Indeed. Cipriani in Miami, where I was last night....despite having standard Italian fare is just phenomenal, even after 10 months they remember my name, kiss the Mrs hand when we arrive. Most of the patrons are celebs / supermodels and they still roll out the red carpet to regulars. Old skool American gangster type vibes.
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[Food] Eating out. Is it all that?
- Thread starter POSKETT AT THE VALLEY
- Start date
The Clamp
Well-known member
“In my day the service was much better, it’s all gone downhill these days” etc etc
The Clamp
Well-known member
People need to seek out the good restaurants.
Chat to the staff. Meet the owner and chef etc
Get to know them. It makes for a much better experience.
Once you find a good, local place, stick with it. It’ll only get better and better.
Wild Lemon in Shoreham, for example, is excellent for this.
If you go to chain restaurants and get served by Gen Z’ers who haven’t heard of the concept of other people, it’s unlikely to be a nice time.
Most of them don’t give a tinkers about the diners in the place, too busy bagging up food for the endless line of Just Eat cycle monkeys.
Franchises owned by money grubbing chancers have always been around and are always a crap experience.
Be smart when choosing restaurants and be jolly and amicable with the staff
Chat to the staff. Meet the owner and chef etc
Get to know them. It makes for a much better experience.
Once you find a good, local place, stick with it. It’ll only get better and better.
Wild Lemon in Shoreham, for example, is excellent for this.
If you go to chain restaurants and get served by Gen Z’ers who haven’t heard of the concept of other people, it’s unlikely to be a nice time.
Most of them don’t give a tinkers about the diners in the place, too busy bagging up food for the endless line of Just Eat cycle monkeys.
Franchises owned by money grubbing chancers have always been around and are always a crap experience.
Be smart when choosing restaurants and be jolly and amicable with the staff
Last edited:
NorthstandRacoon
Well-known member
Independents aren always good for sure. I particularly like Plateau, Lost in the lanes, fatto o Mano etc.
That’s a lot of places to get such bad service on the same day.This. Ok, a bit of a rant…are we sitting comfortably?
Cause to go to Berkhamstead today. Never been before. Won’t be hurrying back! Bit of a posh place by all accounts. Money for old rope in other words and boy did we experience!
Wanted some light lunch, 2 dogs with us, and was a bit chilly and windy and spots of rain, so didn’t especially want to sit outside but wasn’t totally against.
First place was a pub. Looked ok. Went in, stood by ‘wait here to be seated’ sign. No server in sight. Waited bit longer. Server turns up, walks straight past with no eye contact (so many in hospitality have this ‘skill’, wandering around looking busy without being able to see customers wanting to ask something, order etc etc!) so I call after to ask if allowed dogs and if so which area? She shouted back ‘yes, anywhere over this side’ before carrying on her way. We sat down, and I looked around. Tables full of dirty dishes, empty glasses and others full with yet to be served customers. Didn’t get a good vibe…one of those places might take hours to get food. It was busy. No doubt. So we left. Nobody said anything, probably relieved if hands already full.
2nd place an independent brunch style cafe. No dogs allowed. Fair enough, so sat in corner outside to shelter from wind. Even though not busy they Refused to take our order outside so we went in. Niggled me, where’s the hospitality? Hey ho, get over self. Wife goes in to order, then said they’d run out of eggs so couldn’t do any of the scrambled eggs with salmon on sour dough, scrambled eggs on avacodo etc. Which was what I wanted. Great. But how do you run out of eggs? Pissed off with their niggling service protocol and lack of key ingredients, went elsewhere…
…3rd place a small independent Italian deli, with only 4 tables inside and could see a couple with a dog inside and they were just leaving. In we went. Only 2 other customers. 3 staff. ‘Be with you in a minute Sir’ one remarked. 10 (TEN!) minutes later…nobody had asked us even what wanted to drink never mind food. I was more than irritated by now. Again, the ability to avoid eye contact with customers was admirable. I was starring at them and only about 5m away as they mattered away, blissfully uncaring. Told wife ‘we’re leaving’. Got up, untied dogs, put coats on - still nothing from the 3 staff! Then just as opened the door to exit, the man said ‘Thank you…!’ Was he taking the piss??!! Steaming, I said ‘What for? Nothing?!’ He looked at me confused, and ever condescendingly. So I called him a ‘wanker’. Which I shouldn’t have, but he was now getting it on behalf of the other 2 places too. And shut door behind me.
