Let me tell you a story...  (I sound like Michael Westen - ha!  and yes, I'm so looking forward to Burn Notice starting again.) But I digress...

Let me tell you about my Saturday night.  Dinner Companion (hereafter referred to as DC) and I went out to a highly rated restaurant in the neighborhood.

Now, this isn't going to be a review of the food, we do that over at Travels With Bella Figura USA.  But it is going to be a review of the style of this restaurant  vs. the style of another just up the street.

This restaurant recently moved to its present location - a much bigger space and more elegant than the original.  The owners have definitely made the effort to create a more luxurious atmosphere  and it does have a bit of the classic "steakhouse" feel; but it's still a LONG way from the rich interiors of a Morton's, Ruth's Chris, etc.

But I have no problem with the looks; I'm there for the food. 

However...  I go to check-in at the hostess stand while DC parks, and the young woman doesn't look up from her table chart for a good 60 - 90 seconds.  I know that doesn't sound like much, but when you're standing there twiddling your thumbs - it is.  I mean really, it takes 2 seconds to look up and say "hello  -  I'll be right with you."

So, they need a little more training - fair enough.  DC and I are seated at our table and I ask the young waitress for a taste of a wine before I commit to a glass.  No problem - she brings it over, pours, and spills the wine down the side of the glass and on the utensils.  A big deal?  No, but I am surprised when the table isn't wiped, and the utensils are not replaced.  Hm...  again, more training needed, perhaps?

The entrees arrive, salads plates are still sitting and we're compelled to pick them up for the waiter so he can set the steaks down.  Once again, in and of itself it's not a big deal - I've picked up plates many times without it ever bugging me.  At this place, though, it just seems to be another sign of poorly trained help.  Or dare I say, a complete lack of style.

The food is quite good - except for my filet.  But this is a steakhouse - oh, not a good thing.  But I say nothing because at this point, I've become a little weary of the entire evening.

After dessert  (where first no utensils and then the wrong utensils were brought to the table)  DC puts $$$ in the check folder and places the parking ticket on top.  "Oh," he's told, "just take your ticket up to the hostess and they'll validate it there."   OK, OK -  it's not a big deal; but I can't help but think of all the places we go where the waiter takes the ticket and brings it back stamped - just a little courtesy so the patrons can bypass the busy hostess stand.

Walking up the street I tell DC I have no desire to go back.  Yes, the steak was disappointing - but the service - yikes!  Why should you fork over $$$ to a place with such indifferent service?  And as we're approaching the end of the block, there sits one of our favorite ethnic restaurants.  We wave to the owner through the window, he beckons us in, and it's big hugs and kisses all around. 

It's the difference between night and day.  Granted, the owner is an irresistible charmer; and yes, he's got that Middle Eastern/Euro thing going on where greetings are warm and intimate - always hugs,  always kisses.  And after the big greeting he says,  "come sit at the bar and have a glass of champagne." 

Have I left the planet?  Compared to the place I just departed from, I could have been on Mars there was SUCH a difference in style!

And as I look around the restaurant, which is busy as always, I notice the patrons - laughing, smiling, happy!  The entire atmosphere is convivial and enticing.

Yes, talk about style - this restaurant has it in spades!  And it all starts at the top - with the owners.  Two delightful brothers who could not be more friendly, more gracious, more welcoming, more charming. 

So, here's the question:  Where do you want to spend your time and your money?  With the people who are delighted to see you, delighted that you're patronizing their place of business?   Or the indifferent ones - the ones who can't be bothered to act as though you're a valued customer?

I know where I'll be on Saturday night!  And I'll take a big kiss, along with my chicken shawarma.