Are Young Diners Doomed To Get Poor Service?

I'm just speaking from experience here. Although not having been in many fine dining restaurants, I have noticed a common trend in most "nice" places I've been to: bad service. Now, I understand that not all fine dining have good service, and everyone has a bad day once in a while, but when most the places that you go to have this common theme, you start to wonder "Is it me?" There have been a couple of times when Darren and I actually got up and left due to having been ignored for so long. I shall share some of these bad experiences.

Two of the places in which we have been ignored at, which actually made us leave, included Pogue Mahone's and this Mexican place (forgot what it is called) at the corner of Yonge and Maitland. Both times we were nice enough to be seated, but no service came. At Mahone's, we waited around 20 minutes for water. We even had to flag down someone, in which case she said she would return and never did. At the other place, we were seated, waited, got annoyed and went up the front to order (it was a cafeteria style place), and was told to seat back down and wait for service as the front was for take-out only. We waited for another 10 minutes and eventually left. Now, these two are not the best examples of fine dining, so I will also share other examples.

The first one that came to mind is Bistro 990 (See review). I did research before deciding on that one restaurant. First because it was close to where Darren worked, and second because people raved about the food and the service. Darren was in his work clothes (dress shirt and dress pants) and I wore a white dress shirt and black dress pants, so it wasn't as if we showed up dressing like hobos. The speed of the food and service were decent, but when compared with the rest of the people in the restaurant, ours differ significantly. During our whole meal, we were not offered bread at all. There were people designated to walk around with baskets of bread, and not one came to our table. I saw several bread-servers go to the same table a couple of times offering bread. The dessert menu, desserts and the bill themselves took a long time to arrive. However, I guess we had it better than the tourists sitting next to us, as they had to get their own pepper.

The second one was a restaurant called Quince (See review). I planned it for my best friend's birthday with the 7 of us (between 21-30). It was recommended both in Toronto Life and by a friend whom came once with his parents (in fact, the friend was within the party). Most of us were dressed causual elegantly (the males wore jeans with dress/golf shirt). We arrived 5 minutes early, and were told to wait by the bar, which was fine. We continued to wait an additional 20 minutes at the bar while they got our table set up. We were seated, and shortly the waitress came and introduced herself. She got our drink orders, and 30 minutes went by before she came back with our drinks. She then hurried off to take care of other customers. After another 20 minutes of waiting, she finally came back to get our meal orders.

From this point on until the meal got there, for around 45 mintues, we were ignored. If someone wanted to add food, or get more water, or get another drink, it was impossible. Interestingly one of the restaurant owner was there on the floor and serving people as well, but despite us trying to maintain eye contact with her, she just looked away quickly. When we tried to stop waiters/waitresses, they either say, "I'm busy" or "I'll be right back". We had to watch as neighboring tables gets filled with different rounds of patrons, and as other people's courses come one after the other (I actually saw our server go back to the same table 3 times to see if they wanted more coffee). Everyone tried to stay in a good mood (because it was a birthday), but the grumpiness and hunger really put a strain in our conversations. When the food came we gobbled it up without really caring how good it was (everything was good at that point). Even during our meals, no one even stopped to ask how we were. We passed on dessert as it was close to 10:30 (our reservation was for 7:30 pm). The party tried coming up with excuses as why the service was so bad, but none of them stuck.

The last example was from Bodega (See review). Darren loved Bodega. When he worked closer to the restaurant, his company would get lunch there and he had a really good time. After hearing good things from him, I expressed interest that I wanted to go. He eventually took me and I was expecting a night of good french dining. Again, we dressed decently for the occasion. The server was helpful but not friendly. After we placed our orders, it was when it started going down hill. My order of rabbit came as lamb. The server went to check with the kitchen and came back asking if I wanted the lamb. I didn't complain and just settled for the lamb. I don't have allergies and I eat most things, so food mistakes usually don't bother me, and I don't like waiting for food while others are eating theirs. Now that I thought about it, I don't remember if he apologized or not.

After dinner, I ordered dessert and Darren ordered a glass of Taylor Fladgate Tawny. The server came back with a ruby port. Darren (knowing his port) took a look at it and told the owner that this wasn't the tawny but a ruby. The waiter snobbishly told Darren that this was indeed what he ordered and wanted to leave, but Darren insisted that it wasn't the tawny, and they almost had an arguement. The waiter went to the bar to confirm and came back with a sour look on his face. It seemed the kitchen had used up all the tawny and without informing Darren they poured him the ruby and, I guess, assumed he was okay with the ruby. As they only had the ruby, Darren could take the ruby. Darren opted for something else in the end, but was very displeased with the place and vowed never to go back again, a farcry from his previous reaction about the place.

