so i hate people who try to get things for free, but...

Okay as a server my biggest pet peeve is when people ask to have things comped off of their bill, but if something goes wrong, and they don't act like a jackass about it, I make sure that they get taken care of. Whether I send the manager over to smooth things over, and send them a drink or dessert just so that they don't leave mad.
I won't mention the name of the restaurant because I have had many great meals there, I am hoping that this was an isolated incident. I brought a group of six in for brunch on a sunday morning because it is a relatively new place and not everyone knows how awesome their brunch is yet. This was already a weird morning because I didn't recognize anyone working and didn't see the owner there. I go there a lot and know a couple of the servers, the owner usually sends out dessert just because I am always there. We are just getting coffees served when the server spills hot coffee all over three of us at the table, and I mean all over, my jeans were soaked, my sweater was soaked, my friends winter coat covered in cream. We moved tables and the server seemed embarrassed and no one was going to be rude about it- at this point I am covered in coffee - what could be done. We all joked at the table about the times we spilled on tables and how embarrassing it was and blah blah blah. After we move tables the service from this guy just keeps getting worse. I don't know if he figured he had already lost our tip or what, but when the bill came the coffee was the only thing taken off. I was shocked. I mean did they want me to scream at them about how he burnt my crotch, or how I had to sit through brunch in a white t-shirt with no bra underneath? I didn't really want to get anything for free, but the manager wasn't even sent over to check in. It was all just really weird, and I guess it put me in the angry patrons shoes for the first time in my life.


UPDATE: I found out from a friend that works there that our server was fired that week, nothing to do with out table, so at least I know that I was not overreacting.

making the most out of the recession/ why i love trader joes.

So no one has money right now, which means people aren't going out to eat as much, which means as a server I make less money and therefore go out less. It is a bad cycle considering over the summer I must have gone out to eat at least five times a week, it begs the question "if I'm not going out to eat who is?". Luckily recession brings out the boozers in all of us, so bars and restaurants will survive (and hopefully Oprah won't make anymore comments about tipping 10% either so servers can survive as well).
As much as I love going out every night I have been embracing this economic meltdown to spend some more quality time at Trader Joe's. I am not just saying this because I would love to work there, I would love to work there because everything there makes me happy all over. I was and am still all about Whole Foods for a lot of the same reasons I love Trader Joe's ( focus on local and organic products, socially responsible companies, and they treat their employees extremely well) but man I can no longer afford to step foot in there. Trader Joes has somehow perfected the art of affordable healthy natural food. The pre-made frozen food is really good, and keeps me from ordering take out on a lazy night. The fresh meat and produce selections may be limited, but the frozen selection of both are above average. The frozen New England Bay Scallops are awesome, and I am from Boston!
And the wine...
Don't get me started. The days of "Two Buck Chuck" are far behind me, but there are really drinkable wines starting at $3.99. You wont have to pay over 8 bucks for a bottle of Yellow Tail ever again. I will say of what I have tried I would stick to Italy, Spain, Australia, and South America if you are looking for wine for under $10. As I sit here I am drinking a glass of the "La Boca" Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina. $3.99 and delicious.
It may sound like I am writing an ad for Trader Joe's, but really I just love that place.

foodie does not need to be a pseudonym for douchebag

i know it seems like most "foodies" that you meet are kind of weirdo/nerdy/socially awkward elitists, but there is something to be said for eating really good food. that is what i am here for, to show you that foodie is just the new black.