However, before watching Bolt, we went for lunch at Fong Lye, at The Gardens Mall next to Mid Valley.
This was the second time I went to this Taiwanese restaurant. We were lucky it was not noon or lunch time yet when we went that day, otherwise we may have to queue up. I remember the last time I went there for dinner, there was a long queue outside the restaurant after 6pm.
Anyway, my niece ordered this black peppered bean curd dish.
It came in a set with a bowl of rice, three side dishes and a bowl of soup (not in picture)
My nephew ordered a dish called Taiwan Chicken Chop Rice, which he did not allow me to take photos of. He was really naughty that day! Naughty, but in a cute way so I forgave him. Haha!
My sister was on a diet, so she did not order anything. Instead, she just took a few bites from both her children's dishes. I didn't quite agree with her dieting, but I knew no amount of talk would persuade her otherwise, so I just let her be.
As for me, I ordered Fresh Tomato Fried Egg with Fish Fillet.
I liked this dish very much! This dish also came in a set which comprises a bowl of rice, three side dishes and a bowl of soup, exactly like the one my niece was having. It tasted like sweet and sour fish in tomato sauce, except with added eggs, which made it even nicer.
Of course, we also ordered the restaurant's famous Sweet Potato Balls.
Both my niece and nephew loved these potato balls, and they ate most of it!
The Black Peppered Bean Curd costs RM17.80, while both the Taiwan Chicken Chop and my Fresh Tomato Fried Egg with Fish Fillet cost RM19.80 each. The Sweet Potato Ball was priced at RM5.30. Add in a glass of watermelon milk at RM7.30, the total bill inclusive of 15% tax came up to RM80.50 which was quite reasonable, considering the size and quality of the food served.
The problem was, when I went to the counter to make payment, I discovered too late that they do not accept credit card. Only then, did I see the notice at the counter that reads "Cash Only". I wonder how many people really read that notice. I quickly searched my wallet but I could only find, at most RM30 inside. My niece and nephew had already ran out of the restaurant, with my sister running closely after them. Great!
I told the cashier I did not bring enough money and proceeded to complain as to why such a nice restaurant located at a prestigious shopping mall like The Gardens does not accept credit card.
To which she replied, "Sorry sir, our boss does not accept credit cards."
Which to me, was not much of an explanation. I think all those people queueing at the entrance must be looking at me. Was I supposed to feel embarrassed for not bringing enough cash? I didn't think so!
I continued to complain that even if they do not accept credit card, they should at least inform their customers about it when they enter the shop as not everyone who goes there read their "Cash Only" notice.
Luckily, my sister came back in time and offered to pay cash. In fact, she did not have enough cash too, and I had to take out RM10 from my wallet. Phew!
I wondered what would happen if my sister did not come back to pay. Would they follow me to the ATM machine to take out cash? What if I say I don't use ATM machines? What would they do? Isn't it absurd that they only accept cash? A restaurant in a high class shopping mall?
I totally agree with you. How could a restaurant which charges not so cheap prices do not accept credit cards?!! The owner is selfish because he only wants to collect cash. I didn't know it was a cash only restaurant too. But lucky I brought enough cash everytime I was there. they should highlight it on every table. Maybe someone should make a complaint.
It's not typical for restaurants like these not to accept credit cards...they should..for practical reasons.
I like the fried sweet potatoe balls.
That dish you ordered looks good. I like the taste of sweet and sour sauce with fried fish as long as the balance is perfect. Probably what you could have done if your sister didn't come back is to leave your driver's license or some form of ID with them while you get some cash from the ATM. If they don't agree with that, ask someone from the restaurant to accompany you to the ATM card. If that does not work, then I guess you've got yourself a part-time job that day washing dishes. LOL
oh yeah. now tht i remember they do not accept cc. i was quite surprised by that too. imagine a group of 10, the bill may come up to 300, and none has enough cash to foot the bill, how bad right?
p/s: i had the tomato fish fillet,love it too! :D
I think most of the restaurant in Shopping mall should have Credit card service.
i've yet to meet any that doesn't accept credit cards. the boss could be someone too old or too young to accept the idea? afraid of fraud maybe?
