New restaurant moving into former Ama Ama space

P November 11, 2009 (12:23 pm)

Hope this one lasts longer than the previous few there

Robert2715 November 11, 2009 (12:38 pm)

Suggestion to new owners: Be VERY KID friendly so parent’s will take the kids there after Ballet/Dance class at Kathy’s Dance Studio and/or a trip to the toy store a few stores down…

Diane November 11, 2009 (12:52 pm)

agree Robert2715; when restaurant previous to Ama Ama opened (already forgot name; oh yeh, Ovio?); I work with babies/young kids, so always advocating for changing tables in restrooms; but when I asked about installing a changing table at time of their opening, owner/the woman, just flat out said “no”, even though she had little ones; her comment was something about she just puts them on the floor to change diapers; that is so wrong for so many reasons; I know we all have to resort to non-preferred diaper changing options in emergencies, but for a restaurant to blatantly say they don’t want changing tables, to me, is same as saying we don’t want families with kids in here; so yes, please be family friendly, and install changing table for both moms and dads
~
then please just put up sign asking people to pack out poopy diapers, so we don’t all pass out from the odor when we go big-people potty; it’s all pretty simple stuff, very community oriented; and smart business; there are a ton of families with kids in WS

Laconique November 11, 2009 (12:55 pm)

Hmmm… suggestion to new owners: don’t be VERY kid friendly or you won’t attract people who are looking for a nice quiet adult restaurant and bar rather than a romper room like Elliot Bay a few stores down…
Nothing against EBB or kids, btw, just wanted to voice the opposite and equally valid perspective.

CandrewB November 11, 2009 (1:02 pm)

Great idea, a kid-friendly Mediterranean place. That will last a month or two.

onceachef November 11, 2009 (1:16 pm)

Poopy diaper signs? Give me a break! Please don’t open a restaurant Diane :)
Now that I said that I would suggest (to the new owners) NOT using the term “continental”…way, way, way old-fashioned term…reminds me of my grandparents time.

Normal Food Lover November 11, 2009 (1:16 pm)

Apparently the owner of the building likes high-turnover, otherwise he’d start looking at restaurants that serve “normal” food. IE: normal food = restaurant not closing!

kittylove November 11, 2009 (1:25 pm)

if i had the startup $$, i would love to open a vegan comfort food type of place….sigh….a dream.

KateMcA November 11, 2009 (1:34 pm)

I always got to go out to eat with my family when I was a child, but they taught me how to act in a restaurant so I didn’t disturb other diners. I have no issue eating next to a kid in a restaurant, but I definitely want to inflict bodily harm on parents who let their kids scream, toss food all over the floor, and even run around in restaurants. For one thing, it’s asking for the kid to get a pot of hot coffee spilled on them by a server who doesn’t suspect the kid to be underfoot. For another, I am paying money just like the next person and would prefer my dinner not to be disturbed by someone else’s misbehaving kid. (Case in point, my husband and I got to listen to someone’s kid scream all through our anniversary dinner at Salty’s- we didn’t think it was nearly as cute as the ridiculous parents who refused to remove the screaming child.) I hope the people who advocate for family-friendly restaurants really want them to be willing to seat people with children rather than be willing to allow screaming little kids to run amok round the other diners. We can all get along just fine as long as parents are willing to be reasonable in not allowing their kids to misbehave.

Lauren November 11, 2009 (1:39 pm)

Actually, Vios Cafe, a kid/family friendly Mediterranean place in Capitol Hill (Volunteer Park area), is doing so well that they owners opened a satellite in Elliot Bay Books. So yes, it IS a viable concept. Why willingly alienate a large segment of the populace?
And yes, I do believe that eating out with a kid is a responsibility, and I expect my child to behave like a reasonable human being. If he acts up, we’re getting our meal to go and he’s going outside. Social contract, and all that.

charlabob November 11, 2009 (1:44 pm)

Thank you, Laconique and Kate — as a certifiable adult, I just cringe every time someone says, “I hope the new restaurant is kid-friendly. I can just see restaurants trying to be both kid- and adult friendly and, in desperation, adding coloring books just before they close.

