2005sep07. I tend not to travel with a “pack.” Even on the freeway, packs of cars slowly engulf me, then continue on their way – I drive just a tiny bit slower than the clusters. So it’s taken me this long to realize that when you visit a restaurant with a large amount of people (as I did the other day) -- and they have that guaranteed gratuity for parties of n or more – you’ve just magically created a situation in which you will get the worst service in the place. Why would the waiter bust his or her ass to take your order, get food on your table, etc? Yeah, it’s just like a taxi, move ’em in, move ’em out, more people, more tips – but seriously, it was like watching one of those long time-lapse animations where everything else is moving very quickly yet you’re in Molassesland (kids five and under free!). Bringing you the news you need to know now no. [Oh, and since someone asked: Figaro Ristorante Italiano {which is also known as “House of Gnocchi” ... bizarre} on Columbus in San Francisco. Getting the $9 in change back from them was also a delightful study in the art of delay.]
