930 Forums
=> GENERAL DISCUSSION => Topic started by: Venerable Bede on July 16, 2004, 02:01:00 pm
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July 26-August 1
http://www.washington.org/restaurantwk/ (http://www.washington.org/restaurantwk/)
now, which restaurant to try this time.
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I've heard great things about Cordoroy
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Speaking of food...
Can anyone think of a good place I can bring my mum and her boyfriend to Sunday brunch at, either in NOVA or DC?
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Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
Speaking of food...
Can anyone think of a good place I can bring my mum and her boyfriend to Sunday brunch at, either in NOVA or DC?
how much you wanna spend. . .i'd recommend cashion's if you wanna treat yourself. otherwise, ebbitt's, sequoia. . .there are some places down in old town that are good and right on the water.
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Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
Can anyone think of a good place I can bring my mum and her boyfriend to Sunday brunch at, either in NOVA or DC?
Doesn't Denny's give NASCAR fanclub discounts?
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One that I would *not* recommend trying is Taberna Del Alabardero. I tried it during the last restaurant week and actually didn't like/want the choices on the R.W. menu (limited to 3 choices, I think). I ended up ordering something else, which was disappointing.
Plus, this restaurant is not all it is cracked up to be. It was a let-down.
Two places that I like that are unfortunately not included in the R.W. list are: Matchbox and Zaytinya. I've actually not eaten at Zaytinya *yet* but I am close to finally being able to get there (damn schedules)! :roll:
Cheers
DJ Medusa.
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Good to know. Never been to Denny's since I'm so hooked on Waffle House.
Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
Can anyone think of a good place I can bring my mum and her boyfriend to Sunday brunch at, either in NOVA or DC?
Doesn't Denny's give NASCAR fanclub discounts? [/b]
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Originally posted by Medusa:
One that I would *not* recommend trying is Taberna Del Alabardero.
Agreed.
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Avoid Mie n Yu in Georgetown. Biggest waste of money ever. Good thing it wasn't my $$. :D
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La Madeleine if there's one near you.
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You guys want me to bust the piggy bank, don't you?
My mum is country folk. They just stopped at Cracker Barrel on the way here.
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Take them to Asylum then. French toast is 4 bucks.
Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
You guys want me to bust the piggy bank, don't you?
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How about teaism's brunch items? anybody had them>?
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Carlyle in Shirlington area of arlington has a great brunch....great brioche french toast, good egg's benedict variations and fresh baked bread. Great service too. i think they only serve brunch on sunday and no reservations so call ahead and get on the list for a table before you get there. It'll run you about 60 or 70 bucks for brunch for four people. Get the lobster bisque too. It's the best soup I've ever had by far.
Here's the menu (http://www.greatamericanrestaurants.com/carsub/brunch.cfm).
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Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
How about teaism's brunch items? anybody had them>?
Teaism (http://www.teaism.com/) would be a great option. The prices are very good. The Penn Quarter location is my favorite since it has a lower-level with more seating.
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None other than former Woodbridge Virginia high school valedictorian and country music legend EmmyLou Harris said her favorite place to go in DC was Teaism.
Originally posted by Random Citizen:
Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
How about teaism's brunch items? anybody had them>?
Teaism (http://www.teaism.com/) would be a great option. The prices are very good. The Penn Quarter location is my favorite since it has a lower-level with more seating. [/b]
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It's looking more and more like IHOP isn't it you cheap bastard?
Actually, when I was a child we weren't allowed to buy brunch, we had to make our own. ;)
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how about bob and edith's in arlington...
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A friend of mine ordered veal parmesan there once. Apparently it wasn't to his liking. What the hell do you expect?! He had the nerve to return it.
Originally posted by Bollocks:
It's looking more and more like IHOP isn't it you cheap bastard?
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Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:
how about bob and edith's in arlington...
they put brown gravy on chicken fried steak. . talk about a culinary faux pas! ewwww.
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That's probably the least of your worries.
Originally posted by Venerable Bede:
they put brown gravy on chicken fried steak. .
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All of this talk about brunch... Did anyone see the Simpsons last night when Marge was romanced by the French bowling instructor?
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Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:
how about bob and edith's in arlington...
Right down the street from me casa.
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WE had IHOP a couple of weeks ago, on the way to the beach in Jersey. Love that place. Good road food, but no, I won't take guests there.
