Today I am going to complain about an improving economy.
Yes, I’m finding a dark cloud despite the fact that my condo value may actually one day recover.
As the economy got worse and worse, I noticed a positive. The service at restaurants was improving! Servers were more polished and professional, and they were able to speak intelligently about the menu.
Recently this pleasant restaurant experience has come to a halt. Read more for an (extreme) example and my theory.
An Example:
Kat (my good friend and frequent guest post-er here) and I went to dinner for her birthday at the nicest restaurant in Atlanta, Bacchanalia. If my meal is going to be over $100, it damn well better be flawless.
The bartender was clueless about the wine program. To his credit, he sent another – presumably more knowledgable – employee over to speak with us. That would have been fine is the second guy had been knowledgable.
Server #2 didn’t know several of the bottles I inquired about, and then I had to correct their menu. They had listed an Amarone as being from Barolo. It’s from Valpolicella. I’ve been there. Amarones are my favorite. At first he tried to tell me I was wrong, but he did come back over to admit the mistake. Don’t challenge me on that one.
We ordered cheese; however, it took at least half an hour (and 2 inquiries) for the cart to be brought out. We were waiting to order after our cheese course, but apparently almost missed dinner service… which the bartender acted like it was OUR fault when we would have been ordering much sooner had our cheese come out in a timely manner (we told him when we first sat down we would be having dinner).
When our food began to came out, we were rushed AND I had to send a dish back (over cooked Halibut). They did replace it with a phenomenal snapper dish, and I was already done.
I realize this is a silly rant where there are starving children in Africa. But really. If I’m at a special occasion dinner and paying that much money… I expect the performance to be superior. I’ve had (much cheaper) meals at chain restaurants with better service.
My Theory:
When the downturn occurred, many educated individuals were not able to find jobs in corporate America, and turned to the service industry for employment. Their advanced capacity/skill levels resulted in a higher level of service. Now that companies are beginning to hire again, the service industry is losing that talent.
My Plea:
Restaurants, know the value of having educated, capable staff! Customers appreciate them, and will likely spend more money as a result of having a server with the knowledge and skills to sell. Consider the ROI when you talk salary and benefits with potential hires!
It’s WIAW time! I’m still trying to keep it green with my protein-filled meals.
Check out my 7 green-ish, protein-filled meals below, and then click here to head over to Jenn @ Peas and Crayons to get to see how everyone else is green-ing up their food this month!
Meal 1:
I – as always – enjoyed my morning cocktail (apple cider vinegar, water, Glutamine, and Fitmixer Aminos). I headed to the treadmill for a quick incline walk. It’s a rest day, but I knew I’d be glued to a conference room chair all day so I wanted to get some movement in… and I like to watch GMA.
Post-walk I was starving and VERY glad to have made overnight oats. And coffee. There’s something about drinking out of a “Be the Change” mug first thing in the morning that’s motivating (thank you to The Universe Knows and FitFluential for sending this!).
My “oats” were a bit #strangebutgood. They were TVP overnight oats! The cinnamon and extracts in these make you feel like you’re eating cookie dough! I know some people dislike cold oats – overnight oats are also fantastic warmed in the microwave too. I heated these for 45 seconds before eating.
Greek TVP Overnight Oats
- 1/2 C Greek yogurt
- 1/4 C TVP
- 2 T raw oatmeal
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp almond extract
- 1/4 tsp butter extract
- 1/4 tsp ginger
- 1/8 tsp freshly grate nutmeg
- Stevia (or other sweetener), to taste
- ~1/2 C Liquid of choice (you may need to adjust amount depending to the yogurt thickness)
Mix it all together and allow to soak overnight in the fridge.
In the morning, stir, adjust liquid as needed. Add fruit if desired (I added fresh blood orange and blackberry juice).
Meal 2:
Despite being #strangebutgood, I’m also a creature of habit. I ate salmon and fruit again. It was lemon-dill salmon mixed with blueberries and pepitas… but I forgot to take a pic so you’re getting a recycled one made with grapes… but grapes kind of look like blueberries… 😉
Meal 3:
I have a new favorite veggie creation. BBQ Cauliflower Bites. It was awesome tossed with purple sweet potato! I used my healthy (no sodium or sugar) BBQ sauce and added some nooch to cheese it up.
