Another disappointing plate of grub [Archive]

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soso

11-06-2007, 09:56 PM

Anyone else get mad at what some eateries serve up with a straight face?

Last nights posh nosh dinner was a bit of a piss take in my opinion....

all the mains were about $30 each for a start.......
for starters we ordered some home made sausage which were pretty good, but not worth $4 each IMO
also some homemade charcuterie, which was $17 and pretty darn nice... duck proscuitto, booze laden pate and a couple of other good terrine type things... so far so good....
Fred and I ordered belly of pork crispy fried and I asked for it without the starch.. oh it will come with lots of veg the waiter sez...
now, I might just be a greedy pig, but you tell me.... 3 green beans 1 tiny carrot, 2 slices of red pepper, 3 x 1" sqs of pumpkin (he said it was french, but what the heck diff does that make?) and a half (yes I said half!) sauteed RADISH... does that sound like "lots" of veg to you? Furthermore, the pumpkin and carrot were woefully undercooked and I only ate them out of starvation.. the radish (sorry demi-radish) was tasty though.... The belly of pork (which lets face it is about tuppence a pound) was only about half an inch thick, crispy, true enough, quite over salted and the green peppercorn jus was tasteless because the saltiness of the pork just drowned it out...
Then the others had massive desserts, which I had a spoon each of.. they were good... I was the designated driver as I was not drinking, due to the unfortunate fact that wine tastes like poison to me at the moment.. my bg was only 5.6 and I was a bit worried about driving.. before Fred could remind me I had had the spoons of dessert J started mouthing off at me, generally acting as if I was being neurotic as usual (for the 2nd time that night, I might add) which resulted in me losing my temper and asking her what the !&*$ she knew about it quite loudly.. at least she had the grace to admit......not much....lol.....
I would have said something about the food, but it only embarrasses Fred and he has been known to beg me not to......apparently my voice carries....

anyway, that's it for me, I am sick of paying a blinkin fortune for pretentious ****...

rant over....thanks for listening...

volleyball

11-07-2007, 06:02 AM

I've never been impressed to over pay for a meal because of the restaurant's atmosphere. I would have returned the plate until I got one with the loads of veggies the waiter promised.

shockme

11-07-2007, 06:34 AM

soso

11-07-2007, 07:26 AM

I've never been impressed to over pay for a meal because of the restaurant's atmosphere. I would have returned the plate until I got one with the loads of veggies the waiter promised.

That would have been my choice, but unpopular with my companions..also I have a policy not to return food unless I am not going to eat it at all, after talking to people who work in kitchens...if you know what I mean.....

I would like to think that doesn't really happen, but I have been assured it does...

We are really short of nice restaurants around us, I prefer to cook a special meal at home, for what you pay you can buy the most fabulous ingredients...and have good champagne to boot!

soso

11-07-2007, 07:30 AM

we hardly go out,but last time we did-it was applebees. there just aren't any independant restaurants anymore! they're all chains....eons ago-we had "sizzlin" it was an indie steak house-it was yummy!!!! try finding a decent steakhouse anymore! trish

yeah... to be fair to independant places, I bet it is hard these days of high overheads to make a go of it and prosper..we have had loads of really good places close down over the last 10 yrs..all the new places seem to be chains 'roadhouse' style pubs and huge..mostly burgers and fries...

tanyatype1

11-07-2007, 08:36 AM

Sorry you had such a cra%%y night out soso. I had to laugh at your "demi-radish" though - that's funny! I also agree with your sending food back policy! I've also had friends who have worked in kitchens tell me similar horror stories - yuck! The food might be bad the first time around, but the second time around, you don't know what's in it!

soso

11-07-2007, 11:57 AM

too right tanya...the first time it might be bad, but at least it's not infected!

EdnBama

11-10-2007, 05:27 AM

That would have been my choice, but unpopular with my companions..also I have a policy not to return food unless I am not going to eat it at all, after talking to people who work in kitchens...if you know what I mean.....

I would like to think that doesn't really happen, but I have been assured it does...

Having worked in food service in my more youthful years, I assure you myself that it does happen (add me to the list!) -- or at least used to happen and I have no reason to believe it doesn't anymore.