My wife now knows I’m on a warpath. Finally, we try another tiny independent cafe on way back to car park. It has space for about 15 customers and does coffee a few bakeries and a bowl of soup. I almost issue a set of criteria as we take our seats. There are three staff. And it’s only half full.
It still takes too long to get served but I let it go. Order a coffee, and the soup. Had to ask because nowhere does it state what it is, but again…small details. When arrives it’s luke warm. No salt and pepper on table or offered. Cutlery hasn’t been provided in the 10mins waiting for either so have to further wait for that to arrive. And then, when the accompanying toasted bread arrives with the server meekly says I’m sorry but WE’VE RUN OUT OF BUTTER… so I had to have it dry. This and they’re opposite a Waitrose. Plus it’s £9 btw for a bowl of bland tasting leek and potato. For my wife’s sake, I say nothing. The flat white was nice.
If you’re still with me, I just think OMG, how do these places still exist in todays climate? How are they still in business? Charging a lot, with clueless staff that don’t make you feel welcome or provide any sort of service.
Mediocre is the norm as people say. But it’s worse than that really. That or Berkhamstead is an island of well to do ‘I saw you coming’ types who are happy to pay a lot of money for nothing in return. 4 establishments, all deeply flawed - or am I asking too much?
Are you sure you hadn’t just shit yourself without realising?
portlock seagull
Well-known member
- Jul 28, 2003
- 18,512
That’s made my day! I really LOL, a gem of a passing comment!! Thank you
Anger
Well-known member
- Jul 21, 2017
- 847
This. Ok, a bit of a rant…are we sitting comfortably?
Cause to go to Berkhamstead today. Never been before. Won’t be hurrying back! Bit of a posh place by all accounts. Money for old rope in other words and boy did we experience!
Wanted some light lunch, 2 dogs with us, and was a bit chilly and windy and spots of rain, so didn’t especially want to sit outside but wasn’t totally against.
First place was a pub. Looked ok. Went in, stood by ‘wait here to be seated’ sign. No server in sight. Waited bit longer. Server turns up, walks straight past with no eye contact (so many in hospitality have this ‘skill’, wandering around looking busy without being able to see customers wanting to ask something, order etc etc!) so I call after to ask if allowed dogs and if so which area? She shouted back ‘yes, anywhere over this side’ before carrying on her way. We sat down, and I looked around. Tables full of dirty dishes, empty glasses and others full with yet to be served customers. Didn’t get a good vibe…one of those places might take hours to get food. It was busy. No doubt. So we left. Nobody said anything, probably relieved if hands already full.
2nd place an independent brunch style cafe. No dogs allowed. Fair enough, so sat in corner outside to shelter from wind. Even though not busy they Refused to take our order outside so we went in. Niggled me, where’s the hospitality? Hey ho, get over self. Wife goes in to order, then said they’d run out of eggs so couldn’t do any of the scrambled eggs with salmon on sour dough, scrambled eggs on avacodo etc. Which was what I wanted. Great. But how do you run out of eggs? Pissed off with their niggling service protocol and lack of key ingredients, went elsewhere…
…3rd place a small independent Italian deli, with only 4 tables inside and could see a couple with a dog inside and they were just leaving. In we went. Only 2 other customers. 3 staff. ‘Be with you in a minute Sir’ one remarked. 10 (TEN!) minutes later…nobody had asked us even what wanted to drink never mind food. I was more than irritated by now. Again, the ability to avoid eye contact with customers was admirable. I was starring at them and only about 5m away as they mattered away, blissfully uncaring. Told wife ‘we’re leaving’. Got up, untied dogs, put coats on - still nothing from the 3 staff! Then just as opened the door to exit, the man said ‘Thank you…!’ Was he taking the piss??!! Steaming, I said ‘What for? Nothing?!’ He looked at me confused, and ever condescendingly. So I called him a ‘wanker’. Which I shouldn’t have, but he was now getting it on behalf of the other 2 places too. And shut door behind me.
