We're finally done moving, so the next step is - of course - finding all the little hole-in-the-wall restaurants and eateries in our neck of the woods. So we've been dining out a fair amount.
We went to a place the other night that was ... well, the food was good, but not spectacular. But the service ... it was really something else. And not in a good way, either.
When we got there, we seated ourselves after a moment or two of figuring out if we should do so (there were no signs). Nearly five minutes later, our server appeared with menus in hand, got our drink orders, and vanished.
I should note: It wasn't busy. There were only two or three occupied tables in the dining area (including us), and a small handful of folks in the bar. There were a few more people playing pool, too. And I saw at least three staffers (one of whom was keeping bar), so there was not a drastic shortage of staff on hand, either.
We checked out the menu, and then started chatting. I don't know how long it was before our server approached us again, but it was at least another five minutes. Had it been a particularly deep or unusual menu, I could understand that - but it was neither. It was straightforward bar food (oddly lacking in onion rings) and sandwiches, with one or two house special items which required a moment of reading.
She dropped off our drinks, said, "I'll be right back," and disappeared again.
I should point out: we were sitting, menus closed in front of us, chatting with each other. It was clear we were ready to order.
We (eventually) ordered without incident, and our appetizer arrived fairly quickly. A friend had recommended the nachos here, so we had to try them - they were not bad. Not stellar, but not bad.
When we finished the nachos, it was another wait for our entrees. When they arrived, the food was decent. The server was pleasant when she felt like wandering past the table, and she did refill my iced tea. Eventually. When she wasn't leaning against the bar and chatting with the bartender.
Once dinner was done, we enjoyed another wait for our check. "Enjoyed" is not quite the right word for it. "Endured" might be better. She also didn't try to sell us on dessert - she just dropped the check and vanished again. But that's neither here nor there.
Once we had our check, it was another wait for her to come and collect the payment.
We should have been in and out in about forty minutes. Maybe forty-five. As it is, it was close to an hour and a half before we were done. With no reason for the delay.
We won't be back any time soon.
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