I don’t get out much.
No really.
Between working full time, all my boy’s sports schedules, and maintaining the household stuff, there’s not much time left over. Or energy for that matter.
So when I do go out – I take it very seriously. And usually it’s for something to eat. Sushi with Elle. A nice steak dinner with Willie. Or maybe a weekend lunch with my boys.
Which is why when I do go out to eat, it’s very important that I don’t ruin the rare event. Of course I’m speaking here of none other than the dreaded “food ordering mistake”.
Oh – we’ve all done it. You order something that you think will be really good, but then it comes to your table and it either looks gross or tastes worse. And just like that – your whole eating experience is ruined. And you’re disappointed. And unfulfilled. And maybe even still hungry. And frankly, pissed that they’re making you paying for the crap.
Which is why I never place my food order without careful consideration. Which drives Willie crazy because it always involves intense questioning of our Server. But aren’t they the ones that know best? Surely they must frequently eat where they work. Or at least they know which menu items are the most popular and which are the dogs.
So I narrow down my choices to 2 or 3. Then the interrogation begins.
- What’s YOUR favourite menu item?
- Which item is the most popular?
If one of their answers also happens to be one of my narrowed down choices – then it’s a no brainer – that’s the one I’m going with. But if not, then I’ll continue on to my next line of questioning.
- Here’s the 3 I can’t decide between. Which would you recommend?
Yes I know this probably drives the Servers crazy. But I want assurance that I’m getting the best possible meal experience. And I’m telling you – they always give me good advice. Because they know the inside scoop.
And I’m rarely disappointed.
Do you do this or am I freakishly alone? If you’ve ever been a Server, does this make you mental or do you like being asked for your opinion?
(P.S. I just added another International Workspace Tour over on the right side! Be sure to check out Cathy at Antsy Pants to see what a messy Interior Designer’s office looks like. And don’t forget to send me yours.)
15 Responses to “I Just Have A Few Questions”
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April 8th, 2010 at 5:30 am
I dont get out very much at all, not even a little bit, so when the rare opportunity does come up, what I look for on the menu is something that comes with a lot of stuff. For example: “does the stake come with a side ceasar salad, a baked potatoe with sour cream and chives, a side of vegetables, and desert?” If so giddy up thank you sir I’ll take it!!!! I like a lot of bang for my buck!!!! Cheers!!
April 8th, 2010 at 5:58 am
I can’t say I’ve ever done it, but I wish I had in Canberra.
The last night there, we decide to have desert to treat ourselves, and I order something that sounds good, but I wish I’d asked the question “What the hell is that anyway?”
Because it anyone had described it to me, there’s no way I would have ordered it.
April 8th, 2010 at 6:45 am
Well sometimes I do this, but other times I’m concerned that I won’t necessarily get the best choice this way. I know a couple of people who have worked as waitresses and at the start of the night they are told a few dishes that they should encourage people to take. This can be because they have too many of them and need to use some ingredient or dish up or because it’s one of the dishes that’s most profitable for the restaurant to sell. Here we tend to tip a certain percentage of the bill so sometimes they pick the most expensive dish. But maybe I’m cynical!
Sometime I ask the staff but if I’m stuck between two dishes I’m more likely to say to my boyfriend which of these do you think I’d prefer. Usually I can tell from how I feel about his suggestion what I really want, sometime I go with what he says sometime I don’t – that doesn’t make a lot of sense but it works for me!
I do take a long time to decide what to go for though, I love eating out too.
Have a lovely day,
Jade
April 8th, 2010 at 6:58 am
I usually stick to places that I know. When I’m at a new restaurant I always ask the server what she/he would recommend. They should know what’s good, right?
April 8th, 2010 at 9:52 am
My hubby does this! Its’ funny, most of the time when he asks, they have no clue. They will say, “Oh…the chicken is good?” I just want to say, do you EAT here at all? But I’m glad you get good recommendations!
April 8th, 2010 at 10:00 am
Seems like a perfectly reasonable question to me! My advice though? You can’t go wrong with an all-you-can-eat buffet! :p
April 8th, 2010 at 10:48 am
I never used to do this but you have rubbed off on me and now I do it ALL the time!! I love when you quiz the servers!
April 8th, 2010 at 11:06 am
My husband does this!!! It has always worked in his favor too. I don’t think he’s ever had a bad meal when we’ve gone out to a nice restaurant.
April 8th, 2010 at 11:29 am
No – you are not alone! I do the same thing. And having been a server for many years before, I’m just sayin, they don’t mind the questioning. They’d rather you be happy with what you’re getting rather than pissed. Trust me.
April 8th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
I know you have been on pins and needles waiting for my response.
Ok, from a server’s point of view: I honestly never minded when someone drilled me about the menu and what was good, I wanted them to enjoy their experience because that meant a better tip for me. And I was honest. I always said what was good and what wasn’t as popular.
What did piss me off though, was when you got your food, ate it all and THEN complained it was terrible. It was like WTF do you want me to do about it now? Had you asked about or even told me it wasn’t good when I checked on you we could rectify this, but not now.
So, I always appreciated someone being proactive like you. Unless I was super busy and your questions didn’t stop. Then I would get agitated.
Now if I have questions for my server, I kinda feel my server out. If it’s some kid who can give two shits, I probably wont drill him. But if they are friendly, I ask away.
Cher
Replied:
April 8th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
You know I was!
April 8th, 2010 at 4:50 pm
I agree with Surferwife, during my experience in the food industry this was fairly common. Since I loved the restaurant I worked at and almost every option was delicious I actually enjoyed sharing my opinions. We would have food and wine tastings with just the staff anytime the menu changed, yum! Now if you go somewhere and the server has no idea about the different choices, this is not a good sign.
April 8th, 2010 at 5:31 pm
because i’m allergic to so many damn things, i have a “food card” that i carry around with me to restaurants telling them what i’m allergic to, how the food needs to be prepared, etc. i’m a real pain in the ass going out to eat.
April 8th, 2010 at 7:02 pm
Now I’m following through google so maybe I’ll see you in my reader and NOT forget about you!
Okay, I never ask the server for advice because I don’t trust anyone.
April 8th, 2010 at 7:52 pm
Ahh, yes, it’s been a while since we’ve been out for dinner, but it all just came screaming back to me!!!