LEGEND Food Porn

[Selassie I]

Just been to Rules for lunch.

Americans might know it from Downton Abbey, and other British programmes.

From top: potted shrimps, grouse, sticky toffee pudding.

I love seeing this.

My UK friend should be coming in to see me this morning... I'm gonna ask him about Rules.

 

[RamFan503]

Just been to Rules for lunch.

Americans might know it from Downton Abbey, and other British programmes.

From top: potted shrimps, grouse, sticky toffee pudding.

Looks pretty tasty. I'm particularly interested in the potted shrimp. I looked it up and there seems to be a huge number of variations to recipes. Is that one somewhat of a soup?

 

[Londoner]

Is that one somewhat of a soup?

No - it’s much thicker than a soup. Essentially, it’s shrimps cooked in butter and spices - bloody delicious!

 

[Selassie I]

@Londoner

Dude... that place is like a National treasure. What a tremendously long history. Unbelievable!

Does the food and service live up to it's legendary status?

 

[RamFan503]

No - it’s much thicker than a soup. Essentially, it’s shrimps cooked in butter and spices - bloody delicious!

That does sound good. My wife and I are huge appetizer fans. Seems like a really good starter with the warm bread.

 

[Londoner]

@Londoner

Dude... that place is like a National treasure. What a tremendously long history. Unbelievable!

Does the food and service live up to it's legendary status?

Food was excellent.

Service was good. I hate it when your waitress asks “Is everything okay” every ten minutes; if it weren’t, you’d hear about it.

 

[Londoner]

That does sound good. My wife and I are huge appetizer fans. Seems like a really good starter with the warm bread.

I assume you’ll be trying to make it soon?

 

[Selassie I]

Food was excellent.

Service was good. I hate it when your waitress asks “Is everything okay” every ten minutes; if it weren’t, you’d hear about it.

Some restaurants tell their servers to never ask that question for that very reason. The server should change the question to something else like... "Can I get you anything else right now?".

 

[Londoner]

"Can I get you anything else right now?".

“Yes: you can get as far away from me as possible.”

 

[Selassie I]

“Yes: you can get as far away from me as possible.”

Here in Orlando... tourists are always around. Unfortunately, many of them want to enjoy the best restaurants while they're here on vacation. It has a negative affect on many servers because of the cultural differences and weird dynamics tourists can create. One of those weird dynamics is that apparently many people vacation together with friends and families so they require large tables due to the bigger than normal group. Those groups are made up of people who many times don't have the same table manners in many ways. Servers have shared stories with me.

One thing that these groups do has created the most dreaded question servers have learned is an absolute necessity here... servers better ask (up front is best) "How many checks do we need at your table?". This apparently turns into a ridiculous bunch of bs between the members of the table for many different reasons... none of them do anything positive for the poor servers who have to stand there until they all come to an agreement... all the while trying very hard to stay completely out of this ludicrous discussion.

So when we're out and a server asks me this question with that look of PTSD in their eyes, I pause and take a long look around the table at everyone without showing any emotion. Then, I look at the server with a look of serious concern and tell them we'll be needing at least 7 to 10 separate checks with this group of nightmares. They stare at me for a few seconds and always put on a totally fake smile and voice so that they can get these words out of their mouths without giving away their utter disgust to my response... "Oh, that will be absolutely no problem sir". After about 5 to 10 seconds, everyone including me at the table let out our contained laughter. The servers usually take a few to understand that I'm not being serious even after I literally tell them that "I'm just trying to mess with them / it's a joke". They're so shell shocked from previous tourist group tables that their brains take too long to get that it's a real joke.

The sense of complete relief that pours across their face when they finally get it is beyond noticeable. It's like they're being let out of a maximum security prison after 30 years of solitary confinement. It's cruel and probably stupid... but I always enjoy watching the pure relief come across their face... plus, I'm a good tipper.

 

[Londoner]

"How many checks do we need at your table?".

None.

I require the bill.