SARA"vena" BHAVAN

• One of the leading chain of hotels based out of Chennai, well catering to the need of millions of Tamil makkal even outside India
• Expensive but yet worth the same for its quality and of course taste
• Hygiene has been one stand out feature of Saravana Bhavan, wherein even all the waiters are clean-shaved and in ujala white
• Last but never the least, it has been a savior of all Chennai Bachelors staying away from home, as it definitely gives a glimpse of the wonderful home food.

But of late Saravana Bhavan has been in the limelight for the wrong reasons. Would say for some notorious reasons rather. Quantity of late has been a concern, wherein these days the oothappams are of the size of the yester year's vada, but at the same time the price has been skyrocketing. You could seldom eat here your stomach full sans a hole in your purse.

Even for food lovers who don't mind spending just for the taste and quality, certain other reasons are exasperating. The major one being the customer service. That too when it comes in terms of the "Home delivery".

Two weeks back me and my room mate were ordering for the dinner via phone. The person in the other end was so restless throughout the order, as if me asking him for a favor after disturbing his mid night sleep. After me giving my address for the 4th time, I was asked to wait. Was waiting a whole 7 min, before I lost my patience & hope and cut the call. Again called him up and somehow managed the order, though only after my small outburst.

The food arrived in an hour's time and the delivery boy who came again was seemingly restless and disturbed. As soon as I paid him off, he said "You should have given the address correctly. You made me to wander unecessarily" and disappeared from my sight not even giving me time to reprimand him. As a customer, was thoroughly upset with the day's happening, but of course finished off the dinner promptly.

After all this drama, still could not resist my temptation of having a full meals Today from Saravana Bhavan. So again daringly tried placing an order via my mobile. The person in the other end responded with a hello. I said I need to place an order for lunch. Without even asking for my address, the person said "You will have to call up another branch (another location)". I counter argued him saying, "I have earlier availed the service from you" and hence questioned on his outright rejection.

After a series of discussions, he noted down my address and then asked for the order. As soon as this, I was asked to hold the line. After a couple of minutes the person said "Sorry, food cannot be ordered to your area" and cut the call abruptly. Now too I didn't give it up (Avvalavu pasi) and called the other branch (other location) that the first person had told me.

Again I was asked for my address and the order was placed. After that I was asked for a contact number, for which I gave my mobile number. Now he said "I need a landline number". I said how could you expect a landline number from a bachelor. He ruggedly said, "No way could the order be taken without a landline number". That was too much and I threw off my mobile out of the frustration.

Anger adding to my hunger forced me to initiate my protest. Tried some means to escalate these incidents to the higher-ups, but will have to wait.

The intention of this write-up is not just to revolt against any one or any system. Its neither a crib session. Its my small attempt to bring about a transformation from the Sara"VENA" Bhavan to Sara"VANGA" Bhavan. After all, I just love their food. So do the Chennai ites.