marcia's Profile
America's 25 most hated foods
My sister does. I think buttermilk is disgusting. I can't understand why two foods I dearly love, butter and milk, can be combined to make something so awful.
I found it! The one thing that bacon DOESN'T make better.
While it certainly isn't the most yummy thing I've seen, it's also not the worst.
Perhaps I'm too old and jaded to be shocked by tasteless (pun intended) looking food. I mean, what do you expect from a site named cakewrecks?
Just Desserts 6: I want a retraction
I find this show to be entirely forgettable. I watch it every week but I have just a vague memory of the contestants, eliminations, etc. I have no idea why. Maybe because it's very boring, and I love the Top Chef franchise, just not this one.
Looking forward to the next TC, the one with previous contestants. As for the TC Just Desserts, I'm about done and I don't care who wins because the show is just so bland, and I love desserts.
Just Desserts Episode 4: High drama
What I don't understand about leaving early, if indeed her intention was to go home, don't they quarantine the "auf'd" cheftestants until the end of the series, or at least when it's revealed who's in the finals?
Master Chef elimination round part 2
Isn't that how these ubiquitous contestants shows w/"celebrity" judges, are done? Which is why I can't watch them--they seem to be tediously boring and full of schtick from both the judges and contestants. Must admit my knowledge of those types of shows is based on what I've seen on "The Soup". They watch it so I don't have to.
Anyway, I saw this show, for real. It's tediously boring and full of schtick. Thumbs down.
Eric Ripert Reveals His Five Embarrassing Moments as a Young Chef
"I did not listen and decided to use a pressure washer to go faster. [I] ended up electrocuting the chef when he turned it on."
I hope he meant the chef was got an electric shock rather than electrocuted.
Next Food Network Star--Toy Cartoon--WTF [spoilers]
Yeah, I didn't get that either. I was thinking at the time "wear a patch" because that's what I did. And my cornea was cut by someone's fingernail. (It was during a basketball game--she didn't mean to do it.) The only restriction I had was not to drive because my depth perception was altered due to seeing out of only one eye.
But then again, I wasn't on TV or in California.
Hell's Kitchen new season
Watched it on Hulu. Sorry, but that guy who just wants two coolers just creeps me out. He's a tad too excited about eating raw animals....
Top Chef Masters 2 Ep. #9 - 06/02/10 (Spoilers)
I don't bother trying to respond to the blogs at Bravo anymore. I don't know what they want. The last time I tried was when Jay Rayner was whining about why he was grumpy--because he had to work! I told him I would love to be working, as many unemployed Americans would be, and reading about how someone was called in on their day off just didn't sit right with my (unwilling) unemployed sensibilities. I found his blog extremely offensive and totally without sensitivity.
Tipping Food Delivery
Thanks Wayne. You said it far more diplomatically than I would have.
In addition, a lot of people order out when the weather is really crappy. Servers depend on tips for their income, as do delivery people. It'sastounding to me that because their jobs are different from servers, some think they shouldn't be rewarded equally.
Cab drivers just drive around, after all, should they not be tipped adequately?
So much for diplomacy, eh, Wayne?
From a Restaurant Owner...
I moved 2000 miles away from Chicago, where I was born and bred, over a year ago. There was one restaurant there (which shall go unnamed so as not to derail the thread) where I went religiously. I always ordered the same thing.
I miss it, and so far no restaurant in Seattle comes close to making this dish the way I'm used to, so one day last week, when I was really jonesing for this food, I emailed the owner and asked if he would overnight fed ex me this dish (on dry ice) and I, of course, would incur all costs.
Alas and alack, he politely replied the next day in the negative, saying he couldn't guarantee proper temperatures.
Darn darn darn. But at least I tried. Doesn't help my jonesing, but I gave it a shot. Now all I have are fond memories, although when I go back to Chicago sometime early next year, you bet that place will be my first stop.
Why do people feel like they need to eat on an airplane?
Again, you should have just posed your question as a mere query rather than being so judgmental and snide (can't people wait 6 hours to eat, after all, no one's doing anything grueling, many people can afford to skip a meal or two or three, etc). Instead, many of the responses, including mine, have taken on the same tone as your OP, and deservedly so.
Incidentally, I'm not one to eat on planes so I don't have a dog in this fight. However, I will object to a post that I feel is unfair due to, yes, prejudices, whether you mean them or not.