My wife now knows I’m on a warpath. Finally, we try another tiny independent cafe on way back to car park. It has space for about 15 customers and does coffee a few bakeries and a bowl of soup. I almost issue a set of criteria as we take our seats. There are three staff. And it’s only half full.
It still takes too long to get served but I let it go. Order a coffee, and the soup. Had to ask because nowhere does it state what it is, but again…small details. When arrives it’s luke warm. No salt and pepper on table or offered. Cutlery hasn’t been provided in the 10mins waiting for either so have to further wait for that to arrive. And then, when the accompanying toasted bread arrives with the server meekly says I’m sorry but WE’VE RUN OUT OF BUTTER… so I had to have it dry. This and they’re opposite a Waitrose. Plus it’s £9 btw for a bowl of bland tasting leek and potato. For my wife’s sake, I say nothing. The flat white was nice.
If you’re still with me, I just think OMG, how do these places still exist in todays climate? How are they still in business? Charging a lot, with clueless staff that don’t make you feel welcome or provide any sort of service.
Mediocre is the norm as people say. But it’s worse than that really. That or Berkhamstead is an island of well to do ‘I saw you coming’ types who are happy to pay a lot of money for nothing in return. 4 establishments, all deeply flawed - or am I asking too much?
Well, if you will go to Berkhamsted you’re asking for trouble.
I’ve walked out of a few restaurants in similar circumstances, but never that many in quick succession in one afternoon. I do think that’s a Berkhamsted thing.
Cheshire Cat
The most curious thing..
If you have the money and inclination (and taste)....
"Lunch menu is priced at £125 per person and Provenance menu £235 per person."
Michelin star hotspot outside of London 'not many people know about'
This tiny West Lancashire village has three Michelin star restaurants within a mile radius
www.bbc.co.uk
"Lunch menu is priced at £125 per person and Provenance menu £235 per person."
Greg Bobkin
Silver Seagull
- May 22, 2012
- 16,949
Yep, definitely. And there are places like that that we have used that fit that description. However, the problem is you shouldn't have to try and find them, they should all be of a decent standard, as opposed to giving off the impression that you are doing them a favour by eating there!
portlock seagull
Well-known member
- Jul 28, 2003
- 18,512
Ok, here’s part 2 for @Iggle Piggle …
Mother in law treated us to Xmas lunch out last December. We booked an award winning gastronomic pub close by, we’d been many times before and always excellent.
Turned up 3pm, we were part of the second sitting. Couldn’t get in, so many people queuing outside and in the reception. Turns out first sitting not finished. No worries, all jolly, free fizz passed around and was quite mild outside.
4pm…still not seated. Elderly aunt and mother in law getting cold, patience wearing thin. Complain and finally seated. Can sense all is not well, other dinners agitated.
5pm…still no food. Only 1 round drinks served. Enquire every 15mins, ‘what’s happening/when is food coming?’ Being exceptionally patient and feel for front of house staff who are constantly apologising.
5.20…amuse bouch arrives, closely followed by starter. Wrong, but say fine as starving.
6pm…2 tables near us really kick off. People walking out, well, more like storming out.
6.30pm, a full 3.5 hours after arriving, our Main course of Turkey plus trimmings arrives. It’s very nice, and we GOBBLE down hungrily.
