My mother-in-law was a smart, elegant, gracious woman who was the most skillful hostess I've ever known. Over dinner at my in-laws' home one time, we got to talking about etiquette, and she blew me away by defining truly good manners as the ability to make everyone around you feel perfectly at ease. This came as a revelation to me, since at that somewhat insecure time in my … [Read more...] about A Few Thoughts on Restaurant Service
Review: Oaks Bottom Public House
First Impression, by Well SeasonedEverything seems to be just right in this small, welcoming pub in the heart of Sellwood. The owners (according to info I found on www.altportland.com) are Jim Parker, "former Oregon Brewers Guild director and general indicator of good beer" and Jerry Fechter "of the Lompoc empire." They've taken the space occupied most recently by Jones … [Read more...] about Review: Oaks Bottom Public House
Review: Broadway Grill and Brewery – First Impressions
I *want* to like Broadway Grill and Brewery. It's clear from the packed house on Day Two that others want to do the same thing. And the hordes of staff - from bussers to waitstaff to managers - are bound and determined, in a kind of 'grit your teeth and SMILE' way, to *make* you like them.BUT - the nickel and diming starts early on, with a .95 cent charge to substitute … [Read more...] about Review: Broadway Grill and Brewery – First Impressions
Donut Roundup
By Emily JamesWhen FD asked me to start writing for this site, I was extremely nervous. I’m not an expert in any manner of food preparation, serving, or procurement. I am, however, an expert in eating and I have my Lifetime Weight Watchers membership to prove it- from a brief moment, back in 1995 when I was 30 lbs lighter. Anyway, the old adage is to “write what you know.” … [Read more...] about Donut Roundup
Service with a Snarl
By Carolyn Manning When is “Bad Service” bad enough to keep you from going back to a restaurant? What will we forgive and why will we forgive it? Answering the third question first, we might forgive bad service if the food is really good, or if the restaurant is one where you would not expect world-class service (think roadside taco trailer), or if previous experience with … [Read more...] about Service with a Snarl