Tangy and creamy, this sauce was meant to be used for roasted things (in the original I roasted with tempeh)! Recipe is at the end of this post.
For my protein, I enjoyed the Turbot fish I made last night – for that prep check out this FB post. Lauren introduced me to this delicious fish – it’s incredibly light and buttery.
This is also a recycled pic from last night… It’s much prettier than the Tupperware I ate out of today at work.
Meal 4:
I am back on the salt-free deli turkey this week. I love the Plainville brand from Whole Foods. Today I mixed it with red pepper, broccoli, red onion, and a quick nutritional yeast dressing (nooch + apple cider vinegar + cayenne)
Meal 5:
One of my favorite local spots is a order-at-the-counter spot called Metro Fresh. They change their menu daily based on the ingredients they have. Everything is fresh and healthy. Perfect for a non-cheat meal out with a friend! And it’s walkable from my house!
Tonight I ordered the seared salmon and a mixed greens with peaches, blackberries and goat cheese with a whole grain roll.
Unpictured was wine and a cinnamon roll. It was housemade and they gave it to us for free (I should add that the service here was fabulous)… we split it and it was divine. After that extravaganza… there was no room for meals 6 and 7.
BBQ Cauliflower Bites
- 2 T BBQ sauce
- 1 T nutritional yeast
- 1/2 tsp Herbs de Provence
- 1 C cauliflower
Pre-heat oven 400 degrees.
Mix together BBQ sauce, nutritional yeast, and herbs. Toss with cauliflower to coat.
Place on foil-lined pan and bake for 15 mins, tossing once half way through.
Enjoy!
***
The protein count for the day: not sure with the meal out, but I’d say I probably hit 140g of fuel. 🙂
Have you noticed a decline in service at restaurants? Other services?
What is the best thing you’ve eaten this week?
I appreciate your spiel at the start of this post. It’s important that employees are as knowledgable as possible about everything, but these days most people simply aren’t trained properly, like I wasn’t at my previous job. Not good, especially when you’re paying that much for a meal!
Oh man, those BBQ bites are my type of food! They look awesome.
And same with that TVP Overnight oatmeal. I really need to get my hands on some TVP!
I’d love to hear what you think if you try TVP – it’s pretty awesome stuff. 🙂
OOOOOOH I totally would have schooled them on the Amarone too! we share the same favorite wine, my friend – I love Love LOVE Amarone della Valpolicella 😉
I love the bbq cauliflower, and how pretty with the purple potato (another love!)
uh, that makes three of us! and i think we need a lesson from the waiters in Europe, it’s a profession there, and one that is highly educated. Good service is worth $!
I think we need a wine night to discuss this in more detail. 🙂
Ha, I wish you could negative tip. Rob grew up knowing everything and anything about wine (his dad is very knowledgeable and his brother’s best friend was knighted in Bordeaux, so we’ve had bottles worth $10,000+ and bottles served to royalty only!), and one night he was at a supposedly upper class restaurant. The wine was bad and the server disagreed. The sommelier even came out and said Rob was wrong. So Rob said he would pay for him to sit there and drink the entire bottle. The sommelier got one glass in before running to the bathroom and puking! Moral of the story: the customer is always right 😉
Whoa. I bet that’s the last time the sommelier questions a patron!
Geesh! After that horrible dining experience, I do hope they treated you to either dessert, or discounted your bill. What a horrible experience… especially being at such a classy restaurant. Bummer!
The didn’t charge for the seafood dish… not enough, in my opinion.
I couldn’t agree more about customer service at restaurants! Regardless of the food, poor service can really ruin the overall experience..to the point of me questioning how soon I’ll be returning! I definitely would have called upon the management, if anything they could’ve comped one of your dishes- small gestures go a long way!
It was so crazy… like they didn’t care, or wanted it to be MY fault.
