The idea of cracking pepper at the table or adding last minute fresh herb is to preserve the aroma of these herbs and pepper instead of it being heated or steamed by the food on the way to your table from the kitchen.

I get the idea of that, but surely people still need to taste the food first to see if it is needed? Plenty of chefs do use pepper to season e.g. sauces while they are being cooked, so whilst the taste may vary slightly, the dish may not need additional pepper.

Overall, I think I would rather a small pepper grinder was available on the table (not pre-ground pepper) and then there isn't any awkwardness!

That is one of the reason why we leave a small pepper mill, little ramekin(s) of herbs and if needed small cheese grater. Customers love this policy. It let them add these as needed (half way through the plate) and full control of how much is added and when.

Useless without a link, or a name of restaurant and city!

Fingers crossed for Toronto ;)

Most restaurants in North America don't seem to be able to do tea properly. Often they seem to put hot water in a stone cold mug and then drop a tea bag in it. By the time the tea has steeped the water is now cold.

Proper tea shold be made in a warmed teapot with boiling water, so it stays hot while the leaves are steeping. Decent tea leaves would be nice too, a crappy tea bag will make crappy tea no matter what.

Most places in the UK seem to be able to make good tea, but it's hopeless in the USA.

You should read How's Your Drink?: Cocktails, Culture, and the Art of Drinking Well by Eric Felten. He's a WSJ columnist who, like many newspapermen, likes the sauce. The book is a really entertaining (and suitably snooty) history of the cocktail, with lots of recipes.


I never feel cheap about it. Usually at a restaurant that asks, I'm going to be spending plenty anyway. But sometimes I do want fizzy water, in which case I'm happy they ask.

I find it amusing... no, actually, more like annoying when your server greets the table with "Have you all eaten here before?" As if the restaurant has such an original menu or operating scheme that we're going to be struck dumb with awe and require a crash-course in how to conduct ourselves in public.

Most restaurants in the UK don't seem to be able to do coffee properly. Often they seem to put hot water in a stone cold mug and then drop in freeze-dried instant coffee. By the time the coffee has dissolved, it is still horrible.

Proper coffee should be made with a clean filter, clean water, and fresh ground roast beans, so it is drinkable. Decent beans would be nice too, a crappy bean will make crappy coffee no matter what.

Most places in the US seem to be able to make good coffee, but it's hopeless in the UK.

I never drink coffee in UK nor tea in US. When in Rome? Drink like the Romans!

You didn't visit the Italian coffee places that seem to be on every second corner in London? I got excellent coffee the UK.

However, this isn't a "US vs UK" thread, it's a restaurant peeve thread. If you're going to put something on the menu, know how to prepare it and use quality ingredients. Surely that's not too much to ask for?

I had excellent tea in Rome! All over Italy actually, it surprised me.

cin cin

Funny, most places in the US seem to be selling hot brown water instead of coffee. Coffee should have a strong aroma and flavor - otherwise, it's just brown water.

Like my dad used to say, "I like my coffee like I like my women: strong and black." :D

The only thing remotely coffee I'll take is a Mocha Frappe with a coffee base.. and maybe coffee flavoured ice cream..

Tea in N. America would be ok if they put the tea bag in the pot before they add the hot water - I don't like how the teapot arrives, with the teabag wrapped on the side! You then have to do all kinds of fangled dunking!

I can honestly say I have never been served instant coffee in a restaurant in the UK. More often than not there is an espresso machine, which makes far nicer coffee than the drip coffee you seem to get in so many US restaurants.

In Rome I had excellent tea - in Babbingtons! Utter tourist trap, but delicious tea and yummy snacks! Needed before hiking up the steps! I also had excellent coffee in Rome! Rome wins on hot drinks!

That's an odd modern restaurant pet peeve...

Well, if you consider that one of the best foods he ever ate, was "not bad," it begins to make sense! ;)

[QUOTE=.josh.;16811203
Also when they take your plate away before you're finished your food, or before your company has finished eating (because it then makes them feel like they have to rush).[/QUOTE]

taking away plates while someone is still eating at the table is my biggest pet peeve ever - talk about rude!!! :mad: and i never know what to say.....

Folks, I can sort out a good cup of coffee anywhere; I thought my facetiousness (regarding the blanket tea-in-the-U.S. pronouncement) would be noted (but not even when someone juxtaposed the posts!):confused:

I never drink coffee in the US either - that drip muck is undrinkable.

