Top 11 Annoying Restaurant Trends
Annoying Restaurant Trends
We Could Do Without...
Hey, we're pretty easy customers to please. We don't get wacky with special order demands, and always tip pretty darned well. Still, we can't help wishing a few restaurants trends were permanently off the menu. Read on for our thoughts on daily specials, bottled water and the ubiquity of freshly ground black pepper.
Recitation of the Specials
Would it really be so hard to print it out or write it on a board? That way we'd actually remember if the beet 'n chive compote came with the lamb or the duck, and wouldn't have to feel like such a stingy nincompoop for asking the server to say the price out loud.
I'm Sorry, We Just Sold the Last One
Yet you taunted us with the five-minute description just now?
Bottled Water Up-selling
Putting aside the negative environmental impact of all that excess glass & plastic, are restaurateurs implying that the H20 they're using to cleanse the veggies and cook the pasta is some how sub-palatable, or are they just trying to dunk the customer? We'd rather splash our cash on desserts and apps than pour it out on something that should just flow freely from the tap.
Up-selling In General
While we're certainly sympathetic to waitstaff who, due to the untenable circumstance of sub-minimum wage base pay, rely on percentage-based tips, but really -- if we wanted to start with an appetizer, we would have ordered one.
Listing the Birthplace of Every Ingredient
"Organic Peruvian Tangelo Seared Aged Newark Wildebeest on a Bed of Wilted Gowanus Farms Pre-Natal Endive"
We're loco for locavorism and super-psyched for sustainable organic farming, but it doesn't taste any better just 'cause we know the name of our tenderloin's first cousin and where it went to summer camp.
The 'Tini Suffix
Flirtini. Chocotini. PB&Jtini. Just 'cause it's in the V-shaped glass does not a martini make it. Certainly we're huge fans of the mixological madmen shaking up Lavender Wonderbread Fizzes and Cranberry Clorox Collinses at our favorite gastro-boites, but if there's anything other than gin*, vermouth and an olive or a twist in the glass, it may be a drink, or even a cocktail, but it ain't a 'Tini. (We blame Sex and the City, but that's a whole 'nother story.)
*Vodka martinis are vodka martinis. A plain ol' martini is gin-based. Harrumph.
Would You Like Freshly Ground Black Pepper On That?
No. No we wouldn't. And you're scaring us with that Louisville Slugger of a spice grinder.
Trios & Duos
"Heirloom Pork Prepared Two Ways with a Roulette of Seasonal Carrots"
Is the chef hedging his bets? Did he or she run short of some critical ingredient and have to go halvsies? One of the bunch is bound to outshine the other, making you wish you'd gotten a stab at a full-sized portion of that instead.
Over-pouring
Attentive service is certainly something to be celebrated, but the slow 'n steady sippers among us are kinda getting corked when we're sharing a bottle of wine with someone who's quicker on the chug than us. If our servers would just give us a chance to catch up instead of topping off after every couple of sips, the whole party might stand a chance of staying sober through dessert.
Recent Comments
ottjo9871 04:52:57 PM Jul 02 2009
I will tell all of the people working in most of the eateries that they need to put on thier happy face and provide a service if they would like a tip i think the majority of you think your doing us a favor if we have to ask you for a refill or any other thing that we might need it is your job to stay on top of the customers needs by coming by the table every few minutes to check on your customers and to ask if we might need any thing i can tell you that the majority of people would tip you more for courtious service and sometimes more than you would of thought you deserved remember we go out to eat to enjoy ourselves with or familys and theres nothing worse than to have to get your attention when we need something so pay good attention to your guest and we will pay you a good tip !
skadett13 01:43:57 PM Jun 02 2009
bobleeblog.....and everyone else out there that doesnt realize that servers arent mind readers.... maybe if you just let them know what you want and what you expect in a kind manner then your dining expierience will meet your standards, also if you cannot afford to tip then i dont think you should eat out! Go to the grocery store, pr hit up the dollar menu! Those of you who say go get another job...well thats silly! im an excellent server! I love what I do..isnt that whats important? If you cant tip me then dont go out! Karma is a mother~!
bobleebog 01:17:12 PM Jun 02 2009
My major complaint when dining out is that the servers are instructed to remove the plates when a diner is finished and I object to having the platters removed before all at the table are finished their meal ! I sit with my fork poised over my empty plate just so it WILL NOT be removed.
