Yes I know it's more of a fault than a merit. It's my worst trait and mostly ends up being damaging to my relationships (with anybody - husband, friend, family, colleague). But sometimes, just sometimes, it pays to be a bit of an impatient b*tch.
Or maybe it's better to phrase it this way - I expect things to be done right and I have no problems letting you know when you are not meeting that standard. No that still sounds pretty b*tchy.
Anyway! The point is, we had a most lovely meal at Fable, the trendy new(ish) restaurant in Vancouver opened by two Top Chef Canada contestants earlier this year. I'd heard about it from multiple sources and so decided that was where I'd take Keith for his 30th birthday meal.
Obviously, I'd chosen my starter (duck meatball and spaghetti) and main (duck breast - what? I love duck!) well before we even got there, but Keith settled on his chickpea fritters after perusing the menu, and also decided to go with the duck as well.
His fritters arrived and the first warning sign was probably when the server (not the one we'd ordered from) said "Here you go, chickpea fritters to share" and we said - nope they are just for him! but he it didn't seem like any mistake had been made since he did immediately say - "that's right, you've got a duck meatball on the way". So after a minute or so I told Keith he should just start since I'm sure mine was on the way. But even though he paused halfway through his starter and waited for me again he ended up finishing before mine had even arrived. During this interval the waiter did come by and say he didn't know why mine was taking so long and that he would check. But no sign of it. I expect more from any restaurant that attempts to provide an overall dining experience. Like Keith said, "this ain't no Chinese restaurant where they bring the food out to you willy nilly". Over a romantic dinner I would like for us to get to eat together and experience our food at the same time. So I beckoned our waiter over again and said "Is my starter still coming?" with a slight air of disapproval, and when he said "Yes I'm sorry, I'll check on it again" I did not smile widely and say "oh that's fiiiine" cuz it ain't fine! but at least I didn't say what was in my head which was "Yes, I think you'd better".
I must have conveyed the right amount of dissatifsaction because he came back within a minute and although he didn't have my duck meatball, he had something even better - a free starter! weeee! And it was the one that I'd debated ordering instead of mine. It was called "The Best Canned Tuna" and there was no description. What it turned out to be was seared tuna, potatoes, in a bit of sauce (don't know what), and a spoon of sea salt that you were required to grind into the tuna and potato mixture in the jar before spreading the whole concoction on tiny brioche slices. It was YUM! All forgiven. That's customer service!
And if I hadn't complained, we wouldn't have got it, that's the lesson I learned. Of course, What I guess I'll never know is whether my mouthiness ever triggers any wait staff to spit in our food. I hope not!
Overall everything was yummy and I highly recommend.
Attached pics, including Keith's birthday raspberry macaron.
