Restaurant Disasters

Some time ago my husband, my mother-in-law and I visited an international restaurant in the town where my mother-in-law lives. In the restaurant there were a buffet and there were a la carte dishes. We order 3 a la carte dishes and waiter tried to talk us into choosing the buffet instead. We insisted on a la carte dishes and waiter clearly showed us that he wasn't happy about choice, but he reluctantly agreed to let our order those a la carte dishes. The food was not very delicious, but we finished our meal and asked for the bill. We paid in cash and the waiter tried to scam us by keeping some of our money. We had a long argument with him because he wouldn't give us the last money back, but eventually we got the money. We never went back to that place!

Wow, what a mess. I wouldn't call my last experience a disaster per say but my husband and I had to walk out of a place several weeks ago. We were seated and ordered our drinks. The drinks came and we were enjoying ourselves when we started to notice the time. We had ordered a long time ago. Meanwhile, other people were coming in the restaurant and they were getting served before we were. This is the part that upset me : Our server made the excuse that they all of a sudden got busy. Well that was all well and good but it was no excuse for being tossed to the back of the line, so to speak. We were running late for an appointment, so we finished our drinks and walked out. The good news is that we later found the same named restaurant with an even better menu than the one we walked out of. The food is just as good and oh, yes, their service has been great both times that we went.

If you want to read complaints about restaurant service,check out the "tripadvisor" website...Some people have different perceptions of how they want meat done in a restaurant..In our place,the chefs use a temperature probe to check the meat's core temperature as it cooks,so when it reaches the temperature for the customer's requested level of "doneness",it's taken off the heat and allowed to "rest" before serving.. I agree with you,though,depending on how you prefer your Meat,it shouldn't be raw inside..(What way do you like yours?) -that's pretty much what a "Blue" steak is..just seared on the outside.. Unfortunately,Popular items can and do run out..it happens.Generally,the staff should be up to date with what's not available so they can inform the customer in time to choose another without having a long wait as well..either too many were ordered,or some ingredient may not have arrived in time for them to make more..Drinks get spilled sometimes too..It happens to experienced staff too,but not as much as as to someone still finding their way around on day 1..

Oh man, that sounds bad! Experiences like that really suck. The worst that has happened to me, is probably a medley of extremely rude wait staff, 2 hour waits, and of course the accidental putting of meat in my vegetarian meal. The last one is probably the one that bothers me the most. It's an honest mistake and I realize that, but it always grosses me out (and makes me ill if I eat it - a psychological AND physical reaction).

I remember I was on an island here in Greece. I should have ordered fish because that's what is fresh in islands and that's what should be enjoyed. I ordered a pork stake and guess what, it smelled like fish. Everybody was having fish so it's only natural that the grill had the smell of fish. They should have cleaned it but they didn't. So, I asked the waiter to take it back. I have to defend the waitress. I have worked as a waiter too and accidents happen. Too many fluids on tables.

Not me, but my friend. She ordered grilled spicy fish and vegetable, the restaurant was so busy on that day. We wait about 30 minutes, and when our order were served, theres no grilled fish but fried fish, my friend complained to the waitres and we still have to wait another 20 minutes for the correct order.

Many years ago, I belonged to Jaycees, a service club. We did different things around the community and one time, one of the other service clubs, I think it was Lions, was having a huge dinner at the local Town Hall for some sort of important occasion. Dignitaries were flying in from all over. My club, were to act as drinks waiters and also to serve the meal. There were several hundred people to serve. I spilled a tray of drinks down one side of the wife of one of the big wigs. OK, I say "tray of", most of the glasses were empty and I managed to catch a couple on the tray so she only wore about 1 1/2 drinks but that was enough. I was incredibly embarrassed but strangely, no-one made a fuss, everyone stayed calm, my friends moved in to clean up and the lady was so poised and sweet. She was one classy lady.

Oh yes, more than 10 years ago. It was a wonderful evening at first where my husband decided to give a treat to my family and my eldest sister's family. My family and I seated at one long table and my eldest sister and her family seated at next long table. The waiter take both sides' orders and went to the kitchen make the order. It was a French fine dining restaurant and it took quite a while for the food to come. Then the food came but all for our table - we all order different items. So we waiting for the next table food to come so that we can eat together. Waited and waited and check with the waiter again. He said coming... oh dear hungry man is angry man. I can see our guests are not very happy because have to wait too long. We asked for water and it seems they refill us with mineral water which is more costly than fruit juices. It seesm the kitchedn missed the next table order and they did not even prepare for the food at all. The waiter went in and they rush out the food for us. Of course they quality was not that good and no one enjoyed the dinner that evening. It spoilt the whole ambience.