Good service when things go a little wrong

[[2068]]

I'm in a Marriott in the middle of nowhere, and I order a steak, medium rare.
It's a large restaurant, and it's busy.

The steak arrives, and although it's the correct shape, it could charitably be described as "bien cuit" ... charred at the corners, and no liquid remaining inside. Although my chance of contracting tapeworm is now zero, this is not what I ordered, and I send it back politely.

10 minutes later, it's plumper cousin arrives, un-charred, and juicy, just the way my Mum told me never to order it.

Then, this huge guy dressed in white with a large hat comes steaming out of the kitchen, and makes a beeline for my table. His badge says "Executive Chef": he asks how the second steak was, and apologises profusely for the steakastrophe.

Slightly gobsmacked, but quite impressed...

 

[lisilou]

Did he have a slight smug and evil look about him by chance??

 

[[2068]]

oops, this was meant for Le Lounge.
No, but he was huge.
In the film version, he would have been also carrying a meat cleaver dripping in blood.

 

[petem]

oops, this was meant for Le Lounge.
No, but he was huge.
In the film version, he would have been also carrying a meat cleaver dripping in blood.

Used to stay in a Marriott a lot in Mumbai. You could always count on the consistency of a Marriott Burger if you're feeling a bit off colour.

 

[[2068]]

Anyway, here's a few photos from George Clooney's wedding to get things back on track:

 

[z1ppy]

amazing what some hotels think is good service! had a meal in the Sofitel at Gatwick last week before hearing out on an early flight next day. service was poor. food was dry and without flavour and when we complained, they actually said, "what do you want me do do about it?"

good service when things go wrong can get you out of a lot of situation!

 

[Questor]

The steak arrives, and although it's the correct shape, it could charitably be described as "bien cuit" ... charred at the corners, and no liquid remaining inside. Although my chance of contracting tapeworm is now zero, this is not what I ordered, and I send it back politely.

Having set out in life in the hotel / restaurant game, one thing I learnt was, is that you never ever ever ever send a meal back to the kitchen, Chefs are very proud people, and returning food is a major insult (whatever condition it may be in). Then, what the eye doesn't see etc etc.

I've seen things that would make your toes curl.

Glad you enjoyed your steak

 

[z1ppy]

Having set out in life in the hotel / restaurant game, one thing I learnt was, is that you never ever ever ever send a meal back to the kitchen, Chefs are very proud people, and returning food is a major insult (whatever condition it may be in). Then, what the eye doesn't see etc etc.

I've seen things that would make your toes curl.

Glad you enjoyed your steak

so we should just accept the **** that is often dished out and not send it back for fear they are going to spit in it?

thats where this country has hotel and restaurant hospitality all wrong in my book!

 

[scubaman]

I once had a pasta dish in a relatively nice restaurant and one of the ingredients mentioned on the menu (oil of some sort, can't remember which) was missing. After finishing, I mentioned this to the waiter and a short while later the very friendly chef appeared to explain that the ingredient in question had ran out. He chatted with us a quite a while about the dish and eventually made us terrific desserts to make up for the cover-up.

I got the feeling that he actually appreciated that someone noticed.

And no, I don't think there was snot in the dessert

 

[Pinnacle]

View attachment 45834

Nice!

Do you know if they are Lumishores?

 

[Pinnacle]

And no, I don't think there was snot in the dessert

Your command of the English language really is fantastic!!

 

[MapisM]

Your command of the English language really is fantastic!!

Yep, indeed K knows the subtle difference between "I don't think there was..." and "I'm sure there wasn't..."

 

[Questor]

for fear they are going to spit in it?

That would be the least of my worries.

I'd walk out before sending a meal back.

 

[[2068]]

That would be the least of my worries.
I'd walk out before sending a meal back.

I hardly ever send anything back, despite eating out frequently for work reasons. If I am disappointed, it's usually because I have chosen something that wasn't what the restaurant/pub was good at.

But an overcooked steak is fixable and not a condemnation of the menu (well, that particular steak isn't ... scientists are still working on ironing out the wrinkles from the "un-cooker"). Maybe the charred one was meant for someone else. And if the chef did indeed manage to wipe his whatever on a steak that's just come out of the 650'C broiler without anybody else in a busy kitchen noticing, then well done to him, and I hope his car runs well on sugar.

 

[dpb]

Having set out in life in the hotel / restaurant game, one thing I learnt was, is that you never ever ever ever send a meal back to the kitchen, Chefs are very proud people, and returning food is a major insult (whatever condition it may be in). Then, what the eye doesn't see etc etc.

I've seen things that would make your toes curl.

Glad you enjoyed your steak

Having listened to similar tales from a Chef in our family....I am with you on this!

 

[scubaman]

Your command of the English language really is fantastic!!

Thank you P, you are being too kind.

Yep, indeed K knows the subtle difference between "I don't think there was..." and "I'm sure there wasn't..."

That's just the thing though, you can never be sure, can you?

Still, I'm a bit surprised to read Questors and dpb's experiences on this.