Overbearing service in restaurants
Discussion
This weekend I have been to a local new Indian restaurant that has only been open a week and to Blacklock and Simpsons in the Strand in London. They all shared one theme in common which I feel is becoming more of a thing in restaurant eating. The service was totally overbearing. Now I can kind of understand that in the local new Indian because they are anxious that they are getting things right and you will come back and not run away and plaster stuff all over social media that its not great etc. The other two though were in a league of their own. Ive been to Blacklock many times and Simpsons in its previous incarnation and found them a nice experience.
Very similar pattern this time. Welcomed into the venue, great in both, handed over to a server and shown to your table and then it starts.... Really in depth waffle about specials, drinks lists, waters etc. very little time given to just look at the menu and decide before suggestions are being made, comments made on what you are ordering while you are ordering it, checking on satisfaction with the wine a moment after being poured and left alone, checking on food more than once, offering advice on how to eat the food and drink the alcohol (yep seriously) and it went on and on in both until the very end.
Is it just me or is it becoming more of a thing. I want to be shown to my seat, told anything important, left alone to think, order taken, food delivered and asked once if its ok etc through to the bill not constant yak yak yak
Must be getting old ill get my coat
Very similar pattern this time. Welcomed into the venue, great in both, handed over to a server and shown to your table and then it starts.... Really in depth waffle about specials, drinks lists, waters etc. very little time given to just look at the menu and decide before suggestions are being made, comments made on what you are ordering while you are ordering it, checking on satisfaction with the wine a moment after being poured and left alone, checking on food more than once, offering advice on how to eat the food and drink the alcohol (yep seriously) and it went on and on in both until the very end.
Is it just me or is it becoming more of a thing. I want to be shown to my seat, told anything important, left alone to think, order taken, food delivered and asked once if its ok etc through to the bill not constant yak yak yak
Must be getting old ill get my coat
Badda said:
Just didn t you politely ask them to leave you alone. Why sit there putting up with it? They don t want to do it and you don t want it so it s a mutually agreeable thing to do.
I agree. Was out for lunch yesterday with Mrs A and when we had our starters we simply told the waiter that we would be having a nice gap between starters and main and we’d let them know when we were ready. Admittedly the staff were great anyway but you do need to sometimes set the rules to ensure you have a good time.Getting service right is really important, that's a large part of why MrsLT and I tend to go to places we like on a repeat basis.
For me the key to good service is down to the team picking up on subtle cues and honing things accordingly - all whilst remaining authentic.
It's really hard for them to get right and I have immense respect for those places that manage to make it look easy.
For example, some people want/need/like detailed wine explanations, others don't. At somewhere new, you have to give them something to work with to figure out what you want, but without giving the wrong impression.
t really is the fine details that, when you've been somewhere really good, you notice other places don't manage to pull off.
For me the key to good service is down to the team picking up on subtle cues and honing things accordingly - all whilst remaining authentic.
It's really hard for them to get right and I have immense respect for those places that manage to make it look easy.
For example, some people want/need/like detailed wine explanations, others don't. At somewhere new, you have to give them something to work with to figure out what you want, but without giving the wrong impression.
t really is the fine details that, when you've been somewhere really good, you notice other places don't manage to pull off.
We ate at ION Harbour earlier this month, (Simon Rogan's 2-two restaurant in Malta).
It was the most perfect and beautifully choreographed service I've ever had, even amongst other 1, 2 and 3 star restaurants), especially as there were eight of us dining. I literally couldn't fault the service, but my brother didn't like it as it was all 'too theatre'.
Goes to show, it's impossible to please everyone!
It was the most perfect and beautifully choreographed service I've ever had, even amongst other 1, 2 and 3 star restaurants), especially as there were eight of us dining. I literally couldn't fault the service, but my brother didn't like it as it was all 'too theatre'.
Goes to show, it's impossible to please everyone!
TheHeadhunter said:
We ate at ION Harbour earlier this month, (Simon Rogan's 2-two restaurant in Malta).
It was the most perfect and beautifully choreographed service I've ever had, even amongst other 1, 2 and 3 star restaurants), especially as there were eight of us dining. I literally couldn't fault the service, but my brother didn't like it as it was all 'too theatre'.
Goes to show, it's impossible to please everyone!
I don’t think I’d notice beautifully choreographed service. I like unobtrusive, timely service without a high degree of pomp. I eat out for the food and company not for the service/“experience”. It was the most perfect and beautifully choreographed service I've ever had, even amongst other 1, 2 and 3 star restaurants), especially as there were eight of us dining. I literally couldn't fault the service, but my brother didn't like it as it was all 'too theatre'.
Goes to show, it's impossible to please everyone!
Not everybody notices it or cares, 8 of us had dinner at Le Gavroche and I remember watching everyone get served at exactly the same time and the nods to ensure that it was in time, likewise when they were about to bring out a course and noticed that one of our party had got up to use the toilet they did an about turn as they came out of the kitchen to reappear later when we had a full table, others at the tabe hadnt even realised.
LooneyTunes said:
Getting service right is really important, that's a large part of why MrsLT and I tend to go to places we like on a repeat basis.
