Originally Posted by
dlflyer2
To add to this thread, how long will you wait to be acknowledged whether seated by host/hostess or self seated?
For me, I start getting antsy after about 10 minutes. My feeling being that it takes only a second to acknowledge someone's presence and /or deliver a glass of water(water dependent on local customs). Much more than 10 minutes for acknowledgment means that the experience will generally go down hill from there.
Ten minutes is about the max also for me.If the waiter does not come by with in that time to greet us it is not going to be a good dining experience-i have been known to walk out if not acknowladged within 10-15 minutes.
As to food getting to the table.a starter=10-20 minutes.Main course better appear within 15 minutes or less after finishing the starter,which would be about 30-45 mins after ordering..If food takes longer than that it means the restaurant kitchen is understaffed(cheap owner=also a stupid oe since turnover is the life blood for survival in the restaurant business)or the food is sitting under a heat lamp waiting to be picked up by the waiter.
Of course this is for a general restaurant.I make exceptions for both the low end(mom and pop)and the high end-where the food should get a little more attention than in the everyday places.