Omg, I can’t believe you had such a horrible experience at such an upscale restaurant! I like to think that you “get what you pay for” but unfortunately, I know that’s not always the case! At least the other place made up for it…nothing like free treats to get you to come back! I’ll never forget the time the man-friend went out of NYE and he got a comped STEAK DINNER! He had ordered a drink from the bar and after he was about halfway through, he noticed that the inside of his glass had some sort of residue on it…like it wasn’t properly cleaned. He mentioned it to the waiter, they brought out another drink in no time flat and then when his $40 entree came out, the server announced that it was “on the house”! It wasn’t the best meal I’d ever had, but I would recommend that place to anyone JUST based off the service we got that night…on a holiday even, where you would expect restaurant staff to be so preoccupied that they would let something like that slip!
On another note, you just reminded me that I’ve been meaning to make some BBQ cauliflower! 😀
Whoa – that’s so awesome they did all that!! This is how restaurants SHOULD act.
I definitely agree that if you go out for an expensive meal you want the service to be impeccable..to be honest though if you come to most restaurants in England the service is nothing compared to that you receive in the U.S; quite often over here service staff can be extremely rude..however there are quite a few gems where you know that the service is always going to be good.
All your eats look really yummy again; I still really need to try your salmon + fruit combo & cauliflower with BBQ sauce sounds like a winner!
Europe is hit or miss, I find. I’ve had amazing service and then been totally ignored. And I NEVER know how to tip. LOL!
Mmmmm I WOULD LOVE these little cauliflower bites 🙂 And those grapes totally look like blueberries hahahaha!!!!!! Fooled me 😉 Your overnight oats are so pretty! I’m never totally in love with the ones I make, but I have a little Greek yog left in my container, so I was thinking of giving them another whirl.
I would have been SO MAD if my cheese took that long to come to me!!!!!!!!!!! I hate waiting that long at restaurants! Seriously!? AN HOUR!? My goodness!
Best thing I ate recently? Dinner last night was good – taco bowls that I made for my bf and I here at home 🙂 The sweet potato I had on the side was also amazing – so sweet! 😀
I would love to try that fish!!!!!!! I’ve never had it before, but I LOVE buttery fish! Like black cod 😉
LOVE U
Tubot took me FOREVER to find, but if you do see it BUY it. I know you’d love it! 🙂
I’m still trying to find the TVP, may have to break down and order it on line. The company I used to buy from doesn’t seem to be around anymore. It sounds such a good idea to add it to the overnight oats. By the way, I tried to like the OO cold, and I could eat them that way in a pinch, but I much prefer them warmed in the micro. Have a great day, Laura!
I order so much online now… at first I resisted, but it’s just easier and often CHEAPER! 🙂
That reminds me of an experience I had at 5 Napkin Burger like a year or two ago. (Which has obviously declined so much that it’s not there anymore.) I ordered a Sweetwater Sch’wheat and what they brought out was obviously not a wheat beer. Everyone thought it was 420. The server kept saying, “It’s Sweetwater!” and we were like, “it’s a different one.” and she and the bartender kept insisting it was not. Finally, the beverage manager came out and agreed that it was not Sch’wheat and the server and the bartender were like, “Well, we’re from New York, we don’t know Atlanta beers.”
I remember that story! SO glad that place didn’t last long.
I’m sorry you had such a lousy dinner…but I think you’re definitely onto something with your theory about the economy. I know a lot of people who graduate with BAs and end up working in the service industries because there’s nothing else out there for them. A lot of the time, they haven’t worked in it before and they’re not properly trained. Definitely unfortunate, because if I was paying that much for a meal I’d be expecting the best service possible!
Exactly! You’d think a high-end place would continue to seek top-talent.
That’s pretty sad that your service was so bad. I have to say too that I don’t think the service industry understands that you pay for what you get. Sadly, I’ve seen many restaurants go under for this very reason. The food may be amazing, but if the service is horrible…it’s not worth the trip in my opinion.
Yep! And in this case there were problems with the food too!
why caint I find the link for the BBQ cauliflower bites?
((sad face))
A link? There’s a link to the sauce in the recipe at the bottom. Is that what you mean? I just checked and it’s working for me. Let me know!
I’ve noticed this as well, but I am also very surprised and delighted when I get a talented waiter. How do you feel about tipping? I tip at least 15% for even the worst waiter. I don’t know if that is wrong or not. I tip over 20% for superb service. Your food is so extremely colorful and delicious looking!
I’m the same… it actually takes a lot for me to leave less than 20%… I wish I was meaner!
