Jaymes

Thanks Jaymes, it's good to know that I can freely express my opinion on this site and have you respond on behalf of 250m people. You are most welcome. 'Hands across the sea' and all that. Edit: Oh. I forgot. In the interest of fair play and reciprocity, if you ever wish to know what all 250m Americans think about the way you Brits do things (in order to improve something or another about your country), please do not hesitate to ask me. I know you will be equally as interested in our opinion of you as we are in your helpful (and unsolicited) opinions of us.

Well, that is strange. You sure they said "plan" instead'a "fixin' to"??? And as for the "reheatening" part of it - that makes perfect sense. After all, hadn't it already been "heatened" once???

'Acorse. It should rightly be pronounced 'Tayla' as everyone knows.

And how about the ever popular murder-defense theory, "He just needed killing." As in - Lawyer: "Yer Honor, my client maybe did shoot ol' Buck down like a dawg, but he was the baddest badass in three counties. He just needed killin'." Judge: "I heard that." Lawyer: "Damn straight." Case adjourned.

Yeah, and "might could." And "tump" - as in "knock over" primarily used at table, as in: "Y'all kids might could be a little more careful. Yor fixin' to tump over yor big ol' glass of buttermilk." But the absolute BEST one of all is that you can say anything you want about someone as long as you add, "bless her heart" -- thereby demonstrating that you are not really being unkind and that in fact, sweet generous you loves her dearly despite all her obvious failings: "That Belva June is a man-stealing, bass-mouthed, tacky-ass bitch, bless her heart."

Not to mention that it gives you the right to say, "y'all," whenever you wish. Damn fine word, "y'all."

so that fact that the US has one of the highest obesity levels in the world has nothing to do with the amount of food served in restaurants? Actually, there are a LOT of reasons why that is, and the large proportions served in restaurants may well be one. Having spent a great deal of my time in Europe, I think another reason is that we have such an enormous land mass that we always take our vehicles places, rather than walk, as one does incessantly in European cities. But the reasons are many and varied and ephemeral, and I have neither the time nor the inclination to continue this discussion. It's lunchtime and I have to go eat half-a-cow and a couple heads of lettuce. (Of course, I'll save the other half-cow for suppertime. Got to cut back somewhere.) Edit: Actually, I'm just kidding. I'm not having half-a-cow. Or any cow at all. In fact, what I really AM having is far more apropos to this thread: leftover chile relleno from last night's dinner at a local Mexican restaurant. And yum, yum, it will be tasty.

I can tell you that it is generally considered to be a result of the rampant, healthy, hearty and wildly enthusiastic capitalism upon which our, thus far, fairly successful country was founded. In other words, if you have a restaurant, and it's next door to another restaurant, and you start serving larger proportions than the other fellow, people begin perceiving it as being "more bang for the buck." They're getting more for their money. So, the rationale goes, you can either eat it, and leave feeling really satisified that you got your money's worth, or you can share with a tablemate, believing that two people ate for the price of one, or you can take some home, and believe that you got two (or more) meals for the price of one. And that's how it all got started, according to business gurus. It had nothing to do with either us being fat or WISHING to be fat. Or wishing to amuse Britcook. (Although of course, I'm madly happy that we do.)

Contrary to what you seem to believe, it is not common practice in U.S. restaurants for the waitstaff to hover over our tables and forcefeed us as though we were a bunch of French ducks. The fact of the matter is that we DO have a choice, and do not HAVE to "eat what is put in front" of us if we don't wish to. Some of those choices are to request half-orders, or share dishes with our tablemates. And, of course, to ask for the doggie bags that so amuse Britcook (our raison d'être) - and that provide us with tasty treats the next day, thereby getting several delicious restaurant-prepared meals from one outing. But I know that I speak for the entire U.S.A. when I tell you how much we appreciate your sharing with us your helpful insight and advice into the way we prefer to do things. Thank you so much.

Welcome DitsyDine.... I see it's your first post. Glad to have you here.

The steak is the BEST. I mean I obviously never buy really expensive steaks or other cuts of prime beef (even if I could) and then slice them up for Asian dishes, or stirfrys, or steak sandwiches, etc. But they are so tender! And when I am eating some kind of beef salad or Beef & Peppers or steak sandwich made with thinly-sliced strips of leftover porterhouse or something, it is the most decadent of treats. I saute the meat as briefly as possible, just until it's hot, trying hard to cook it as little as possible so that it's still med-rare. It's the best.

