A friend of mine recently spent an obscene amount of money on a restaurant meal and wasn't happy with the service (which really was quite dismal). Having complained to the manager he was given a complimentary bottle of wine on the house. What annoys you the most when dining in restaurants? I've yet to experience a restaurant from hell, but for me, it's probably ordering a simple dish and waiting yonks for it to arrive. Or when it does arrive it, it contains something I specifically requested not to have in it. Or how about when the bill arrives and they've added a service charge of 12.5% and still leave a space for gratuities. I do have respect for the waiters who treat diners well but not for the complacent. In my books it's the difference between having a good meal out and one that is best forgotten.

I will tip graciously when the service is exemplary. To me the word "tip" is an acronym for "to ensure promptness"...if the service is not prompt, then I have no qualms in not leaving a tip at all. I will try to assess the situation and determine if the bad service is due to conditions beyond the control of the server. i.e kitchen, not enough servers, etc (in these cases I may leave a reduced tip and explain the reason) otherwise, if the server is just bad, then no tip.

If the "service charge" is added to the bill and it is not expalined that such will be added for a bill with a specific number of people (i,e, 6 or more people, 15% service charge added) - then no additional tip is left.

I used to be a private investigator and I was in another city on a surveillance. After sitting in my car for 12 hours or so, I was famished and wilted. I went to a favorite restaurant that I tried to frequent every time I found myself in that city. To be honest, I probably didn't look the part to eat in this place after spending all day and half the night sitting behind the steering wheel with a camera in my hands. Anyway, the waiter took one look at me and that was the end of service for me that night. This particular restaurant was known for their croissants. Every table around me got hot croissants; I got squat. My wine glass stayed empty for most of the meal. The waiter would walk right by me and I'd call his name; he'd just ignore me. Those are just the high points. The whole evening was a disaster. I tipped nothing. First and last time I have ever done that. I also had a conversaiton with the manager before I left. He gave me some gift certs to use on my next trip, but, how useful is that when it isn't your city?

My most annoying pet peeve?
I love my steak. If I ask for it medium rare, I'd like it medium rare... not rare, and especially not medium.
Recently, was at a restaurant in Lompoc, CA with some customers. One of my co-workers received her steak faaaaar past her requested medium rare. We were with customers so didn't want to make a big deal of it, but at least did notify the waiter. He simply apologized... nothing else. No "Would you like another?" So we discreetly queried him again later and we said he'd talk to the owner. Waiter comes back... "We can comp you your glass of wine."

Real nice. Reminds me... I have a letter to write.

Reminds me of a visit to a "family steakhouse" which is now closed as far as I know. I received a steak that was well past well done on one end and barely medium rare on the other (ordered medium well). When I spoke to the waiter, the response was something close to "I dunno what we can do 'bout it. We'd have to cook you 'nother one." DOH!!!!

I can't really stand when they make you wait forever to give an order. I understand people like to linger over drinks but to just disapear after drinks are served is annoying.

My worst experience has to be at the Hard Rock Cafe in London. Every year, on June 14th, HRC celebrates its birthday and menu prices are the same as in 1971 when it first opened. Normally you have to wait over 3 hours in the line just to get in and then probably another half an hour for a table. But that's not what I'm complaining about. Because June 14th is like a madhouse in there, service can be be really rushed and not up to the usual HRC standards - you know, cheesy smile on arrival, chit-chat with your server - forget it! So anyway, we ordered hamburgers and when they arrived they were literally pink all through (these are quite thick burgers) so I asked the guy to send it back for one that's actually cooked. No can do he said. That was the last time I ever visited HRC.