Restaurant Furniture

I was searching the internet today, looking for the furniture for my friends’ new restaurant. There are few websites on the internet offering decent products but not what I was looking for. Then I found Contract Furniture Company website with a huge selection of commercial restaurant furniture for indoor and outdoor. It is almost impossible not to find the piece of food court furniture that wouldn’t suit any type of restaurant.

Whether you are looking for rattan furniture, aluminium, iron or wooden furniture, tables, chairs or barstools, everything is at one place on Contract Furniture Company website including other furniture accessories such as cushions, umbrellas and outdoor heating solutions.

It is a really great website and if you are looking for restaurant furniture it is worth a look.

Starbucks, Ballsbridge

Starbucks…. Who doesn’t know this American coffeehouse chain and the largest coffeehouse company in the world? They have stores across the whole world, and of course, here in Dublin too. One of the stores is based in Ballsbridge and it is the one where I go to during my lunch break.

I don’t think that they do the best coffee. But honestly, it is not bad either. I usually got my cappuccino or hot chocolate there after my lunch, and some time their pastry or cake. The Berry Swirl is my favourite. What I really like about Starbucks is that they seem to care about our environment and support the third world countries. And they also care about our healthy diet, as all of their stores here in Dublin have selection of sandwiches, salads and fruit smoothies to choose from.

As this particular store is located in Ballsbridge, one of the Dublin’s finest districts, you may be lucky and see some famous people around. I have seen Louise Walsh around, and the other day Dublin born Hollywood star Colin Farrell came for a cup of coffee while I was enjoying my coffee there too.

Czech Inn

Czech Inn, is one of the restaurants where they serve the traditional Czech food in Dublin. As far as I know, there are two such a restaurants in Dublin and neither of them was great. I have been in both and every time I left these restaurants, I have told myself to never come back again.

The last time I was there, the staff was unfriendly and it took them about 15 minutes before they even served us. I haven’t been there a year or so, just until yesterday. We went there for the lunch, and I have to say, I was quite surprised. Just when we sat at the table a waitress come with the menu. Apart from the main menu, they also serve a daily special menu which usually is a traditional Czech meal. All inexpensive. It didn’t take us even 5 minutes to choose what we want to eat and the waitress was back, taking the order. Two daily special menus (soup and main course) and two glasses of Kofola – Czech non alcoholic beverage. God, how long it was since I have Kofola the last time. Two minutes later, and the waitress was back with the drinks and the bowls of soup. The main course followed immediately after – just the way I like. No waiting between the courses. What a service. I didn’t remember this type of service the last time. And the food? Brilliant. The size of the main course amazed me. I have literally struggled to eat it all.

I have to say, I was amazed. Nice food, great service and a good value for money. After this last visit, I can definitely say I will be back.

Bermingham Cameras, Dublin

What a Customer service…

I have always thought that the Bermingham Cameras shop on Burgh Quay in Dublin is one of the best camera shops in Dublin. Many times, I heard about their professional knowledge and got some recommedation. Sounds good? Not any more. I have just changed my opinion on this shop and their staff after I paid a visit there this morning. Believe me, I won’t come back there any soon, if ever.

I went there to buy some lens filters for my older 35 mm SLR. That was probably to much for the guy behind the counter to cope with. They didn’t have the typ of filters I was looking for, so I asked him for other type, the screw-on filters. He handed me the circular polariser without a word. I didn’t ask him more, because he was clearly being bothered by me. And didn’t even try to hide it. How can I say? Well, the friend of mine who has been there with me, ask the shop assistant behind the counter what does the circular polariser do. The tone of the answear and the expression on his face was clear – something like piss off and leave me alone…

I was looking for some coloured filters and circular polariser 62mm in diametre, but I won’t buy anything from someone who act like this. In fact, he is there to help you and he’s acctually getting paid for that. I didn’t dare asking him once more…

I am interested to buy a digital SLR, and I want to be sure that I can use my older lenses with the new digital SLRs without any malfunction. God, I should know before I asked…. ”Not properly”, was all he said. Just like this. N advise or some sort of explanation. Just two words… I haven’t had any other questions, because I knew I won’t get any helpful advice from this guy. He was clearly bothered by me. Why not, I am only customer.

I left the shop with disgrace. Honestly, I wasn’t angry at all as one would expect, but I was really dissapointed. I have always had good opinion on this store and their service, but that has change this morning. I cannot understand, someone like this working in the store, helping customers. If somebody ask me where to buy camera, I won’t be recommend this store. Not even to my enemies.

Guess who will not come to this store again…

Coffee Society, Dublin

I’ve been drinking coffee for years, and there is nothing worst than start the day with disgusting cup of coffee. That is something you don’t want to have first thing in the morning. It just ruins the whole day not to mention how frustrating the day can be than.

I live in Dublin, where there is a dozen of coffee shop chains, including some famous one and some local. But not all of them do nice coffee. It may seem that I am picky, but I just really like nice coffee – that’s it. And that is why I almost all the time buy my coffee at Coffee Society.

As far as I know, Coffee Society has three shops in the Dublin city. One on the Camden Street, one in the city centre on Liffey Street and one in Ranelagh (if you are lucky, you might meet some Irish rugby players there). The reason I like Coffee Society is simple – they just know, how to make a nice cup of coffee. More important, they make the coffee from the blend, specially made for them. Isn’t this a good reason?

I’ve tryied all other coffee chains here in Dublin, and only one or two can compete to Coffee Society. It’s not just about the coffee itself, it’s also about how the coffee is made. If I order latte, I don’t want a cup full of foam. And believe me, this happen all the time. Why they have a selection of coffees on the board, when they do them all the same way?

So, if you are in Dublin looking for a really good cup of coffee, find one of the Coffee Society shops. You’ll be surprised with the taste of their coffee, and you’ll always get what you have asked for.