Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Ate at Tommy's on Lane Avenue last night.......pizza was a delicious, savory experience.  It came out with a crispy crust, and was so hot, hot hot, as it should be served.  
I ordered a salad, as did my husband and friend. I requested no croutons, however the waitress put the croutons in a small cup on the side on all three salads..........No Croutons means no croutons, not in the salad, not on the side.......NO CROUTONS.......does anyone listen??????????

(painting by Audrey Hackman)


As Julia would say.....Bon Appetite or should I say Mangiate, Mangiate!
 


Monday, August 28, 2017

IN MY OPINION........EVERYTHING IS A CHOICE

Ok..........well here I am again, basically reiterating the same thing I said over a year ago.
I don't know why I seem to get the urge to write annually.....my intention is always to write on a regular basis.  
My plan is to talk about restaurants that I frequent, and give my opinion of food, atmosphere and above everything else the service. I of course plan on throwing in various other opinions on day to day happenings, and news stories whether fake or not.........Actually I think it will be a potpourri of my daily thoughts and opinions.
Today, I am going to address restaurant service.
In Europe a restaurant server is valued and respected.......unfortunately in this country, it is almost a default job. Servers make a decent  hourly wage even in small casual restaurants, and do very well in more upscale locations.
I think a big part of the problem is that few are properly trained, as many restaurants view the position as replaceable, or maybe the restaurant doesn't really know the elements of great service.
Anticipation is the most important quality a server can have. The server needs to know what the customer wants even before the customer knows.
I want to know the server's name, so I can ask for him, but I am not there to make friends with him.  
I want my food delivered, as ordered, in a timely fashion. It is extremely important to listen to the customer who may have certain requests, and it is the server's responsibility to make sure the kitchen executes these requests.
Please don't ask me if I want more water, just keep the water glass filled, as this would be an example of certain tasks which should just be taken care of without conversation. 
The position of server is the most important in the restaurant. They are the  main representative of  the restaurant, and are the ones who take the praise, and certainly are the ones who hear the complaints. It is the server who is responsible to create an atmosphere that makes the customer want to return.
Food is important, but in my opinion the atmosphere and service are more important.
I have experienced extremely poor service twice in the last 72 hours, and unfortunately it was at the same restaurant. I am not going to mention the name right now, as I know the owner, and feel I should address it with her first.
My husband does not like to eat dinner at home......I don't think it is my cooking, because in my opinion I cook as well as the restaurants we frequent, but regardless the reason I am forced to eat out much more often than I would like.
Please check back often and see where I am dining and how I rate the location.