I adore going to eat at restaurants. T and I try to fit a visit in at least once a month. It's not always a big fancy to-do. We've eaten at a variety of places, with wildly different price ranges, food types and décors that I hope to get around to reviewing eventually.
But! I have something I want to get off my chest. Something that has been turning even the most fantastic food events into disappointing, frustrating evenings.
NOTE TO UK RESTAURANTS: When I have finished my meal, after the coffee, tea and desert has been consumed, after you have cleared my plate and duly asked if everything was to my liking, after you've given me an appropriate few minutes to make sure I do not feel rushed, I WANT MY BILL!
It is the weirdest thing. This happens almost every time. T and I have taken to joking about it and taking bets because it has gotten almost ridiculous. No mater how doting the service throughout the whole meal, once our final course is cleared and our table is emptied, we will be left there for an uncomfortable amount of time. All waiters become immediately MIA and there is no chance of getting our bill, or of even asking for it, for a good 15-20 minutes.
I appreciate you not pushing me out the door, in this day and age of less-than-gracious "You have your table for 1.5 hours", it is nice to feel like we can linger and take our time, like we are valued guests in your establishment, but you're giving me too much time. Really. After you've cleared my dessert, and asked if there is anything else I would like, and I say no, please: Just bring me the bill.
Is this a UK thing? A London thing? I don't recall ever noticing it in Canada, maybe it's a European formality? Whatever it is, please cut it out.
But! I have something I want to get off my chest. Something that has been turning even the most fantastic food events into disappointing, frustrating evenings.
NOTE TO UK RESTAURANTS: When I have finished my meal, after the coffee, tea and desert has been consumed, after you have cleared my plate and duly asked if everything was to my liking, after you've given me an appropriate few minutes to make sure I do not feel rushed, I WANT MY BILL!
It is the weirdest thing. This happens almost every time. T and I have taken to joking about it and taking bets because it has gotten almost ridiculous. No mater how doting the service throughout the whole meal, once our final course is cleared and our table is emptied, we will be left there for an uncomfortable amount of time. All waiters become immediately MIA and there is no chance of getting our bill, or of even asking for it, for a good 15-20 minutes.
I appreciate you not pushing me out the door, in this day and age of less-than-gracious "You have your table for 1.5 hours", it is nice to feel like we can linger and take our time, like we are valued guests in your establishment, but you're giving me too much time. Really. After you've cleared my dessert, and asked if there is anything else I would like, and I say no, please: Just bring me the bill.
Is this a UK thing? A London thing? I don't recall ever noticing it in Canada, maybe it's a European formality? Whatever it is, please cut it out.
This definitely happened to us in Montreal at Réservoir, and on other occasions as well, so I'm sure it's not a UK thing. But if they ARE asking you if you would like anything else after dessert, just make sure you say, "Just the bill, please." instead of "No."
I've definitely tried to anticipate the problem and ask for it as they are clearing our plates, but it happened again last weekend. We waited over 30 minutes! Frustrating!
Hello, fellow Canuck! I actually like that they're not rushing me at restaurants! But if you do, you need to eat at more Chinese restaurants! :D
I agree that it's pleasant not to feel rushed, but there is a difference between that and twiddling your thumbs for 30+ minutes waiting for the cheque. Beautiful blog, btw :)