Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Etiquette Question From The Girl

It's The Girl here with an eating out etiquette question.

So I'm ordering in a restaurant, and I ask for no whipped cream on my order. The waitress says ok, but doesn't write it down or repeat it back to me, which makes me think she's going to forget.

Now, do I ask a second time for no whipped cream, to make sure my deliciousness is not contaminated with whip? The waitress has a bunch of tables to cover, and it's easy to forget a minor detail. Or should I say nothing, because it's seems kind of rude to assume that she can't remember something simple without extra reminders, and I should give the waitress the benefit of the doubt?

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Piper's Tavern Easter Brunch

Piper's Tavern
8304 Falls Of Neuse Rd
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 676-7413

This isn't really the type of place we'd pick on our own, but our family decided to visit Piper's Tavern for the Easter Brunch Buffet.

Besides the part where the waitress served a tray of hot coffee cups from over my niece's head, service was what you'd expect for a busy place. A drink was forgotten, it was hard to find our waitress to get refills or creamers, but it was packed so I'll give them a pass.

The food was excellent for buffet food, everything was fresh. Nothing looked or tasted like it had been sitting in steamers or under heat lamps. The carving station, often a traffic flow problem in buffet lines, moved very fast.

Piper's Tavern on Urbanspoon

I think buffets should be labeled. It may sound silly that I need tags for my bacon and eggs, but I mistook some kind of weird ground-beef-shredded potato mixture for hashbrowns, and my M-I-L was not pleased with the surprise coconut in her chocolate cake. I imagine pretty disastrous consequences of a diner being allergic to an ingredient instead of just not fond of it.

In general, I prefer plated food to buffets because eating out can be a visual treat too. Biscuits and eggs that I put on my own plate aren't as aesthetically pleasing as professionally plated food. It's hardly worth going out for something I can put together on my own. The buffet worked well, though, for younger members of the family who could chose exactly what they wanted, and with the wee ones happy, the whole family could relax and enjoy an Easter meal. It seemed like all the families at the tables around us had the same idea.

Overall, The Boy and I wouldn't return on our own for a buffet, but we would like to check out Piper's Tavern on a non-buffet day.

The Piper's Tavern on Restaurantica

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Los Tres Magueyes

Los Tres Magueyes
110 SW Maynard Rd.
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 460-8757


I see eating out as an event. We must eat to survive, but we eat out because it is entertaining. Los Tres Magueyes seems to agree with me, because they have made dining into an entertaining experience.

The Girl and I were greeted by bright colors, Mexican music, and a warm hola from our server, Arturo. Mexican restaurants often attempt to create an authentic Mexican ambiance only to come off as campy recreations of Epcot Center's Mexico Pavilion. But, Los Tres Magueyes feels different. The restaurant is a joy to every sense, a wash of colors, soothing steel string guitar music, and the aroma of wonderful Mexican food. However, it is a friendly environment for t-shirts and jeans or for families with children.

Los Tres Magueyes on UrbanspoonThe menu selection is standard fare Mexican: burritos, tacos, enchiladas, etc. in various combinations. Match any of the combinations with a margarita, and The Boy and The Girl are content.

Los Tres Magueyes' appeal is in presentation. Something about the colors, the music, and the friendly waiter who greeted us with an hola and referred to me as amigo made for an enjoyable experience. Their ability to entertain without seeming cheesy, while offering generous portions left me feeling well fed and happy (although the margaritas may have helped with the happiness).

I will definitely eat at Los Tres Magueyes again. I know I can eat some tamales, drink a few margaritas, and make some new amigos.

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