Why do people feel like they need to eat on an airplane?
I apologize for being totally dense, but what difference does it make whether one eats while watching entertainment or if they're on a plane? Food is food, and where they choose to eat is irrelevant and, frankly, none of your business.
How about this one--people who eat in food courts at shopping malls. I don't think they're being entertained, and certainly many of them could have eaten before shopping, waited until later, could afford to skip a meal, etc.
I'm just having huge difficulties with the entire concept, and tone, of this question beceause as I said, unless the it's pungent enough to bother other people, what's it to you?
Why do people feel like they need to eat on an airplane?
Ipsedixit, I trust you aren't as judgmental as this question comes across. Did you feel this way before they stopped serving meals on planes?
My short way of saying that perhaps you could have posed this question in a more polite, less judgmental way if you're that curious. Some people need to eat frequent, small meals. Some just are bored. Some are diabetic. Some need to have food in their bellies for meds. There are many reasons, some psychological, some medical.
Your comment on the germ infested cabin with a previous flatulent passenger leaves me baffled because to me it's irrelevant. I don't think the CDC has said that flatulence is infectious and Lord help us all if it is. Furthermore, the last time I flew there were restrooms with sinks to wash ones hands on airplanes. While we're at it, do you have snide comments about people who eat while at a football game? After all, they should be able to make it through 3 hours without eating, and who knows who was there before? And golly, I'm sure you'd think that some of them can certainly go without a meal or two or three.
Why do you care if other passengers eat, as long as it doesn't stink up the joint? Other than that, why is it your concern?
What have you learned from CH?
I've learned, unfortunately, that apparently people use any excuse in the world in order to skimp on a tip.
I cannot begin to tell you how much it irritates me that when a server makes even a miniscule mistake there are a number of people who declare that said error should be reflected in the tip.
That is my biggest pet peeve on this forum.
I also don't like it when someone posts to me "is that clear enough for you?" in an obviously snide way because I have the audacity to disagree with them. They lose all credibility with me in terms of their opinions, etc.
Compliments of the House
Assuming everything was settled satisfactorily, why should the house give out a freebie? Those who do expect this sound rather entitled to me.
So, Even if You Eat Out, Are You Tipping Less?
Okay, maybe someone can explain something to me. How in Hades does one know what the norm is for their area? I live in Seattle, and no way do I know what is considered the proper tipping rate for this city. I know what my friends think and do, but since I don't know every citizen, how do I know what the standard is? How do anyone know?
Incidentally, this isn't exclusive to tipping as it applies to a multidude of etiquette controversies and I gotta say, it drives me crazy.
Silly Eating Habits
Corn, definitely eat across. I knew someone who used to "shave" the corn off the cob because he didn't like corn on the cob. Same corn off the cob was just fine. Go figure.
Most of the time I eat foods in sequence, meaning I rarely mix them or go from one to another. Exceptions are breakfast and TG dinner. I usually save what I consider the best for last. Delayed gratification, I guess, although generally I'm not so good at that.
I always, in private anyway, when eating toast or a sandwich, will eat the crust before I eat the bread. Don't do this in public because I suspect it makes me look like a 5 y/o.
My ex used to spin his plate and then smell the food. Only at restaurants though because they couldn't be trusted, I guess.
First time in Seattle
It's not quite in Seattle, but in Issaquah. It's the Gaslamp. Not seedy, but very local and neighborly. Food's good, too.
A new issue with "NEW" button
Same here. Also, the last couple of days it's taken forever for the site to load, although that could be me.
When do you expect to get "comp'ed"?
My point was the sense of entitlement that some people have about "their time" irritates the snot out of me. Hell, my time is wasted every day by people who I think should be doing their jobs differently. Why aren't there more check out lanes open at Target, for example? After all, I'm at the store so hop to it, people! Is it annoying, yes, but others are being inconvenienced too. And in the end, what difference does it make?
Stuff happens. I'm just sick to death of people who think that those who work in the hospitality industry owe it to customers to give out freebies because they have to wait, it's their birthday, anniversary, or whatever. There was a thread here a while back where posters were all over a certain restaurant for actually, gasp, calling a customer in advance to tell him (or her) that they were running late and could they come in 15, or maybe it was 30 minutes, later. Can't have it both ways. Personally, I thought it was responsible for the restaurant to call because gee, maybe they thought ahead and didn't want the customer to waste their time, but people here were up in arms about it. Still don't understand why.
