Another disappointing plate of grub

soso · #1 (**permalink**) 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 · #2 (**permalink**) 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 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-07-2007, 06:34 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

soso · #4 (**permalink**) 11-07-2007, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by volleyball

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 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-07-2007, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shockme

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 · #6 (**permalink**) 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 · #7 (**permalink**) 11-07-2007, 11:57 AM

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

EdnBama · #8 (**permalink**) 11-10-2007, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soso

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 · #9 (**permalink**) 11-10-2007, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tanyatype1

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!

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

soso · #10 (**permalink**) 11-10-2007, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdnBama

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 (**permalink**) 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!

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 · #12 (**permalink**) 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 · #13 (**permalink**) 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 · #14 (**permalink**) 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 · #15 (**permalink**) 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.