These were some of the worst experience we've had, and I've tried to think of reasons at each place as to why it happened. The common denominator to all these experience was me. Not me personally, but the diners, or rather, the age of the diners. Is it because we are young we don't demand respect? One of Darren's coworkers had gone to Bistro 990 and said it was a good place, and many reviews on the internet said service was exceptional, but yet our experience was the opposite. At Quince one of my friend personally said it was a good and yet the evening turned out horribly. At Bodega, Darren personally had a good experience going with his company but for us he almost got into an arguement.

Are finer restaurants stereotyping young couples (or diner)? If not, then why do Darren and I always get bad service? If it is so, is it because they feel as if they wouldn't truly understand the essence of the place, or is it because they wouldn't be good tippers? For the former, I believe that tastes, etiquette and knowledge have to be acquired. The more dining experience you have, the more knowledgable you will be about food, wine and restaurants. You cannot expect everyone to walk into the restaurant and automatically know about food or wine. You don't expect your some your older patrons to know (that's what sommaliers are for), why would you for your younger patrons?

As for the latter, tipping is a continuous cycle. You get good tips if you provide good service. I guess in this case because the servers had bad experience with young tippers in the past, they assumed (or they just assume without the experience) we'd be poor tippers too and gave us mediocre service. However, because we don't usually get good service, we don't go overboard with tipping, and the vicious cycle continues. I understand that most young diners are unable to provide an outstanding tip (most likely due to their occupations), but tips are not mandatory and they are meant to be earned. If you provide bad service, you should get a bad tip, young diners or not. You don't expect all your older diners to pay well, why should you expect poor tips from all your younger diners?

These experiences have really discouraged Darren and I from eating at fine dining restaurants. We only do it for special occasions now, and even then we might have an internal debate. In fact, it is like we automatically associate bad service with fine dining restaurants, and when we get decent service we look at the waiter as if he was the last of an extinct species (See Stone Road Grill). Darren and I try not to screw over the waiter or next young couple by, usually, leaving an average tip, and we hope that someday the "pay-it-forward" thing will kick in, but so far no luck.

Random Thoughts: Gift Ideas

Just sharing some places I went for Christmas present shopping. Hope this helps with your future gift hunting!

0) Fred and Friends
http://www.worldwidefred.com/home.htm

How many times you've seen something that is fun and cute but then you say to yourself, "Gee, so-and-so will definitely get a laugh out of that, but where will he/she put it?" Example: talking Simpson statues (I love the Simpsons, but I don't need a talking statue). Well, welcome to Fred's. I LOVE their products, and most of all, they are FUNCTIONAL. First came across them on Perpetual Kid (www.perpetualkid.com), but they don't ship to Canada (damn them), so I made it my mission this holiday to find stores that carry their products.


1) Rolo
24 Bellair St.
416-920-0100
http://www.rolostore.com/

A small store with very unique gifts. Has a few Fred items. A good place to try your luck if you are stuck on certain presents but have no idea. A lot of browsing required as most items are smushed among shelves. Staff are very helpful and very good at sales. Warning: during Christmas the store gets VERY packed. Might not be a good place to do last minute shopping as prices are a big high. Same items on the internet are a lot cheaper, especially with the growing loonie.


2) Laywine's
25 Bellair St.
416-921-7131
http://www.laywines.com/

This store is located right across from Rolo. It provides many good quality stationaries as well as accessories. Price can be a bit on the hefty side, depending on what you get. Caters to a group of old patrons. Has a few Fred stationary items. Good for finding gifts for that office drone... Or a classy office drone.


3) Pop Deluxe
http://www.popdeluxe.net/

Finally! An online store with Fred items that will ship to Canada! This is where I purchased most of my items. Due to the strong loonie, most of the stuff are pretty well priced. Shipping (I got Express since I... um... am a lay-about) was $40, but took around 7 business days. John and Amber are very helpful and answers very quickly. Will definitely use this site again.


