Restaurant Etiquette: This Isn't OK - Is it? « Columbus Underground Messageboard

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Restaurant Etiquette: This Isn't OK - Is it?

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Started 4 years ago by joev
Latest reply from bonniefide

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joev
Merion Village
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My wife and I just got back from dinner. We went up to A Taste of Bali off Bethel. That's Indonesian food - not one of the more common cuisines in Columbus. So anyone who goes has to know they might be in for something they haven't tasted before.
At the end of thier meals, not one but TWO tables said they didn't like what they ordered. And tried to get the waitress to let them not pay for it. Now, if it was an underdone steak or milk that had turned or a well-known dish that is done differently than normal, that would be one thing. But if you just don't like your meal and it's a cuisine you've never tried before? Am I wrong, or is that not OK?
Separate question: Is it OK to go inside and ask to take a look at a menu before you decide to eat somewhere? I said it was, my wife said it wasn't. I wish all restaurants just posted the menus outside. We stopped at Dragonfly before going up to Taste of Bali, but had no idea what the price point was or really what the food was like. So we gawked into the window, saw the nice tablecloths and figured it cost more than we wanted to spend tonight.

Posted 4 years ago #
Coremodels
Really close to Explorer's Club.
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1. Those people are tools
2. Abso fucking lutely you can look at a menu before deciding to dine.
oh...p.s....dragonfly isn't very expensive, and know when to tell your wife to let you handle the man stuff :lol:

Posted 4 years ago #
joev
Merion Village
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The word I was thinking while this was going on was "turds," but "tools" works, too. The waitress did make both tables pay, btw, which I thought was good. The one turd said that she didn't like the flavor at all, and asked if people have ever said anything bad about it. The waitress told her that people go there specifically for that dish. And probably in her head she said "suck it."

Posted 4 years ago #
brothermarcus
West Siiiide
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In a lot of cities, especially heavy pedestrian cities, almost every restaurant posts their menu right out front so you can choose if it's the right place before you walk in... I'm thinking of Toronto mainly, and a lot of the restaurants on top of that will post the specials out front on a board as well. But this isn't exactly a heavy pedestrian city yet, so a lot of times I'll be looking on the web at the menus before heading out or picking somewhere.
I've several times sat down, looked at the menu, then decided to leave - didn't feel impolite, saves the restaurant dealing with someone they just can't make happy and gives me better odds at having an enjoyable meal that fits my mood that night.

Posted 4 years ago #
Coremodels
Really close to Explorer's Club.
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joev wrote The word I was thinking while this was going on was "turds," but "tools" works, too. The waitress did make both tables pay, btw, which I thought was good. The one turd said that she didn't like the flavor at all, and asked if people have ever said anything bad about it. The waitress told her that people go there specifically for that dish. And probably in her head she said "suck it."
LOL...these are the customers that have forced Thurman to serve their burgers with a medium only disclaimer. I'd really like god to summon bears to eat them.

Posted 4 years ago #
joev
Merion Village
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Coremodels wrote
LOL...these are the customers that have forced Thurman to serve their burgers with a medium only disclaimer. I'd really like god to summon bears to eat them.
I think a nice severe mauling would teach the lesson better. More time to contemplate the a-hole moves they've made. Plus, bears are generally solitary and it would have taken a whole mob of them to finish off this one table to toolish fatties.

Posted 4 years ago #
Daz
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A. Taste of Bali is delicious.
B. The ONE and ONLY time you are allowed to send something back just because you don't like the flavor is if you are buying a bottle of wine that is in the triple digits. That's why you taste it first, to make sure its up to speed.
C. I'm not one to have to look at menus, but we can't go anywhere without looking at the menu first, as Jo can't eat most foods.

Posted 4 years ago #
BUTerrier
Grandview
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I always look at the menu first this is the reason most places post the menu on the outside wall.

Posted 4 years ago #
Rainment
Grandview
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From what I understand, if you buy a bottle of wine in the triple digits, you know what to expect and are only tasting to ensure it is not oxidized or corked. You shouldn't be wine tasting with a restaurant's very expensive bottle. (Ex-server in me speaking)

Posted 4 years ago #
Daz
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Rainment wrote you know what to expect and are only tasting to ensure it is not oxidized or corked.
I agree, and would never do it myself (unless its obviously been corked) but I've been corrected by those who really like to buy expensive wines. Maybe they're just wrong.

Posted 4 years ago #
Roland
Clintonville
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I think its alright to comment on the meal to the staff if you have feedback to offer. Positive and Negative comments alike. Maybe they can do something for you. Correct the problem or bring you something else to try.
If the service was fine, it is not alright to expect a meal to be given away. Especially if you ate the meal! I would feel embarrassed if I was with company who did this.
It sounds like these people were more interested in eating free then anything.