I don't agree that they don't accept credit cards, with above average prices. It's not safe to carry so much cash around these days.
what an experience! they should learn from that. That's actually not good for them to have regulars coming to their restaurants as they (including yourself) will consider twice before going back there just because they only accept cash.
You know what you should check if they have a website and leave a comment there strongly suggesting that they should accept payment with credit card too.
eiling, yes isn't it absurd? Imagine people shopping in The Gardens using credit cards at all those shops and then drop by this restaurant for dinner. They will be in for a shocking surprise when after their meals there, they are told credit cards are not accepted!
my bug life, yes they should accept credit cards for practical reasons. Not many people carry so much cash with them. I love the sweet potato balls too! : )
babette, haha! No way am I going to wash dishes there just because they don't accept credit cards! Although I do like washing the dishes : )
cant blame them actually for not accepting credit card but i strongly agree that you should send an email to the boss and ask him to get a credit card service. Getting one doesn't reli make a loss to the company. Nowadays, going out with lots of cash is too dangerous. If me.... i wont ever stop by the restaurant again. Its ridiculous for not accepting cc while their dishes were that expensive.
xin, yes if 10 people eating, the bill can be quite expensive - how to pay by cash? The tomate fish fillet is yummy, right? : )
victor, yeah I think so too : )
levian, I think the boss is just being stingy. Don't want to pay the extra charges for credit cards payment. Maybe the typical Chinaman? : )
iamthewitch, you are so right. Not safe to carry so much cash around these days!
rad, I don't think they have a website, but will check it out. I will definitely email them regarding this matter if they do have one : )
justin, it's ridiculous alrite! Who brings with them so much cash nowadays? Furthermore, the restaurant is in a high class shopping mall. It's unthinkable not to accept credit cards.
actually if there's a sign saying CASH TERM ONLY, then it's not that bad. Coz at least, they've put it up, just that you din notice. But well, it's still better if they can inform you first.
What happened to me was i went to pizza hut with 14 other colleagues and spent nearly 200-300. And suddenly the waiter told me the credit card machine broke down. I so angry and scolded the poor fella. I refused to pay, saying i don have enuf cash, but my other colleague was nice enough to pay cash. Nonsense people. That was the last time I went there.
if i ever encountered such situations, i'd feel like an alien when all eyes upon me.
wow, i love taiwanese food and your dish looks so mouth-watering.
Here, even the small Ruby Restaurant here accepts credit cards. But I know some bosses are reluctant to do so because the credit card company will charge them a certain %age. Some will add that %age to your bill and make you pay for it!
Over RM80 plus for two adults and two kids...a bit expensive by small town standard! LOL!!!
Restaurant in a high class mall like that should have accepted payment via credit cards. This is ridiculous, causing a lot of inconveniences. Luckily, you sister came back :)
On the one hand, I agree that they should accept cash. On the other hand, I would suggest that you bring more cash. I can't imagine having less than RM100 in my wallet when I am in KL.
A lot of eatery outlets either impose a minimum bill amount before they accept your card, or in this case, no card at all. All the talk about the bank charges eating into your profits. Just lol sometimes - I think they do know what the meaning of "self-defeat" is don't they? :D
a bit weird for them not to accept card. But then maybe they felt that they don't need to give that convenience to customers since they are always packed anyway.
The food do look delicious. Pity I cannot go and try them. :D
alvin, I don't think anyone will notice the sign. And it's not a very big sign either. In your case, the machine broke down, so at least that's understandable. But not accepting credit card is not a way to run business nowadays especially in a shopping mall.
life ramblings, haha! I guess shyness just have to take second place when we fight for our rights! The dish was mouth watering indeed! : )
suituapui, see? Even small restaurant also accept credit cards, what more this restaurant located in a prestigious shopping mall? Actually, if the owner is so stingy that he wants to include the bank charges into the bill, that's fine. At least I have a choice whether to patronize the restaurant or not.
