Sunday, April 22, 2012

Bad service leaves a bad aftertaste

Although the food may look fantastic and even taste terrific, it's amazing what a horrible aftertaste can be left in my mouth from bad service. Bread Winners in Plano is a great place to go if you want a flavorful Eggs Benedict as pictured above. However, don't expect a good atmosphere or even decent service. The location in Dallas is great for the whole package. Yesterday morning, it took a few minutes for a server to greet us and then to bring our drinks and take our order. The food was served promptly so the kitchen had things in order. If I needed anything, I had to flag the server down and they gave attitude like I was bothering them. We were finished eating for 10-15 minutes before they cam back by to ask us if we wanted anything else. Another 6-7 minute wait for the check and then waited again for themto come back and process payment. Looking around, there were no smiles on servers and no one working seemed like they were having a good time. The whole atmosphere had a negative feel to it. For what we paid for breakfast, and especially since this is not the first, second, or third time it has happened, I will for sure not be back to this particular place. I'd rather drive down into Dallas and fight for parking and have a good meal and service then go back in this location. I wonder how some of these people get into these hospitality jobs when there is not a service bone in their body. It always amazes me how a server can give crappy service and then get irritated at the guest when the tip is low. Why should I pay for something that didn't happen? The food was good, so I'll pay the bill. The service was horrible, so I'll leave a little something but nothing like I would leave if the server did the job they were hired to do. Eating at home most of this week where I know the service is top notch!

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Pizza and Baseball

My husband coaches an baseball team of 11 year old boys and they are playing a tournament this weekend. We joined the e-club for Boston's just this past week and had a coupon for a free Indy pizza. Since the boys were playing in Craig Ranch, we decided to go over to Boston's for dinner with some of the team. There were about 20 of us and we took us some tables and booths - parents together and them the boys sat at one booth and the girls at another. Our server was Shilah - sweet from the very start. Apparently we were her first big party of that size and her manager was teaching her how to take the order for a big top. Shilah took great care of us for dinner and did a great job overall. Our free Indy pizza was smaller than we thought, but excellent! We ordered spinach dip to go along with it and it was perfect for my husband and I. The bread served with the dip was amazing - not too crunchy, not too soft, just right. Only thing we had to ask for was napkins since we didn't get any silverware settings. Overall, great visit and fun with the team. Go Mustangs!!

Friday, April 13, 2012

It's All Greek to Me

Today for lunch, I joined my friend for lunch in Plano at Ziziki's Greek restaurant. We were greeted nicely as we walked in the door and chose to sit in the beautiful dining room instead of the massive patio since it was windy. The server helped us decide on the menu with some good descriptions and suggestions. Our drinks never went dry and we were checked on consistently by two different servers. We both ordered the Chicken Greek salad and when they came, I was impressed. Large salad served with 2 skewers of chicken pieces cooked to perfection. The dressing on this salad was divine. I never tasted anything so delicious on a salad. I could taste the pieces of cucumbers and even had to ask for more because it was so amazing! Our plates were cleared promptly and our check was processed quickly. A great meal although slightly pricey. Chicken salad, a drink and tip was $20. I'm glad I got what I paid for though.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Mmmm...pancakes

Pancakes are a top favorite of mine. Nothing fancy on top just syrup and butter or rolled up with my favorite jelly inside. Living in Florida for 20 years, I never could find that certain place that consistently had great pancakes unless it was my kitchen of course. When I moved to Texas 2 years ago to get married, my husband proudly took me to the Original Pancake House. Wow. Great coffee and great pancakes? Heaven. Just this past weekend he took me out for breakfast at the one in Plano off 121. Our server's name was Sam. Although he didn't know us by name (yet), he did recognize us a repeat diners. That was very pleasant for me. My husband ordered the Dutch Baby (a German pancake that takes a bit to bake) and I had pancakes and bacon. While we waited for our food, Sam made great conversation with us and our coffee cups were never empty. When the food arrived it was amazing as usual. That restaurant is always a treat to go to for the food and the service. Managers were consistently walking around and checking on guests. Servers weren't gathered in one spot in the drink alley or kitchen, they were always out in the dining room with their guests also. Our coffee cups were filled by 3 different people just taking a full pot of coffee into the dining room and refilling all the cups, not just the ones at their own tables. There seemed to be a lot of teamwork and camaraderie between the servers, bussers, and managers. From a food or service perspective, that particular restaurant gets five stars. Great Job!