Yes, creepy. It is creepy for me to eat in a place where I am the only one (or one a few tables) dining.

Decently filled, to me, would be at least 10%.

Size does not matter, although I suppose at a smaller establishment this would be less of an issue, such as in a 10 table restaurant.

This applies at all price levels, in fact, the nicer the place and more expensive, I much prefer there to be other tables occupied. For example, I had lunch at a fairly upscale steakhouse in NYC a couple weeks ago at around 1pm. This is a pretty popular place and there have been times that I cannot get a reservation there for dinner. There were 3 other tables dining and probably 30+ empty. I just don't like the feeling of an empty restaurant.

Time could play into this, if one goes to dinner at 3pm, they should expect an empty restaurant. If one goes to dinner at 7pm or 8pm, this should not be the case.

1. I'm 80% water, and I drink like it. My water glass should never be empty.
2. Meal and drink specials without prices. We all know you're charging for it, so just tell me so no one gets a nasty surprise. (And don't make me ask in front of my wife; she'll think I'm cheap.)
3. Bringing a different vintage bottle than is stated on the wine list, and then not telling me. The '97 was a good deal for $100, but the '99 is NOT.
4. Really shoddy wine-by-the-glass selections. Are you really serving Yellowtail with my $40 steak?

If I feel that we are heading to a table I don't like, I just point to another place that I prefer because of the view out from the window or the absence of large loud groups or whatever, and say with a smile "Could we sit over there, please?". The answer is always "Sure, no problem".

troyb,

ah, 10%, gotcha. thanks for the response.

My pet peeve
 

Places that charge $2.50 for a soft drink where they come around and ask you if you want another soda and you find out later that they charge another $2.50 for each refill.

I had 2 servers last week who committed 3 faux pas that I don't easily forgive.

1. Don't ever interrupt a conversation at the table except to tell me there's a fire in the kitchen and the exit is to my left.

2. Always know what beers are available on tap, what beers are available in bottles and what today's specials are. Be clear and specific if asked to describe a dish.

3. Don't ever take the check after I've placed currency on top of it and ask if I'll be wanting any change. I'll probably change my mind if you do.

I have to echo the one where they don't open new "sections" until they get a critical mass of people. It's not like we're dining in a warehouse....the few extra steps isn't going to kill the waitstaff.

And I have to add another one that is completely unfair on my part. After all, new waiters have to get trained somehow. BUT, it has happened so frequently to me lately -- 2 waiters show up, 1 a trainee, and the real waiter spends more time explaining to the other how things are done, than taking care of us -- that I feel like it's a standard-issue restaurant thing now.

Maybe the training should be mostly reserved for those times when few tables are filled.

Waitstaff that basically ignore a female dining alone. I travel a lot and it happens a lot.

Here's Mine
 

1. Being subjected to having to listen to fairly loud cellphone conversations at the next table. A glare is appropriate. Know this is not the fault of the restaurant, but topic here IS "restaurant pet peeves".

2. One more vote for the "How are YOU GUYS?", especially when it comes from the mouth of a toddler young enough to be my grandchild. As irritating as pulling a popsicle stick across my teeth!

3. Not showing tea/softdrink prices on the menu, and finding them to be almost on par with a mixed drink on your bill. Since when is iced tea worth $2.25, especially when the wife ends up drinking half a glass? :rolleyes:

4. Agree with being adverse to the wait staff rushing to to remove dishes from under my nose. Hey...leaving such on the table doesn't bother me, unless of course I am ordering dessert.

5. Being seated a table that is in very close proximity to the service station area, or the entry to the kitchen...should even have tables placed there. What atmosphere!

6. And my all time favorite...finding multiple mistakes on my bill.

2. Is only acceptable for items at 'market price' and is often worthwhile if the seafood is something interesting;
3. I would not accept a substituted vintage unless it is clearly a superior one to what was on the list;
4. Would indicate the restaurant is not targeting a sophisticated diner.

Has anyone mentioned excessive corkage charges and what has happened at some restaurants in Sydney - the establishment of similar service charges to gouge large parties - excessive 'cakeage' charges per person. :mad:

Clearing the plates when someone else at the table is still eating.

I hate being put right next to other diners when there are plenty of empty tables else where.

The only thing worse is when they do that with the wine or the beer. Annoying and unnecessary.

MisterNice

Highest on my annoying list is the waitperson who REEKS of cigarette smoke as they take your order and re-REEKSs with refreshed cigarette smoke upon each re-visit. Also detest the waitperson who tries to up-sell everything (cocktails, bottled water, special wines, desserts, after dinner drinks etc).

MisterNice

In fairness, we all know that there are upscale restaurants in the U.S. and foreign countries in which the standard of service includes the server topping off the wine glasses.

Likewise, there are places that refold a diner's table napkin when he or she departs from the table for the restroom.

I don't mind if it's all done in a friendly, unobtrusive, and unpretentious way, and, most important, that it's a complement to, rather than a substitute for, great food.

Ironically, in light of others' opinions here, it's annoying to us in any restaurant if the server doesn't refill an empty glass of water - perhaps other are objecting more to those little darts to the table to add a half-inch and I can understand that being fussy. Still, I prefer it over no refills at all.