The price may seem a little on the expensive side, but actually the portion is quite big and the food is nice, so no complaints there!
jam, yes ridiculous is the word for it! Lucky my sis came back or else I may have to go to nearest ATM machines to take out cash! I will be fuming mad if that's the case!
khengsiong, it's not that I did not bring enough cash. I just spent some of it for the movie tickets and also some things I bought earlier. So only left RM30 in my wallet. How would I know the restaurant located at the prestigious mall does not accept credit cards?
jim, shops that impose a minimum purchase amount is still reasonably ok, though some people will disagree. But totally not accepting credit cards is not acceptable and is a very unfriendly way of doing business, IMHO : )
lina, I guess what you said may be quite true. Whether they accept credit cards or not, people still queue up to eat there. Well, what can I say? I do like the food there actually! : )
WAH!!! They don't accept card?? First time I know leh... LOL!
Btw I like the Fresh Tomato Fried Egg with Fish Fillet very much too! Hehe.
That's strange that they don't accept cc...
but the food looks good!
day-dreamer, the dish is nice yes? You pay cash every time? Since you didn't even know they don't accept credit card : )
jade, i would say it's more ridiculous than strange. But the food is really good! Btw, thanks for dropping by! : )
that is weird. so if we bring a lot of friend or its a family gathering, that mean we have to walk with thick pocket just to eat there? i guess before we reach the restaurant we will be robbed!
they should be reasonable.
i hate to take lots of cash along with me. so this kind of restaurant will be a problem to me for sure.
btw, the foods look so good foong. you are one of the best flogger i've ever met. sorry to suituapui :P
they dont want to pay the credit card charge! and i faced that so much in china - some bluntly dont accept, many dont accept foreign credit cards.
faisal, that's why I think it's so ridiculous of them to do that! Wow! I'm one of the best flogger? Thanks for the compliment! Suituapui is a great flogger too! : )
quachee, the boss is so stingy! But it's really a very unfriendly way to do business. I can imagine your difficulty in China with so many of them not accepting credit cards.
Never mind, wash their dishes for a day should pay off the bill? Hahaha
oh u dont know the drama! haha. it was super! maybe ill share this haha
neo, no way I'm going to wash the dishes just because they don't accept credit cards! : )
quachee, oh yes, blog about it! I would love to read about the drama! : )
This is the reason why I always have extra cash in my wallet.. It's for just in case situations.. ;)
In my hometown (small southern US) there are still places that don't take credit cards. However, they will usually take a check...
As always thanks for stopping by and commenting!
What the heck???!!!
Mmmmmm... Maybe this restaurant can't "afford" the merchant fee for CC machine? Kekeke... But they are charging 5% govt tax which means their annual income is definitely very high.
These people are just as pathetic as those who put up a sign that to sign a credit card, the bill must be > RMXX.
I think they should put up a HUGE sign outside their door - Cash only.
I remember Kim Gary put up a very huge visible sign near the counter which FACES OUTSIDE so that patrons can decide to come in or not based on how much $$$ they have in their pocket. LOL!
maybe u should just offer ur dish washing skills to them? haha. that explanation is not acceptable and the staff should have inform u all earlier before ordering. maybe the boss doesn't want credit card payment because the credit card centre gives their money back not punctually. hence owner's debt increases.
RYN: i have recently done tests for my digestion and it's alright. so now i have to be careful with my food intake but it is hard since i don't know what food is sensitive to my stomach when all ingredients r already mixed in dishes, breads and cakes. so what did u do take care of ur health?
that make sense too. XD they have gotta get outta that old mindset!
That is pathetic. Maybe the boss is a declared bankrupt who is an underworld crimelord, scared that banks will find out. :-P
foong, here is the download link for the song on my blog - http://mp3.sogou.com/down.so?gid=38BCF67C6DE6F5D0&globalId=14d60c7a953f85ce&query=%EB%D9%D6%AC%D1%A9&debug=0&tgid=14d60c7a953f85ce&pf=wma&s=%BD%AD%CA%E7%C4%C8+%B7%BD%BE%BC%EF%D9&t=%EB%D9%D6%AC%D1%A9&size=4552661&ac=0&w=02420200&dr=1. Right click and save the file for the second button. Hope it helps!
