Discussion
If you get served a fillet steak in a restaurant that you've paid £30+ and it's rather chewy, are you "within your rights" to send it back? I've had such a steak but laboured my way through it, but chatting to a mate he had tried to send one back and they said it's just how some of them come, which he accepted and struggled through. Should we be more insistent in these cases?
I'd send it back. If "that's just how they come" then I'd send it back and order something else.
The exception to this would be if it was going to make anyone else I was eating with feel awkward. I don't want anyone else's dinner going cold while they wait for mine to arrive, or feeling that I am watching them while they are the only one eating. With family or a decent sized group it would be unlikely to be a problem though.
The exception to this would be if it was going to make anyone else I was eating with feel awkward. I don't want anyone else's dinner going cold while they wait for mine to arrive, or feeling that I am watching them while they are the only one eating. With family or a decent sized group it would be unlikely to be a problem though.
Depends on occasion for me. I was on a second date the other week; she ordered fillet steak and I went for mixed grill. Her fillet was superb, probably the best I've tried. My mixed grill was, well, mixed. The sirloin steak was poor, the lamb very chewy, pork ribs were mostly bone - very little meat, chicken and sausages were dry but the liver was excellent. Would've/should've returned or at least commented on the lamb at least but first 'proper' date with new bird and we were having a great time, so I didn't want to ruin it.
I struggle to enjoy steak once it's gone past medium rare (I usually ask for it very rare or blue depending on the apprehended quality of the meat), as I prefer the texture when it's less cooked.
On quite a few occasions I've been given an overcooked steak and sent it back. I feel bad for the restaurant, as unlike undercooking it, that's the end of that meat, however I'm also paying for the enjoyment of the meal and that's what comes first.
A decent place won't make you feel like a t
t for sending something back nor should they make a great fuss. It's just one of those things and easily done.
On quite a few occasions I've been given an overcooked steak and sent it back. I feel bad for the restaurant, as unlike undercooking it, that's the end of that meat, however I'm also paying for the enjoyment of the meal and that's what comes first.
A decent place won't make you feel like a t
t for sending something back nor should they make a great fuss. It's just one of those things and easily done.I am very selective which restaurants I will order steak, (and I would never order a fillet either, but that is for another thread), but regardless of where it is I have no hesitations in sending anything back if it is sub-standard.
As long as you aren't a condescending ass when doing so, then they really shouldn't have a problem. Of course, there is a huge difference between a frankie & bennies and a wolfgang puck place and the expectations thereof.
Certain cuts you expect to be a bit tougher, but fillet is not one of them.
As long as you aren't a condescending ass when doing so, then they really shouldn't have a problem. Of course, there is a huge difference between a frankie & bennies and a wolfgang puck place and the expectations thereof.
Certain cuts you expect to be a bit tougher, but fillet is not one of them.
Fillet definitely shouldn't be tough, so if it is, there's clearly something wrong.
Rump, on the other hand is usually chewy and tough if served anything other than rare or medium-rare. In a previous life, I used to run pub restaurants and this was always a problem. We would tell the wait staff to suggest that if sir liked his steak well-done, he order sirloin instead of rump, but of course, it’s more expensive, so they usually didn’t.
Rump, on the other hand is usually chewy and tough if served anything other than rare or medium-rare. In a previous life, I used to run pub restaurants and this was always a problem. We would tell the wait staff to suggest that if sir liked his steak well-done, he order sirloin instead of rump, but of course, it’s more expensive, so they usually didn’t.
GCH said:
I am very selective which restaurants I will order steak,...
Some here, at least in the UK, and even then I'd only order steak as a last resort. I go to the US quite a bit and you can order steak pretty well any level of restaurant and it'll be at least good, and often excellent.zoom star said:
IF I am not happy,I would never complain, I just would not go back.
Would not want my food smeared with some ones arse crack sweat i'm afraid..no siree..
Had a to do over a piece of fat and gristle and when the waitress swore there was sod all wrong with, "I'll get the chef" in a "this will learn you" tone, he duly appeared and swore blind there was sod all wrong with it. Inedible it was. So, faced with that and a grumpy "hmmph, do you another if you insist" I paid for the starter and went to McD across the road.Would not want my food smeared with some ones arse crack sweat i'm afraid..no siree..
On the flip side I have complained in the past and they have been superb and agreed it was below par and re did the meals for the three of us. We left a good tip.
LordHaveMurci said:
...
My only concern would be what they do to it when you're not looking!
Precisely why I never send food back. Once had a meal that I found inedible. I sat quietly until the rest of the party were finished. The manager noticed I wasn't eating, asked what was wrong and I told him. He asked if I wanted anything else, but I declined.My only concern would be what they do to it when you're not looking!
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