Why? Snobbery, I think. It appears a little vulgar and a little mean. (I‘m not suggesting that it really is vulgar or mean.) It's been my experience that a great many Europeans, having dealt with class distinctions for years, go to great lengths to make sure no one mistakes them for being a member of the lower caste of serfs and such. And most Europeans with whom I've discussed this seem to equate such actions as taking home the remainder of a restaurant dinner, as being the same thing as "NEEDING" to take home the remainder of the restaurant dinner. In the States, we don't worry about that class stuff. Certainly not much, anyway. And probably not at all. We don't think that if we ask the waiter to wrap up the other half of an enormous piece of prime rib, or the second lobster tail, he'll think we're either destitute or otherwise obviously to the sod born. Some of my favorite meals start with restaurant leftovers. I usually use them in omelettes, or fried rice, or crepes, or tortillas. But my favorite thing is to take that leftover bit of delicious medium-rare steak, slice it thinly, saute it briefly in a little butter with shallots and mushrooms, and put it on some delicious French bread for a steak sandwich. I often enjoy this "second day treat" more than the first go around. Also - just as someone previously said, I've known more than one European to quickly get the hang of the doggie-bag thing. Most recently I had a houseguest from the Netherlands for a month. The first time we were dining out (Italian that particular night) and we all asked for doggie bags, she was absolutely mortified. The second time, and for the entire remainder of her stay, she was the first one leading the doggie-bag charge at table. Let's face it. It's just sensible.

Here's something from a very old "foreign foods" cookbook I have in my collection: "The Foods of Russia" "The origins of Russian cookery are shrouded in mystery and veils of secrecy. It is thought that the Russians developed their unique style of cooking by copying French, Italian and Spanish methods. These efforts began in earnest when Peter the Great instituted his reforms to modernize Russia and open it to the 'new world.' The Russians later turned their continental style into what they now call Russian. The result is often like a discordant note to a gourmet. However, there are many individual dishes that remain unexcelled. "The class structure of the Russian people has made it necessary for the people to eat differently. For breakfast, Russian workers, who are often very poor, eat kasha, a cereal made from grits; heavy rye or black bread; and milk. Lunch usually consists of one common dish such as a soup, like borscht. "For professional and executive groups, breakfast may have more variety: meatballs with rice, coffee and almond cookies. Dinner may be a tomato salad, pike or perch, chicken soup with noodles, roast beef with potatoes, melon and water. Supper is usually light and consists of a salad, meat dish with potatoes, tea and maybe a light dessert. "The Russians are great meat eaters and the country abounds with wildlife. Their most favorite way of preparing meat is to roast it. They usually select beef, mutton, pork, poultry, game or veal. "Russia has never really developed a very good selection of desserts because the emphasis was on the heartier part of the meal. By the time the after-the-meal sweet was reached, most Russians were too full to really enjoy it. However, at holidays they make special sweet breads and cookies. On Easter, especially, one particular dish stands our as a universal favorite: Pashka. It is made of cream cheese, egg yolks, butter, cream, sugar, almonds, candied fruit and vanilla. "Anyone looking at Russian recipes will quickly realize that there is one ingredient that is rarely left out of any food dish: sour cream. It is said that every Russian housewife keeps an ample supply of sour cream in her larder for all occasions. "Russians are also great soup eaters. Their soups are noted for their heavy consistency. In fact, many a meal is made from soup alone, for it is so hearty. The favorite is Borscht, a vegetable base soup made from beet root and typically garnished with a spoonful of sour cream. "Russia is a land of various contrasts: the very active city life and the desolate life in the country. To the residents of Russia, it is a land of mountain ranges, river rapids, and wealth in the form of precious resources: iron ore, gold, coal, oil, asbestos, graphite. It is also arctic wastes, subtropical forests, deserts where nothing will grow, and fertile regions of rich, deep, black soil where crops flourish."

It's a dessert. Usually served at Russian Orthodox Easter... Kind of hard to describe - sort of like a cheesecakey thing that you bake in a mold, but with candied fruits and almonds and currants. And you serve it with fresh fruits to garnish. I once had a neighbor who made it every Spring. She baked it in a clay flowerpot. I think that's a "traditional" thing to do as well. I believe our own Helena is Russian. So maybe she can elaborate.

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Sauerkraut Soup Stroganoff Chicken Kiev Chicken Cutlets in Paprika Sauce Lots of stuff "Romanoff" like potatoes, strawberries...etc. Paschka And... and... and... Where's Helena??

However, the other morning I decided to do a pork roast. Did things exactly as I usually do.... browned it, etc., and then put it in a slow oven. And, sat down at my computer to get some work done, and intermittently (and unfortunately) decided to stop by eGullet for "just a minute or two and check things out." Well - the upshot of the whole thing is that I completely forgot about my pork roast. And when, about six HOURS later I took it out, the entire thing had turned to mush and was pretty-much flavorless. And I immediately thought of the "crockpot" thread. So - there you go. For whatever it's worth.

Ah ha - I think I've finally got it. Four or five reservations that you cannot possibly keep is all right, but 100 is not. So, it's a question of degree, not principle. Of course, this DOES remind me a little of that old joke about the woman in the elevator who will sleep with the fellow for $1mil, but not five bucks. "What do you think I am?" "We've already established that, Madame, and now we're just haggling over the price."

It's all right, Steve. I can live with it. After all, some of my best friends are rude, inconsiderate and arrogant.

