Eating out

Bill took me out to dinner for my birthday. Originally we were going to go to Tucanos, since I have a birthday coupon. Bill asked me to choose where I would really like to go, so I chose to go to La Vigna, a local Italian restaurant that I enjoy immensely. THEY WERE CLOSED! I am sad, but not really surprised. I knew they couldn't compete with the new Olive Garden that was built in the same shopping complex recently. Olive Garden is the WalMart of Italian dining. A massive chain with instant name recognition. People are willing to put up with long lines and wait times to eat there.

Since La Vigna was no longer an option, we ended up joining the masses and went to Olive Garden. Bill got off work quite early, so we were there before the crowds and were seated right away.

As the booths around us filled, we began to notice that everyone else around us was receiving more prompt service than we were. In fact, the girls right behind us received their food, ate it and left before we even got our food!

Bill and I were both frustrated and it must have shown on our faces, because our waitress kept apologizing and brought the manager out to see us. Though we hadn't made a scene about it, he apologized profusely and offered to cut our bill in half to make up for the delay. In the end our dinner ended up costing no more than eating fast food!

That brings me to another thing. Every time we eat at a sit down restaurant, we end up meeting the head chef, the manager, or the owner! Every time!

At Carraba's, the head chef came out to meet the family that ordered the mussels appetizer because it is such a rare order and his personal favorite!

At Texas Steakhouse, both owner and manager came out to greet us and assure us that they would see to our order personally. Why? Because Bill requested a gluten free menu and it rattled them. They had only been open for less than a week and he was the first special diet need they had encountered. They wanted to make sure their staff didn't screw it up.

Most of the special attention comes from Bill's special dietary needs. I am not complaining! We have seen a great upswing in personal attention and service ever since his diagnosis. So, if you want special service in a restaurant, claim a food allergy!