Walk on by: Some diners think a child's place is outside the restaurant, not inside. The New York Times 2008. Over the last two days, I’ve given you my top 10 restaurant pet peeves. But readers have plenty of their own, as evidenced by the nearly 200 comments on the blog posts as well as emails I’ve received. Here are the 5 that were mentioned most often: 5. Check, please. Several diners complained that the waiter is all over them at the first part of the meal, and then disappears when the guest wants to leave. 4. Separate Healthy San Francisco charges. Diners don’t seem to mind paying more to help provide health insurance, but they want it incorporated into the cost of the meal ... Continue reading →
Pet peeve #3: Red wine that tastes like it's been toasting in front of the fireplace. The San Francisco Chronicle 2010 Yesterday I gave you 10 through six; and today I bring you my top five pet peeves: 5. A restaurant that refuses to seat parties until everyone is there. I understand the need for this on one level — many restaurants have been burned by people who are very late, with one person basically holding down a table. However, this blanket policy ends up sending an inhospitable message that begins the dining experience on a downward slope. 4. Excessively loud music.A moderate blast of music is fine when the restaurant is empty, but the music should be turned down — or even off — ... Continue reading →
My #7 pet peeve: mismatched flatware Anyone who dines out frequently has certain pet peeves. I’m think I’m fairly tolerant and have seen many things in my reviewing career, but there are some things I see or experience repeatedly that become a tad annoying. I’ve put those into a top 10 list of the most annoying habits or practices adopted by restaurants or the staffs. Here are numbers 10 through 6. Tomorrow I’ll post numbers 5 to 1 — the winner for most annoying. The best antidote to any of these: A caring staff with a quick smile and a friendly attitude. Please feel free to add your own. 10. Waiters who refuse to write down your order. Of course, it’s only an annoyance when ... Continue reading →
michaelbauer1 9 photos · 217 followers “Halibut ceviche with Peruvian corn and yam with a spicy kick at La Mar.” Continue reading →
Lin Jia in Oakland. The San Francisco Chronicle 2011 Monday: Lin Jia The Lam family traces its journey from Asia to America on the menu of this Oakland restaurant that uses organic and sustainable products. Lin Jia walnut chicken. The Chronicle 2011 Just about every dish tells a story. The father’s specialty, walnut shrimp ($16), is a dish he learned when he came to the United States in 1981. The dumpling soup ($9), one of the best around, was “Auntie’s” version of won ton soup; and the Hanoi snackers ($7), thick, garlicky sweet potato fries, is a party dish “from our time in Vietnam.” Family photos line the walls, but the surroundings are modern, with stylish touches. There’s also a sense of humor. A sandwich ... Continue reading →
michaelbauer1 8 photos · 212 followers “A perfect mid-day repast at Farm Shop in LA: Chicken with egg, citrus, watermelon radish and mustard greens.” Continue reading →
michaelbauer1 7 photos · 195 followers “Everything is better fried at Locanda: Sweetbreads, artichokes, capers and herbs.” Continue reading →
Today I reviewed Benu on KGO and a listener wonders why those weekly reviews are always positive. The San Francisco Chronicle 2011 As I’ve written before, a few months ago I started doing restaurant reviews on KGO radio every Thursday. Today, for example, my spot is on Benu, Corey Lee’s four-star restaurant in San Francisco. Last week the radio station management and I got an email from a reader wondering why the reviews are always positive. I thought it might be worth sharing, and clarifying. So here’s the email and my response to the reader/listener: Could you please clarify if Michael Bauer is being paid by your station for the restaurant reviews. I have heard him give quite a few very lavish reviews on your ... Continue reading →
michaelbauer1 6 photos · 190 followers “Wish I had some of this strawberry shortcake from Heirloom about now.” Continue reading →
michaelbauer1 5 photos · 181 followers “Latin creativity at Gilberth's in Dogpatch: ceviche with pickled onions on plantain chips. cakes” Continue reading →
