I have never come across such blatant rudeness from restaurant staff. I invited an elder scholar to lunch. As we sat down, I should have foreseen what was about to happen when the waiter started complaining about misbehaving customers.

The weather was cold and the restaurant practically empty. Yet the staff wanted to seat us in front of the open door. The waiter then insisted we wait until a specific table would be cleaned.

We ordered tea with our lunch. We were told that as the kettle was broken, no hot drinks could be served. We asked for “torshi” (chutney), there was none left. I stepped out and bought hot tea from the next door cafe. When I returned he admonished me and told me I could not drink a tea I had bought from another establishment. I accepted his argument even though he said I could use the chutney.

Within a couple of minutes, he served a cup of tea to another customer, in plain sight. We asked whether we could also have tea. Angrily he turned down our request and told us that if we are not happy, we should leave. Fearing that we would be served “chelo kebabs” laced with fresh house spits, we left.

I wonder whether Colbeh is a genuine restaurant staffed by professionals in the hospitality sector. I genuinely doubt it.