The Comment of the Week: from a restaurant owner
...I also agree that many diners don't know what it takes to operate a restaurant. Perhaps a list of complaints from the owners side can be posted here just to educate diners about a typical Saturday night, and what is involved.
1- People don't show up.
2- People don't call to cancel
3- People come with more persons that the reservation calls for without a warning.
4-People don't respect the local dress code or policy, many think if they spend money at your place, they own you.
5-People make mistakes when ordering and blame it on the server, just because the next table dish looks better, now they want that.
6-People walk out without paying.
7-People insult servers, they think these people are beneath them.
9-People get a ticket for parking wrong, and blame the restaurant.
10-People steal silverware,Salt&pepper shakers, and china.
But of course there is the other breed, who love to go out and have a good time, understanding the rules, and the essence of a guest and a host.
Comments
Wait a minute Tabrizi's has a dress code? Nothing on the web site about it. How are customers to know?
Posted by: Elite Elephant Lover | January 24, 2009 9:02 PM
Totally off topic, but we just had the WORST service I've ever had anyplace ever at Lebenese Taverna. It was so bad in so many ways, I can hardly describe it!
Posted by: Pigtown | January 24, 2009 11:43 PM
I find #5 hard to believe. I just don't think people are that bad.
Posted by: incunabulum | January 25, 2009 8:01 AM
Not paying the tab and stealing salt & pepper shakers etc. are not on the same level as being in jeans instead of dressed appropriately. That is plain stealing and should not even have to be mentioned as bad behavior. That is just unacceptable!
Although, as some may remember, my partner's late mother used to walk off with everything including the cream pitcher and the butter dish, insisting "they want you to - they charge for it!"
Posted by: Joyce W. | January 25, 2009 10:15 AM
incunabulum (love the name,btw!)--I'm guessing you have never waited tables.
Posted by: Dahlink | January 25, 2009 10:36 AM
I often see posts on chowhound.com where people say things like "I made reservations for Friday night at X, Y, and Z. Which one should I actually go to?"
Posted by: Hal Laurent, VoR | January 25, 2009 10:43 AM
incunabulum, I'm eaten with people who did number 5. Very, very embarassing.
Posted by: Lissa | January 25, 2009 11:39 AM
Mr. Tabrizi has some very good points there, but I would hope most of his patrons don't do all of the above.
Since my visits to Baltimore aren't that well planned (other than my flights in and out), we never make reservations. But the places we visit always fit us in and I tip appropriately (20% and up). I realize the economy is in the tank and since they were kind enough to fit us in, they deserve a little extra. As long as the service is at least, decent.
Posted by: PCB Rob | January 25, 2009 3:39 PM
PCB Rob, I'm sorry to inform you that not all people are as civilized as you are.
Posted by: Hal Laurent, VoR | January 25, 2009 5:27 PM
Dress code? Does this mean i can't wear sweatpants and a mesh tanktop to Tabrizi's?
As to walking out on the bill at restaurants, I've always wondered how common that is. It seems like it could be very easy. There are really not that many places in our economy where you can consume a good/service first and then pay. A restaurant puts a great deal of trust in its patrons that they will actually pay for what they used but in theory no longer need.
Posted by: Robert of Cross Keys | January 25, 2009 11:06 PM
@ pigtown: I bet you my experience at mortons was worse than your experience at leb taverna.
Posted by: matt | January 26, 2009 10:12 AM