7pm request dessert in doggy bags to take home because can’t process thought of waiting hours further.
Sympathetic, I speak to barman and ask how many people working today / give them £50 to cover a drink each afterwards. It’s been a shit show, but it’s also Xmas. He tells me no one else has tipped them today. No one! They should been home hours ago themselves, enriched, but instead they’ve spent Xmas day being lambasted by angry unforgiving diners because of a kitchen calamity.
Turns out the Head Chef who ran the place left several weeks before after a falling out with the owner, and rather than cancel 2nd (or even first) sitting they ploughed on. To disastrous effect.
My wife very fairly lodges a complaint afterwards by email, on behalf of my mother in law who is mortified. She makes it clear we aren’t seeking a full refund, we ate after all. But will leave it to their discretion as to what’s fair. However, we receive a full £160 a head refund with a long apology. They must have made an astonishing loss.
And that was our Xmas day - very memorable!!!
Mother in law treated us to Xmas lunch out last December. We booked an award winning gastronomic pub close by, we’d been many times before and always excellent.
Turned up 3pm, we were part of the second sitting. Couldn’t get in, so many people queuing outside and in the reception. Turns out first sitting not finished. No worries, all jolly, free fizz passed around and was quite mild outside.
4pm…still not seated. Elderly aunt and mother in law getting cold, patience wearing thin. Complain and finally seated. Can sense all is not well, other dinners agitated.
5pm…still no food. Only 1 round drinks served. Enquire every 15mins, ‘what’s happening/when is food coming?’ Being exceptionally patient and feel for front of house staff who are constantly apologising.
5.20…amuse bouch arrives, closely followed by starter. Wrong, but say fine as starving.
6pm…2 tables near us really kick off. People walking out, well, more like storming out.
6.30pm, a full 3.5 hours after arriving, our Main course of Turkey plus trimmings arrives. It’s very nice, and we GOBBLE down hungrily.
7pm request dessert in doggy bags to take home because can’t process thought of waiting hours further.
Sympathetic, I speak to barman and ask how many people working today / give them £50 to cover a drink each afterwards. It’s been a shit show, but it’s also Xmas. He tells me no one else has tipped them today. No one! They should been home hours ago themselves, enriched, but instead they’ve spent Xmas day being lambasted by angry unforgiving diners because of a kitchen calamity.
Turns out the Head Chef who ran the place left several weeks before after a falling out with the owner, and rather than cancel 2nd (or even first) sitting they ploughed on. To disastrous effect.
My wife very fairly lodges a complaint afterwards by email, on behalf of my mother in law who is mortified. She makes it clear we aren’t seeking a full refund, we ate after all. But will leave it to their discretion as to what’s fair. However, we receive a full £160 a head refund with a long apology. They must have made an astonishing loss.
And that was our Xmas day - very memorable!!!
portlock seagull
Well-known member
- Jul 28, 2003
- 18,512
Calling back @Chicken Run @tstanbur @Herr Tubthumper @The Clamp @Anger @Greg Bobkin @AmexRuislip @Questions
…to read post 131 as my other recent ‘poor service!!
…to read post 131 as my other recent ‘poor service!!
Did you see a blond angry scottish guy swearing a lot in an English accent loitering around the back of house?Calling back @Chicken Run @tstanbur @Herr Tubthumper @The Clamp @Anger @Greg Bobkin @AmexRuislip @Questions
…to read post 131 as my other recent ‘poor service!!
Be careful what you wish for
Randy McNob
> > > > > > Cardiff > > > > >
- Jun 13, 2020
- 4,755
i'm not that keen on Hot PotIf you have the money and inclination (and taste)....
Michelin star hotspot outside of London 'not many people know about'
This tiny West Lancashire village has three Michelin star restaurants within a mile radiuswww.bbc.co.uk
"Lunch menu is priced at £125 per person and Provenance menu £235 per person."