Buffet Problems
Aug 6th, 2001, 10:55 AM
#21
Guest
Posts: n/a
I suppose it's the brown-edged lettuce. Or the manager who appears periodically and moves the food about, possibly just brightening it up. Maybe if he took off his key chain and donned a hair net. I have a theory about the folks for whom buffet resonates ... possibly they never went to camp, or hovered over a steamtable in HS. I know some might be willing to convert ... but first they'd have to do away with the tiny spoons and plastic hoods, all designed to prevent your having the more desireable items. Really, get them off, and I promise I won't overload on those hot green chillie pickels. Well, I suppose I might as well get on the horn and cancel tonight's reservation at Bob's. I'm quite out of the mood now, for sure. Ciao
Aug 6th, 2001, 11:07 AM
#22
Guest
Posts: n/a
Me,
I think we all realize the perils of eating food prepared outside of the home. Sue me if I want to sit down and be served with a plate of good food when I dine out rather than waiting on line to pick out my meal from the carbohydrate heavy choices served at most buffets. I don't go out to eat just to fill my stomach. I appreciate good service, conversation, ambience and of course great food. I think those things are a little difficult to achieve at a standard buffet. By all means go to them if you like them, they just aren't for everyone.
I think we all realize the perils of eating food prepared outside of the home. Sue me if I want to sit down and be served with a plate of good food when I dine out rather than waiting on line to pick out my meal from the carbohydrate heavy choices served at most buffets. I don't go out to eat just to fill my stomach. I appreciate good service, conversation, ambience and of course great food. I think those things are a little difficult to achieve at a standard buffet. By all means go to them if you like them, they just aren't for everyone.
Aug 6th, 2001, 11:12 AM
#23
Guest
Posts: n/a
Gluttonsluv:
I really think it's best to stick with French food. But stay away from Paul Prudhoume's(?) restaurants. He's so fat he has sit down when cooking. Sadly, Julia doen't cook anymore. She just drinks the wine while she watches others do the cooking. I used to like some American food. But look what happened to James Beard.
I find Las Vegas rather garish and plebian too. You and I have much in common. But, my husband... He just has to do his James Bond gambling thing and insists I go along. I just have to suffer through it and make the best I can. Do you really think Four Seasons is up to par?
I really think it's best to stick with French food. But stay away from Paul Prudhoume's(?) restaurants. He's so fat he has sit down when cooking. Sadly, Julia doen't cook anymore. She just drinks the wine while she watches others do the cooking. I used to like some American food. But look what happened to James Beard.
I find Las Vegas rather garish and plebian too. You and I have much in common. But, my husband... He just has to do his James Bond gambling thing and insists I go along. I just have to suffer through it and make the best I can. Do you really think Four Seasons is up to par?
Aug 6th, 2001, 11:37 AM
#25
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hey ME, I'm awake but I'm sure not related to you. I'm not silly enough to believe that nobody touches my food, but by ordering from a waiter and having a meal prepared to my liking I sure limit the number of times my food is touched. Can't imagine waiting in line with plate in hand or worse yet a tray to load up on food that's been out. eeuuwww. I understand that there are those who like this manner of obtaining a meal but the question was "buffet problems". Well, food sitting out, mass produced and being touched by others is a buffet problem. It's not necessary for all of us to like buffets. You can still go.
Aug 6th, 2001, 11:44 AM
#26
Guest
Posts: n/a
Suzie and company:
I never said I was for or against buffets, it's a matter of opinion and budget, etc. I was commenting on the notion that buffets have more people touching your food than a regular restaurant. I'm on the fence regarding buffets. I've been to some that were great and some that weren't
I never said I was for or against buffets, it's a matter of opinion and budget, etc. I was commenting on the notion that buffets have more people touching your food than a regular restaurant. I'm on the fence regarding buffets. I've been to some that were great and some that weren't
Aug 6th, 2001, 11:51 AM
#27
Guest
Posts: n/a
The original poster was asking about Las Vegas buffets. All of the comments and problems apply to some buffets. Like your local Sizzler. But I have not seen this(old lettuce,germy people putting things back etc.) at decent Las Vegas buffets. Las Vegas is known to have some of the best buffets in the world. It seems a shame not to try a good one and decide for youself.
