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It’s been almost three weeks since I posted something. This does not mean I haven’t thought about blogging. It just means that I was not able to write something beyond the first two sentences.
I have had a few great meals in the last couple of weeks… and some that were not so great. I am definitely no food connoisseur but simply someone who likes to go out and enjoy a meal. It doesn’t necessarily have to be expensive nor does it have to be served on fine china. It just has to look appealing (to me) and taste delicious (to me). It should also be served to meet cleanliness standards. Let me give you a couple of examples of things that have stopped me from returning to some places (that shall remain unnamed). For example, I prefer to have my tea served without random napkin bits floating around the edge. I also prefer not to see any random hair in my meal nor on the edge of my plate. I can easily differentiate my hair that *just* fell versus something that may have been cooked to the perfection of my meal. Uh,.. no thanks.
In addition to my “I’m-grossed-out-and-cannot-go-back-there-again-unless-I-really-have-to” venue list, I also have a couple of other things that secure some places on my “I-am-not-coming-back-here-unless-I-really-have-to” (non-grossed out version). So what is the criteria for the latter list?
I won’t list all the things in one blog post but here is one relating to lunch breaks — when I’m on my one-hour lunch break at work and the food is so s-l-o-w to arrive. I can understand the delay if the restaurant is really busy and we were slow to order. However, when we order shortly after being seated in a half-empty restaurant and the meal does not arrive until 5 minutes before I have to be back at work, that is slightly problematic and somewhat stressful. Note to self, do not come back here during my lunch break.
This scenario happened most recently at the beginning of April. I was meeting up with four friends for lunch. Our order was placed shortly after 12:10 pm and we had all selected noodles off a “lunch special” menu. The side salads were served quickly after our order was placed. We finished our salads and waited — 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes. I decided to follow-up on the order as I did have to get back to work. By the time we were able to flag down a server, she assured us our meals were on their way. At 12:55 pm, the noodles were brought to our table. Four of the orders correct, one order incorrect. Luckily for my friends, they did not have to rush back to work. I quickly asked to get mine packed to go. It took another five minutes before they came back and told me that there were no takeout containers to carry both the noodles and accompanying soup. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry (from absurdity of the situation) when the server came back with my noodles in a dry food take-out container in one hand and the restaurant’s ceramic bowl with the soup broth in the other. She offered to let me take the bowl away — as is. I wish I had taken a photo of the scene. Thinking back, it was very comical although at that time, not so much.
soup-deprived ramen
I so love this posting, Shelley! I am surprised that so many restaurants under value the need for good service. Even if I enjoy the meal, and the service is poor, I will not go back.
Recently, my husband and I were at a restaurant in Steveston that had a sign out front for gourmet hamburgers. Once seated, we received a menu that did not list hamburgers and so my husband asked about it. We were advised we were seated in the wrong side of the restaurant, so we could not order hamburgers!! Now the restaurant was EMPTY, save and except for us, plus we were never advised of the different sides and thus given the option when we arrived. I suspect the meal was okay but I don’t recall, as all I remember was the bad service. Needless to say, the resturant is no longer there.
Many years ago I went to a very ritzy restaurant (that is still around) and when I received my dessert there was broken glass on the top of it. When I complained, I was told by the waitress I was over reacting (I mean, I didn’t swallow any of it, did I?). I was still charged for it but given a free liquer. I have’t been there again either.
I also tell everyone when things like this happen as it is not only my revenge but I also don’t want people to experience what I did, as eating out is pricey and we all want to feel good about it.
Now, after all that grumbling I will say where we always get GREAT service and that is at the White Spot in Richmond Centre. The staff are friendly, efficient and the food is consistently good. They remember me when I go back and have even prepared special meals for my husband when he has been sick.
Another one – breakfast at Bacchus in the Wedgewood Hotel. Excellent service. Yes, it is high end but what you receive is high end, which is what you should expect, as well as, receive.
Wow – I think this is the longest posting I have ever done (LOL). Shelley, you fired up my emotions on this one……
Wow.. I really hit a topic that you feel strongly about, Kathryn! You might just need to start your own blog!
I also agree that many restaurants overlook the power of good service. While I like to go to eat at places that won’t cost me an arm and a leg, I am willing to go to a pricier restaurant if the service is better.
I am curious, did the restaurant offer to re-seat you on the side that did serve hamburgers? And, next time we meet up in person, you must tell me which ritzy restaurant served the broken glass as an accessory to the dessert. That probably should have been a complaint to the higher agencies (with a photo). Broken glass isn’t really good for the digestive system.
I had a few other situations to talk about but could not write it all in one post. That will be left for another day, another post.
Yes! the restaurant did offer to move us to the hamburger side of teh restaurant but we declined. Then the waiter came back and said he had spoken to the chef and they had agreed we could order hamburgers from where we were sitting since there were no other patrons…..we didn’t order them anyway. haha!
I am not sure Iwould write my own blog (although sometimes I think of trying) but you are sure to get a long winded response again, if you hit on my favourite topic – service!!!!
I will keep that in mind.
And I look forward to reading your next long-winded response when I write about some of the other not-so-great service experiences encountered.