Cake shop reviews

Just for the record, I want to make it clear that any reviews in this blog are just my own personal experience and I’m not paid for any of them. Also, the places I’m going to aren’t aware that they are being reviewed and while I have been invited to numerous places to review (all of which are on a list) I will not let these places know prior to going and I will pay for everything out of my own pocket just so the review is non-biased. Also, I base my reviews more on customer service than anything, so if I get great customer service somewhere, then I am loyal to that place and will not go anywhere else if my life depended on it.

If you want to suggest any places for review, let me know and I will try to fit it in during the coming weeks/months!

So the three cake shops are:

·      Sugaholic http://sugaholic.com/contact/

·      Choco’a http://www.chocoa.ae/en/contact-us/contact-us

·      Brownie Point http://www.browniepointuae.com/contact_us.php

The cake for my wedding party came from Sugaholic

I had some issues:

1.   When my friend and I walked into the store, we were ignored for the good part of 15 minutes. When we were finally seen to and asked questions about the kind of cake we wanted, it turned out the person we were speaking to was not the right person. The right person was I presume the lady who owned the store and was doing something on her laptop still ignoring us.

2.   When the laptop lady was told she would have to deal with us, she left us to our own devices for a bit to do something else. This was slightly annoying but I needed to book a cake that day and I was already there.

3.   She came back and went into a detailed discussion about what the cake could look like and excitingly for me took pictures of my husband and I, so that she could model the figurines on us – this turned out to be a COMPLETE waste of time because as you can see neither of figurines look like either of us.

4.   There was zero tasting offered and I bought my own cupcakes to make sure the taste was good enough. Normally, I wouldn’t mind this, but for a wedding party cake, you have to agree this is off.

5.   The cake I bought was for 40 people, 2 layers and cost 570 dirhams- it both tasted and looked great.

The customer service issues were minor in the grand scheme of things but it is a huge selling point for me. So, based on customer service, location, design and taste, I’m going to give them 5/10 and will only go in to book when I have lots of time to spare…sadly this is hardly ever.

Brownie Point

My friends had ordered a cake for me from this store on the day of my bachelorette party and it tasted quite nice. Also, since I didn’t want to go all the way to Bur Dubai to deal with the Sugaholic lady who would make me wait, I decided to go to the Barsha branch of Brownie Point. I had been at work since 5am so I was really hoping to walk in and out since I sort of knew what I wanted, if I could just have a quick discussion with someone who would be able to tell me what was on offer. I also REALLY needed something chocolatey right at that moment. This is part of a letter I sent to Brownie Point (Which makes a big deal of customer service) shortly after walking into that store- with the response.

I just walked into your Barsha Store. There was nobody behind the counter, when I had called out for someone, a man turned up and asked if I wanted help. He said I needed to wait for 2 minutes- which was obviously 5.

He came back and asked what I would like, as I was discussing it, he said he needed a few more minutes and went off again leaving me with pictures to decide what I needed.

I chose my cake and sat patiently for a bit. Finally I called out again, he appeared as if it was a shock I was still there and again asked me to wait a short while.

I did, but my patience was waning, I wake up at 4am for work, I don't want to hang about doing nothing in my free time after it.

I called out to the man again, he didn't appear so I left.

Response from Brownie Point:

Hello Mam

I am extremely sorry and sincere apology for inconvenience caused

to you at the store. Saw you crossing the road and could not stop you.

Please provide me your cell number to book the order.

Once again sorry for this mishap.

Thanks. Anthony

You could not stop me? Really? I don’t really remember you trying to stop me. Weird. Also, you want my cell number to book the order- are you joking? I got another email from Brownie point asking me to book the cake but deleted it as I had already booked one somewhere else. Anyway, since I have tasted the cakes here before they get points based solely on that taste experience and design 5/10

The same day I was ignored in Brownie Point, I went into Choco’a down the road from them in Barsha– it took a total of 3 minutes to book my personalised cake, which was ready on time, when I went in 2 days later and tasted AMAZING. I ordered the Chocolate Ganache for 10 people-more than 20 people ended up having a slice and it cost a grand total of 200 dirhams. This is the bargain of the century, as far as I’m concerned. Also two days later, it still melted in the mouth- and tasted simply heavenly with a chunk of ice cream.

