I think a lot of service workers are just “over it” in general. In many industries, like retail or delivery, I can’t say I blame them. Low pay, long hours, and a small subset of rude/entitled customers that have an outsized impact on morale.
I agree with you whole heartedly; it is a vicious circle unfortunately.
You’re angry that I clarified a post (though rising taxes is part of rising costs) to a position that is ostensibly closer to your own view, and then wait two weeks to express your vitriol?
K.
Who said I was angry? I merely saw the letter to the editor (and your edit) yesterday.
I think we see service as more integral to the experience of dining out, than say, having a pleasant sales associate is to the act of buying a new shirt in a department store. With that being said, generally speaking, I agree with you that service has declined across a number of industries. We’re also enjoying cooking at home more often and drinking from our cellar. When we do dine out, we typically look to restaurants that allow byo/corkage so we can partake in mature-ish wines that we want to drink.
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As someone who owns a restaurant that has instituted a service charge (and must now pay at least minimum wage to all employees instead of tipped minimum to front of the house) our labor costs aren’t nearly the biggest problem, other costs have risen fast, as the reply points out. I’ll also note bitterly that we got jack-shit out of our insurance company when we had to close for COVID.
Here’s a real example: In 2018, a new walk-in cooler cost me $4,500. A recent quote for the same unit? Over $12,000. Two months later, it was $15,000 — good for two weeks only, before tariffs or inflation (or just because the company can) drove it up again.
Our liability insurance premium went up 40% last year, despite the restaurant never having made a claim. The cost of having our trash picked up and our linens washed has also skyrocketed, though there is no change in the frequency or quality of those services. The only thing that went up was the price.
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Pretty much. My son would eat it
Really have to question your parenting skills David!
My son has no dining standards. Gets it from his mom (joking - she’s a pescatarian). The fact that he eats deep dish at all (and Malnati’s at that) says it all
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NYT review of Alinea at 20. IMO, a pretty fair review, though admittedly I’m tired of molecular gastronomy across the board.
# 20 Years Ago, Alinea Electrified Chicago Dining. Does It Still Matter?
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Had a really great meal at Maple and Ash on Friday. I know they’ve caught a lot of flack for their pairings and pricing (pricing was very high) but all of the food was excellent. They started us with a small cocktail and chips and dip topped with caviar, both were very good. I opted for the rib cap special which may be one of the best restaurant steaks I’ve had. The seafood dishes and sides we had as well as my wife’s filet were all excellent as well.
We started with a 1/2 bottle of Ruinart Rose which was pricey but a great way to start, and then picked four glasses off the list. We had them split each glass so we could each get a 1/2 pour. Service and pacing was great.
It was loud, which we don’t mind, but some people may not like that atmosphere.
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Nice review. If you’re looking for a steakhouse next time you’re in town, I’d consider Bavette’s. Getting a table can be difficult, so you need to plan well in advance. I have not been to (going soon), but have heard very good things about Asador Bastian. The general consensus is very good and very expensive. I’ll report back after our visit.
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Thanks for the recommendations, Chicago remains our favorite big city to visit. We are Midwesterners though, so that may play a part in it. But a beautiful September day downtown is hard to beat.
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I think it’s excellent and very expensive. But Doug and Hsing are worth it
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