topic Re: Seating In A Restaurant in Community Chat

Seating In A Restaurant

ivey — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 04:50:49 GMT

I met a friend for dinner and she was already seated. It was a smaller booth for two. My view was directly into the noisy kitchen where there were about 6 people working. When the waiter came to ask for my drink order, I asked if we could move and told him that I didn't like looking into the kitchen (no door on it). My friend offered to switch with me, but I could still hear all the racket. This was a steakhouse.

They got the hostess and moved us (there were plenty of empty tables). I guess I'm asking whether you mind looking into the kitchen with all the goings on. I joked that if I wanted to see dirty dishes, I would stay home.

Re: Seating In A Restaurant

sylviahomeatlast — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 04:54:00 GMT

my rule of restaurant seating is: not by the kitchen and not by the bathrooms----I'm glad you spoke up----I do right off the bat---if they show me to one of those places, I speak up---

Re: Seating In A Restaurant

sunshine45 — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 04:54:58 GMT

we sometimes sit at what they call the ""chefs bar""......you are seated with a direct view into the kitchen and can see pretty much everything that is going on. i LOVE it actually and can be fun and interesting.

if i am familiar with a restaurant then when i make a reservation by phone or by using open table i put my request in as to where i prefer to sit.

Re: Seating In A Restaurant

sylviahomeatlast — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 04:56:55 GMT

I like to eat at the bar

Re: Seating In A Restaurant

Cakers1 — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 06:08:15 GMT

No seating near the restrooms. Ick.

We seldom eat out and noise is one reason. I'm not sure if the kitchen would bother me with a door but no door? Not sure how easy it would be not to watch everyone in the kitchen - I mean, what if you saw somebody pick their nose?

Re: Seating In A Restaurant

KYToby — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 07:25:27 GMT

I love seeing into the kitchen. On special occasions, friends and I will ewsweve seats at the chef's table in the kitchen itself.

Re: Seating In A Restaurant

Big Sister — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 08:09:54 GMT

You did the right thing. I would ask to be moved to another table also.

Re: Seating In A Restaurant

AnikaBrodie — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 12:28:42 GMT

""No door on the kitchen entrance"" is a big no no. My family owns a restaurant and if they had no door they would be cited by the DOH (Health Dept.)

I won't eat by the kitchen or bathroom either. Family restaurant bathrooms are down a separate hall so no problem. Some people like to eat near the kitchen and watch the servers go in and out the swinging door. I guess they consider it ""entertainment.""

Re: Seating In A Restaurant

Peaches McPhee — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 15:08:40 GMT

When I see people sitting near the kitchen or bathroom, I feel sorry for them. I would ask to be moved, if there were empty tables elsewhere. If not, I'd probably tolerate it, rather than wait for another table.

Re: Seating In A Restaurant

Suziepeach — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 15:12:39 GMT

We were placed at a table right at the entrance to the kitchen and it was just awful- constant motion going back and forth at our table- I wanted to be moved but DH said not to ask... it was an expensive place in Magic Kingdom too- plus the noise level was unbelievable.. won't do that again!

Re: Seating In A Restaurant

Luv2Decorate — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 15:13:12 GMT

If a friend was already sitting in the booth, I'd probably just stay there. But I don't blame you one bit for wanting to move.

I hate booths. I always get smushed against the wall, or the booth is too tall and I feel like a little kid.

Re: Seating In A Restaurant

sunshine45 — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 15:23:35 GMT

i would say the vast majority of nice restaurants these days have the bathrooms in a totally separate area OR closer to the bar area. i cannot even recall the last time we sat near a bathroom.

Re: Seating In A Restaurant

brii — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 15:56:30 GMT

I don't like sitting looking into the kitchen or bathroom either

Re: Seating In A Restaurant

patbz — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 16:00:06 GMT

I hate being seated by either ( or by families with small children at upscale places). The hostess does this to distribute the servers workload fairly but I'm paying so I request with a smile.

Re: Seating In A Restaurant

RedTop — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 17:11:38 GMT

I am very specific about seating. I HATE sitting in a booth, as I'm too short and cannot sit comfortably in that type of seating. I always ask for a table, and prefer not to be seated in the center area surrounded by other diners, but prefer a table that sits out and away from others. The kitchen and bathrooms aren't close to restaurant seating in the few places where I eat.

Re: Seating In A Restaurant

victorian vixen — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 17:22:10 GMT

Ivey... you have every right to be seated where you want. You are paying for the dinner and deserve to sit where you are comfortable.

Although I love kids I often ask not to be seated right next to them, especially in a booth. Just don't care for little eyes on me the whole time I'm trying to enjoy my meal. They just love to hang over the back of their booth and stare...cute at first, but gets old after awhile. Of course the parents are oblivious to the whole thing.

I seldom get to go out and have a nice dinner, so when I do I like to enjoy myself.

Re: Seating In A Restaurant

occasionalrain — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 17:23:25 GMT

On 9/21/2014 Luv2Decorate said:
If a friend was already sitting in the booth, I'd probably just stay there. But I don't blame you one bit for wanting to move.

I hate booths. I always get smushed against the wall, or the booth is too tall and I feel like a little kid.

I agree with you on that. By making an issue of it the OP insulted her friend. That she would accept her offer to change places was unacceptable too. She shouldn't be surprised if her friend is unavailable to lunch in the future.

Re: Seating In A Restaurant

Demitra1 — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 17:28:50 GMT

Close to forty years ago, we were in Italy at a restaurant. I happened to be sitting where I could see straight in to the sink area of the kitchen. I watched as bussed dishes were taken there. I saw them rinse the leftover pasta and put it in a separate pot. I always wondered if they used the pasta again!?? I had a creepy feeling they did. Hope not!

Re: Seating In A Restaurant

Qwackertoo — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 17:35:58 GMT

I'd pay extra to sit in the special Alcove in the kitchen @ Victoria & Albert's @ Disney World in the Grand Floridian . . . up to 13 courses and a dinner that lasts 4 hours!

Although I could NEVER eat that much food!

Maybe . . . one of these days!

In a cozy alcove in the kitchen, guests at the coveted Chef’s Table get a front-row seat where Chef Hunnel starts the evening with a Champagne toast and discusses ideas so that he can craft a personal menu. With up to 13 courses, the experience offers small tastes of everything from caviar to Kobe beef and Japanese Wagyu strip loin, paired with wine and spirits. The dinner lasts nearly four hours, the time filled with marvelous tastes and Hunnel’s banter between courses. For foodies, it’s never long enough, a meal as entertaining as it is delicious.

Re: Seating In A Restaurant

bells4me — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 17:39:09 GMT

I usually tell the hostess where I want to sit, such as a booth opposed to a table. I don't like to be in the center of the room. At a certain buffet I ask to sit in front because they put all the kids, strollers & highchairs in the rear of it. I don't care what anyone here thinks, I am paying for the meal.