Comments on: Getting Serviced

By: Denise Lincoln

Denise Lincoln — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 22:57:00 +0000

I’ve found that most of the service I receive is simply okay, although I recently had great service at Pizzaiolo in Oakland. My husband and I only had an hour and a half to eat and then drive over to Alameda to pick up our kids, so we informed our server (a very nice woman) about our time limitations. She thanked us for letting her know and then proceeded to help us fit our meal into the allotted time. Halfway through the meal I was given a dish that I really didn’t enjoy (a chicken Tagliatelle). She scooped up the dish and said, “You know. I haven’t tried this yet. I’ll tell the chef.” She then recommended a substitute dish that would fit into our time frame and we were on our way to continuing with our meal. She then checked in later to see if my substitute dish of wild mushroom pasta was acceptable. She also made great suggestions for a quick dessert so we could leave on time. I now remember that dinner as being quite nice and am looking forward to going to Pizzaiolo again soon. If the service had been bad, I would probably only remember the chicken pasta I hated and not return.

By: Leslie Pave

Leslie Pave — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 01:22:00 +0000

I don’t even pay attention to service anymore, because if it’s bad, I am ignoring it, and if it’s fine, then I am just pleased. Usually it’s only fine. However… I was blown away by the service I received at Michael Minna. I didn’t even know service could be that good. He was charming, knowledgeable and available yet concealed. And even when I knocked over my water glass after too much wine, he swiftly took care of the situation without a fuss. He earned his 20%, and a whopping 20% it was.

By: daniel

daniel — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 06:27:00 +0000

Look, it’s bad enough trying to find a guy that will fall in love with you let alone good service at a restaurant. Times have changed. Everybody is a star and waiters have reduced us to feel like we are on a break from washing the dishes. Somebody please kiss me.

By: wendygee

wendygee — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 19:55:00 +0000

I have had excellent service experiences…I have been hypervigilant about service since reading Shuna’s post addressing the issue… I was particularly impressed with the service at Redd in Yountville. Our server totally knew all the details about the food and wine without looking at a cheatsheet, she was always available but not hovering or intrusive, she was professional but friendly…I felt very taken care of and the food was excellent…really makes a difference for an overall positive experience.