Raynickben

Bruce: Without getting into the more gory details it was the dinner from hell and this check matter was the last straw so to argue at that point was going to make a bad situation worse. And 3 of us wrote letters to the owner (who was not available that evening) and no one has received a response. Some people just don't care.

Definitley staff was the problem in my experiences. I know what the owners look like and it wasn't them! And to comment on ExtraMSG's inquiry about the more formal service being the issue...trust me...I have eaten in most major cities at most of the top restaurants (it is my passion) and I was formally a restaurant manager at a 4 star restaurant, etc. The service at Paley's is not formal.

Here's the situation that occured to us last month. We were 9 people. It was a slow Tuesday night for the restaurant. Our bill came to $450. We passed around the check and 5 of us had cash, 4 credit cards. On the back of the bill we wrote card Jones = $50, card Smith = $45, card Doe = $55, card Knight = $40, the rest is in cash. We spent 20 minutes making sure everything was adding up, etc. We handed the check and cards/cash to the waitress at which point she stated "we will only accept one form of payment. One of you will have to put all of it on a card". Say what??? You just watched us divide this all up, itemize it clearly for you and now you tell us you'll only take one card? Rules like that should be stated on the menu (it wasn't) or clarified before we even order (it wasn't). I put it all on my card just to get out of there but believe me...there are now 9 people who will NEVER go to that restaurant again and the 9 of us have BIG mouths! Take that Veritable Quandary in Portland, OR !!

I left Dallas a year ago (but I'm moving back next month) and the best bagels I could find were at Bagelstein's in Plano. I may have to re-evaluate when I get back but they were very acceptable to my Jewish in-laws and my own NJ bred tastebuds.

I USED to not like compliments and then I realized if no one said anything that it was worse.

I just might have been part of that other "couple sitting at the bar"! It was a female bartender and she couldn't of cared less if we liked our drinks or wanted another. Anyway, back to the subject at hand. Another good place to go is Portland City Grill especially for happy hour. You can eat well and cheaply and enjoy the great view of Portland. Dinner is also good there but a little on the pricey side. I had 4 large shrimp and some rice for $23. The lobster goes for $65. I'd stick with the happy hour!

I saw cheesesteaks sold in LA's Farmers Market that came with sprouts and avocado. Oh, you can have a cheesesteak with anything on it...but it's not a PHILLY Cheesesteak!

Agreed.

Mayo? Ewwwww.

Good point. Taco Bell is very popular in TX. So sad.

I have also been to Wildwood, Paley's and Caprials. While I had good food there I didn't have great food. And service-wise each one of those made me feel I was entering a club I didn't belong to. Quite uncomfortable. In fact I went back to Paley's for drinks (before dining at Wildwood) and my husband and I were both put off by the bartender's snobby attitude. The restaurants I mentioned as favorites had food that was unique, well orchestrated and left me wanting more. Maybe I was just lucky and ordered the right thing that night!

I have just completed my year long world-wind tour of Portland restaurants. My favorites from the past year are based on both food and service: Fratelli's Ristorante Lucy's Table Pho Van Three Doors Down Loved the food but the service was lacking: Higgins Fife Worst service ever: Veritable Quandary

McSushi

Oh for the love of god make it stop! Half the places in Philly can't make a decent cheesesteak and almost no one in the rest of the country can make it right unless they fly in Amoroso rolls. Why does McDonalds have to ruin everything?!

Well, you can't just stop there! How do you make your good-ass coffee?????

Steamed Clams. BRING 'M ON!

Stovetop Stuffing

Any place that serves Folgers...

Thanks for sharing the rejection letter! Sure beats some of the one's I've gotten.

My rule is if I am still thinking about it a month later I buy it. This rule applies to clothing, CDs, books, etc. For BIG things if I am thinking about it 6 months later I will get it. This comes in really handy because Christmas and my birthday are exactly 6 months apart. I always know what to ask for!

Those are the most pointless photos. My 5 year old can take more meaningful pictures.

Any chance you could share this rejection letter with us?

Sidecars are my favorite drink but I find that just about every bartender out there has a different version of the Sidecar and most of the time it isn't nearly as good as the recipe quoted above. Is it acceptable for me to inquire as to how said bartender makes his/her sidecar and if it isn't brandy/cointreau/lemon juice ask them to make it that way? Or should I just be daring and go with their version? I don't think I have had any other drink that is so varied. I never know what I'm going to get!

I am letting my subscription to Gourmet lapse also. After so many years of looking forward to reading it now I often put it to the side until I HAVE to read it because the next issue has arrived. I think it was "dumbed down" for the masses and ignores the true gourmets that relished every word in it. I usually find more of interest in Food and Wine but their last issue was lame too. So now I turn to egullet! Thank YOU!

That's what I want!