jcandersonnc 07:28:37 AM Jun 02 2009
Almosthome1, what I will say to you as to not insult you as this is not the point is this, Its a couple of factors that make what you say moot. The employers are doing what the federal government is Allowing them to do as most businesses would do. At one point they even allowed them to decrease our server wage since they increased minimum wage. The next is if they increased our wage, most folk would not be able to afford to eat out, and your service would be poorer as they would staff restaurants less. What it boils down to is the Gov says we make 15% on our sales and if you don't tip we have to pay.
tonypbrac 10:11:16 AM Apr 24 2009
I eat out often, Alone, with my wife and with my friends. I respect the server knowing that they are trying to make a living. I do not look down at their position. When I read that complaints of the servers I feel that they are saying that you must give tips regarless of service just because they are earning a living. I have had excellent servers and terrible servers, that have made my lunch or dinner memorable. I would like to remind the serving population of the word tip and what it means. After a server completes the service to a table they must get a gratuity of 15% of the check for their paid service (or salary), the additional 5% is the tip. The definition of tips is: TO INSURE PROPER SERVICE. So if you want a tip, do your best. Tony S. Eating out 65 years
hoosierheat00 10:35:28 AM Apr 23 2009
**CONTINUE** 1 or 2 togo people ($7.00 or $7.50 per hour), then at least 2 managers sometimes 3. The money income depends on how many people come in that day. Usually a restaurant will keep everyone on until atleast 7:30 (because that when the rushes start ) even if it seems slow. Therefore they dont have the money to pay the servers, because they have to hire so people to make the people who come in happy! Lastly, for the respectable job. Many college students work as a server because they can work best with their schooling. My mom is a server, she's one of the most respected person I know by EVERYONE she's met.
hoosierheat00 10:34:51 AM Apr 23 2009
***CONTINUE!*** 1 or 2 togo people ($7.00 or $7.50 per hour), then at least 2 managers sometimes 3. The money income depends on how many people come in that day. Usually a restaurant will keep everyone on until atleast 7:30 (because that when the rushes start ) even if it seems slow. Therefore they dont have the money to pay the servers, because they have to hire so people to make the people who come in happy! Lastly, for the respectable job. Many college students work as a server because they can work best with their schooling. My mom is a server, she's one of the most respected person I know by EVERYONE she's met.
hoosierheat00 10:33:49 AM Apr 23 2009
almosthome1, the reason why servers dont get paid a lot is because they get tips! they have to claim every single one or else they lose their job! every check they have to pay 10%. I honestly think that everyone should have to work in a restaurant at some point in their life. My mom is a server, my sister is a togo person and I'm a host. Before I started working there, I knew what it was like. But now that I work there, I know EXACTLY what it's like. So many of my friends (AND THEIR PARENTS) never thought about it until they worked in a restaurant (or their kid did and heard about it). If you've never worked in a restaurant you would know this. But im guessing you haven't. It's not the employeers fault. Think, they have to pay so much for food, have a serving staff of about 30 people or more depending on the day ($2.30 per hour each), 2 or 3 host ($7 to $7.50 per hour), 6 or 7 cooks ($13 each per hour), 1 or 2 bar tenders ($6.50 per hour), 1 or 2 togo people ($7.00 or $7.50 per
rchaney2 04:09:52 AM Apr 23 2009
almosthome1 should read attic at home empty, $5 burger same as a $25 steak only if you wanna stand at the counter and wait on your dinner before sitting also get you own refills and any other essentials, also get used dishes out of the way as the meal progresses etc. They have cafeterias for those that prefer serving themselves. Hair stylist also gladly accept gratuities, It is customary in any salon with any class. Although it isn't proper to tip the proprietor. It's been 30 years since i was a waiter, The job taught me how to temper pride with humility and how to economize my movements to maximize productivity. Your opinions sound of cheapness and a lack of class. After voicing those thoughts i'm sure you feel better about undertipping that nice mother of three small children that's trying to work rather than live off gov't assistance.
tkme2daocean 04:03:07 AM Apr 23 2009
Let me tell you all a few things.Some people cant help but get waitress and bartender jobs.some havent had the joys of having the privilage of going to college or get lucky to get that "great job" But for those of you who have ,we are here to server YOU.Yes it sucks the employer doesnt pay better wages,but thier are some of us out here would rather work in a rest with low wages than to stand on a street corner selling drugs or worse yet thier bodys to survive and feed thier family.waiting staff is hard workers and in this economy glad they have a job.So keep your tight asses at home if your to cheap to tip,or better yet tip that caddy at your golf club or hairdresser.you ungrateful ba#%@#ds