"Bob" > wrote in message
...
>
> The discussion in this thread has been about restaurants in general rather
> than about four-star restaurants in particular, and I agree with Sheldon
> that if I go to a good restaurant, then I expect good service. One of the
> hallmarks of good restaurants is that they are adequately staffed,
> trained,
> and motivated to *provide* good service, even when the restaurant is
> completely full.
>
> However, I disagree with Sheldon on not wanting to know the name of the
> person serving you. Sometimes, you just "click" with your waitperson: The
> first time I went to Farallon in San Francisco, my date and I were lucky
> enough to receive *stellar* service. We described our tastes to our
> waitress, and relied on her to advise us as to which courses we'd like and
> in which order they ought to be served. (We were ordering four appetizers
> and sharing an entree.) We also told her what wine characteristics we
> liked,
> and for each course she made wine recommendations which turned out to be
> spot-on. We request to be seated in her section every time we dine there,
> and she enhances our dining experience immeasurably. (She's cute, too!)
> How
> would we be able to do that if, like Sheldon, we never found out her name?
>
> Bob
>

I have no objection to being told the waiter's name. I do object when they
try to get buddy-buddy.


--
Peter Aitken