Posted 4 years ago #
captain janks
south side 4 life
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1. if you take 2 or 3 bites and come back and tell me you dont like it, thats fine and ill give you your money back. but if you eat the entire plate, then tell me you dont like it, ill kindly tell you to piss off.
2. of course you can come look at the menu. why wouldnt that be ok? i think it would be worse if you came in, sat down, got your bread and water and then decided you didnt want to eat there and left.
B. The ONE and ONLY time you are allowed to send something back just because you don't like the flavor is if you are buying a bottle of wine that is in the triple digits. That's why you taste it first, to make sure its up to speed.
untrue. if you get a steak and it tastes like alpo, by all means send it back. you shouldnt be forced to eat dog food.

Posted 4 years ago #
Daz
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^^ I guess I just never send food back... I just don't come back.

Posted 4 years ago #
HeySquare
German Village
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Daz wrote ^^ I guess I just never send food back... I just don't come back.
A couple of stories: my parents recently went to a steakhouse where they eat frequently, and had a terrible meal. Because they have eaten there in the past, they were quite surprised that the quality of the meal on both entrees had declined. The server tried to help, but really didn't offer any substantive change. So my dad wrote a letter to the owner telling him the issue. Dad received a letter back from the owner of the restaurant saying that they had had a change in kitchen staff, and was extrenely apologetic. He sent a gift certificate for a replacement dinner (for two) and also let my dad know that he was really glad for the feedback, rather than losing their business.
I was at G. Michaels with a friend recently, and had a longer than usual wait for my entree-- they got slamed with a party of 16 without a reservation on a Wednesday night. And there was some confusion about my order, although I did eventually get the dish I had ordered. Here's the thing... although it wasn't their usual stellar service, there wasn't any *major* problem, they apologized for the wait, and made sure we were covered for bread and drinks. However, because they felt that we hadn't gotten their best service, they gave us each a free desert.
So here's the moral of the story... I left feeling like the management really cared about how I enjoyed my meal there. It went from a slightly *meh* experience to... wow, they have great service at G. Michaels. And I go back again and again because of it.
So in regard to the situation at Bali: In a case where there is nothing wrong with the dish, but the customer doesn't really care for what it is, or perhaps the description didn't match the product, I would say that a smart restaurant would offer to provide a replacement, but not comp the meal. If there is something wrong with the dish, the restaurant should comp the meal.
I think that's it is acceptable to let wait staff know that you didn't like your meal-- if they don't get feedback, how can they help? But I think a lot of the ettiquette depends on the issue. I don't think it is acceptable to ask for the meal to be taken off your bill, unless there was something wrong with it. However, good restaurants should work to retain customers, and offer a replacement, if the issue is within reason. If they ate the whole thing and then complained... I'd be less concilatory.

Posted 4 years ago #
Rainment
Grandview
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I've noticed that customers are very satisfied, as opposed to satisfied, when problems do arise and the restaurant handles it well. A quality restaurant sees a displeased patron as an opportunity to shine, recognizing that occasionally there are those chronically unhappy people who can never be pleased...
Pet peeve tangent: I HATE when a server asks, "Is everything OK?" This question is asked when the server knows the food is *meh* or doesn't care. I hope things are better than OK!

Posted 4 years ago #
captain janks
south side 4 life
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HeySquare wrote However, because they felt that we hadn't gotten their best service, they gave us each a free desert.
which desert did you get? mojave or sahara? gobi and sonoran are some other good ones. also the great indian desert is a good one too.
seriously though, ive had that happen twice with my parents. once at the clairmont and once at fish market. both times it was like 10 more minutes. not a big deal, but the manager came out and was very apologetic and gave us free dessert or took some % off the bill.

Posted 4 years ago #
HeySquare
German Village
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captain janks wrote which desert did you get? mojave or sahara? gobi and sonoran are some other good ones. also the great indian desert is a good one too.
The dessert was at G. Michaels :)
I got the pear tart with Salty Caramel ice cream. It's a winner.

Posted 4 years ago #
Daz
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Rainment wrote I've noticed that customers are very satisfied, as opposed to satisfied, when problems do arise and the restaurant handles it well. A quality restaurant sees a displeased patron as an opportunity to shine, recognizing that occasionally there are those chronically unhappy people who can never be pleased...
Yeah, its kind of screwed up that it works like this, but my standard tip jumps the second I have a problem and it is a moment where they shine. And if, at any point in time, I get something complimentary for my trouble, I tend to include that price in the tip. It makes little to not sense really... but I get all excited when it seems like somebody actually cares.

Posted 4 years ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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Rainment wrote Pet peeve tangent: I HATE when a server asks, "Is everything OK?"
Mine: I hate when a server asks if I want a refill on "that diet". As if it's too hard to say "diet pepsi" or "diet coke". :roll:

Posted 4 years ago #
Rainment
Grandview
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From the server's perspective: I hate when people say "Pepsi" or "Bud Light" when you greet a table instead of a civil "May I have a Pepsi?" What ever happened to full sentences?

Posted 4 years ago #