Disappointing meals out

[EcclesCake]

I am so fed up going out for meals and being disappointed by the service/quality/arrogance!

Today I had a salad Nicoise that has just a few ingredients yet two were missing and the seared tuna was desperately over cooked.

Recently I went to a restaurant and found my bearnaise sauce had been made using parsley not tarragon, when I queried it I was told that's how the chef liked it.

Similarly, a blue cheese sauce had absolutely no flavour of cheese let alone the stilton they claimed it was made from.

A prawn and avocado sandwich was delivered sans avocado. When I asked where it was I was told they didn't have any avocado, so why not come out and tell me that so I could make a decision about having a plain prawn sandwich or something else???

I have reached a point where I really cannot be bothered going out for food unless it's a visit to pizza express or the local indian where I am more interested in someone else doing the cooking than having an 'experience' and I know that I am going to get something that will fill me up and not be a plate of pretentious twaddle that the kitchen cannot deliver!!!

This experience is one I've had all over the country, it's not that I just live in a crap area for food. Why is it that so many places think they can run rough shod over their clientele?

Rant over, and now onto my question.....am I the only one who is frequently disappointed when eating out?

[B00]

lol dunno. I'm just pathetically pleased that im out in public and don't have to cook it that what is served to me, regardless of what it is, is a bonus.

[ummmm]

Depends where you are and how much you're paying.

[237SJ]

I`m fairly happy with it most of the time although I had a terrible fish pie in a coastal town recently that had obviously been frozen (the sauce had separated) It was the type of place that was in such a fantastic setting with great views that people don`t notice the food! My local curry house that I really liked has just been caught employing 6 illegal immigrants so I might have to think twice about going there in future. They obviously don`t worry about the staff doing food hygene courses. There is a restaurant section on Tripadvisor now. You can rant on there.

[Pinkypie]

They all need a bit of Gordon Ramsay if you ask me! Standards need a good kick up the bottom and a bit of swearing helps too!

[China Doll]

I can't think of a time recently when I haven't enjoyed a meal out. I tend to think it's uncommon that I have a bad meal out (and when I don't enjoy it then I don't tip etc).

[ethandron]

we're the same eccles. rarely go out for a meal because i end up huffing and chuffing about how i could have done it for half the price, or less, and done it far better. we have had some nice meals out, partly due to the company and the whole social thing of it, but generally i feel the same as you about the food you get served.
and i agree about going out for an indian or chinese, i wouldn't do either of those at home (i'll make a curry or something but not the whole works) and we both enjoy that type of food and know, locally, where the good ones are.

[ummmm]

When I've not enjoyed a meal it's usually been reflected in the price.

[sherrardk]

We stopped for a meal on the way home from the airport on Monday (as we were all starving and I was craving some cider!). It was really poor. I had a steak that I asked for well-done and it was burnt to buggery, the jacket potato had gone all sort of slimy on the inside, I virtually needed a magnifying galss to find my half grilled tomato and my husband and son's burgers were burnt too. As we had been travelling since 9 that morning I just paid up but I have complained via their website and I am awaiting my reply.

[pusskin]

We never ever feel let down if we eat at weatherspoons. Tasty food and a free drink included

[EcclesCake]

When I go out I moderate my expectations according to where I am eating, i.e. at a roadside caff I won't expect dry cured bacon and free range pork sausages, I do expect it to be hot though.... if having brekkie at The Wolseley I would expect it to be hot, well presented and have good provenance.

I might be a food snob but I do try to be reasonable.....

[sammmo]

I am usually disappointed eating out.. My wife says I never take her out for a meal and I tell her its her own fault, she shouldn't be such a good cook. I always compare my food in a resturant with my wifes home cooking and theres no comparison..The only place I've ever eaten where the food was as good as my wifes was at a hotel close to evesham and its known as "the pudding club" look it up on google..

[andy-hughes]

Do you send inadequate food back?

The British 'disease' is complaining to everyone else when you get home, and never going back - not complaining at the time to the people who can hopefully correct the issues you raise.

If a meal is missing expected ingredients, and they can't offer a suitable alternative, demand a reduction. in law, you can offer, say, a third of the bill, and telll them if they wish to sue you for the remainder, you will see them in court, and offer your name and address. be firm, but polite, and they will back down rather than cause a scene.

But remember, take a leaf out the Americans' book. Why is their customer service so superior to ours? because they will not put up with sub-standard food and service, so eateries have to make sure they provide what they advertise.

Try it - and get back to us.

[DTCwordfan]

I hate to say eccles that classic béarnaise is made with tarragon, not parsley, you are off the mark there.

Sometimes one does have a bad experience and you can demo that through the service tip. One misnomer that folkk have is that you have to pay a surcharge when the restaurant automatically adds it to the bill. You do not.

I agree with your comment about "horses for courses" when it comes to expectations. The nice thing is when you do get really good food and service when you are not expecting it. It has happened a number of times....

[DTCwordfan]

sorry misread your bearnaise comment - funny how the brain takes it in or not.....

[237SJ]

I never send food back. I`d rather just refuse to pay and leave. I`ve had too many conversations with ex-chefs that have told me what they do when someone complains about their food and sends it back.

[EcclesCake]

Woah, DT I thought I was going to have to correct YOU for a minute ;-) I had a very embarassing meal out with a friend recently who didn't leave a tip, his explanation was that 'they only brought us drinks and two plates of food'! I had to point out and they served what we ordered, it was perfectly executed and delivered in a timely fashion; what did he expect - dancing girls???

andy-hughes, I do complain and when necessary/appropriate I will send food back. However sometimes I make do with a bad lot, especially today as I hadn't chosen the venue and wasn't paying. I do negotiate the bill but when you are dining with others sometimes you have to make the most of a bad job to not spoil the evening for the company you are with.

Sammo, I think I've had lunch there, the three something or other???

[heathfield]

Well, you're unlikely to get pretentious twaddle in Pizza Express. Friends went to one locally and each had a glass of wine with their meal. One woman asked the waiter where the wine originated. ''Not sure. But I think it's Spain.'' ''Oh,'' she retorted, ''I thought it might have been Edinburgh Zoo!!'' The waiter answered, ''Huh. If you think that tastes bad, wait till you try the coffee!!''

[EcclesCake]

Heathfield, I am relieved to know that my pizza and peroni approach in PE has been the right decision! I bet the waiter was a weegie trying out his sense of humour on the refined Morningside set ;-)

[sammmo]

Thats it "The three ways house hotel".. Very good food. excellent service. Its the only place In England that I can honestly say, the food great and the only place I'd recommend..And before anyone asks I have only ever eaten there i've no shares or interests in the place other than there food.. I told a lie.... There is another place I'd recommend thats "The Chequers" at Churchill.. Its by Chipping norton in Oxfordshire..