And no, I don't work in the industry but I work with the public (not in retail) and entitlement gets really old, really fast. Save the comps for gross errors, like having food/drinks dumped on you, etc.
When do you expect to get "comp'ed"?
"If I have a reservation and I end up having to wait for the table, I think I should be comp'ed a cocktail or glass of wine. However, I don't suggest that to the staff, which may be why it rarely happens.
One of my peeves is the trend of having people wait in the bar regardless of their reservation time so they will order drinks and spend more money. I expect my reservation time to be honored and if there is a mixup or a table simply won't turn, the restaurant should compensate me for my wasted time. I get there on time based on the restaurant's representation that they would have a table for me, so if they don't I should be compensated in some way. "
What are you talking about--15 minutes or an hour, somewhere in between? I'm assuming nobody is holding a gun to your head, demanding that you buy their alcohol.
Lastly, if you go to a doctor and s/he is late and doesn't honor your appointment time do you think you should be monetarily compensated? Probably not.
Your worst service experience?
Sorry, if this is your worst server experience you've been quite fortunate.
As for your statement "I'm more likely to focus on the negatives (Asian strip mall, walk past a huge smelly dumpster from neighboring grocery stores) than any positives." it perhaps colored my assessment of your post. If you had to walk by those negatives, why did you go enter in the first place?
Your worst service experience?
I've been boycotting Denny's for so long now that I forgot the original reason (this was prior to the accusations of racism) but I don't think it was due to bad service.
Maybe I'm mistaken and it was indeed because of outlandishly bad service, which to me translates into either a rude server and/or being ignored. I'm quite tolerant, but I will not put up with either one.
Grocery Store Ambiance......
I haven't lived in Northbrook since I left for college. When I still lived in Evanston I shopped mostly at Jewel or Dominicks, like most everybody else does.
Grocery Store Ambiance......
But did you ever patronize Sunset Foods in Northbrook and Highland Park? There may be more now, I'm not sure. However, Sunset was a family owned place back in the day, and catered, okay, more than catered, to the customer, young and old. Unload your own cart on the belt? No way. Someone will do that for you. Take your packages to the car? Unheard of, and tips were forbidden.
When I was 18 my then boyfriend and I, (he didn't know Sunset, but did know Happy Foods in Skokie) went in there for something. He was more than shocked when we were given a shopping cart and treated like we weren't the adolescents we were, although I must say we were quite well behaved. He still talks about that place (yes, we're still friends.) 30 years later I went back to that same store and what do you know, the same manager was there. He didn't recognize me, but I sure remembered him.
Servers/separate checks and were professional
Wow. Obviously I was misinterpreted because I was trying to compliment the servers, not complain! My point about the couples who weren't sitting together and yet were on the same tab was further proof, to me, how the servers maintained their cool without letting on it was a hassle.
I know that separate checks are a real pain, especially with large groups and the servers were pros. That's all. As for tipping, I hope my cohorts tipped well, but my gut said not all of them did. Frankly, some of us were more sophisticated in terms of the workings of a restaurant than others, although I didn't witness any rudeness on behalf of my fellow travelers, either.
I'd name the restaurants if I could but frankly I don't remember because we were in different towns every day. I can pin it down to states, as in Oklahoma, Mississippi, Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, Texas, New Mexico and maybe a couple of others. As for the FF places, even a busload of 16 people descending on them at once has got to be a bit overwhelming because they still have the normal amount of customers in addition to us, considering that we were in relatively rural areas at times.
Sorry for the misunderstanding although I'm not sure why you thought I was complaining, but whatever. I was pretty tired when I wrote that so I obviously didn't get my point across the way I meant to.
Grocery Store Ambiance......
Again, I fail to see the humor in "confusing" someone who is merely trying to do his or her job.
Grocery Store Ambiance......
While I agree that such questions are mundane at best, the clerks are nonetheless required by management to ask. Maybe I'm getting old, but I fail to see the humor in your responses. Come on, they're just doing their job. Why mess with them?
How much tip do u give?
Are you asking me? If so, I have no clue what the minimum wage is for different states, and I don't care.
I also don't differentiate from casual places as opposed to those who are higher end as the work, as far as I'm concerned, is the same. I would tip extra if I'm there longer than is the norm because I'm taking up a table that prevents turn over.
