I enjoy a good meal, fine service, and excellent company when dining out.
One area, for me, that is a high positive for service is the server
check-back. I can never have too many. I want the server there, asking if I
want more bread, refilling my glasses with more wine or water, checking to
see if the meal I received was indeed the meal I ordered, or up to my
expectations. I call this pampering and I forgive many faults if I am.

We recently went to dinner with another couple. He raved about this
restaurant, how outstanding the service was, the food was divine, its
location convenient. On his insistence we made reservations and went there.

To say that I was underwhelmed is being polite. The server rattled off the
daily specials like he was announcing a tobacco auction. When asked to
suggest a meal /he/ would order, he rattled off the entire daily special
again, like we'd not heard it the first time. (Well, I didn't hear
everything the first time but I found his restating it a bit off-putting.)
He disappeared for fifteen minutes and returned to "take our order." We
didn't see him again until he dropped off the check. The busboy did
everything else, including helping deliver our meals (which was delivered by
the server on the other side of the restaurant.) I asked about cocktails and
another server arrived to take that order. When I asked what types of single
malt scotch they served, the server didn't know but went away to check; that
was the last we saw of her. We ordered a bottle of wine from a third server;
plonk glasses (the generic 6 oz bubble-bell types with short, stocky stems)
were used instead of proper red wine glasses. When we asked for a dessert
menu, a food-stained card was brought and set down. The coffees were tepid
and flavorless; I commented, "Watch as we substitute their real coffee with
Folgers' Freeze-dried Flavor Crystals!"

Afterwards, my friend asked how we enjoyed the meal. The main course /was/
good and the couple's company excellent; but my version of the service and
his were worlds (probably universes) apart! He happily prattled on and on
(and on) about how unobtrusive the servers were, how quick to provide table
space, etc. I sat less than 18 inches from him and never once witnessed any
of this...

This did allow us the chance, at a hotel bar down the street, to talk about
our best of class and I worked in my version of what would be stunning
service. His simple view: "They'd always be in the way."

I just don't understand paying for partial service...

The Ranger
--
"Grits are akin to Elmer Paste with less flavor and more sand."