A Fine Whine

"Sir, would you like some pasta with your whine? A linguini in a fine red sauce would go nicely."

To go into Andy Rooney mode, don't you hate it when you go out to eat at a nice restaurant, and the service is subpar (or as my mom eloquently put it "stunk")? I might have to face up to the fact my standards are too high, but it does seem that it is so hard to find a good place to eat these days. There are a few places where I consistently find things comfortable -- nothing spectacular, but a nice eating experience.

I have enjoyed going out to eat, and perhaps following it up with a movie [a food porn like Mostly Martha is a good choice], ever since I was a teen and the family made a habit of doing it once a week or so. Though take out is sometimes fine, I'm not a big fan of fast food -- I like to be served and one can od on plastic. In particular, it’s amazing how little you often get for your money at a burger places as compared to pizza, Chinese, and so forth. I must admit that in my younger days, I did like White Castle. [A friend of the family met her husband while working there -- the marriage didn't turn out great, however.] This was, of course, pre-vegetarian mode.

And then, we have places like I took my mom for Mother's Day. Various pet peeves: slow service (including drinks and dessert), small portions (a pint of flavored rice at a Chinese places is a few bucks ... my $20 dinner entrée came with a scoop), and (why is this?) not bringing coffee and dessert* at the same freakening time (even when asked to). Not quite like the time when they forgot my credit card and accused me of not giving it to them, but overall annoying. I must admit though the fact we only got three rolls wasn't a top problem for me, though my mom apparently focused on this. A few members of my family are big on bread, you see. Bread is good, it is true.

The way to go, I have recently found, is to send letters (or emails) of complaint. Many places have websites with means of correspondence [a local Chinese fast food place even has one!]. Two places over the last year have actually sent gift certificates. Not that I'm actually going back to these places, but it is a sort of justice, and others can get the benefits. Complaints while this sort of service occurs also might work, though it's not really in my nature to do that. I respect such restitution, though am annoyed at its necessity. It is another example how hard it sometimes is to enjoy what should be one of the relatively simple pleasures in life.

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* I find dessert is generally the safest part of the meal -- even if the main course leaves something to be desired, the dessert and coffee is tasty. A favorite is chocolate layer cake, which led me to be upset when I went out some time ago with co-workers, and they did not have any! The meal was fine though, and I wasn't even paying, so it was forgivable.