Choco’a gets 9/10 for taste, customer service and price and loses a point on the variation of design, but from now on, this is where I shop for party cakes.

Booking a Dhow Cruise exclusively for your party – Part II

The cruise was extremely enjoyable, the food was great except for dessert which was awful. However, we had our own cake, which made up for that. It’s good to note that every one of my guests who had to speak to Rikk’s Managing staff (Except for the aforementioned Pooja) told me that they were incredibly rude. I experienced this myself with one of the managing staff before getting on the boat. The staff on the boat itself were helpful and efficient. Either way, the experience was not ruined. Rikk’s had booked a Tanoura dancer for the cruise, even though I had cancelled it prior to the event- so we were all a bit surprised when he turned up in his gear. We had to cancel him again though, since he would have interfered with the picture-taking and cake cutting.

The mic system was not state of the art- but we didn’t need that, so it worked fine for our short speeches.

I’ll upload a picture of the cake as soon as I have one (I, personally, didn’t take any on the cruise!) especially since I have a review of 3 cake companies including the one I got the wedding party cake from.

Booking a Dhow Cruise exclusively for your party - Part 1

This may sound like an amazing way to have a party. I thought so too, when I was searching for a venue to have a party with some close friends in Dubai who would not have been able to attend my wedding in the UK. A colleague sent me a website she came across for a Dhow Cruise company, I gave them a call and while the guy I spoke to was quite vague about everything, he seemed efficient since I got an email very quickly after our conversation. He said the finer details would all be sorted out closer to the time. He told me I could have up to 110 on the boat – I said it would be 50-65 (This will become relevant) He said that was perfect since I had to pay for 65. So my party was booked within 20 minutes.

Four days to go and I hadn’t heard a word from this man including the food that would be served (I had mentioned that a lot of us would be vegetarian) and whether I could have my own music etc. Also, I wanted to make clear that I didn’t want a cheesy belly dancer or any of that sort of thing.

The conversation was completely not what I was expecting. As we spoke, it turned out the air-conditioned part of the boat was specifically for 50 people. This put me in a massive panic, since it would mean 15 of my guests would have to be outside in the 35 degree heat- Our conversation was as follows after that- I HAD to make a record of it because this guy seemed crazy:

Me: “Why was I not informed of this before? If you had informed me, I would have only invited 50 people or less. You could have said that I had to pay for 65 but could only have 50 in the AC section or at least made me aware in some way”

Him: “Why didn’t you ask me? You said you wanted 65 people and we can accommodate up to 110”

Me (My voice raised slightly): “I didn’t know I HAD to ask, I assumed you would use common sense and realise I wouldn’t want 15 people out in the heat”

Him (Shouting): “How dare you speak to me like that? Its your party, you should know what questions to ask.”

Me (Quite Irate now): “Well, sorry, but I had no idea that you would be incompetent. I think you need to realise that you’re speaking to someone who has organised events before, and for someone in your position, you have been extremely derelict. I also don’t appreciate your rude manner, when YOU have made a mistake. I am losing my patience now”

Him: “ Don’t be rude to me. DO NOT speak to me like that!” (I had an image of Rumplestiltskin stamping his foot at this point)

Me: “What are you talking about? You are the one being rude, I need to know what to do with my 15 guests and you haven’t even contacted me once prior to this to even discuss payment”

Him: “I AM NOT YOUR SERVANT! DO NOT BE RUDE TO ME. I DON’T CARE ABOUT YOUR GUESTS”

Me: “Okay, we clearly have a communication issue, you are seriously unhinged. Give me your manager’s contact details, I no longer wish to deal with you”

Him: “Fine, I’ll put you on to my boss”

His boss turned out to be a nice lady called Pooja, who was very patient despite me at this point wanting to blow a gasket.

Awkward! The guy then called me back and said I was like his sister and that he was sorry for the communication issue, he sent me the menu, arranged to collect payment and then gave me a few solutions- we finally decided to make the AC section accommodate up to 60 people, which works out ok. I was extremely confused.

Anyway, the party is in 4 days, I will update!

Also, the school fees post is coming! I cant believe how long I haven't done a post!