EdnBama

11-10-2007, 05:27 AM

soso

11-10-2007, 07:15 AM

I wonder if my stories can compete? I bet you a co'cola they can!

well lets have 'em... it's aways more funny when it happens to someone else!

my DH really doesn't believe me anyway—he has waaayyy to much faith in human nature...

slipperyelm

11-10-2007, 07:52 AM

The only time I have ever returned food was when there was a huge shard of glass in my salad! :eek:

Mostly we do not eat out any more. We just don't have the budget for it. But when we do, I am always disappointed. Always. I wish my restaurant meal to be better than what I would prepare at home, which shouldn't be difficult, as I do not think I am even a particularly good cook. But rarely is restaurant food as good as what I would make at home. As our budget is tight I then feel bad for spending three times what it would cost at home and getting about 70-80% of the quality of home cooked.

mg_2204

11-10-2007, 07:43 PM

When I go to the restaurant it's for the social aspect of it only. And as seldom as I can. I'd rather stay home and cook!!!

A lound 'crunch' when eating pizza made me fear the worse : I had broken a tooth! Spat a piece of tooth. Turned out it wasn't mine...

I could tell you many manyyy other stories.

soso

11-10-2007, 09:15 PM

ewww!!!! that does my brain in! all my worst fears confirmed!

Marie.. that's what I always say... I am paying triple for stuff I wouldn't even bother to serve up at home.. my dh does love to go out...dunno why...
god knows I am plenty entertaining at home!

cheryl

11-11-2007, 04:39 AM

The few times, I was not happy when I got out to eat and I mean truly not happy I always ask for my money back and ask for desert or did, because I would of already taken my insulin.....and I know they probably spit on your food.....and I tell the waitress that, so I am like my desert better not be spat on, one time I watched them make it, cause I was a down right witch about my under cooked chicken and my mashed potato mush....

Now I hate going out to eat, cause I get high, it sucks, no point.....anymore....thank god I am out of the two adults in this house the one who loves food, Brent can live off of coke, and fast food....yea he is so easy to please

Cheryl

Schlep

11-11-2007, 10:13 AM

If you want to have some fun and great food in a restaurant, look for what my wife and I enjoy and happily call local dives.

Usually ethnic food low price one owner restaurants that serve interesting food, ask the owner to order what their specialty is.

You will get great food at a low price and quite often meet some interesting people as a lot of the times we have actually had the owner end up sitting a our table telling stories,

Try it, the places are out there and way more fun than the chains.

schwaBAM

11-11-2007, 01:05 PM

I ate at outback steakhouse in birmingham last night. One of the guys at the table got a huge glass of beer with three pieces of long black hair all over it (one in it). He returned it.

Got my prime rib and it was still kicking (think I heard it moo). I ended up eating it, my girlfriend got the ribeye and hers turned out pretty decent, but the waiter never gave me or her our sides. We had ordered two appetizers, i got some grilled shrimp and paid $9 for 5 dinky pieces of shrimp!!

I'm no stickler when it comes to money, I get by, but I ended up paying $90 for both our meals. She had 1 screwdriver, and we each got an appetizer. I know they take out their own percent of your meal in tips when you have a big party of people, but they took out $22 in tips from just my tab! The waiter only came to bring the appetizers and food, never came back to refill glasses. I just kept pulling other waiters/waitresses aside and asked them to get us a refill, which they gladly did. Horrible service for horrible food, for a horrible price.

I'll take red lobster any day over there. Endless shrimp...mmmmmmmm.

I have a 'good' story when it comes to fast food though. When I was in my first year of college I worked at Mcdonalds to pay my bills. Only worked a few days out of the week, but I had NEVER seen anyone spit in anyones food, drop their food, or do anything to anyones food at all. We only ate some chicken nuggets when the manager wasnt looking, heh. A few times some of them would say they wanted to do it, but I never once saw them actually do it. I wouldn't doubt some of these other places do it.

soso

11-11-2007, 06:11 PM

well, that's reassuring! Actually, I don't worry all that much about Mcdonalds (esp since I never eat there..haha) I think there are maybe too many eyes and ears for them to get too naughty....

So do the Outback have a service charge included deal then?
Can't say I like that.. although I always tip the same even if the food is lousy, as it is not the wait staffs fault.. I have been known to shortchange on the tip if the service is lousy or ignorant, provided it is not cos the poor waiter is overworked from too many tables.
We don't have too many chains here, cept for the pub ones and a truly woeful lack of cheap cheerful independant places.. tons of pizza though.....boo hoo

EdnBama

11-12-2007, 04:46 AM

well lets have 'em... it's aways more funny when it happens to someone else!

my DH really doesn't believe me anyway—he has waaayyy to much faith in human nature...