Originally posted by Bollocks:
It's looking more and more like IHOP isn't it you cheap bastard?
Actually, when I was a child we weren't allowed to buy brunch, we had to make our own. ;)
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Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:
how about bob and edith's in arlington...
i was going to suggest that!! greasy, loud, crowded and noisy... and so so so so delicious ;)
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what's the best Sushi place in the area?
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Originally posted by chaz:
Avoid Mie n Yu in Georgetown. Biggest waste of money ever. Good thing it wasn't my $$. :D
I agree completely -- DAMN that place is expensive, and not all that.
Medusa, Zaytinya is my favorite -- food is great, place is super cool but the wait staff is really nice. You must get by. I always take guests there....
And for brunch, if you want to go pretty basic but not chain-y, the Luna in Shirlington is yummy and should make anyone happy for brunch...
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Originally posted by Samantha:
what's the best Sushi place in the area?
Kaz, hands down! (Kaz is on I Street, N.W., between 19th and 20th Streets).
And Bags, I am crossing my fingers for Zaytinya this week or next. I'm excited! :)
Cheers
DJ Medusa.
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Originally posted by brennser:
I've heard great things about Cordoroy
I *heart* Corduroy. The chef is really engaged, the food is great, and they have a pretty nice happy hour. (veggie friendly, too)
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Originally posted by Samantha:
what's the best Sushi place in the area?
i have a couple of friends that love signatures. i haven't been there though.
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Kaz
Originally posted by Samantha:
what's the best Sushi place in the area?
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When I hear Signature's, I think of my old office and the stuffy, dull CEO that used to eat there daily. While the sushi might be good, there has to be a better option.
Originally posted by Venerable Bede:
i have a couple of friends that love signatures. i haven't been there though.
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So, where did you all end up?
Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
Can anyone think of a good place I can bring my mum and her boyfriend to Sunday brunch at, either in NOVA or DC?
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Sorry, have to add my $.02 about restaurant week. Having gone out to eat on restaurant week for years now, I'm sick of it. Sure, it's an affordable way to get to some restaurants, but is it worth it? The places are packed, the service gets spread too thin, the menu options are limited and rarely veggie-friendly, and the food is mass-produced without fail. I've been to alot of places and all I can say is that I"m willing to pay 20% more any other week for a good experience instead of saving some $ and having to wait an hour for the wrong entree to be served to me (as happened at Firefly last winter), or for my entree to be cold (at 15 Ria), or for there to be no veggie options, etc. Servers also get attitudes about it cuz they're working harder to deal with packed restaurants but get less in tips because of the lower prices. It's just a mess, and few places are well-equiped to deal with the crowds.
You get what you pay for.
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In my kitchen, eating waffles with vanilla ice cream and syrup.
We ended up eating out in Baltimore Saturday night.
Thanks for the tips, I'll remember them for next time...
Originally posted by thirsty moore:
So, where did you all end up?
Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
Can anyone think of a good place I can bring my mum and her boyfriend to Sunday brunch at, either in NOVA or DC?
[/b]
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Sure, it's an affordable way to get to some restaurants, but is it worth it?
it depends - are there restaurants who take a somewhat half hearted approach to RW - absolutely - but for every Firefly theres a Ten Penh where I had an amazing RW lunch 2 years ago....choice of 3 apps, ANY entree (I ended up with a divine whole grilled rockfish), and 3 desserts - for $20 I consider that to be definitely worth it...
in general I think the lunches are a better deal than the dinners...
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Originally posted by chimbly sweep:
Sorry, have to add my $.02 about restaurant week. Having gone out to eat on restaurant week for years now, I'm sick of it. Sure, it's an affordable way to get to some restaurants, but is it worth it? The places are packed, the service gets spread too thin, the menu options are limited and rarely veggie-friendly,
That's why you a) check the restaurant's website and/or reviews to see their offerings before reserving and b) reserve for an "off" time (e.g. lunch on a Tuesday vs. dinner on a Friday).
I think Restaurant Weeks are a great way to check out the various options in DC (and some in VA). As long as one's expectations aren't too high, it's definitely worth it. And I'm sure the restauranteurs would rather have a packed dining room than 1-2 tables with people ordering appetizers.
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I usually tend to eat only one course at dinner instead of gorging myself with three, so I don't see how this would be a good option for me...?
