A new enpowered fine dinging experience
Jan 12th, 2005, 09:24 PM
#1
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A new enpowered fine dinging experience
After searching and reporting food finds and failures lately...well I have a new way of dealing with my open line of credit to fabulous food experiences gone bad. From this day on, I am no longer going to accept an arrogant or shoddy waiter that is ruining the atmosphere of our fine dining experience. From this day forth, I am going to be brutally honest, since let's face it everyone, we the diners are paying their salary. I will now request the manager, and then request a new server. I will remain humble, and suggest that, "I'm sure they are usually wonderful, but may be having a bad night, which is fine, but we are celebrating and are expecting a fantastic experience" And food........hell, I am so guilty of not complaining.....We must let the kitchen and management know when they are performing way below standards.........hell we're bankrolling it! They deserve to know, what they don't realize......they are no longer a favorite destination. I am saddened that more often than not, fabulous dining places are turning to just a night out. And we seem to be allowing this as patrons. Fess up to your next medicocre destination,,,then maybe they will be worth going back to,
glou
glou
Jan 13th, 2005, 06:35 AM
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I thought that was very well said... I haven't yet gone the route of asking for a new server, but the management needs to know when their restaurant is providing less than expected (food, service or otherwise).
Sometimes a great manager is able to turn the evening around for you and make a gesture that keeps you coming back, or makes your evening end on a high-note. In turn, I will be the first to shower praise when they do it right.
Sometimes a great manager is able to turn the evening around for you and make a gesture that keeps you coming back, or makes your evening end on a high-note. In turn, I will be the first to shower praise when they do it right.
Jan 13th, 2005, 06:58 AM
#9
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Take Budman's advice. As a former restaurant employee I've seen things done to rude customers' food that I literally cannot describe here without losing my Fodors account. Suffice it to say, one of the more minor examples was when I walked into the restroom and found one of our cooks wiping down toilets with a $40 filet mignon.
If you want to complain make sure that a) you do so without an attitude, and preferably b) you don't plan on eating at that restaurant for a while.
If you want to complain make sure that a) you do so without an attitude, and preferably b) you don't plan on eating at that restaurant for a while.
Jan 13th, 2005, 07:14 AM
#10
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If it's bad enough to complain to the management, why go back at all?
And what was the point of that filet story, fdecarlo? Was that to ensure none of us ever enter another restaurant - or just to warn us all not to complain? Poor food and service have to be addressed by owners/management of a restaurant, and they can only be addressed if they know about them.
And what was the point of that filet story, fdecarlo? Was that to ensure none of us ever enter another restaurant - or just to warn us all not to complain? Poor food and service have to be addressed by owners/management of a restaurant, and they can only be addressed if they know about them.
Jan 13th, 2005, 07:16 AM
#11
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We did ask for a new server once at brunch - after she literally threw the plate across the table so hard it slide off the other side onto the floor. But, after consideration, we left without eating.
I think that if a staff is so incompetent there is simply nothing to be done - except leave and not come back. And, obviously, not pay for anything.
If its really just a (minor) bad day we try to ignore it.
Have never had a truly bad experience at a really good restaurant.
I think that if a staff is so incompetent there is simply nothing to be done - except leave and not come back. And, obviously, not pay for anything.
If its really just a (minor) bad day we try to ignore it.
Have never had a truly bad experience at a really good restaurant.
Jan 13th, 2005, 07:23 AM
#12
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Having worked in a restaurant in my college days, Budman's point is a valid one. Fdecarlo hints at the extreme reaction you could unknowingly subject yourself to.
IMO, a bad restaurant experience can be bad for a number of reasons. Bad service by your server, kitchen problems, or issue with your particular dish. Two of the three can be delt with diplomatically on the spot with your server, and should net you a satisfactory experience whether your meal is comped or some amelioration is made by the restaurant. If the situation is out of the server's hands to solve, they should get the manager involved. The issue of bad server is the one that I think you kinda have to suck up to some degree...leave a bad tip and contact the management after the meal, by phone or letter the next day.
Requesting a change in server during your meal seems like setting yourself up for a vengful act...
Not saying you're not entitled to good service, but it's not always that easy to come by. By complaining in that fashion you are likely to make the situation worse, not better.
Unfortunately, being "brutally honest" might net brutal results.
IMO, a bad restaurant experience can be bad for a number of reasons. Bad service by your server, kitchen problems, or issue with your particular dish. Two of the three can be delt with diplomatically on the spot with your server, and should net you a satisfactory experience whether your meal is comped or some amelioration is made by the restaurant. If the situation is out of the server's hands to solve, they should get the manager involved. The issue of bad server is the one that I think you kinda have to suck up to some degree...leave a bad tip and contact the management after the meal, by phone or letter the next day.
Requesting a change in server during your meal seems like setting yourself up for a vengful act...
Not saying you're not entitled to good service, but it's not always that easy to come by. By complaining in that fashion you are likely to make the situation worse, not better.
Unfortunately, being "brutally honest" might net brutal results.
Jan 13th, 2005, 08:04 AM
#13
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Leona: tpatricco explained the point, which is simply that there's a way to complain without exposing yourself to this kind of abuse. Copping an attitude to people who are in the middle of cooking and serving you food may be hazardous to your health.
I'm not saying people shouldn't complain, I'm saying it's a very good idea to wait until the meal is over, and to not be rude about it. That's all.
I'm not saying people shouldn't complain, I'm saying it's a very good idea to wait until the meal is over, and to not be rude about it. That's all.
Jan 13th, 2005, 08:20 AM
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My daughter has had good luck emailing the head office of several restaurants - admittedly chains - when she has had bad service. I can think of at least twice that she received an apology plus a gift certificate for a return trip. It can pay to complain effectively.
Jan 13th, 2005, 08:22 AM
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I thought this thread was about riding in the dingy and being proud of it.
Anyway, As a former restaurant employee I can also assure you that a customer with an attutude sending back food may get food back that has been "dealt with".
Anyway, As a former restaurant employee I can also assure you that a customer with an attutude sending back food may get food back that has been "dealt with".
