Lingering after a hearty breakfast at our local Mimi's, Pam and I were musing on the idea that American's seem to always be rushed through even the nicer of eating establishments. There is little time for socializing. The food comes to the table quicker than lightening. We gobble it up. Pay the bill and leave.
Personally, I think it would be nicer if the restaurant staff would take their time bringing the food. Now, I am not saying that they should be slow. Slow service can be quite painful. In fact, I believe that they should still be available for more coffee or soda or wine or what have you, but they should not be hovering either. It's a fine line really.
The food, on the other hand, should be slower to arrive. If I am going to take time to come into a restaurant, park the car and walk in through the rain - yes, it happens to be raining today - then I would want my time in their service to be a little more relaxed and not so rushed.
It reminds me of a time when we were out with my parents at a small restaurant in Little Italy in Baltimore. We had lingered too long after a fantastic meal, talking and whatnot, when the manager finally comes over and says, "We love you, but we would like to have the table". While I can understand their need to serve more people, it seemed a little rude to me. Maybe if we had ordered more wine - or a big bottle of champagne - to justify their time. But as it is, we got up and left.
So Mimi's was fast with their service and their food today, but we have yet to be kicked out. There are plenty of open tables. They have already taken the check (with the tip), but I'll save that for another rant.
Personally, I think it would be nicer if the restaurant staff would take their time bringing the food. Now, I am not saying that they should be slow. Slow service can be quite painful. In fact, I believe that they should still be available for more coffee or soda or wine or what have you, but they should not be hovering either. It's a fine line really.
The food, on the other hand, should be slower to arrive. If I am going to take time to come into a restaurant, park the car and walk in through the rain - yes, it happens to be raining today - then I would want my time in their service to be a little more relaxed and not so rushed.
It reminds me of a time when we were out with my parents at a small restaurant in Little Italy in Baltimore. We had lingered too long after a fantastic meal, talking and whatnot, when the manager finally comes over and says, "We love you, but we would like to have the table". While I can understand their need to serve more people, it seemed a little rude to me. Maybe if we had ordered more wine - or a big bottle of champagne - to justify their time. But as it is, we got up and left.
So Mimi's was fast with their service and their food today, but we have yet to be kicked out. There are plenty of open tables. They have already taken the check (with the tip), but I'll save that for another rant.
