Having grown up in the South, I don't mind this so much, especially in a diner or cafe. In a high end restaurant, i agree with you.



[/QUOTE] Don't clear plates or ask about dessert until everyone is finished with their entrees. Don't bring the entrees until the appetizer is finished or you've asked if we're finished. [/QUOTE]

100% agree. It's what distinguishes dining in a restaurant from just eating in a restaurant. It's proper dining etiquette.

I had a situation last year with a group of 8 of us. Admittedly, I am a slow eater. Waitress and assistant manager cleared EVERYTHING off of the table while I was still working on my entree. When I say everything was cleared off the table, I mean everything, except for my plate. Salt & pepper shakers, drink glasses, etc. were gone. Talk about uncomfortable! I didn't make a big scene. While the rest of my group was chatting, I quietly got up, went over to the front desk and asked for the manager. I explained to him what had happened and he understood immediately. He even related a story about dining with his aunt in a high end restaurant while he was very young and a similar situation occurred. His aunt sternly corrected the errant waiter. We laughed about it. Maybe, it's more of a Southern thing or New Orleans thing or a European thing, but I was taught this from an early age.

After talking with the manager, I saw him talking with the waitress and assistant manager, both of whom promptly came over to our table and apologized profusely. The manager then came over to the table with champagne flutes and a bottle of Alsatian Cremant, followed by our choice of dessert for everyone at the table. Plus, my entree was comped. We left a 20% tip. As we left, the assistant manager followed us out and, again, apologized profusely. Our group has subsequently returned to this restaurant and dishes have not been cleared until everyone has finished that course.