Do you have a "pet peeve" about restaurants when you travel?
 

The US forum has a thread about pet peeves, and it struck me that a primary peeve of mine is the culinary fad of stacking/constructing a tower of elements and drizzling sauce/coulis, etc. around on the plate. You end up in a futile scraping exercise to try to get the flavor of the sauce, and the individual flavors of the piled-up food become indistinguishable. Frankly, I suspect some lazy chefs have embraced this practice to cover up sloppiness in preparing whatever is under the top ingredient.<BR><BR>Does this bother anyone else? Do you have gripes -- or for that matter special praise -- about restaurants when you travel?

Well, I guess this pet peeve is really encountered mor in U.S. restaurants than abroad, but mine is getting sandwiches in restaurants that are literally too big to even fit into my mouth. I've gotten huge burgers that were almost impossible to pick up and eat, and I recall getting a salmon sandwich that I had to eat with a fork and knife because it was just too big. Probably just goes back to the oversized portions that a lot of American restaurants are serving.

Yeah, I've got a pet peeve. My husband is always sitting across the table! In what country can you rent a decent dinner companion who doesn't turn his nose up at something new?

In the U.S....? The staff leaving my silverware on the table (after I've used it) for the next course!!!!!!!<BR><BR>In Europe....? A sommelier who insists the highest priced wine is the best.<BR><BR>

smoking--anywhere. I can never really enhjoy eating, or living, with smoke around. If it's noticeable when I enter, I don't stay, but sometimes it doesn't become a prolem until afte I've ordered.

I agree with Jayelle. Since I've been back from Italy, I've been browsing the gourmet delis looking for a good sandwich (loved the panini!), and they're all piled high. It's like we need to see instead of taste that's we're getting our money's worth.

My pet peeve is the phrase "Would you like to see the menu?" No I'll try and guess the entree's from the stains on your apron..!!

I'm with Kay re:the constructed entree or dessert but I'll generalize a little more. The whole area of dining has been made into such a cult that after awhile the "rules" seem to be more important than the dining, and the chef's wants and needs supercede the guests'. I generally try to avoid extra salt for the obvious health reasons, but it still bugs me to enter a restaurant with no salt or pepper on the table (not speaking of Asian, etc. types of restaurants) because it says, "we're in charge here and we plan to humiliate you if you don't accept the chef's idea of what you should eat."<BR><BR>

Pet peeve that applies far more to Europe than to the US but common in the US: How difficult it is to avoid caffeine. The idea of decaffeinated coffee seems to amuse or offend European restauranteurs and the idea of non-caffeine tea is just plain mysterious to all but those in the "tea rooms" that offer "infusions." In the US, there are many restaurants that offer an array of coffees and soft drinks, but only one brand of (usually lousy) tea -- and the soft drink array is determined by whether they have a contract with Pepsi or Coke. Your only decaffeinated choice is 7 Up or Sprite (the orange drinks are often caffeinated, btw!) and do I ever get sick of that over-sweet stuff.

Not a peeve, but an observation. Many European restaurants do not bring the bill until you ask for it, so we've learned the phrase "the check please" in the local language whenever we're visiting in non-English countries.

My pet peeve is a peeve about pets. Too many restaurants in Europe allow dogs to be brought in to sit or lie at the owner's table while they eat. Yuk!

whatcha got against dogs, Wayne? I wish more American restaurants would allow dogs. As long as they are well-behaved, of course.

Very funny, Andrew! Why not ask for a menu from _another_ restaurant. <BR><BR>Peeve in the US: the shatteringly loud P.A. system announcing "Jones party? Jones party of 5?" The beeper system is much better but best is coming to FIND us at the bar or wherever.<BR><BR>(It did provide a great evening for us once, however, while we thought up names for puns, etc.: "Necktie? Necktie party of one?" (for the Europeans, that's a reference to a hanging in the old west.) "Pitti? Pitti party of four?" Robin Williams classic: "Donner? Donner party?"<BR><BR><BR>Secondary peeve: canned music that's a little too loud. With the resurgence of jazz -- which I applaud as a jazz-fan -- it's gotten worse with rather mindless bee-bop being blasted all over some dining rooms.<BR><BR>

I don't like being asked "Do you need change?" after paying a bill. This is a U.S. thing. I much prefer "I'll be right back with your change" so I can say it's all set, if indeed it is, instead of sounding like a beggar. Nit-picky I know.

I hate the 'cover' charge that most restaurants in Italy charge. I'd rather a restaurant charge a little more across the board than charge me extra, especially if I don't want to eat the bread. It's very difficult to get them not to charge 'cover' if you don't want to eat it.

