Category: Leftovers

Observations

Leftovers

Critics

Lately, some Chef’s and Restaurant Owners have been tweeting to Critics, Blogger, etc about the negative reviews. I don’t know why some are getting so defensive. If a majority of the Critics, bloggers etc. are saying the same thing, perhaps there should be a change to what is happening.

Case in point. There is a restaurant that has been in business for 6 years and has been steadily been going down. The two chief complaints are the owner and the inconsistency of the product (portion sizes shrinking, using obviously pre-packaged and advertising it as fresh made) as well as it often being over cooked. This is supposed to be a upscale casual type place.

First, the owner. What a piece of work! She regularly chides customers when they point out errors. The owner has been known to tell the customer that the name on the door isn’t the customers name and hence makes the decisions of what is right. Great way to get repeat business. There is a very high staff turnover as she has been seen and heard by other staff and customers screaming and using the F-bomb on a regular basis.

Second, it is beyond me why any menu would state products were made in house when well, they are not. I suppose technically they are if you count ordering canned/pre-packaged food and then warming it up on site as house made.

Personally, if my name is on the door and menu, I want to be honest. My name is my reputation and I (have been asked to in the past) to “fudge” or make short cuts. Nope. Not gonna do it.

Stepping off my soap box.

Leftovers

The kids table during the family and friends gatherings

It used to really (and still does when I see it in practice today) to sit at the “Children’s/Kid’s” table. Are we not all someones child no matter our age? Isn’t the point of the gathering together? To break bread and share stories and information with each other? Why keep younger folks away from the wiser (sometimes) folks?
To me, the other table for youngsters is only showing disrespect and sending the message that the youngster have no value and a distraction. Seriously, the parents spend too much time having to go back and forth between the tables to cut food for the little ones etc.
Stepping down from soap box (for now)

Leftovers

Salt of the Earth?

I needed some pink salt. I thought that maybe not likely the local H-E-B might have some. There I stand scanning the salt area for what I want. A couple show up and park their cart in front of the area where I was hunting. Okay, I’ll let the rude pass as I had no cart nor need for one. It went down like this:

S:get the iodized salt.
H: asked if it mattered because salt is salt right?
Me (could not not let that pass) No, there are a variety of salts. I point out that the iodized has well iodine in it and hence the metallic flavor. Lady looks at me and asked if I was serious.
Me: Yep, there is kosher salt, pickling salt, sea salt (starting to channel my Forest Gump) etc.
Lady: Oh. Turns to companion and says she wants to get some lemon pepper seasoning.
I had to walk away.

Leftovers

Just putting this out there

When a resto opens, they hire staff and train them for a week on the menu. Should be good to go right? Never seems to happen that way.
All to often, they hire the wrong mix. This becomes quite evident on the soft openings. Staff starts in the weeds and stays there. More staff is hired and some is let go. Another soft opening a week later. Things go a little smoother. Grand opening and the next day more staff changes and then trained on the fly. Three weeks later, more staff changes. It blows my mind why owners don’t take the time to get the right mix in the first place. It is cheaper to have stages (pronounced stahge) before the grand soft open and get the right crew.

The owners that opt for hiring High School kids because they could be had at low wages. Another one of those you get what you pay for. Sure, some of the HS kids are good but most are more interested in their social life and school (as they should be) rather than working.

Leftovers

Whale of a recipe?

For Christmas I got a new/old book I have been wanting. A year ago, I went to the library in search of an older edition of “The Joy of Cooking”. It could not be had said the nice librarian. She stated that they don’t have books that old. I pointed out that they had several editions of the Bible. I got the stink eye. For some reason, she and I are not Besties.
Moving forward, I got a 1962 edition of the book. I just LOVE it. It has great information in it (hence the reason I wanted an older edition).
By chance I was looking through the many fish recipes. It actually has a great hint on whale. Seems that the meat should be soaked over night in a baking soda and water solution. That is FANTASTIC information. Just in case.
Two things about that struck me. Why is whale listed under fish? Second is DAMN! I gotta read this book cover to cover and kick some freaking ass on a mystery basket. Yep.
Morals of the post? Nobody is ever too smart to use some old cook books as a resource for inspiration and information. An some Librarians are daft.

Leftovers

Think

Yes, it is the hospitality business but unless you are expecting a personal chef to cook for you, these are not acceptable requests:
I want the marinara sauce but leave out the onions
I am lactose intolerant, so leave the milk and cheese out of my slice of cheesecake
Here is a few hints
if a particular veg is not offered as a side, don’t ask for it.
if a particular fish is not listed on the menu, don’t ask for it.
If a particular cut of steak is not listed on the menu…
Same for beverages
If you had a special two weeks before and the new special is different, don’t gripe. They are SPECIALS.
A server is not a servant
Menus change from time to time. Deal with it. Even fast food joints change their menus
We try to give customers what they want be be serious

Leftovers

Texas Food and Wine Fest

It is happening here in my part of the world. Really great event for locals to sample some high end stuff by high end (and not so) Chefs.
It isn’t SOBE but hey, I’ll take it. I get to find some inspiration for recipes. Sure, I may swipe one or two but put my own spin on them.
Anyway, the down side is that some of the Celeb Chefs totally get full of themselves. Yes I said it. Some are just not good guests of our fair area. Cutting in line at some of the more popular restaurants is not cool. I know they help bring money to the area as well as visitors but seriously! It is just rude. But thanks for spending some cash here.

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It is true

So, it is SXSW here and we have had some great bands, restaurants and films that are being enjoyed by all, Doesn’t hurt our economy either.
Didn’t get to experience much of it myself as usual. Had to live through it via twitter. All good stuff. Some of the “celebs” visiting our area were not familiar to me. Then again, I am not much of a follower of the famous for no particular reason.
That said, it is really awsome event. Second place has to go to the ROT but I will save that for another time.
At this time I will write about the RR being here. Seems that there was NO NIL NADA line waiting to see the Queen of open a can of (insert product) but she is interesting enough to me to have thoughts about her. I will give her credit for admitting she is not a Chef but just a “pound puppy”-her words. I will also give her snaps for at least cooking sorta.
What I don’t care for about her is that she really does have an audience/fanbase that IMHO will not even bother to try to cook what she has demonstrated. These are folks that in general, go with the drive thru. Ticks me off. Sure, I can and do cook from scratch as much as possible (sometimes it is not practical to make fresh pasta etc.) and I know it would be unrealistic for a lot of people to do it.
It totally hacks me off that people don’t even TRY to make a meal at home with their friends and or family at minimum 3 times a week. The whole time spent cooking and talking and eating together is time lost living in my mind. So, yes I am very food focused but there is a reason. Missing out on sharing your day, thoughts, and love is a total pity. If the food fails, it still offers the opportunity to learn and if it is an epic fail? I good story to share.