Great Restaurant Experience

[Beckla]

A big group of us went out to dinner to celebrate two friends' new jobs last night. We went to a BBQ / Southwestern place in Cambridge (MA). I ordered my salad carefully, explaining to the server that I was a raw vegan. She lit up and said no problem, etc., etc.

A few minutes later, the manager came out. The place was packed to the gills - a line around the corner outside, and we were a party of 18. Still, the manager came over, to talk through my order and ensure that it was done perfectly.

The salad arrived and was beautiful and delicious. I was blown away by their receptiveness and service - so I guess this is just a public kudos to the Border Cafe in Harvard Square! :)

[Morn]

It is so nice to hear about a postive experience for once. Thanks for sharing and its great that you had such a wonderful experience.

[hypnocmt]

So glad you have chosen to report the positive experience. Some folks seem worried that this lifestyle will be tough, and with good reason. However, I find that it beecokme easier and easier. I receive morecurious responses than anything else when i tell people what I am up to. I really think this is pervading the mainstream big time this year!

Good for you! And at a BBQ no less!

[GreenPrince]

If you are friendly and patient, you can change the attitude of people.

Years ago, before raw, I visited a packed, exclusive hotel restaurant with a girlfriend.
”We don't have any vegetarian food”, said the server.
I smiled.
”Do you have potato or rice? And a piece of bread... anything. It doesn't matter...”
She nodded reluctantly.
”Something to drink?”
”...and X (a mineral-water we both liked),” I suggested.
”We don't have X, only Y,” she replied tired.
”Y will be fine!”

She took a note and left us. The time marched on.

Suddenly the sound level in the restaurant diminished. People stopped talking and stared at something behind me.
I turned around. The waitress came, rolling along an elegant golden serving trolley.

”I think we have some royal celebrities around here”,
my girlfriend whispered excited and looked around.

When the trolley passed us, I glanced. A big, delicious raw salad on a silver dish. Silver dishes with dressings, olives, bread, different cheeses and a dish with exotic raw fruit. Like a mini smorgasbord.

The waitress unexpectedly turned the golden serving trolley and parked it beside our table.
”I thought you would serve yourselves”, she smiled very friendly. ”You can choice everything you want. It's the same price.”
She lifted the vaulted lid of a big silver prep bowl and showed us the content. Different, delicious main dishes in beautiful composition.
I praised the waitress.
She laughed and said happily:
”I told the chef to do his state-of-the-art!”

She charged an embarrassingly low price and I gave her a generous tip.

My advice:
Tell the restaurant what type of raw food you eat, and suggest kindly something simple. Unpretending.
Make it easy for them, and they will have a margin to surprise you – and maybe themselves.

[Portia2012]

Now that is what I call service :)


Love and Light