This review is for the bar at Epic. I'm being generous with 2 stars as they were busy. I was originally going to the Library Bar but it was closed for filming. So off to Epic I went as I needed a space to work and send emails. Well what a disaster. Luckily I am a very patient person, but for people who are not, the service was disgraceful.
I arrived at the entrance and asked to be seated in the bar section. There were many empty tables that needed to be cleared and the hostess said there was nothing available and asked if I wanted a stool at the bar. I said no and that I wouldn't mind waiting. She again asked if I wanted a stool at the bar and said there would be a 5 minute wait. I asked if I could wait at the bar for my table and if she would personally grab me once a table was clear. As I sat I was greeted by one of the bartenders quite hastily and asked for my drink order, I asked for a menu and went for a top quality bourbon Manhattan. I asked if he had large rock cubes and he said no. I am very specific when it comes to my drink and I asked if he could only put 2 cubes in. As I was saying this to my horror he grabbed a scoop of ice and put it in a glass to shake my drink. Mid horror I asked him to stop - think of James Bond and the bartender messing up his classic staple martini - this was actually happening. It's like ordering an expensive liquor only to be watered down with ice - what was the point at all. Instead of fixing the drink to what I so patiently requested he continued to pour my drink and saying he must serve it cold. At this point, my hands are in my face cruising the bourbon Gods why they have forsaken me! He then carefully places 2 small cubes in my already watered down drink and pushes a small tray of bar nibbles in front of me. There's an older gentlemen siting beside me in awe of a women knowing her drink and asks if he should order the same. I insist he should stick to his glass of wine and next time go to the Library Bar if he likes cocktails.
15 minutes have possibly gone by as I stir and stare at my glass. Where was this hostess. As I look around the room, many new faces and empty seats. Well, how's that for service. I interrupt a waitress and ask if I can be seated (again) and she agrees. A little but of shuffling and finally a table where I can get to work.
For a hotel bar I was not happy that I physically had to move myself and my drink (sans coaster). I quickly start messaging away on my phone and getting some work done. 10 minutes in, sans nibbles, sans coater and sans waiter I start to wonder if I am in a bad service time zone. Am I not in the fairmont?
A waiter questionably passes me and asks if I would like anything else. I politely inform him that actually no one has talked to me since I was seated. I could tell in his eyes he was frazzled and so busy he didn't know up from down. He quickly rectified everything and I continued to order some food. The rest of the service was great from then on.