Aug 6th, 2001, 02:58 PM
#31
Guest
Posts: n/a
L.T. The buffet breakfast at the Paris was lovely. The atmosphere was actually quiet, if you can believe that. As for being served, coffee, tea, and juice are all delivered to the table. Nothing seemed to be just 'sitting out being handled'. Every station had a server behind it keeping an eye on things, and the food turned over so fast, it was barely in the serving dish more than a few minutes. If it still bothers you, they prepared omelettes and crepes to order, and you could stand and watch them make it for you. Not overloaded on carbs, there were plenty of egg dishes, as well as smoked fishes, seafood salads, fruit, yogurt & cheese. I would go back in a minute. We like the buffet for breakfast since we usually go on the late side, and then skip lunch. Dinner is another matter, we prefer to be waited on. There are many 'right' choices you can make on the buffets, no need to feel too guilty afterward.
Aug 6th, 2001, 04:41 PM
#32
Guest
Posts: n/a
LOVE this thread (ignoring the ridiculous commentary by the society wannabes).
I'm so thrilled to see a few people rail against Las Vegas buffets.
YUUUCCCHHH!!!
Please tell me why any human with less than 50 pounds of muscle needs to eat a 3000 calorie meal? Just DISGUSTS me!
USA is inhabited by some of the FATTEST, most slovenly human bodies on this Earth.
Seeing people slobbering up to those buffets reminds me of the rat lab experiments.....rats pressing the bar for food over and over and over.
Fat, unhealthy people lining up for more cream sauce, dressing, gravy, followed by 5 kinds of dessert.
Bleechh!
(Why doesn't some ingenious infomercial marketer hang out outside and sell diet herbs and abdominizers and such?)
I'm so thrilled to see a few people rail against Las Vegas buffets.
YUUUCCCHHH!!!
Please tell me why any human with less than 50 pounds of muscle needs to eat a 3000 calorie meal? Just DISGUSTS me!
USA is inhabited by some of the FATTEST, most slovenly human bodies on this Earth.
Seeing people slobbering up to those buffets reminds me of the rat lab experiments.....rats pressing the bar for food over and over and over.
Fat, unhealthy people lining up for more cream sauce, dressing, gravy, followed by 5 kinds of dessert.
Bleechh!
(Why doesn't some ingenious infomercial marketer hang out outside and sell diet herbs and abdominizers and such?)
Aug 6th, 2001, 07:11 PM
#33
Guest
Posts: n/a
Wow! I never knew there were so many sanctimonious snobs out there! And since when does buffet dining equate gluttony? I happen to enjoy the convenience and variety of buffet restaurants, and at 6'1" 159 lbs. I'd hardly consider myself the fat slob some of you have described as the typical buffet diner. Like most people, I like to sample a little of everything without gorging myself till I have to be rolled out. Really, we buffet fans are not the uncouth barbarians you characterize us to be. And even if we were, I say live and let live. Enjoy!
Aug 16th, 2001, 05:33 AM
#34
Guest
Posts: n/a
I have to laugh at all of you! I agree that buffets can attract boogery, undersupervised children, but to classify everyone who has eaten at a buffet as a glutton is a bit harsh. You pseudo-European folks need to take a look in the back of the kitchen once in a while. I have been all over the world and seen some beautiful, seemingly clean restaurants, only to nearly toss my dinner when I saw the back of the kitchen. Unless you can guarantee that all the kitchen *help* carries a sanitation certificate, you are taking your life in your own hands everytime you eat out. Cross contamination is the #1 cause of food borne illness ALL OVER THE WORLD.
As for buffets with children, I will not allow my children to return for food unless an adult accompanies them. I do this for their safety and yours.