I'll start with the mild stories.

I have seen food dropped on the floor (intentionally and unintentionally) and put onto a plate or back in the holding warmer.

One time, I saw my coworker making a hamburger ... he found out it was for his arch-enemy, so he spit into it. Then, he stood where he could watch said arch-enemy eat it.

EdnBama

11-12-2007, 04:52 AM

I don't go to Outback if I'm thinking I should get any kind of food near what the price suggests I'm getting.

My last restaurant nightmare was the waiter at an Applebee's who argued with me about what should have came with my entree -- and then shook a fist at me (in an angry way, not in "whatsa matter wit you" way). After speaking to management in their franchise's home office in Birmingham, I understand the guy is no longer employed with them.

I ate at outback steakhouse in birmingham last night. One of the guys at the table got a huge glass of beer with three pieces of long black hair all over it (one in it). He returned it.

Got my prime rib and it was still kicking (think I heard it moo). I ended up eating it, my girlfriend got the ribeye and hers turned out pretty decent, but the waiter never gave me or her our sides. We had ordered two appetizers, i got some grilled shrimp and paid $9 for 5 dinky pieces of shrimp!!

I'm no stickler when it comes to money, I get by, but I ended up paying $90 for both our meals. She had 1 screwdriver, and we each got an appetizer. I know they take out their own percent of your meal in tips when you have a big party of people, but they took out $22 in tips from just my tab! The waiter only came to bring the appetizers and food, never came back to refill glasses. I just kept pulling other waiters/waitresses aside and asked them to get us a refill, which they gladly did. Horrible service for horrible food, for a horrible price.

I'll take red lobster any day over there. Endless shrimp...mmmmmmmm.

I have a 'good' story when it comes to fast food though. When I was in my first year of college I worked at Mcdonalds to pay my bills. Only worked a few days out of the week, but I had NEVER seen anyone spit in anyones food, drop their food, or do anything to anyones food at all. We only ate some chicken nuggets when the manager wasnt looking, heh. A few times some of them would say they wanted to do it, but I never once saw them actually do it. I wouldn't doubt some of these other places do it.

EdnBama

11-12-2007, 04:58 AM

well, that's reassuring! Actually, I don't worry all that much about Mcdonalds (esp since I never eat there..haha) I think there are maybe too many eyes and ears for them to get too naughty....

I wouldn't bet on "eyes and ears" being an effective way to stop strange behavior at fast food restaurants. I was in a Burger King -- one of the new stores where you can see them fixing the burgers, fries, etc. While waiting to order, I saw the guy making hamburgers pick his nose and then return to making burgers without washing his hand. I walked out without ordering.

Can't say I like that.. although I always tip the same even if the food is lousy, as it is not the wait staffs fault.. I have been known to shortchange on the tip if the service is lousy or ignorant, provided it is not cos the poor waiter is overworked from too many tables.

I tip the waiter/waitress based only what the waiter/waitress can control. If the food is lousy, I don't hold that against them -- unless it's cold, which I figure the waiter could have prevented.

EdnBama

11-12-2007, 05:02 AM

You are right. There are a couple of places here like that and I enjoy eating there. At one in particular (I sometimes hit it for lunch), the owner gets to know his regulars and he'll stop by and chat.

If you want to have some fun and great food in a restaurant, look for what my wife and I enjoy and happily call local dives.

Usually ethnic food low price one owner restaurants that serve interesting food, ask the owner to order what their specialty is.

You will get great food at a low price and quite often meet some interesting people as a lot of the times we have actually had the owner end up sitting a our table telling stories,

Try it, the places are out there and way more fun than the chains.

Alice

11-12-2007, 05:41 AM

I've pretty much stopped eating at chain restaurants of any type. I realize that many people only have these available to them in these dismal days of "retail eating".

I try to eat at locally owned restaurants. These families have more at stake and more pride in their food than the chains. I also have been turned off by the poor service at the chains (Applebee's is the worst).

One exception was in South Carolina...somewhere on I-95. It was a new Applebee's...new concept with white table cloths and wonderful employee's. The line was out into the parking lot. There was such a difference in the service and attitude. People were actually dressed up to eat there.

Go to my local Applebee's...it's a pretty dismal sight.