Servers that don't check on your food within a few minutes (less than 4, more than 1) of being set down. Particularly at steak houses. If I ask for medium rare, and it comes out medium well, I want to get it rectified as soon as possible.

Restaurants that charge $10 a glass for wine I can by at the store for $12 a bottle.

Staff that comes in smelling smokey after a cigarette break.

Restaurants that don't have a decent table suitable for a single guest. Often times there are only four tops, and you are made to look like a problem if you are dining as a single.

Restaurants that have little or no tables, only booths. I hate booths. Whatever happened to sitting at tables?

I suspect booths are for people with large derriere's. There are more around these days...

Lol!..

I don't like coffee, and I just don't like waiters dropping off a huge cannister and leaving 4 coffee cups when my family doesn't consume coffee. I end up asking waiters to clear the table.. and the pot is just something hot my one year old can burn his fingers with..

Doesn't make it right. Hearing it used like that always makes me cringe.

Servers that get my order wrong, then argue with me claiming I told them I wanted what they brought me. Even if they're sure I did this, it's bad customer service to say "no sir, you DID order pork not prawns". Obviously as I'm sending the dish back to get what I consider the correct protein, you being "right" won't help either of us.

I LOVE booths (and I have a small derriere :D ) They're more private and cozy, and you have room to put your stuff (sweater, camera, guidebooks...)

A traditional 'table' is the last type of seating I want for dining. I realize it is the only option in many restaurants and is the norm for 'fine dining', but given a choice I'll take a bar or booth every time. Small pub type tables with stools are OK.

I take that back. Sitting on the floor Korean style is worse than tables.

I prefer to dine in booths.. but lately restaurants have been refusing to let us have a high chair at the end of the table at a booth..

They cited fire regulations and the ability to get out of the booth with the high chair sitting there..

In order of preference, booth, regular table, high table (don't like my legs dangling!) then bar itself.

high noise levels(the wash post now lists noise levels) and loose kids.

Interesting thread!

I can add in a few things having worked at a restaurant/chain brewery for several years:

The frigid temp and the loud noise (and high ceilings that echo) are quite deliberate. They are meant to get you in and out ASAP so the table can be turned over.

Groups are seated near each other (even in an empty resturant) probably because there is only one server on, and that is their section. I've seen fist fights break out in the back over poaching tables in another's section.

I have to agree with the OP about brunch. It doesn't have to be a buffet, but serving your lunch menu and 9:30-10:00 A.M. is not brunch.

I prefer booths as well but, frankly, is the US, a large portion (:rolleyes:) of patrons can no longer fit in a booth.

Hot tea in the US does suck, but it just isn't that popular.

Stools I can't stand.. and I'm 6'5"..

Preference in order.. booth, regular table, high table as well..

My preference, in order: booth, bar, high table, regular table.

Unruly kids, screaming babies, tables so close to eachother you can bump elbows with your table neighbor.

What's with the MacDonald sized booths with some of these family restaurants?

I mean, the table is pretty much right up against the chest..

Restaurant Pet Peeves - What Are Yours?
 

We are starting to put together the Flyertalk/Frequent Business Traveler Restaurant Pet Peeves Poll and would like to know what really bugs you about what restaurants do.

The Restaurant Pet Peeves Poll is meant to cover restaurants serving lunch and dinner with table service.

It is being modeled along the lines of our Hotel Pet Peeves poll, which over 750 people participated in.

A few of my restaurant pet peeves are 1.) filling the wine glass to the top, 2.) overly friendly introduction by waiter (nothing against being friendly but ...), and 3.) greatly inaccurate guesstimates on wait time (and not in my favor).

This is not about the food but it could be about a recovery in the event of a problem with a meal.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Why does a waiter ask me if I am finished if I have an empty plate in front of me?

High end steak houses that overcook my steak. They always offer to make make another one, but then I'd start eating 15 minutes after everyone else at the table. Just take it off the bill (or at least offer).

ETA: I guess that doesn't really fit what you are looking for...but it's still my pet peeve.

Places that bring out the entree before the app! SO ANNOYING!

I want them to ask that question.

That's the time of the meal when I'll be stealing from my SO's plate, which she generally will not finish.

So yeah, I like to be asked if I am finished eating. ^