GB
Chief Eating Officer
We went out to eat at a local place the other night because I had a weird craving for that restaurant. We were seated right away as the place was not all that busy. I would say they were at 50% capacity.
I ordered the fajitas which I have had there before and they have been outstanding. It took a very long time for our order to come out. By the time it came out my DW had finished her drink so she asked the waiter to bring her a water. I noticed the guacamole was missing from my dish and I also did not have a place so I asked for both of those things. The guacamole arrived, but still no plate. Finally a few minutes later the plate arrives, but still no water for my wife.
I start to make my first fajita and realize that the peppers and onions are so cooked that they are non-existant. They are basically a few black strings fused to the cast iron plate. there was maybe 2 pieces of pepper that were salvagable.
The hostess comes over to ask how our meal is and I said it is fine except for the peppers and onions. She offeres to have the cook make up some more, but based on how long it was taking for them to do everything else I declined. She never offered an apology and just started talking about how cute our baby is. Well at least the hostess had good taste
Our waiter comes over a short while later, still without DW's water, and asks how everything is. I mention the water and also point out the onions and peppers. His response blew me away. He said "well there is really nothing I can do about that other than offer my apology". First off, he never actually apologized. He just said he could offer one. That is not the same thing in my book. Secondly there were numerous things he could have done about it. he could have offered to have more cooked up (as the hostess did). He could have offered to take it (or a portion of it) off the bill. he could have offered a comp dessert. he could have asked what he could do to make it better. now if he had offered to take it off the bill or comp a dessert or something like that then I have have thanked him and then said it was not necessary to do. my meal was still tasty and everyone is entitled to make mistakes so I was fine paying the whole bill. The offer would have gone a long way in making me feel better though.
Here is the part that really gets me though. Two more times, both the hostess and waiter came by to ask how everything was. What did they think was going to change?
When the waiter brought the bill that was the only time he showed concern. He explained to us at that point that they has a new staff in the kitchen and they are still learning the ropes etc. DW instantly thought that the only reason he was telling us at that point was so his tip did not suffer. I almost never tip less than 20%, but in this situation I only left 15%. no this was not the worst experience I have had and yes they restaurant did make one effort to correct the problem, but it was still a very dis-satisfying experience.
OK I feel better now that I have that off my chest
I ordered the fajitas which I have had there before and they have been outstanding. It took a very long time for our order to come out. By the time it came out my DW had finished her drink so she asked the waiter to bring her a water. I noticed the guacamole was missing from my dish and I also did not have a place so I asked for both of those things. The guacamole arrived, but still no plate. Finally a few minutes later the plate arrives, but still no water for my wife.
I start to make my first fajita and realize that the peppers and onions are so cooked that they are non-existant. They are basically a few black strings fused to the cast iron plate. there was maybe 2 pieces of pepper that were salvagable.
The hostess comes over to ask how our meal is and I said it is fine except for the peppers and onions. She offeres to have the cook make up some more, but based on how long it was taking for them to do everything else I declined. She never offered an apology and just started talking about how cute our baby is. Well at least the hostess had good taste
Our waiter comes over a short while later, still without DW's water, and asks how everything is. I mention the water and also point out the onions and peppers. His response blew me away. He said "well there is really nothing I can do about that other than offer my apology". First off, he never actually apologized. He just said he could offer one. That is not the same thing in my book. Secondly there were numerous things he could have done about it. he could have offered to have more cooked up (as the hostess did). He could have offered to take it (or a portion of it) off the bill. he could have offered a comp dessert. he could have asked what he could do to make it better. now if he had offered to take it off the bill or comp a dessert or something like that then I have have thanked him and then said it was not necessary to do. my meal was still tasty and everyone is entitled to make mistakes so I was fine paying the whole bill. The offer would have gone a long way in making me feel better though.
Here is the part that really gets me though. Two more times, both the hostess and waiter came by to ask how everything was. What did they think was going to change?
When the waiter brought the bill that was the only time he showed concern. He explained to us at that point that they has a new staff in the kitchen and they are still learning the ropes etc. DW instantly thought that the only reason he was telling us at that point was so his tip did not suffer. I almost never tip less than 20%, but in this situation I only left 15%. no this was not the worst experience I have had and yes they restaurant did make one effort to correct the problem, but it was still a very dis-satisfying experience.
OK I feel better now that I have that off my chest
