An Apology to Those Doing it Right

It has been brought to my attention that I have been a very naughty boy. I say this in a kind of "he is not the messiah he's a very naughty boy" way rather than a he is wanted by the law way.

It turns out that some people seem to think that I dislike restaurants because of my rants and that I should highlight the good side of them too. Well I think I need to set the record straight.

I love restaurants.

I love them so much that I would rather spend time sitting in them eating, then I would working in a proper job earning money to blow on expensive meals out. My issues with restaurants, I add not all restaurants, is that a lot of them can do better and to ask people to part with their hard earned money you should provide a certain level of service. I also feel that some chefs are making excellent food but the whole package is being let down in other areas. My main gripe is that we are letting ourselves down, I want to go into a burger bar and think how nice everyone was not have the fear that someone has spat in my food. America has done a great job at creating a service industry and although it can seem fake, I prefer been told to "have a nice day" than being ignored or grunted at.

I rant because I think we are letting ourselves down. Unfortunately it tends to be the small independents that suffer the most and in these times of economic gloom they are the ones that need to be the best in all areas from food to service and beyond.

Saying all this I think there are some shining beacons of how it should be done and I think they should be noticed and praised. Emachai in Barnet is one such place, combining great food, value and service. It is the service I remember though and I will always tell the story of how the manager took my credit card the first time we paid and on my next visit greeted me at the door by my name. That, to me, goes above and beyond. The thing is, this costs nothing; yet I will now rave about them to anyone that will listen. The Artichoke in Amersham, The Crown in Chalfont St Giles and Koba in Rathbone Place to name but a few who are doing it really well.

What I want is that the majority are doing it well and those who can't have to fade away.

Now, in terms of personal responsibility if we want to be treated well it also means to we have to act like decent human beings. No person should have to tolerate being abused in the place they work unless that is specifically a job they have signed up for (different strokes for different folks..). If you can't treat people in restaurants with the decency they deserve I hope the service you have is a disgrace and mark my words that a large percentage of the food you will be eating will be made of body fluid.

now on that mouth watering note, I think I shall leave you. Restaurants treat your customers with the respect they deserve and customers you should do likewise, otherwise the Food Bandit will be out to get you...