Kay, I thought that I was alone in my thoughts about "The Tower of Babel" or "The Leaning Tower of Pisa" on my dinner plate. I was hoping that a chef or cook was preparing my food and not a construction worker. You put it so well that I will print it and save it.<BR><BR>Another peeve that seems to be a companion to the above is when menus have a detailed description of the item including cooking methods, the ingredients of the sauces. Do they employ a Creative Writer for this. Each food has a name. This is fine for me. I don't need to know its pedigree<BR>

My biggest pet peeve:<BR>I like hearing about any specials that aren't on the menu, but only if they also say what the price is of each without being asked. By not telling you the price, they are hoping that you will order something expensive and be too embarrassed to ask in advance how much it is. I always ask how much the specials are regardless of whether I'm interested in ordering them, as a matter of principle. Very often the waitstaff doesn't even know, and equally often the specials are in a completely different price range from the other menu selections. I don't mind spending good money on a meal out, but I do believe one is entitled to know what it costs before ordering it, and as a matter of courtesy this information should be offered to the diner rather than putting the burden on the customer to ask. <BR><BR>The other thing I'm not crazy about, and I'm probably in the minority on this, is the "Hi, my name is Eric, and I'll be your waiter tonight" speel. Frankly, unless I'm a regular and have the same waitstaff frequently such that we've built up an acquaintance, their name is probably as irrelevant to me as mine is to them. It's a professional exchange, not a personal one. Second, if I need my waiter for something, I'll try to catch his eye or gesture to him or simply say "sir" as he's walking by. For some reason, waitstaff in Europe doesn't feel the need to introduce themselves to every diner, and they seem to get along fine.

I hate it when they run through a list of specials and then I look at the regular menu and all the "specials" are already on there==not specials at all. Who are they trying to kid?

Lisa - <BR><BR>I can understand feeling indifferent to the issue of the waitstaff introducing themselves by name, or that it's unnecessary, but why does it rise to the level of a pet peeve for you? I don't see the relevance if it being a "professional" situation rather than a "personal" one. People introduce themselves by name in professional situations all the time. Frankly, your comment smacks a bit of elitism, i.e. you simply can't be bothered with even HEARING a service person's name.

To respond to "H" who lacks the courage of an address -- why do you go to a restaurant? Is it for the food or is it to learn your "servers" name? I object to the "Hi, my name is.." for several reasons. 1. It sets a level of intimacy I'm not interested in. I'm there for the food. Not them. 2. It reduces the professionalism of the profession of waiter. Ask youself why you don't get this in a Paris Bistro??<BR><BR>On the other hand it can be helpful to know who *is* respsonsible for your table. The best version I heard of this was at NoMi in the Park Hyatt in Chicago where the server saud "I will be your server, my name is ____." That seemed a better, nore informative order for that information given their role for the evening.

I have to agree about the server situation, I have found that once they give you the "hi my name is I have no friends in real life " they tend to become over friendly. I am there for a meal, not to know whne my servers birthday is or other personal information. In the NYC area we have actual told wait staff that we were out to enjoy our company not theirs. Sorry "H" if I sound eliteist, perhaps I am , but when a dinner check for 8 people is over $1000.00 . I expect the waitstaff to wait on me, not become my new best friend.

Here, there, anywhere - 'tude of any kind lessens my appetite.

As a former waiter, I can attest to the fact that many management systems in restuarants train their waitstaff to say, "Hi, my name is...." When I waited tables I always ignored what I was told by the management. I said I had a name tag, if someone wanted to know my name they could just read it. However, Im not offended if someone tells me their name. It is far more agreeable to call someone by their name than "Miss," "sir," or "waiter." (It is truely plebian to call a waiter "sir.")<BR><BR>I enjoy "stacked" food, as it makes for a more enjoyable plate presentation, although, this was an 80's thing and very few top-tier restaurants do this anymore. (The Fountain Restaurant, in Philly, would stack french fries log cabin-wise so it resembled a little box.)<BR><BR>My pet peeves are:<BR>1. cell phones at the table.<BR>2. cigarette smoke<BR>3. paper napkins<BR>4. a wine list with only very, very expensive wines.<BR>5. a server with a dirty apron.<BR>6. servers who correct you if you mispronounce something. (Usually, they are the ones who are mistaken.)<BR><BR>Bon appetit<BR><BR>

Ok, couldn't resist -- not only does the "HI, I'm JOE and I'll be serving you guys tonight!!!" thing get to me ("you guys"?!) but even more the pull up a chair and sit with you while you order thing. GGGGGRRRRRRRRRR!!! <BR><BR>AND -- "how is everything folks?", "is everything ok?", "you need anything?" Another thing European servers don't do -- they ASSUME the food is good AND they don't ask questions when your mouth is full. <BR><BR>Also hate the "are you done yet, we have people standing in line, we need this table" prowl. <BR><BR>

All of the above!<BR><BR>cell phones are the new one on the list! And I don't want someone fingering my food stacking it up!<BR>The casual attitude of Hi I'm---, denigrates the professionalism of waiters. That is probably the whole problem, In europe , the waiters are professionals in a profession. here in US the job is a stop gap!