For me the key to good service is down to the team picking up on subtle cues and honing things accordingly - all whilst remaining authentic.
It's really hard for them to get right and I have immense respect for those places that manage to make it look easy.
For example, some people want/need/like detailed wine explanations, others don't. At somewhere new, you have to give them something to work with to figure out what you want, but without giving the wrong impression.
t really is the fine details that, when you've been somewhere really good, you notice other places don't manage to pull off.
100% if I have to tell them to go away then the game is already over For me the key to good service is down to the team picking up on subtle cues and honing things accordingly - all whilst remaining authentic.
It's really hard for them to get right and I have immense respect for those places that manage to make it look easy.
For example, some people want/need/like detailed wine explanations, others don't. At somewhere new, you have to give them something to work with to figure out what you want, but without giving the wrong impression.
t really is the fine details that, when you've been somewhere really good, you notice other places don't manage to pull off.
MyM2006 said:
Not everybody notices it or cares, 8 of us had dinner at Le Gavroche and I remember watching everyone get served at exactly the same time and the nods to ensure that it was in time, likewise when they were about to bring out a course and noticed that one of our party had got up to use the toilet they did an about turn as they came out of the kitchen to reappear later when we had a full table, others at the tabe hadnt even realised.
Exactly and that is the mark of a Michelin star restaurant and something that contributes to the stars. It s not something difficult and certainly places like Simpsons that I mentioned should be doing that. Edited by craigjm on Thursday 23 April 17:37
Arrivalist said:
Badda said:
Just didn t you politely ask them to leave you alone. Why sit there putting up with it? They don t want to do it and you don t want it so it s a mutually agreeable thing to do.
I agree. Was out for lunch yesterday with Mrs A and when we had our starters we simply told the waiter that we would be having a nice gap between starters and main and we d let them know when we were ready. Admittedly the staff were great anyway but you do need to sometimes set the rules to ensure you have a good time.I just refuse to order together now.
I like a couple of drinks before food, happy to have them elsewhere than the table if it is available, but hate hovering servers as you have just poured your first drink.
In a very popular Pakistani restaurant I once ordered dessert, Khulfi, the only dessert on the menu, it came on a stick with the bill lol.
It actually tickled me, it was early days before they expanded and took bookings, there was always a big queue.
I Asked " does this mean f
k off " the reply was yes, like straightforward people lol.Doesitdrive said:
In a very popular Pakistani restaurant I once ordered dessert, Khulfi, the only dessert on the menu, it came on a stick with the bill lol.
It actually tickled me, it was early days before they expanded and took bookings, there was always a big queue.
I Asked " does this mean fk off " the reply was yes, like straightforward people lol.
To be fair though, that is how it is served in Pakistan and IndiaIt actually tickled me, it was early days before they expanded and took bookings, there was always a big queue.
I Asked " does this mean f
k off " the reply was yes, like straightforward people lol.MyM2006 said:
Not everybody notices it or cares, 8 of us had dinner at Le Gavroche and I remember watching everyone get served at exactly the same time and the nods to ensure that it was in time, likewise when they were about to bring out a course and noticed that one of our party had got up to use the toilet they did an about turn as they came out of the kitchen to reappear later when we had a full table, others at the tabe hadnt even realised.
Some restaurants have cameras above the tables to allow the pace at which diners are consuming each course, and absences from the table, to be noted by the kitchen. A really top class front of house works magic. For example, items being picked up from the table, but when a quick comment turns into a brief conversation during which whatever was picked up seemingly vanishes into thin air.
craigjm said:
MyM2006 said:
Not everybody notices it or cares, 8 of us had dinner at Le Gavroche and I remember watching everyone get served at exactly the same time and the nods to ensure that it was in time, likewise when they were about to bring out a course and noticed that one of our party had got up to use the toilet they did an about turn as they came out of the kitchen to reappear later when we had a full table, others at the tabe hadnt even realised.
Exactly and that is the mark of a Michelin star restaurant and something that contributes to the stars. It s not something difficult and certainly places like Simpsons that I mentioned should be doing that. 
PhilAsia said:
I really do not lie being fussed over. I find it unnecessarily uncomfortable. But then again, I do not feel comfortable in very "glitzy" upmarket surroundings.
Again agree with this, those places where money goes, where they click their fingers at faceless staff who couldn't afford the glass of wine the finger clicker cannot fill him/herself. I feel expecting this level of service is demeaning to other human beings TBH.
TheHeadhunter said:
We ate at ION Harbour earlier this month, (Simon Rogan's 2-two restaurant in Malta).
It was the most perfect and beautifully choreographed service I've ever had, even amongst other 1, 2 and 3 star restaurants), especially as there were eight of us dining. I literally couldn't fault the service, but my brother didn't like it as it was all 'too theatre'.
Goes to show, it's impossible to please everyone!
Same in Cartmel. They were so great, one of the staff even drove us back to our B&B rather than use a Taxi.It was the most perfect and beautifully choreographed service I've ever had, even amongst other 1, 2 and 3 star restaurants), especially as there were eight of us dining. I literally couldn't fault the service, but my brother didn't like it as it was all 'too theatre'.
Goes to show, it's impossible to please everyone!
Now that's service.
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