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Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Take Out Trauma
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I just finished a meal from Watershed in Decatur — one of my favorite restaurants and certainly one of the best in the area. Chef Scott Peacock’s recent James Beard award is well deserved. The problem: My daughter and I ordered take out, rather than eating at the restaurant. When we got home, the vegetables on my vegetable plate had run together like succotash, the fried items (okra and onion rings) were mushy and the shrimp grits were cold. In Watershed’s defense, this is not the kind of place I normally associate with take out. But if they didn’t offer this as a service they’d lose at least some of their business. So I ask: should restaurants of Watershed’s caliber offer take out? Or are they shooting themselves in the foot since the food is likely to not be the same as it is in the restaurant? What’s your experience with take out in mid- to high-end restaurants?
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TVs in Restaurants
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A reader who wants to remain anonymous makes a good point in a recent email: “What use (sic) to be a good “family” time is now no better than staying home. Why should we go out only to sit in front of a T.V. at the restaurant. What’s the point? The reason (we) started to go out to eat was to get away from the T.V. and telephone so we could have some family conversation. Now it seems most restaurant’s (sic) have installed T.V.’s (sic) and while trying to enjoy your dinner a person next to you is talking on the phone. What ever happened to “family” time??? Maybe some restaurant will read an article and maybe take note..”
Well said. Sports bars and strip joints aside, I can’t stand it when the TV or a cell phone distracts from the meal. It’s insulting to everyone — diners and the staff at the restaurant alike. What do you think?
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Is it a cop out to throw a warehouse club party?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We’re probably all been to parties where the food was all served on plastic trays, straight out of the Sam’s Club, BJ’s or Costco fridge. Appetizers from the freezer case, big bags of chips and gallons of salsa, ribs and wings from the rotisserie — you get the picture.
Is this a good way to put together a big party, with the end justifying the means?
Or sheer laziness by the host?
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