purple bot's Profile
Have you ever given yourself food poisoning?
Exactly my point, sunshine! But people (ones that I know, at least) are always quick to point a finger at a restaurant if they ate at one. If they ate at home or at a friend's, well, food poisoning just doesn't occur to them.
Have you ever given yourself food poisoning?
I find it hilarious (not really) that people are so quick to accuse a restaurant of poisoning them at the slightest rumbling of the tummy, but if they haven't eaten out at all? Just a case of a stomach bug. Or something. No one ever thinks they make themselves sick by mishandling food. (obviously, some of you here are owning up to it, but I'm speaking very generally)
Where can I find crumpets?
I've seen them at Whole Foods as well. Dedham and Brookline for sure.
Need North End Restaurant for visiting parents and awful toddler
Just out of curiosity, Richard, what do you think the staff should've done? I always wonder what I would do in their shoes. I mean, you want customers to feel welcome, but how to do so in this case without alienating someone (whether it be the folks with the baby, or other diners)? Perhaps that's a question for another thread...
Let’s make a list of obnoxiously loud restos
Agree with someone above about Bukowski's in Inman. I'd add to that Anchovies (late night, at least) and Lone Star Taco Bar. We were all yelling at each other across the table "what?! Conversation was difficult to impossible.
Any word on Grass Fed in JP?
As odd as this sounds, I believe they are not doing take out. Can anyone confirm this?
When did fake crab meat become so ubiquitous? And why isn't anyone else complaining?
nhazen, you realize this thread is from 2007, right? Anyway, it's an interesting read. I was always impressed with the words of gone but not forgotten Sam Fujisaka.
Guys Weekend
How about Eastern Standard? Citizen and Island Creek are also great recs, as others have said.
Should I give the Painted Burro a second chance?
I agree with everything Unfoodie said...
Lobster Rolls and Chowder near Fenway Park
No patio, unfortunately. And it's pretty small, so factor in some extra time in case they have a wait. Definitely worth it, though.
Lobster Rolls and Chowder near Fenway Park
I second LL on Neptune for fried clams. Consistently great. Delicious home made tarter sauce as well.
do you ever judge a restaurant by the cleanliness of the bathrooms??
Also no.
One has nothing to do with the other (assuming you mean that if the bathroom is dirty the kitchen must be, too)
mandatory tipping for larger groups [moved from Phoenix board]
Exactly. But these days they're more likely to get caught than not.
mandatory tipping for larger groups [moved from Phoenix board]
Then you speak to the manager, tell them the service was not up to par and why. I'd be shocked if they didn't remove the tip at that point.
mandatory tipping for larger groups [moved from Phoenix board]
Really, you've never heard of a restaurant where servers keep all of their gratuities? I have. I'm also surprised to hear that some places tip out the kitchen, since it's illegal (most places) to tip out people not on the floor serving customers. But I think the point of that earlier comment is that the tips are not for the management to take. Sure, bussers and bartenders get tipped out, but certainly not management.
Etiquette Questions [Do you report sickness from bad food] Moved from Minneapolis-St. Paul Board
I agree with what RnR1 said. Particularly since many types of food-related sicknesses take longer to come on than a few hours. Plus, that nasty noro-virus has been going around for the past few months.
mandatory tipping for larger groups [moved from Phoenix board]
Let's give the restaurant the benefit of the doubt huh? It's highly unlikely they're trying to trick people into not noticing. Oh, those evil restaurants out to get you again! Six people being considered a large party is hardly new. And as far as that being a large party, well, I suppose it depends on the size of the restaurant, don't you think? in a 200- seat place, maybe not. But in a 30 seat restaurant, I'd say calling a party of 6 large is fair. Oh, and by the way, it's illegal (most places, if not everywhere) for management to take any part of tips. Why would you think the server wasn't getting the tips, because the decision doesn't come from the waiters? They do that because they're looking out for their staff.
mandatory tipping for larger groups [moved from Phoenix board]
Like I said, it's quite common and has been for as long as I can remember. Not saying it's right or wrong. You're certainly entitled to your opinion. By the way, it's not up to the waiters. They don't make the rules.
mandatory tipping for larger groups [moved from Phoenix board]
This is very common, as larger groups tend to be more work (yes, even 4 adults and 2 children), although they should definitely say so on the menu. If you had truly bad service I'm sure they would gladly remove it if you asked.
Left noodles boxed up on the kitchen counter all night. Is it okay to eat?
I'm aware that sushi rice isn't in chinese restaurants, just giving an example of how some cuisines get away with leaving rice out all day without growing toxins. I maintain that it's not safe to leave rice sitting around all day at room temperature. Eat whatever you like, that doesn't mean it's a good idea. If you haven't gotten sick, consider yourself lucky. See susans post above for more info....
Left noodles boxed up on the kitchen counter all night. Is it okay to eat?
That's just gross. Sushi rice has vinegar added to it to prohibit bacteria growth, but rice just sitting around all day? You couldn't pay me to eat that, and I'm pretty sure any health department in the country would frown on that, to say the least.
Left noodles boxed up on the kitchen counter all night. Is it okay to eat?
I wouldn't eat (any more of) it. Bacteria love to grow in relatively warm, wet areas. Why take a chance?
Please help - Just read negative review on Scampo. Should I still go on Saturday night or should I go to Sorrelina?
I've been to Scampo and Sorellina a few times each, and have enjoyed both. I say stick with Scampo. I find it a tiny bit more relaxed, and have always enjoyed the food very much. Don't panic based on a valentines day review. As far as the tv goes, I have to admit I've never noticed it. I assume it's in the bar area. For the record, Sorellina has a tv too, but a small one.
Did you grow up eating homemade Boston Baked Beans? [moved from Boston]
Nope, sorry to say. Nor did anyone else in my neighborhood. I suppose some people, somewhere, did, but I tend to think the Boston Baked Bean thing is more of a myth, or a stereotype of Boston. Sounds like it will be a great article though, where will it be published?
Lots of opinions, but what's the LAW???
Okay, I pretty much give up on this, but here goes. I asked my accountant (who has many restaurants as clients) about this. Most places now pay credit card tips to servers through their paychecks, so that's how they are reported. Even if they pay them in cash, they could always just keep an excel spreadsheet, aside from their books. Tips do not figure one way or another into the profit and loss of a restaurant, no matter what form they take. If they do enter them into their books, it's as a pass-through (having no effect one way or another - money in, money out). A gift card is not worth $100 (or whatever), it is worth $100 worth of product. Not cash. If you have a gift card to Home Depot, and you don't spend all of it, do you expect them to give you cash back? You know they won't. So why would you expect a restaurant to?
Let me ask you this... if it's really no big deal, as everyone here seems to think, they why do restaurants have a problem with it? Because they're mean? Greedy? Really, folks? That's all from me, you all can believe whatever you like.... =)
Sunday brunch ideas???
Yeah, definitely call. Many places that use open table don't allow such large parties to be booked online, they want to talk to you in person.
Lots of opinions, but what's the LAW???
Playing devil's advocate here...Yes tipping is (should be!) part of the experience, but not one in which the restaurant management is involved. It doesn't matter what you're going to do with the cash. Should it be okay if you're going to give the cash to charity, too?
Lots of opinions, but what's the LAW???
Tips are not entered as revenue. They don't enter into the restaurant's bookkeeping at all, from what I understand.