I don't like it when the server brings the appetizer with the soup with entree and five minutes later brings the dessert. (and forgets the bread and doesn't refill the water or the coffee)

As a European, I had to say something to the poster re : that in Europe the check is only brought to you if you ask. Yes, Yes, Yes.. My pet peeve in New York was the way the bill was slapped on your table before I finished my meal. When I mentioned this to Julie (our waitress for the evening GRRR - had I also purchased her for the evening?? I don't need a new friend I need a service)- she explained that most Americans are in a hurry and appreciate the bill (check) on the table ready to pay. In Europe - unless its a fast food place - it's considered rude for the bill to be brought before the customer requests it. Oh and by the way, you don't have to speak the language, catch the waiters attention and signal writing on a pad. They will get the message.

Posted it on the US and I will post it here: When Waiters don't write down your order. It is trendy for them to "memorize" everything on the spot - and then everything is wrong! Ugghh! Just write it down and I won't have to send it back.

In US:<BR>1. wait staff who begin with,"Hi, my name is. .. " Wonder why restaurant owners instruct their staff to say that? We don't need that level of intimacy with servers.(Can't imagine this happening in Europe)<BR>2. Removing plate from diner who may have finished his/her food, regardless of how many others in the party may still be eating.<BR>3. Asking if you "want change" back.<BR>4. Interrupting conversation to ask if "everything is ok."<BR>5. Referring to my husband and me as "you guys", as in "Are you guys ready to order?"

I agree with everything said here, but here is another one that really ticks me off: When the waiter or waitress brings the change and gives you five ones instead of a $5 bill in a not very subtle reminder about their tip. <BR><BR>The best thing about Europe is dining out, both because the ingredients are fresh and the service is a profession, not a part-time job. BTW I also hate term waitstaff, why not just call them the staff if you want to be politically correct? Do you call the bartender the bartendstaff? Or the dishwasher the dishwashstaff?<BR><BR>

Sandra - <BR><BR>No doubt I will be flamed for this, but in my estimation, if you can't even spell "elitist" you shouldn't be permitted to take such an arrogant position.<BR><BR>To "s.fowler"<BR><BR>With respect to the "courage" issue -<BR><BR>Comments like this typically come from people who LIVE on this board. If you want to advertise how pathetic and empty your golden years are, so be it. But geting pissy about someone who is INDIFFERENT to this identification issue only highlights how sad and lonely you are.<BR>

Actually, I'd much rather eat in an American restaurant. I can't say the 'Hi I'm Mike' thing bothers me.

Lots of interesting replies. I never realized I had any pet peeves until some of the things that bug me appeared here.<BR><BR>I agree that the worst is the American friendly "Hi my name is..." I've always found that weird (I am an American) but my husband likes it. He ALWAYS uses the servers name and he usually asks if it is not given (except in more upscale restaurants).<BR><BR>The thing I hate the worst (in the USA) is being rushed to empty the table for the next group of paying customers. I love the European custom of letting people enjoy their meal - or even a coffee - without looking at their watch!

I'm just home from two weeks in France. It was so restful not to be chivvied by waiters who tell me their names, interrupt to ask "how we doin on that chicken?", fill up your wine glass to the top so you can't get the nose. I love the professionalism of European waiters.<BR>

Not a "pet peeve" -- actually I'm amused by it, but it's in the same vein. I was eating in a Bennigan's or some such and the waiter's response to each item I ordered was "not a problem". I was so relieved that he didn't consider it a problem to serve me a cheeseburger.

Huh. I don't like a $5 bill instead of five $1s--I see it was tip pressure the other way, in that you may have to round WAY up.<BR>Gary and I are troublemakers.<BR><BR>I am another one who wants to know the price of the specials.<BR>The place we go most often has the hostess "introduce" the waiter--"Steve will be with you in a minute."

My American pet peeve is the bus person or wait person who ask "Are you done with that?" about a totally empty plate. No, I planned to take the plate home for my collection.<BR>My French pet peeve is having to wait to start my meal because the staff has to inform me of what is on the plate.

How about the old, "is everything delicious?" "or is everything fabulous?" I always want to say, "well, it's good but fabulous is a stretch"<BR><BR>On the other side of the coin is my friend who always asks the waiter "what do YOU like?" Who cares what he likes? Maybe he likes lima beans.

My American pet peeve: the fake "Happy Birthday" songs of waiters bringing out the cake. Actually the whole idea of the "cake show". Let the people at the table decide if they want to advertise their birthday party or not. Most of the time, you see the birthday boy/girl shrinking away, embarrased as hell.

<BR><BR>AGM/Cape Cod -<BR><BR>You made me giggle! : )