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Originally posted by chimbly sweep:
Sorry, have to add my $.02 about restaurant week. Having gone out to eat on restaurant week for years now, I'm sick of it. Sure, it's an affordable way to get to some restaurants, but is it worth it? The places are packed, the service gets spread too thin, the menu options are limited and rarely veggie-friendly, and the food is mass-produced without fail. I've been to alot of places and all I can say is that I"m willing to pay 20% more any other week for a good experience instead of saving some $ and having to wait an hour for the wrong entree to be served to me (as happened at Firefly last winter), or for my entree to be cold (at 15 Ria), or for there to be no veggie options, etc. Servers also get attitudes about it cuz they're working harder to deal with packed restaurants but get less in tips because of the lower prices. It's just a mess, and few places are well-equiped to deal with the crowds.
You get what you pay for.
from the restaurant week earlier this year, i think alot of restaurants are addressing the problems with their menu options. . .from what i can tell, it seems most restaurants (except equinox and vidalia, cause those chefs like to make up special dishes solely for restaurant week) are just using their regular menu with surcharges for the more expensive dishes (like a lobster or a filet mignon). as for no veggie-options, boo-fricken-hoo. . .choose the cold pasta. :)
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Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
I usually tend to eat only one course at dinner instead of gorging myself with three, so I don't see how this would be a good option for me...?
How big is that one course you're eating? If it's huge, then that's why you couldn't eat three courses. Most three-course meals offered during RW include a salad/soup for the first course, main entree for the second and a dessert for the third. It's quite easy to have all three if you don't eat everything on the plate.
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Say you get tapas style entrees, or Ethiopian food for that matter. How is one course defined in those cuisines?
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Lately, my wife and I have just been splitting a main entree and skipping the other courses, otherwise we feel too stuffed. I would never leave food on my plate, there are starving people in China.
Originally posted by Random Citizen:
Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
I usually tend to eat only one course at dinner instead of gorging myself with three, so I don't see how this would be a good option for me...?
How big is that one course you're eating? If it's huge, then that's why you couldn't eat three courses. Most three-course meals offered during RW include a salad/soup for the first course, main entree for the second and a dessert for the third. It's quite easy to have all three if you don't eat everything on the plate. [/b]
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Originally posted by thirsty moore:
Say you get tapas style entrees, or Ethiopian food for that matter. How is one course defined in those cuisines?
Obviously, it would be up to the restaurant. Typically, RW participants have a limited menu as opposed to their regular offerings, which is why it's important to specify that you're coming for RW when making reservations.
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Originally posted by chimbly sweep:
The places are packed, the service gets spread too thin, the menu options are limited and rarely veggie-friendly, and the food is mass-produced without fail.
I tend to go to lunches more than dinners, but have not experienced a problem yet. Butterfield 9 was fabulous last year, and every year I go to Gallileo. How much more packed than "full" can a restaurant get?
I certainly believe there are some restaurants that handle it not so well -- I had dinner at Ardeo and thought that I only really saved a few dollars and could have had more choices -- but I don't think the concept fails across the board. At least not in my experience.
Brennser's point is good -- recently, I always check the restaurant's RW menu online before I book. And I agree that lunch is the best deal...
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Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
Lately, my wife and I have just been splitting a main entree and skipping the other courses, otherwise we feel too stuffed. I would never leave food on my plate, there are starving people in China.
you must be drinking a ton of dan-action in order to get enough protein (well, not celeste i suppose), calories and vitamins to maintain your health.
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every year I go to Gallileo
now theres a restaurant I truly despise - I will never darken its door again
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Originally posted by chaz:
Avoid Mie n Yu in Georgetown. Biggest waste of money ever. Good thing it wasn't my $$. :D
just stop in to use the loo
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cashion's is excellent...for sushi, i'm partial to sushi-ko on wisconsin ave.
if you're even considering bistro bis for RW, think again...it was one of the lousiest dining experiences i've ever had. bad service. even worse food.
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Originally posted by Samantha:
what's the best Sushi place in the area?
I like Cafe Asia...the one in Rosslyn has a silly/fun japanimation kind of vibe, and the one on Eye street maybe even more so, but it's less charming...these places are casual and fun and not overpriced!