OK, enough with the name calling ladies and gentleman. You pseudo-Europeans may eat quiche and we buffet trollers will wallow in our greasy potatoes and cold, rubbery roast beef all night long. I'll see you all at the drugstore buying Immodium!
As for buffets with children, I will not allow my children to return for food unless an adult accompanies them. I do this for their safety and yours.
OK, enough with the name calling ladies and gentleman. You pseudo-Europeans may eat quiche and we buffet trollers will wallow in our greasy potatoes and cold, rubbery roast beef all night long. I'll see you all at the drugstore buying Immodium!
Aug 16th, 2001, 05:45 AM
#35
Guest
Posts: n/a
As someone who has worked in a restaurant, let me tell you that being served is just as nasty as a buffet.
Even in the best restaurants, the chef prepares the food and then places it at the "pickup" station. Your dinner sits there until your waitperson has time to pick it up and serve it. Obviously other waitpeople have to lean over your dinner to reach theirs. I've also worked in restaurants where it was encouraged to let the food cool off a little because the owner didn't want a lawsuit if anyone burned their mouth. I won't even get into some of the nasty things I've seen waitpeople do while polishing the utensils.
Even in the best restaurants, the chef prepares the food and then places it at the "pickup" station. Your dinner sits there until your waitperson has time to pick it up and serve it. Obviously other waitpeople have to lean over your dinner to reach theirs. I've also worked in restaurants where it was encouraged to let the food cool off a little because the owner didn't want a lawsuit if anyone burned their mouth. I won't even get into some of the nasty things I've seen waitpeople do while polishing the utensils.
Aug 16th, 2001, 05:45 AM
#36
Guest
Posts: n/a
Oh, for crying out loud! The FatBashers never miss an opportunity. It seems to be an almighty obsession with these people to the point of sickness. Knock it off and go away. We got your point long ago, move on to something else.
About buffets: There are all kinds of aesthetic problems with them, in that very few foods benefit from sitting out for long periods, and the only foods appropriate for that aren't all that wonderful to begin with. Fresh things get tired (sure sign of a terrible buffet is droopy salad greens). Hot things get soupy or mushy or dried out. Bread gets stale, desserts deteriorate, etc.
However, buffets are just about the best possible breeding situation for all kinds of really yucky bugs. Anything unsavory in the food itself can multiply very quickly over a steam table or out at room temperature. Anything on servers' or guests' hands can spread from serving tongs to serving spoons to the food itself if someone uses their hands. The "sneeze guard" may itself develop an invisible film of godknowswhat.
What I might trust on a buffet: anything cooked or sliced to order by a live server -- like pancakes or a ham.
What I will particularly avoid: anything with a cream or mayonnaise-type sauce, esp. chicken or seafood salads.
Breakfast buffets are little less dicey than dinner buffets, but in general the cheaper the buffet, the more you have to worry about. And the more expensive the buffet, the more you are grossly overpaying for the food.
About buffets: There are all kinds of aesthetic problems with them, in that very few foods benefit from sitting out for long periods, and the only foods appropriate for that aren't all that wonderful to begin with. Fresh things get tired (sure sign of a terrible buffet is droopy salad greens). Hot things get soupy or mushy or dried out. Bread gets stale, desserts deteriorate, etc.
However, buffets are just about the best possible breeding situation for all kinds of really yucky bugs. Anything unsavory in the food itself can multiply very quickly over a steam table or out at room temperature. Anything on servers' or guests' hands can spread from serving tongs to serving spoons to the food itself if someone uses their hands. The "sneeze guard" may itself develop an invisible film of godknowswhat.
What I might trust on a buffet: anything cooked or sliced to order by a live server -- like pancakes or a ham.
What I will particularly avoid: anything with a cream or mayonnaise-type sauce, esp. chicken or seafood salads.
Breakfast buffets are little less dicey than dinner buffets, but in general the cheaper the buffet, the more you have to worry about. And the more expensive the buffet, the more you are grossly overpaying for the food.