Ok, need those cauliflower bites. Yummy. As for the service…I guess I haven’t paid a lot of attention. I never think there are many restaurants around here with superb service as it is. It’s sad when the local pub has better service than a fine dining establishment, but that’s how it seems to be.
I don’t eat out much & when I do it is cheap so…. can’t help you there! 😉
Always love your recipes & fun additions & things you find.. I need a cook! 🙂
Those cauliflower bites look delish! Do you have to use the TVP in the overnight oats recipe?
Regular oats work too! I usually do a combo so I can eat more food without having a billion carbs.
You’re such an MBA with all that ROI talk – I love it! Haha!
And I’m totally borrowing that cauliflower recipe – love me some roasted cauliflower!
LOL! I can’t help myself… 😉
I’m noticing poorer service across the board as well, and this is coming from someone who worked in restaurants for years and really sympathizes with the huge amount of stress servers are under. I’m always trying to see the good in the service I receive, but sometimes there’s just none to be found. I’m thinking now about all the restaurants Jeff and I frequent and a unifying theme in them is definitely stellar service, regardless of how classy or casual the restaurant is.
I feel the same… guess it’s time to go back to some stand-bys.
Ugh, what a frustrating experience! Your theory makes a lot of sense to me… I hope some restaurant owners (or hiring managers) find this post! What a great idea to do bbq bites with your cauliflower… it’s one of my least favorite vegetables plain. Roasting usually does the trick, but this sounds yummy, too!
Let me know if you try it! I bet L would love them. 🙂
I’m horrified that Bacchanalia didn’t just knock you off your feet!!! They’re supposed to be the #1 best, most incredible, dining experience in Atlanta and yet they were making rookie/easily fixable mistakes. If I were in your position, I’d be feeling the exact same way and good for you for not accepting anything less than what you expect!
I have been once before and had an excellent experience. Their Exec Chef recently left… wonder if that shuffle was the cause?
Meal 4 and 5 look great! I don’t eat out often so I havent noticed the service. I do think its funny how my stepdad, from England, will only tip if its good service. In England servers are paid a decent wage and tips are for good service, as they should be. I don’t think servers should be tipped well for poor service, I do a good job at my job and no one tips me.
Great point – I’m putting a tip jar on my desk today! 😉
What a terrible experience!!! I can’t stand that at upscale restaurants. I don’t mind paying extra for good food AND good service, but take one of those away and it’s a bum deal.
I’m going to have to try that cauliflower! Sounds/looks delish!!!
My point exactly! I’ll pay for excellence… but it better be exellent all around.
I’ve always gotten terrible service at restaurants! My mom considers it the curse of going out to eat with me. It’s funny…except it’s not! I feel doomed. And it’s not like I’m hounding the wait staff, I just want my glass refilled and no hair in my salad…
But seriously, when I pay more for a meal, I get WAY on edge with bad service!
Note to self: don’t eat with Melissa. 😉
Don’t restaurants KNOW you have a blog, I meannn shouldn’t that be motivation to roll out the red carpet and get a serving with a SMILE? Gee wizzz….sorry to hear you didn’t have great service. Here in NZ they don’t tip soooo some of the service def reflects that…no one’s workin to go the extra mile cause they get paid what they paid flat out. Over Easter weekend there was a place charging an extra 20% for the holiday….you better believe that “was the best meal I’ve had out all year”
Love your cauliflower idea, you can really do anything with that veg – so good.
Hahahaha – in my dreams!
Service is SUCH an important part of dinner, especially at a high-end restaurant. I hope you talked to the manager, because that is just unacceptable! I have still been happy with the service we’ve had recently – the servers in Vail were all great thankfully.
Best thing this week – my avocado pasta paired with a kale salad for dinner on Monday night!
OMFG HYSTERICAL! I MUST try that tip trick!!!! I wonder what would happen, I mean, you just get up and leave after you sign the bill so…. Maybe they’d call you? But there is no number – OMG this is SOOOO genius! LOL!!!!!
And uh, I want to go to METROFISH with you, UH YUM!!! Clearly you know I am a hoover(after watching my video, lol)… So METROFISH would have to WATCH OUT!