And they would know this because they hire directly from the Psychic Friends Network?

"Scumbags" is a little strong. I wouldn't label them as scumbags, either. But I would and DO label them as being rude and arrogant and inconsiderate of others. And, Steve, you say that "you are probably talking about a very small segment..." Well, why do you think that is? Do you think the segment would remain "very small" if everyone behaved that way and felt perfectly justified in doing so? And then, when the restaurants DO have to "impose a radically different system," I'll bet those who squeal the loudest will be the exact same ones whose standard operating procedure when planning for a Saturday evening out is to make multiple reservations and then decide later which one they're "in the mood for." Oh - and regarding "a little girl's hurt feelings," I guess you're saying that however you treat someone is okay as long as they don't find out? - since "hurt feelings" are the issue, and not the way a person with manners and integrity should behave.

The thing is, you're talking about illegal activities -- things that are against the rules, like larceny. I'm talking about playing by the rules. At that point I don't judge people unless they go to the 100-reservations bad-faith extreme. I'm more likely to wonder what the rulemakers were thinking when they made rules that not only allow but encourage the bad behavior in question. You can tell people not to help themselves to free stuff, but you're going to be like the tree that falls in the forest and nobody hears it. I understand that. I understand that that's where you and I draw the line. But THAT rationale - "they let me do it" is the exact same rationale those people use. "It's not wrong to peek into someone's hand when playing cards if they show it to you." And if you leave your billfold in a cab - and someone finds it and keeps it - what do you think they say to justify it? They say "well, that guy left it there - he LET me find it - what does he expect? He GAVE it to me. heheheh." Right or wrong, that IS the rationale that those people use. Like they have no free will or control over their own actions, no value system or judgment themselves. That's what you (actually, not you - others here) are saying... Hey - it ain't up to me - THEY LET me do it. I don't have a brain here. I can't possibly make value judgments. You certainly can't expect me to decide what's "right" and "wrong" - what might not be illegal but might be onerous. I mean, as long as it's legal - it's THERE - there isn't a law against it - well then - it must be the RIGHT THING TO DO! I hold myself to a higher standard of conduct than that. I may not always be successful, but I at least do try to ask myself, 'how should one behave?' - rather than, 'what can I get away with?' But whatever. Fine. Just like every other damn thing, people who abuse the system make us all pay in the long run. And when you DO call a restaurant and they immediately charge your card with a hundred buck non-refundable deposit and you want to squeal about it and try to figure out whose fault it is, those of you who think that it's just fine to make three or four or five reservations on Monday for a Saturday night, and then cancel whenever it "suits" you, can go look in the mirror. It's YOUR fault. And I and the rest of us like me will thank you. And this is it for me and my brief foray into the "do right" threads. I'm going to bed. Those of you who want me can find me upon the morrow over in "cooking." Where I belong.

It isn't smart or clever or sophisticated or imaginative. It's just plain rude. Any five-year-old could come up with the same plan, and probably did, in various guises throughout their upbringing. Mom says, "you have to choose where you want your birthday party now, Chuck E. Cheese, or McDonald's, or Miniature Golf, otherwise they'll be full." And kid says, "I can't decide - can't we just tell them ALL we'll be there and THEN I'll decide later which one I really want." And pretty high school girl says: "Well, yes I told Tom I'd go to the dance with him, and Dick, and Harry, but I'm really hoping that Bob will ask me. And then I'll decide later which one I really want." Only most of us, somewhere along the line, learn lessons about manners and responsibility and consideration for others. Which is why most of us don't do that. Not because we're too stupid to have figured it out. Just because you're "allowed" to do some things doesn't make it right. I say non-refundable deposits charged at time of booking. I'll take "column view" next Saturday night at 8pm. Here's my card. Charge it. We'll be there. You can count on it.

Jaymes, doesn't your argument assume that restaurants don't overbook? I think many of them do. And I still maintain that, if restaurants are going to give out these free options, it's hard to blame people for using them. I should add that I personally do not ever hold multiple reservations for more than about five seconds. That is to say, the only circumstance under which I take advantage of the free option is when I secure a table at a "safety" restaurant and then go looking for tables at a preferred spot. If I get the table at the preferred spot, my next call is to cancel the other one. But I don't hold two reservations while deciding. Nonetheless, I can't blame anyone else for doing it -- it's like saying people should say no to free stuff. Fat Guy - I like and respect you - and really do studiously try to avoid these types of arguments and threads. BUT, I want you to read back your post. Those are the same arguments people make who "help themselves" to "free stuff" during blackouts, or when they see a purse left on the subway, or when the fruit stall man turns his back. There's nothing wrong with holding a reservation to be sure you have something while you continue to call around. But that's not what these people are talking about. They're saying that they call on Monday and hold four or five prime reservations for Saturday night, while they talk it all over with their dining companions and decide which of the reservations they want. And, they have said here, as long as they call by 4 or 5pm - well, golly, that's just fine.