08-31-2009, 04:15 PM
Carol, I know what you mean about Hilo Bay Cafe. Not only can they not cook a simple thing like a hamburger to the degree ordered, but they act put out when they mess up, and they all too often never check to see if it's going well. They drop off the food without the condiments (I'm talking about something as basic as not checking about ketchup, mustard, mayo with a burger presented dry, then disappear. At least this has happened to me a few times. I've had one good experience and three terrible in the last four. But people do seem to like them.
Re the burger, I'm not that hard to please. I order it medium. I don't want it dried out. I don't want it oozing blood. Is that so hard? The last medium burger I ordered there, after they dropped it off and i picked it up, the bun that was on the plate was soaked in blood. It was swimming in blood. As a former vegetarian, I can't handle that, and that is not MEDIUM. So after 5-10 minutes it takes to get my server, I told them please just make it medium and not well done. Of course it came back, 15 minutes later, well done, dry, awful. My husband had been done eating for awhile by the time I got my meal. It's a friggin hamburger, people.
They never offer anything to make up for it either. I feel strongly that when a couple is dining and trying to go have a nice dinner together, they should be able to eat together, and if they can't, due to the kitchen, they should offer something to make up for it instead of charging the same as if they hadn't ruined the meal.
Not that I think a person dining singly shouldn't be treated with utmost courtesy. That is a whole other issue.
Devany wrote:
>>>One thing that really impressed me was that everyone in the restaurant seemed to really care about our experience there. The manager and hostess came to our table a few times to see how we were enjoying our evening and to thank us for coming. Even the bus boys said good night and thank you to us when we were leaving. It only takes a tiny bit of extra kindness to make people feel truly welcome.
It's called training. It's a thing they have on the west side. Do they really care more about you as a person? No, but they know that being caring of your experience will result in a happy and hopefully repeat customer. I once had a nice talk with a manager of Kaikodo, who told me how hard it is to train Hilo kids to give good service. They just don't have the model for it unless they've spent time on the mainland (or been put through a good training program).
As for Pesto, maybe the reason I have good luck with the Hilo branch is that we go there on special occasions and always let the hostess know. It's a special meal; we want a good table; I am out front from the get-go that I am going to want a good experience ( without being bossy about it). As a result, they don't approach our table with that laid back spotty attitude, or maybe they assign me a good server. I don't know. But I've been well treated.
Re the burger, I'm not that hard to please. I order it medium. I don't want it dried out. I don't want it oozing blood. Is that so hard? The last medium burger I ordered there, after they dropped it off and i picked it up, the bun that was on the plate was soaked in blood. It was swimming in blood. As a former vegetarian, I can't handle that, and that is not MEDIUM. So after 5-10 minutes it takes to get my server, I told them please just make it medium and not well done. Of course it came back, 15 minutes later, well done, dry, awful. My husband had been done eating for awhile by the time I got my meal. It's a friggin hamburger, people.
They never offer anything to make up for it either. I feel strongly that when a couple is dining and trying to go have a nice dinner together, they should be able to eat together, and if they can't, due to the kitchen, they should offer something to make up for it instead of charging the same as if they hadn't ruined the meal.
Not that I think a person dining singly shouldn't be treated with utmost courtesy. That is a whole other issue.
Devany wrote:
>>>One thing that really impressed me was that everyone in the restaurant seemed to really care about our experience there. The manager and hostess came to our table a few times to see how we were enjoying our evening and to thank us for coming. Even the bus boys said good night and thank you to us when we were leaving. It only takes a tiny bit of extra kindness to make people feel truly welcome.
It's called training. It's a thing they have on the west side. Do they really care more about you as a person? No, but they know that being caring of your experience will result in a happy and hopefully repeat customer. I once had a nice talk with a manager of Kaikodo, who told me how hard it is to train Hilo kids to give good service. They just don't have the model for it unless they've spent time on the mainland (or been put through a good training program).
As for Pesto, maybe the reason I have good luck with the Hilo branch is that we go there on special occasions and always let the hostess know. It's a special meal; we want a good table; I am out front from the get-go that I am going to want a good experience ( without being bossy about it). As a result, they don't approach our table with that laid back spotty attitude, or maybe they assign me a good server. I don't know. But I've been well treated.