4) Zazzle
http://www.zazzle.com

An online store with large options for custom made items, from shirts, pins, mugs to magnets. Once again, the strong loonie works in our favor. Shipping differs between products, and is a bit on the hefty side, but when you need something, you need something. However, they are very good with refunds and customer services. Also, very careful with copyright infringements (tried to get something with an "Office" quote, didn't work out). For custom made items, you might want to try www.cafepress.com as well


5) Edible Arrangements
http://www.ediblearrangements.com/

Christmas is a day when people are less conscious about the food they eat. Chocolate is always a safe choice for those acquaintances and people you don't know very well (in my case, boyfriend's family for the first time... Scary). However, these are not ordinary chocolates, they are chocolate covered fresh fruits. Emphasis on fresh, as all of them are made-to-ordered the day of. For those fews that are health conscious, try a nicely decorated and unique fruit bouquet. Lots of options and variety to choose from. As these stores are licensed (individually managed), service and product might vary between each store. It is a bit expensive for a poor student like myself, but what's it for a little smile? Delivery is available, but each store only caters to a specific area, so call the one in your area.

Be warned: during Christmas, you'd have better luck going to the store to place the order as opposed to phoning. I went there physically, there was one receptionist and the phone was ringing off the hook. The next day, when I called back to change my order, took me 30 minutes to get through. Lastly, they weren't very good with following instruction. They did not apply the changes I made and referred to the original request, so I didn't really get what I asked for, but I will let them slide as it was during the holidays. Maybe the guy I talked to on the phone was a robot.


6) Propaganda
686 Yonge St.
416-961-0555

A Queen St.-like store located at Yonge and Bloor. They have a limited selection compared to other store, but some of the items are very fun and unique. Has cool funky bags, purses, hats, gloves, cards, jewelry and other random items. Some items are reasonably priced. A good store to try during gift hunting.


7) Little Party Shoppe
2566 Yonge St.
416-478-7855

This was where I got my various wrapping paper and a few small gifts. Huge selection of Christmas cards and wrapping paper offered at a fair price and a few small Fred and other gift items. I believer they have a "No refund/exchange" policy.


HONORABLE MENTIONS


1) Think Geek
http://www.thinkgeek.com/

Stress about that special nerd in your life? Think Geek will probably have something that will suit or amuse! Some items are even too nerdy for me, but they have a broad range of items, but video-game themed to electronics. I didn't get anything there, but might do so next time.


2) Ten Thousand Villages
Various Locations
http://www.tenthousandvillages.ca/

This place was recommended to me and I do regret not having enough time to check it out. The idea is that this not-for-profit organization purchases arts and crafts from artisans in poor countries and provide them with a fair price for their products. Though I don't know how true their statements are, but the products are very unique and offered at a fair price.


3) Essence du Papier
2476 Yonge St.
416-932-0109

A store very similar to Laywine's, though more stylish and urban. They sell various cards, stationaries and have a wide selection of pens.

4) Uncommon Goods
http://www.uncommongoods.com/

A very good online store where you can find many gifts (if not, gift ideas). Also carries a few Fred items. They usually ship to the US, but they CAN ship to Canada. Only requirement is that you must use an American credit card. If you have one, you should definitely check out this place.

Random Thought On Giving Back

Ever seen those people on the street with signs that say "Free Hugs"? I think it's pretty cool. It's like giving back to society by making others feel better. I'd like to do that sometimes. Except for the fact that I'd be ultra competitive. I'd try and hug more people than others, or even steal their potential hugging people. Of course, there are people that only accept hugs from hot chicks, and if there are hot chicks competing with me, I'd lose for sure! In which case I'd probably have to get plastic surgery. Or implants. Or both. Then victory shall be mine! Mwahahaha!

Radom Thoughts on Reincarnation

Talking about Buddhism here in class. Imagining ancient monks having debate whether eating eggs are considered as killing. You think people can reincarnate into vegetables? If people can be reincarnated into fruit and vegetables, I'd like to be a tomato. Most people like tomatoes, and there are many kinds of tomatoes. You'd be able to use me on a bunch of things: with fries, in your sandwich, in your pasta... And, I'd be the center of attention while everyone debates about whether or not I'm a fruit or vegetable. Also, I wouldn't be some boring vegetable like spinach, where I'd just lie there. I'd be able to roll around. How fun.

Anyway, this is just getting silly, so I'm going to stop.

Yay Blog!

Ahoy!

Well, I'll begin with a not-so-interesting story as to why I want to start a blog. Basically, I was "researching" restaurants on the internet and I realized howfew reviews there are for restaurants. However, I did come upon some food blogs, where bloggers wrote a review of all therestaurants they've been to. Not just restaurant, but any food places, big and small. So I thought to myself, "It'd be pretty cool to do something like that too." What can I say? I'm a food junkie. I like to eat. In fact, it's one of my biggest motivation in life. Long story short, I decided to make my own.

Also, it'll be good for procrastinating.

Well, that's that. Hopefully, I'll have to initiative and the money to keep this blog updated. Money being all the restaurants that I'll have to pay for. But hey, anything for good food, right?