LMFAO!!!! MetroFish… Totally Metro FRESH – Clearly FISH is on the brain right now!
ooooooooweeee that nooch dressing sounds delicious! I may need to whip some up!
I’m irked you had to wait 30 minutes for a cheese platter. They took the joy out of cheese and that simply is not acceptable. By the way, your pictures really are getting better. Whatever you’re doing, keep doing it.
Seriously. Taking the joy out of cheese is WRONG.
Thank you!!! I’ve become a PicMonkey junkie. 😉
The food you eat is just so amazing!
Love that TVP bowl!
best thing eaten this week was yummy buffalo burger that I enjoyed tonight and a cookie for dessert 😉
Cookies always win! 🙂
My co-worker just went to Bachanalia for her bday dinner this week and came back saying the same thing you did. She said the service was terrible and her waiter didn’t seem to know what he was talking about. Such a bummer…
Your bbq cauliflower bites look great! I still need to make those. I keep using the cauliflower I buy for other things…whoops.
I’m sorry for your co-worker, but glad it wasn’t just me. It’s really a shame…. they used to be so good!
I can’t believe how late I am up but finally read this! A-Great pics. B- you are right, but I still had an amazing time at dinner. the company was impeccable. 🙂
I love that you set them straight on what region Amarone is from!! Yes, there really is nothing worse that horrible service, especially if it’s a high-end restaurant. Love your eats. They always look amazing. And I would never have thought to pair salmon and blueberries! Must try.
You know it! If it was from anther area I probably wouldn’t have caught it, but don’t mess with me and Italy! 😉
I think that there’s still some places that will hire anybody just to get by. And there’s also the weirdness of poor management that happens at even the greatest restaurants. We have an excellent coffee shop in town with the best lattés I’ve ever had, but I refuse to go because I never get served. I once sat for an extra 45 minutes after my lunch was eaten before flagging down the hostess (and it wasn’t busy!) to get my check, to which she responded that I’d have to wait for the waitress, who was nowhere to be found. Not very helpful. Come to find out that the staff is constantly turning over because the owner is a skeez.
That sucks! I hate when you find something good and then its ruined by the service.
I agree, at a top-notch restaurant the service should be just that, but I don’t know that economy up-turn is too blame. Before the economy took a fall the restaurant industry was good. I think there are many factors that could play into this: servers calling out sick, having a bad day, being new, etc… None of these are acceptable, but I think you should’ve talked to the manager and explained your experience. Most will be reasonable and comp you or give you another meal, which could be worth it.
I think it does have some impact, but I should have said it’s not a rule. And of course it doesn’t apply to career servers. One of my favorite places in ATL is a career gal and I will forever be loyal to her place. A manager did come out and as I said the seafood dish was comped. It just didn’t feel like enough to make up for the whole experience. I’m not even talking something being comped, but maybe an apology for the sub-par performacne all around.
It’s definitely an interesting theory but most high end restaurants typically hire only the best and most seasoned servers in the business (this is their professional job), not a corporate worker that is temporarily out of a job due to the economic downturn. Maybe it was just an off night with the servers and kitchen or because of the changes at the restaurant recently (let’s hope), but I would be disappointed too after spending so much money. By the way, love your blog. I’ve followed you on twitter but had never clicked over to the blog. Good stuff.
That is a good point. I was just in shock that 3 different people at a restaurant of this caliber didn’t meet expectations. I think my theory has some validity but I should have clarified that career industry people are- of course – an exception.
Thank you for checking out the blog! Perhaps we can share a meal sometime? 🙂
Love your snazzy MBA terms my friend. ROI hehe I know what that means!! (And the value of it…) Sorry to hear your experience was bad! 🙁 🙁 As always, your eats look delicious and I can’t wait to try those cauliflower bites! Best thing I’ve eaten this week was a So Delicious Coconut Milk ice cream sandwich. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
LOL! We need to get together and talk conomic theory. Or just eat fro-yo. 😉
Interesting theory…and probably VERY true. I wish we could negatively tip,but my conscience would NEVER let me. I try–TRY–to believe the server is just having ‘a day.’
AS always, I love your meals. I want to be as quick-thinking and creative as you are! I can barely put together ONE meal…much less 7.
You are the best. I needed to hear this today. 🙂