As soon as you see the red hair you know he's going to be good.
I do have a theory on that but that's another off topic.

[Wines Of The World]

This restaurant is not catering for westerners unless you understand North China Food which is where they come from and the chefs. His market is or was the influx of Chinese gamblers being brought to the merit by the restaurant owner or his friend and these gamblers are coming there to eat.

Ive eaten there 3 or 4 times and knowing what I like and want to order enjoyed each time, these people are from Tianjin, Hebei, Shanxi and Inner Mongolia, the food of the Chinese Muslims is quite different to what you are used to and if you understand the food then it is very good indeed.

Ive seen a few ex-pats puffing and panting in there looking at each other and shrugging their shoulders looking at the menu, to my amusement!