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Chef Judi Gallagher's Foodie's Notebook

Great dining finds from Chef Judi Gallagher.



The Waiting Game

I wait...and wait...and wait...at a new local restaurant.

by Judi Gallagher

When a new restaurant opens, although tempted to run right in, I try to give it a month or so to get situated. Things take a little time and goodness knows service in the beginning can be challenging. So, even though I was keen on trying a hot new local dining spot, having heard there were issues I waited...and waited some more...and then waited…

Well, let me tell you my experience.

I walked in last Thursday at 1:00 p.m. for a late lunch with another food editor. There seemed to be no more than a table or two dining inside, but since I was waiting at the front door, I could not quite see into the other dining room. I figured after a minute or two, I should take out my iPhone and time my waiting experience as to not exaggerate. (You know how it feels when you are waiting with nothing to do.) So I waited and waited some more. After four-and-a-half minutes, a woman dressed in a pretty black dress came in through the front door, walked right past me and continued her phone conversation about buying an ad somewhere. Thinking I am pretty darn tall to just miss, I stepped over slightly to try and make contact. While the loud phone conversation continued, I did hear her acknowledge to her phone mate, “Well, someone is standing up front--gotta go-.“ Ah, I thought, at last, 6 minutes in and someone is coming. But then the landline rang and I was forgotten yet again.



Thank you, Tracy Freeman, for introducing me to the best spring roll I've ever had (at Pacific Rim).

I went outside, called my lunch date and we met at Pacific Rim at 1:20. How wonderful to have Vet, the owner, standing at the door with a big smile welcoming us and bringing us to a table right away even though the dining room was almost full. I crunched on a beautiful spring roll, som tum salad and sushi with my friend and wondered, Might the lady with the pretty black dress still be on the phone? When I first drove by, there she was, in the side parking lot, talking away. So, I suppose if you want to try this new spot, perhaps bring a good book to read while you wait.

Any dining pet peeves of your own? Share them in the comments below!

Follow Chef Judi on Facebook and on Twitter @ChefJudi.

Posted: 9/26/2011 8:51:01 AM | 4 comments



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Comments
Judi Gallagher
well, the latest is that two other couples emailed me that they waited almost 15 minutes at the door of this new hillview restaurant only to be ignored and left to dine at another place----------- hmmmm guess they dont want anyone there
10/24/2011 10:43:14 AM

judi Gallagher
I think the cell phone thing has to apply to every business. No one wants to hear your conversations AND be ignored!!!
what did we all do before I phones, cell phones and I pads???
9/27/2011 4:24:15 PM

Tracy Freeman
Well, let's look at the positives here. You now know where to find the BEST crispy spring rolls in town accompanied by service with a smile not service with a phone!
9/26/2011 8:52:21 PM

Kaye
I think talking on the phone when you have a customer in front of you is the height of rude!
9/26/2011 11:15:11 AM

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