Food Glorious Food?

Eating.  One of my most favourite things to talk about!  I have been told by Evan that I expect too much from restaurants ...

Ok, I have to admit that I do have very high expectations when it comes to the flavour of the food that I eat. I know that most times I can usually taste the flavours before the food actually hits the roof of my mouth.

C’mon, you know what I mean… have you ever opened a packet of salt and vinegar chips and the split second while you are opening the packet your mouth is already juicing up experiencing the tangy taste sensation of the acidic vinegar mixed with the salt and you just cant wait to put the chip into your mouth and bite down and actually live the flavours that your mouth is dreaming of?

Same goes when you walk into a restaurant, hungry and anxious with expectation of a great meal out.  Your mouth begins to start watering with the anticipation of deliciously tasting food. Not only does it get the digestive juices dancing, but it puts you in a good mood and the endorphins start rushing around and you’re bursting with excitement at the prospect of enjoying some stimulating company, drinking some beautiful wine and ultimately filling your tummy with some beautiful flavours.  Well mostly!

Living on the Darling Downs of Queensland the choice of good eating establishments is limited (oh how I miss my favourite haunts in Balmain and Surry Hills!) so you can imagine how crabby I was after a recent experience at a local pub – where both Evan and I left feeling bloated, disappointed and wildly out of pocket for a meal that was not worth half the actual cost of it!

Perhaps I am unrealistic? But then again, why shouldn’t I get good food and service when I am paying for the privilege of it?

Ok, I wasn’t expecting the level of service and food as "Ampersand", but this was ridiculous! How hard can it be to deliver an edible Chicken Burger accompanied by hot, well seasoned fries?

Why should anyone have to suffer through a 13cm high  (get your ruler out and check out the size!!) Chicken Burger, filled with an over cooked oily chicken fillet and runny, warm coleslaw? Ok, there was some lettuce and tomato also present at the scene of the crime - and to add insult to injury there were also some mostly warm unseasoned fries on the side as well.

Do I mention that the meal was also accompanied with a paper napkin, a fork and a butter knife?  No serrated knife that might actually cut the burger was sighted in the restaurant.

It was at that point after getting RSI of the wrist through cutting the dam thing with a Butter Knife that my digestive juices packed up and left me for the afternoon. Not to mention the endorphins – they had immigrated south for the duration.

And to add insult to injury, our waitress, did not utter a word when she came to pick up the plates – which were mostly uneaten.

Surely chef’s must realise that something is wrong when plates keep coming back into the kitchen with the napkin purposefully placed over the leftover food?

And whatever happened to serving staff actually caring about your dining experience and asking you, “How did you enjoy your meal?” and really meaning it rather than bearing up to the table with a sullen face and just picking up your plate - under sufferance because they have to?

Eating out should be full of good experiences - good food, good wine and great company and friendly staff that want you to enjoy their food and make you want to come back again.

Is it too much to expect???