Coffee by Di Bella, Mumbai

Coffee By Di Bella

I think Di Bella is synonym for waffles. They are known for their waffles and probably the first to introduce the trend. You will find them everywhere now, but a few years back Di Bella was the only chain or rather the only place that was affordable. Hence, college kids and everybody else would flock alike to this place. Point being? Let's just name them Di Bella Waffles. It's fine either ways. Also, they are still my favorite. Though I have tried from quite a few places by now including the savory kind. 

Di Bella also is one of those places where I frequently visit. Even on broke days, which is I think more than half the time. However, the experience I am going to mention today is sort of bitter sweet, one is from when I paid visit to the Bandra outlet which was very welcoming and the other is almost next to my place in Equinox, BKC where I vouch never to return. 

Bandra

You will Find this place quite crowded and a waiting time almost always, because, well it's Bandra and this is where the action is. Whatever that means.

Even though we had to wait for almost 30 minutes to get a place here, we were more than happy to do so. Our names were taken down, the service staff ensured that we didn't feel uncomfortable and genuinely seemed like they cared about creating a place for us. Apologized, even though it was no fault of theirs, that we had to wait for an extra 15 minutes. Initially, we were told 15 minutes only. Quite courteous, in general. This is one reason why I keep going back to Di Bella, the warmth that you feel. 

Since freak shakes are the craze everywhere now. Di Bella has done their own version of it, which I had been dying to have and I finally did on this blessed day. We ordered for the Gold Coast Shake and the Melbourne Shake. One had a more caramel texture to it and the other was chocolate divine. My preference leans towards everything caramel so my obvious choice was the gold coast. They topped this one with caramel sauce, whipped cream, pretzels, twix and WAFFLES! What more do you need in life? The outside of the glass was lined with nuts and drizzled with caramel sauce. Now here, I actually wonder, is one supposed to have this or waste it? I am a strong believer that you shouldn't waste food but you can't even try to scrape this off and eat. So I am guessing it's more for show. Though i wish, it wasn't. The Melbourne is almost dark chocolate and my sister and friends preferred this more. So if you worship chocolate, this one's for you.

Over All, I would say you go back more than just with a happy and satisfied tummy. You go back with a fat one. I wonder how many days you will have to run to burn this off??!! Not even 3 hours in the gym could fix this.

DAMAGES - Rs 1000/- Approx

WHERE - Title Waves, Ground Floor, St Pauls Media Complex, 24th Road TPS III, Pali Hill, Bandra West

Equinox Center, Kurla

I have been here once before and almost had  a similar experience. I put it down to a one time off thing but unfortunately, this time I don't think it's a one time off thing. I almost wonder how can one outlet be so welcoming and the other put you so off. 

I had come here so happy because Hey! Waffle time. I happily even placed my order for blue berry waffles and a Junglee Chicken Sandwich because as much as I love waffles, I need to balance the sweetness with something savory. Everything seemed to be going well till this point. It was downhill from here. It took more than 30 minutes for the waffles to be served, and when inquired after about 20 minutes, we were met with a very cool "it will take time" and back to work. I tried spotting a smile but it wasn't found to be found for miles. We went back to pur place and patiently waited. I told her at least serve the sandwich, since all you need to to is heat it up. But I think she had forgotten that we had ordered that even. Never the less after the reminder, the sandwich arrived. And in another 5 minutes the waffles came piping hot. Half my mood had improved, only to be crushed again. The waffles had the side of whipped cream and ice cream missing. Once again, I was like but what about the whipped cream and the ice cream? I was met with a blank stare. Almost, like I am asking for something that is no where on the menu. At this point I was a little pissed. It is only when I clearly stated that you are supposed to serve whipped cream and ice cream on the side, she acknowledged. It was kind of like if you didn't know this piece of information, she wouldn't serve it to you. There after I was very curtly informed that the whipped cream was not available, she would instead give me 2 cups of ice cream. (Why does this store never have whipped cream? It didn't the last time I was here which was almost 1 and a half years back!) The ice cream finally came to us and it was not even in the china ware that they generally use, it was in those take away ice cream cups? Shortage of utensils even? Who ever is managing this store needs to seriously pull up their socks. If you think that these little things don't matter, THEY DO! Dining out is an experience. 

If this was not enough, I just want to add on to something me and my friend overheard happening at the table next to us. The girl had placed order for one type of waffles. Let's even assume that the girl ordered the wrong kind. Why I say this is because when the girl asked for her order and repeated that this is what she wants, she was met with a "No, you ordered this!" It seemed more like she was ordering the guest rather than the other way round (Guests are not supposed to be rude either, just to clarify. Ever heard of guest courtesy? Even if she hadn't ordered the particular waffles, you could have politely explained the situation to her. The girl (guest here) almost seemed startled and with a very meek "okay" said fine bring the ones that was ordered or something along those lines. Also, please note that the waffles were not even made at this point. Because, we could see her pouring the waffle batter from where we were sitting. 

I normally don't do this. I let it slide. Attending staff are not exactly in the high income bracket area. I am not even saying that this girl should be dealt with seriously or something. But please, please teach your staff, a little about guest interaction. Give them training on it. If they lack confidence, it's one thing. Being rude and blatant is another. 

Even though I would come back to Di Bella. Definitely not stepping into this place.

DAMAGES - Rs 800/- Approx

WHERE -  Coffee By Di Bella., Equinox Commerce Centre, Tower 3, Lal Bahadur Shastri Road, Kurla West, Kurla, Mumbai