If you want good food...you have to go to Italy...

pjams

11-12-2007, 06:25 AM

If you want good food...you have to go to Italy...

I just came back for a 12-day vacation in Italy. Being a vegetarian there was some apprehension about getting decent meals there. Much to my surprise it was not always just pasta. They prepared great meals that were not on the menu. To top them off the espressos were the best I have ever had.

Here in greater New York area one gets good food at diners. Usually the owners cook and the family is involved, so they take pride in what they serve. We don't go out much, because of high calories and high carbs, but once in a while one must have some change.

JayP

schwaBAM

11-12-2007, 02:36 PM

I'm from Syracuse, but moved near Birmingham Alabama a couple years ago. I definitely don't miss shoveling and below freezing temperatures!

EdnBama, where are you from? Which city?

EdnBama

11-12-2007, 02:55 PM

I'm from Syracuse, but moved near Birmingham Alabama a couple years ago. I definitely don't miss shoveling and below freezing temperatures!

EdnBama, where are you from? Which city?

Originally, I'm from all over. My father was in the Air Force.

We settled in Auburn when he retired and now I live and work in the Montgomery area.

EdnBama

11-12-2007, 02:59 PM

You know, it looks like we are getting enough people in Alabama on here to where we might be able to have an Alabama get-together sometime. :five:

Penny

11-12-2007, 03:25 PM

I don't think I have ever had a rude waiter or waitress here in Ohio. Two I remember was one in Canada, near Niagara Falls and one im California. The Applebees near here treat us great, it used to be the grandkid's favorite place because they always treated her so good. We used to love to go for their 1/2 price appetizers, we made a meal of it. The grandkid eats more than either of us now, and we can't get by with that. :D

schwaBAM

11-13-2007, 06:56 AM

You know, it looks like we are getting enough people in Alabama on here to where we might be able to have an Alabama get-together sometime. :five:

Unfortunately, once I moved here all the officers and firefighters told me to route for Alabama :)

I've never seen a state divided by college teams, its unreal. Such a huge and supportive fan base! I think Auburn is going to take Alabama this year, but hopefully Saban can do something next year with his own recruiting and give Auburn a scare.

I just love how there is no dominating team, any game can go any way. It makes it much more enjoyable to watch.

EdnBama

11-13-2007, 06:53 PM

Unfortunately, once I moved here all the officers and firefighters told me to route for Alabama :)

I've never seen a state divided by college teams, its unreal. Such a huge and supportive fan base! I think Auburn is going to take Alabama this year, but hopefully Saban can do something next year with his own recruiting and give Auburn a scare.

I just love how there is no dominating team, any game can go any way. It makes it much more enjoyable to watch.

It's never too late for you to join the Auburn family. Yes, we even take reformed Crimson Tide fans. Hey, it's never too late to get smarter and wiser!

Auburn has been the dominant team for several years now in overall game play. However, as you are learning, the Iron Bowl is a whole other matter. No matter how good or bad each team is during the earlier part of the season, either one can make a good show and win the Iron Bowl. It's a game that is very intense on the field and in fan rivalry.

I think Auburn can take Alabama -- if the same Auburn team that played Florida, Arkansas and LSU takes the field. If it's the team that played Georgia last weekend, all bets are off!

gettingby

11-15-2007, 06:54 PM

I had to send something back to the kitchen at our local Sagebrush about a month ago. I ordered a plain baked sweet potato. The waitress wrote it down correctly but they gave her the wrong one(it was covered in all of the things that are bad for us). She took it back with no problem. She got a big tip out of our group. :D She said she stood there and watched to make sure they made it the right way. :D

HiImDan

11-17-2007, 03:36 PM

gettingby

11-17-2007, 07:47 PM

Good service survives:)
Yes, it do. :) And I always reward for good service.

kstreeter513

12-04-2007, 04:45 PM

The waitress wrote it down correctly but they gave her the wrong one(it was covered in all of the things that are bad for us). She took it back with no problem. She got a big tip out of our group. :D She said she stood there and watched to make sure they made it the right way. :D

yeah the "right way". Did you check it for goobers????;)

volleyball

12-04-2007, 05:53 PM

yeah the "right way". Did you check it for goobers????;)

LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA

What I don't know won't hurt me

Gabby123

01-02-2008, 05:28 AM

I am on byetta and metformin. We go to Applebees alot. I usually get chicken casadeas or blackened chicken salad. I don't have any trouble with BS on either of these dishes.