This shop is the taiwanese shop near the Border @ the Garden rite? My friends and i went once and i was arguing with the owner for not indicate CASH ONLY... let's boycott this restaurant as they don't indicate CASH ONLY before we order our food... and no sign in front of the shop. How could we know?
I've encountered the same situation myself but luckily had enough money to cover the payment. Servers should remind people before they order that the restaurant only takes cash. It's the decent thing to do.
cashmere, I already bought extra cash that day. But spent on movie tickets and some other things, so left only RM30 before going for lunch. Didn't expect that the restaurant does not accept credit cards! It was located at The Gardens - who would have thought, right?
toni, good thing they still accept checks in your hometown. Over here, checks will definitely not be accepted. They are afraid your check will bounce! : )
angie tan, you are right. They should put up a huge sign at the front entrance facing customers who walk in. The sign at this restaurant does not face outside, and it is not big in size. No one would have noticed it unless they are very observant.
renaye, there are lots of reasons why the boss refuses to accept credit cards, and some of these reasons are valid. However, to me, a restaurant at a prestigious shopping mall should and must accept credit cards. That's part and parcel of the business. Otherwise, locate the restaurant elsewhere!
But you know, people are still queueing up to eat at this restaurant, so I guess the boss does not give a damn. Well, what to do? The power lies with the customers.
Regarding my digestion problem, I actually learn about food combination - which food is suitable to combine with which other food. Wrong combinations of food will give me stomach problems. Some people will say food combination is nonsense, but these people do not have digestion problems like me, so they don't know.
levian, yes they should! : )
gallivanter, that's stretching it a bit, but I won't rule it out!
: )
jam, thanks for the link! : )
TZ, yes that's the one. You argued with the shop owner? So I'm not the first one who argue with them! Haha!
I know you are really pissed off cos I've read in your blog that you could not stand those shops which don't accept credit card unless you purchase up to a certain amount.
You mean last time you went there, they didn't even have the 'Cash Only' sign?! How terrible! Maybe they started putting up the sign after you complained. Haha! : )
preston, yes the servers should inform before the customers order anything. In fact, there should be a big sign to inform people outside or in front of the shop, so people can decide whether they want to eat there or not.
Oh, the dishes look really delicious. Yummy...
Hi Foong! I hate restaurants who don't accept credit cards. I once threw a tantrum in a restaurant in Bangsar for not accepting credit cards lol! ;0
I oso hate shops that accept credit cards but charge u 3% to use it, what is up with that? Everybody knows the shop owner is responsible for the c.c. charges, so why pass it on to us? :(
As u can see I am in a bad mood, hence the many complaints LOL!
But I love the way ur sister managed to stick to her diet, i should really take example from her! Have willpower and just stick to the damn diet! ;)
Oh I oso hate when shop ppl don know how to treat customers! What kind of stupid excuse is that my boss does not accept credit cards?!! If it was me there, for sure dah throw tantrum, but that's just me ha ha ha!!!
Ok! Enuff venting he he, good la ur blog. I can come her to complain my heart out ha ha ha!
ridiculous for them not to accept credit cards. but it is their loss. bound to lose some business this way
It's unthinkable for such a nice establishment to refuse to accept credit cards as payment. It's a major inconvenience to the customers. If customers are unhappy then they are the ones who will suffer.
Luckily, your sis went back to find you. Wonder what will happen if you were eating alone.
Oh, and regarding the German language. Well, everything is classified in to masculine, feminine & neutral.
So instead of using 'the' like in English. We have to select 'der' for masculine, 'die' for feminine & 'das' for neutral. I don't get how they can attach a gender to everything. It makes no sense really & the only way to master it is through memorising
Gee, that's the first time I've heard of a restaurant in a high class place like the Gardens not accepting credit cards! Ridiculous, so zaman kuno la they all ...
I'm used to carrying cash, so shops not accepting credit cards are no problem.
