Archive for May, 2006
May 31, 2006 at 11:34 am
· Filed under advice, article, group dining
excerpt:
"Are you always part of that restaurant group that leaves both you and your server frazzled? Did you even have a good time? Here are some ways to navigate any group dining situation, whether deciding whom to sit next to or quibbling over the bill.
Call Ahead
Even if you're only giving 30 minutes' notice, a call can help you get seated faster.
"With as many people that eat out in the Dallas area, it is always smart to book an advance reservation when possible, especially for groups with six or more guests," says Norma Dickey, director of special-event planning and marketing for Consilient Restaurants, parent company of Cuba Libre, Fireside Pies and Hibiscus…"
source: "Make dining out with a big group more enjoyable" by Erin Wade (May 22,2006)
Happy Eating.
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May 28, 2006 at 6:16 pm
· Filed under article, food, health, research
excerpt:
"…a pair of Wisconsin researchers has calculated how that jumbo-sized restaurant “bargain” meal deflates your wallet while it inflates your stomach.
The answer is between $3.10 and $7.72 based on only three hidden costs, say researchers Dale Schoeller, a professor of nutritional sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Rachel Close, a research assistant. Their findings will be published in June in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.
…The three costs which Schoeller and Close used were driving a vehicle, medical care, and the need for extra food to supply the energy to maintain that extra weight. There were other costs that could have been included but which they rejected for one reason or another, Schoeller said."
source: "Study: Bargain meals actually cost you" by David Steinkraus (Journal Times, May 27,2006)
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May 27, 2006 at 11:32 pm
· Filed under customer service, free, perspectives, software, waitstaff
excerpt:
"Welcome to your new job. You are a waitress and your job is to serve clients. Do it in 3 steps: 1. Take the order 2. Bring the order 3. Clean the table…"
link: "The Waitress" created by D-Mah
For other waiter/waitress games, click here.
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May 26, 2006 at 9:59 am
· Filed under reference, research
excerpt:
Is ChefDb yet another restaurant listings site?
Absolutely not. Nor is it a restaurant review site. Instead, ChefDb is an archival project designed to document the names of chefs, restaurateurs and restaurants, past and present. Profile pages reveal the employment history of the individual or, in the case of restaurant profiles, the individuals who have worked at that particular establishment.
All of the information is cross-referenced, making it easy to navigate between people and places. As the information on this site has not previously been collected in a central repository, it makes for an exciting project to build and develop from the ground up.
link: The Chef and Restaurant Database (ChefDb)
Similar to IMDB (Internet Movie Database) and other user-powered database sites, this is a growing site that will allow anyone to find the history and current status of restaurant professionals. For the empowered diner, they can use it to find out where their favorite chef is working or other related information.
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May 25, 2006 at 12:11 pm
· Filed under article, etiquette, pets
excerpt:
"Having lunch at a sidewalk cafe with your best friend is a great way to pass the time on a warm summer day. But if your best friend has four legs instead of two, you might have to do a little planning ahead.
…Before heading out with your dog, you should call ahead if possible to see if the restaurants have special rules or policies for canine guests. Know that the dogs will be allowed outside only, if there is al fresco seating.
Etiquette tips
- Make sure your pooch is well behaved around other people, especially children.
- Leash your four-legged friend and keep him or her from socializing with other diners or employees, unless welcomed…"
source: "Dining with your dog" by Rick McDaniel (Asheville Citizen-Times, May 24,2006)
Here is another related article:
"Summer Dining With Your Dog" – BestFriendsPetCare.com
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May 24, 2006 at 9:35 am
· Filed under article, reference
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May 22, 2006 at 1:00 pm
· Filed under article, budget dining
excerpt:
"A bit earlier than usual this year, Entertainment is discounting its discount books. Regularly priced at $24 to $45, all books, valid through Nov. 1, now cost $12.99 each.
…The main focus is on restaurants, where the typical deal is an additional entree of equal or lesser cost when you buy the first entree at the usual price. Other deals include dollars-off discounts and twofers. Participating restaurants run the gamut from upscale establishments to fast-food and takeout places.
…You can check out the deals before you buy. Log onto www.entertainment.com, enter a ZIP code for an area of interest, and the site displays a list of available restaurant deals."
source: "Discount books' prices drop in time for summer travel" by Ed Perkins (San Jose Mercury News, May 21,2006)
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May 22, 2006 at 11:18 am
· Filed under article, food, health, resource
excerpt:
"If you like to dine out, be careful how you use the state's new Web site on restaurant health inspections. The site — www.ksfoodsafety.org — was unveiled Thursday in Topeka. It allows instant access to two years' worth of inspection records for all 10,300 food service establishments in Kansas.
Users will be hard-pressed to find a restaurant that's never been cited for a violation. And germophobes could quickly scare themselves out of ever dining out again.
But that's not realistic, said Sharon Watson, communications director for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, which created the site.
It's all about perspective, she said. Diners can rest assured that a restaurant with violations serious enough to pose a public health risk would be shut down until the problems were addressed.
…Information on the site is updated weekly, and users also can file complaints about restaurants.
…But diners should be careful not to misinterpret the information, Watson said.
A restaurant that's been cited for 11 minor violations might actually pose less of a threat than a restaurant that's been cited for one major violation.
"People need to realize that there are different levels of concern," she said. "The violations aren't all the same."
source: "Check online, then dine" by Denise Neil (The Wichita Eagle, May 5,2006)
Many state and city health departments are putting restaurant inspections online for easy public access. Here are a few more sites:
New York City Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene Restaurant Inspection Information
Philadelphia Environmental Health Services Restaurant Inspection
Spies Online's Restaurant Inspection Reports -listed by state
If you can't find restaurant inspections for your city or region online, you may also try contacting your local health department or state restaurant association for more information.
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May 19, 2006 at 11:59 am
· Filed under advice, free, resource, waitstaff
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May 16, 2006 at 5:29 pm
· Filed under advice
excerpt:
"New York City Restaurant Week is a great opportunity to sample some of the great offerings of New York City's many restaurants for a fraction of the price, making it a great chance to try something new or an old favorite that might be tough on the wallet. Here are some tips for making the most of your New York City Restaurant Week experience.
1) Reserve Early
Popular Restaurant Week choices will be booked up quickly, so the sooner you get on the phone (or Opentable.com) to make your reservations, the better. Reservations for lunch and dinner early in the week (Monday – Wednesday) tend to be easier to get than Thursday and Friday…"
source: "Top 10 New York City Restaurant Week Tips and Advice" by Heather Cross (About.com)
This is for the upcoming Restaurant Week in New York City, but most cities have a Restaurant Week to promote, share, and connect local restaurants with the community. Do a google search and find out when your city is having a Restaurant Week.
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