Food Great Service Sucked

You know, you go somewhere and you have great food but the food arrives on the table slowly if at all and you wonder, “where did it go wrong” and “has it ruined what would have been the perfect meal?” Here’s what happened. Colette and I arrived on time and waited a long time to be seated despite the fact that we could see that only half the tables were occupied and there were ample staff members around to seat us. Then we waited forever for the delivery of the menus and asking if we wished an apero, which we didn’t, being ravishingly hungry and eager to get to the meat, as it were. Once again there was a huge hiatus and it seemed like every other wait person was busy but our was nowhere to be seen. And, when I did spot him, it was a repeat of Ogden Nash’s “Lament for a Waiter,” you know – “Bye and bye God caught his eye.” Finally the order is taken and again there’s an inordinate wait for delivery of the first, main and dessert courses. The food was spectacular and the maitre d’ chastened enough to offer Colette an extra dessert (a promise on which he never delivered). Finally, we again waited forever to be able to ask for and get the addition and have the credit card receipt delivered. So back to the point, Dad. Americans tend to respond to such a meal by saying the “service” was horrible. Indeed, the wait to be seated, apero “offered,“ menu distributed, check delivered, etc falls on the “service” side. But the wait between courses and undelivered makeup dessert was more likely on the part of the kitchen brigade. So the “service” was not the only problem. As for all this delay influencing my reaction to the restaurant, sure it did/does. Will we go back? Yes, because I think the chef and owners are smart enough to shape things up and if it’s unchanged, then I will happily attach a name and coordinates to my essay describing it. My recommendation this week for a place where the “service” was impeccable, so much so that the waitgirl practically begged my dining companion to open our wine, so new she was to the job and eager to get it right, is: Le Café Véry In the center of the Tuileries, on the Concorde side, 1st (Metro:Tuileries) T: 01.47.03.94.84 Open everyday, lunch until 10:30 PM A la carte about 25-40 € ©2008 John A. Talbott