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Originally posted by chimbly sweep:
Sorry, have to add my $.02 about restaurant week... Sure, it's an affordable way to get to some restaurants, but is it worth it? The places are packed, the service gets spread too thin, the menu options are limited and rarely veggie-friendly, and the food is mass-produced without fail...
I'd have to agree...unless you're willing to eat fish...you're almost out of luck completely...I think most restos are severely overpriced and below quality...and I'm talking about the nice places work pays for...
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yikes - Cafe Asia is cheap and I like their other food but their sushi is just not that good, or at least their happy hour $1 a piece sushi is not good, sliced so thin you can read the paper thru it
Originally posted by Celeste:
Originally posted by Samantha:
what's the best Sushi place in the area?
I like Cafe Asia...the one in Rosslyn has a silly/fun japanimation kind of vibe, and the one on Eye street maybe even more so, but it's less charming...these places are casual and fun and not overpriced! [/b]
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I like Cafe Asia in general, but I think their sushi is pretty blah.
Tachibana in Mclean is excellent -- especially the spicy scallop roll and the bluefin with jalapeno. They are also great about making any sushi you want, whether it's on the menu or not.
Originally posted by Celeste:
Originally posted by Samantha:
what's the best Sushi place in the area?
I like Cafe Asia...the one in Rosslyn has a silly/fun japanimation kind of vibe, and the one on Eye street maybe even more so, but it's less charming...these places are casual and fun and not overpriced! [/b]
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Originally posted by Bagalicious Tangster:
I tend to go to lunches more than dinners, but have not experienced a problem yet. Butterfield 9 was fabulous last year...
I went to B9 for lunch during the Jan '03 RW. What an experience. I was with three Black co-workers. Our table was seated upstairs next to the kitchen-- walking past many nicer tables that were available. When we asked for a different table, they said they were "taken." We looked around and noticed that the only Black people in the restaurant were seated upstairs toward the back. The entire ground floor didn't have a single Black person at a table.
Then we received shitty service, even though the servers all had to walk past our table everytime they went to the kitchen.
Was it a coincidence? Could have been. But it still pissed me off, alot.
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Unfortunately, conventional wisdom among restaurant staff is that black people are crappy tippers. This leads to a vicious circle, whereby black people get shitty service because servers assume a crappy tip is forthcoming. Then, having received bad service, a crappy tip is warranted, which just reinforces this whole cycle.
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Civilized societies should've stopped eating sushi the day fire was invented.
That's bad about putting all the black patrons upstairs, but I was told a story by a friend who worked as a hostess when she was much younger....the restaurant had three small rooms and each room had two waitstaff. She was told to put the first customers in room one, second in room two, third in room three, fourth in room one fifth in room two, sixth in room three etc etc. This was so everyone could be waited on equally and the waitstaff in one room wouldn't be run off their feet while another room would be sat empty....anyway, what happened was that every third set of customers just happened to be black so they all ended up in the same room and it caused a problem because they obviously assumed they were being shoved in the same room together.
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Originally posted by brennser:
yikes - Cafe Asia is cheap and I like their other food but their sushi is just not that good, or at least their happy hour $1 a piece sushi is not good, sliced so thin you can read the paper thru it
I just get the maki so the "sliced thin" part doesn't apply to my choices...I can't speak for the other kind at all!
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Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
Unfortunately, conventional wisdom among restaurant staff is that black people are crappy tippers. This leads to a vicious circle, whereby black people get shitty service because servers assume a crappy tip is forthcoming. Then, having received bad service, a crappy tip is warranted, which just reinforces this whole cycle.
When I waited tables, I always gave black people extra good service just to make sure they'd have no reason to chintz out on the tip, and I'm sorry to report that they did anyway, most of the time.
Doesn't mean they're inferior or bad people, but I would categorically say they're not the best tippers out there... and there never seems to be enough alcohol in the foofie frozen drinks they order.
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I wonder if black folk just give lousy tips to white waitstaff?
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Originally posted by Bollocks:
I wonder if black folk just give lousy tips to white waitstaff?
Nice generalization there. I'm a great tipper. I've never worked in the restaurant industry, but know they make crap salaries, so I try to give them the benefit of the doubt. If the service is good, I'll usually tip at least 25%, if it's great, it's more than that.