I always forget to pay my credit card bills and tend to get charged interests. grrrr...
irenelim, yes the food are delicious! : )
mariuca, wow so garang! Throw tantrum when credit card not accepted! Good also, must give them a piece of your mind!
Yes, I also dislike shops which pass the extra credit card charges to us consumers. So unfair to us!
Why so bad mood today? Luckily you drop by my blog - you can vent your heart out here and it's free! Haha!
My sis does indeed have great willpower. But I don't think she should diet. Cos she's not fat! Anyway, even fat people shouldn't diet, just eat less but more often plus exercise - that should do the trick : )
bengbeng, yes it's their loss. But at the moment, I'm not so sure cos I still see people queueing up outside this restaurant!
acura, I also wonder what will happen if I eat alone there without bringing enough cash - maybe I'll be asked to withdraw from the nearest ATM. I will surely be mad if I were to do that! Oh, thanks for the explanation about gender usage in German words - very interesting indeed! : )
nick phillips, first time right? It's also first time for me. Didn't expect it at all! So zaman kuno, like what you said!
eastcoastlife, I think in Singapore it's OK to carry cash around - it's safer in Singapore. In Malaysia chances of getting robbed is higher, so quite dangerous to carry too much cash around! You must be pretty rich cos I heard of rich tycoons who like to carry wads of cash in their pockets. LOL!
a restaurant in The Gardens doesn't accept credit card??? what a surprise!
I love sweet potato balls! yum! yum!
monica, it's a shocking surprise alrite! The sweet potato balls were really yummy! : )
i make a point to check prior to entering restaurants on whether it accepts credit cards or not. that's to spare the embarassment later on
Great...now they are worried to get scammed! Ha =) Anyway they should have accepted credit cards! So damm lousy! But the foods do look yummy!
johnny ong, well I normally check too but didn't thought of checking this restaurant cos it's located in The Gardens where I assume all shops there accept credit cards!
tekkaus, either the boss is scared of credit card fraud or he is stingy and does not want to pay bank charges. Whichever it is, he should know that this is part and parcel of the business. Not accepting credit card is unacceptable!
cuci mangkuk lo
Haha! That is not an option, kellaw. I like washing the dishes but I won't do it simply because they don't accept credit cards!! : )
The boss must be having cashflow problems in the past hence his decision. LOL!
It's inconveniece to dine out in Malaysia if you need to bring a lot of cash, what with the level of safety in our cities.
It's ridiculous, for such restaurant with above average pricing to not accept credit cards. Their loss.. anyway.
bongkersz, I prefer to think that the boss is stingy and would not want to pay the bank's charges. Yeah, ridiculous alrite! : )
foong lye cannot accept credit card 1 meh? Their food price above average 1 wor (but nice food la)..
sean, that's why I'm so surprised they do not accept credit card. The food is nice alrite. Maybe that's why people don't mind go there and pay cash : )
So I'm doing research to figure out how to accept credit cards on my site and I find your site......and now I'm hungry!! LOL
I would like to see a picture of the taiwan chicken chop rice,but I guess I'll go with what you had. Anyway, if anyone could give me any advice I would appreciate it...I have found article like http://natespost.com/index.php/accept-credit-cards-online/ but it all gets so cunfusing. I'm going to make a sandwich and wait on a response!
shawn, thanks for commenting here. Sorry I can't help you regarding accepting credit card payment online. You are starting an online business? Good luck!! : )
Pretty nice place you've got here. Thanx for it. I like such themes and everything connected to them. I would like to read more on that blog soon.
Honestly, I can now understand why that business did not want to accept credit cards. I know over here visa and mastercard want something like 2% of every transaction plus like 25 cents per transaction. It may seem reasonable to the average person, however, noone ever hears about the "non-qualifying fees."
You know those airline miles you think you pay for when you buy something? The merchants are actually the ones paying for that and not by choice. It is either accept creditcards and pay roughly an average of 15% straight to the creditcard companies or just take cash.
I can really understand it from both the consumer side and the merchant side and after actually running a business and seeing how the credit card companies work, I just put an ATM machine in my restaurant. Credit cards are the biggest rip off I have ever seen on BOTH sides.
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