02-May-2010 - Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao

Address: 241 Holland Avenue Holland Village

Operating Hours: Mon–Fri (7am–3am) Sat–Sun

(7am–4am)

Price: S$19.80++ per head

This is my first visit to Holland Village's Crystal Jade for my friend's birthday celebration on a Saturday night. The utmost reason why we choose this place is - they offer free flow Xiao Long Bao for their steamboat buffet. There are 10 of us and we are given a round table with 1 hot pot in the middle. We are provided with pencil and a list of their available dishes. Other than the normal steamboat dishes, free-flow of drinks like Coke, Barley and Soya Milk are available. To me, the menu is quite ordinary, with stuff like golden mushroom, hotdogs, cuttlefish ball, fishball, tau pok, sliced pork. You can't find prawns and crabs in the free-flow menu. By the way, prawn is only given as a one-time dish and additional serving will be charged. The only factor that's worth the visit is the free-flow of Xiao Long Bao and for 10 of us, we order 20 servings (5 pcs per serving) of the Xiao Long Bao. The service is rather ok, INTIALLY, with dishes served within reasonable time. Although we did need to ask for our drinks to be refilled, they will refill your drinks with little delay.

HOWEVER, the shocker of the day came. At about 9.45pm (We booked seats at 8.15 pm), we were told to place our last order. We ordered desserts and thinking that it might be served after we finish our steamboat, the dessert came almost immediately and we were told that they will not serve the desserts later. As it is the birthday of my friends, we bought cakes and left it with the staff. The staff were so occupied and even with multiple request for them to serve the cakes, the cake did not arrive. Shortly after our last order came, the bill followed eventually and we were asked to settle the bill. Shortly after the bill was settled, we were told to give up the seats as there is a next reservation at 10.30! I don't remember that there is a time limit for this steamboat buffet? The ridiculous part is our cakes were not even served. After realizing that it is their fault for totally forgetting about our cakes, they took it our from their fridge. Guess what? They did not even bother to take out the cakes and serve it. They just return us the cakes, in the box together with the plastic bags. I do understand that we have settled the bill, however i think that this should not be the way to treat customers. If we know that there is time limit for their so-call eat-all-you-want buffet, i do not think that we will even go to this place. As they are really rushing for time, our two birthday boys had to bring along their cakes and consume it outside the restaurant.

I would say that i will not be returning to this restaurant the next time. The ordinary menu and food is one thing but the service plays a big part too. I will only recommend this place to those who are Xiao Long Bao hungry, like me, initially.