I went to Heritage India with a white colleague of mine a few months back. She was pretty rude to the waitstaff and made quite a mess on the tablecloth. The tab came to about $32 and we both put down $20 bills. I left it at that, but she insisted we wait for change. :eek: Sure enough, she took back a few dollars and wanted to leave them a $5 tip.
As we got up to leave, I said I needed to use the restroom and I'd meet her outside. I faked for the back and then came back around and slid another $5 in the receipt sleeve.
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Originally posted by Random Citizen:
Originally posted by Bollocks:
I wonder if black folk just give lousy tips to white waitstaff?
Nice generalization there. I'm a great tipper. I've never worked in the restaurant industry, but know they make crap salaries, so I try to give them the benefit of the doubt. If the service is good, I'll usually tip at least 25%, if it's great, it's more than that.
I went to Heritage India with a white colleague of mine a few months back. She was pretty rude to the waitstaff and made quite a mess on the tablecloth. The tab came to about $32 and we both put down $20 bills. I left it at that, but she insisted we wait for change. ;) Well, he would rather wait for a black sales counselor to become available rather than have a white one make a commission off him...AND THOSE WERE HIS EXACT WORDS!
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Originally posted by Bollocks:
Circuit City....
sales counselor....
Sanitation expert and a maintenance engineer
Garbage man, a janitor and you my dear
A real union flight attendant, my oh my
You ain't nothin' but a waitress in the sky
You ain't nothin' but a waitress in the sky
You ain't nothin' but a waitress in the sky
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Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
Originally posted by Bollocks:
Circuit City....
sales counselor....
Sanitation expert and a maintenance engineer
Garbage man, a janitor and you my dear
A real union flight attendant, my oh my
You ain't nothin' but a waitress in the sky
You ain't nothin' but a waitress in the sky
You ain't nothin' but a waitress in the sky [/b]
Sorry, you obviously misunderstood. I was a sales counselor for Circuit City, not a flight attendant.
*mankie thinks* parents spent well on his college education..
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Did you get Mohammed Ali's autograph?
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I know I shouldn't make generalizations, but Idon't think all black people are as dumb and uneducated as your typical black boxer.
Originally posted by Bollocks:
Originally posted by Random Citizen:
Originally posted by Bollocks:
I wonder if black folk just give lousy tips to white waitstaff?
Nice generalization there. I'm a great tipper. I've never worked in the restaurant industry, but know they make crap salaries, so I try to give them the benefit of the doubt. If the service is good, I'll usually tip at least 25%, if it's great, it's more than that.
I went to Heritage India with a white colleague of mine a few months back. She was pretty rude to the waitstaff and made quite a mess on the tablecloth. The tab came to about $32 and we both put down $20 bills. I left it at that, but she insisted we wait for change. ;) Well, he would rather wait for a black sales counselor to become available rather than have a white one make a commission off him...AND THOSE WERE HIS EXACT WORDS! [/b]
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Originally posted by Bollocks:
*mankie thinks* parents spent well on his college education..
**ggw thinks** subtlety lost on Mankie. Doesn't understand that "sales counselor" at a stereo store is a euphemism much like those in the Replacements song. Wonder what he's rambling on about college for. Poor old chap must have forgotten to take his Donepezil this morning.
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Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
Originally posted by Bollocks:
*mankie thinks* parents spent well on his college education..
**ggw thinks** subtlety lost on Mankie. Doesn't understand that "sales counselor" at a stereo store is a euphemism much like those in the Replacements song. Wonder what he's rambling on about college for. Poor old chap must have forgotten to take his Donepezil this morning. [/b]
*mankie thinks* GGW is finally back to being the pompous, elitist, my shit doesn't stink loveable self. Shame I wasn't a Sanitation expert, maintenance engineer, garbage man or even a janitor either, or his attempt at humor may not have fallen flat on it's face.
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Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
Did you get Mohammed Ali's autograph?
If Ali is not a heavyweight, I'd hate to see how big the heavyweight boxers are.
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We've outsourced those to Japan.
Originally posted by Bollocks:
If Ali is not a heavyweight, I'd hate to see how big the heavyweight boxers are.
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Originally posted by Bagalicious Tangster:
I tend to go to lunches more than dinners, but have not experienced a problem yet. Butterfield 9 was fabulous last year,
I went to Butterfield 9 tonight with friends. Holy shee-it, that was good. We didn't have any problems, the staff was great and the food was fantastic.