Our grandkids’ parents have always brought quiet toys for the kids when they eat out. That seems to work. This curmudgeonette tends to run when she sees crayons and coloring books on every table. The words, “Why am I here?” leap to mind.

AnotherIdiotInWS November 11, 2009 (1:49 pm)

Sorry, soccer moms… the kid-friendly places don’t do so well. I hate to see any menu space given up for Mac and Cheese. It’s cute that your kids are in dance class, though.

zrd November 11, 2009 (1:50 pm)

This is not a good feng shui location for a restaurant. The revolving door of businesses show this.

KateMcA – you sound like you don’t have kids. When you do you will understand that being around people like you who talk about parents ‘allowing their kids to misbehave’ only adds to the stress of the moment. As if the parents said ‘throw food all over and run around as you wish’. I agree your meal should not be interrupted when you pay for a meal, but you sound VERY condescending. Which tells me clearly you don’t have experience with children. Like it or not West Seattle is an isolated community with LOTS of kids. It would be business suicide to not include families in this economy.

oh my November 11, 2009 (1:53 pm)

I’ve got an idea – why don’t you kid-in-restaurant haters go eat at the nice kid-free restaurants downtown? Jeez, I guess it doesn’t take a village. Nice society.

MJ November 11, 2009 (2:08 pm)

I think it’s great that most of you don’t mind eating next to kids in restaurants as long as they are well behaved. FWIW, my kid doesn’t mind eating next to a table of well behaved grown-ups either…so maybe we can all get along.

KSJ November 11, 2009 (2:10 pm)

Ditto on the kid-friendly thing. If I’m eating out I’d prefer a quiet, relaxing environment. Having kids kick the back of your booth and scream and run around uncontrolled doesn’t add to a pleasant dining experience.
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Kittylove have you tried Plum on Capitol Hill? Vegan comfort food. I haven’t been there but I’ve heard rave reviews (from non-vegans!).

rao November 11, 2009 (2:27 pm)

I’m not against kid friendly restaurants as long as I know which ones they are and then can avoid them. If a restaurant wants to be more adult oriented, make it 21 and over.

homesweethome November 11, 2009 (2:41 pm)

Vios Cafe on Capitol Hill – anyone been there? Young and old alike are welcome, its beautiful – we can go with our child or without for excellent service and food. Kid friendly doesn’t mean coloring books and plastic toys – and it doesn’t have to mean chaos.

Johnny Davies November 11, 2009 (2:52 pm)

Not to be a jerk, but instead asking honestly: Vegan comfort food? Really, do you think that restaurant would last? I’m sure there is an audience for such a restaurant, but really seems like it would limit a restaurants success.
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It would certainly be more dividing than a NON kid-friendly vs. Kid friendly place, that’s for sure.

Z November 11, 2009 (3:07 pm)

Love Mediterranean food once every few months… so good luck there. Would love to have another decent reasonably priced adult friendly restaurant with good food & vibe in the Junction with a great early and late happy hour that I would go to weekly. Miss Ama Ama oyster happy hour and the sliders they used to have on their happy hour. Would love a Japanese Noodle House.

grease lover November 11, 2009 (3:13 pm)

*** BRING BACK GODFATHERS ***

onceachef November 11, 2009 (3:16 pm)

There are places in WS that kids (families) can go and get a decent meal…Endolyne Joes (and no I’m not an employee) is one of them….Charleston Grill, Porterhouse…it takes a savvy owner and chef to design a venue and menu that satisfies both kids and adults…but atmosphere is difficult being that parents are often looking for a bit of distraction themselves and thus allow the kids to “be themselves”…doesn’t always work out. I just hope whatever they do (the new ownership) it’s a good “value”…that means food, service and ambience as well. As an adult you can always ask to NOT be seated next to a table with kids…provided there’s that option. And please, don’t put up any “poopy diapers” signs. :)

Rena November 11, 2009 (3:16 pm)

This is actually quite hilarious – kid haters and bad parents…

I think the point most are trying to make is that most of us don’t mind your kids as long as they are well behaved in a restraunt. I have kids and have taught them how to act in a restraunt. For instance

-if your kid is crying and you can’t seem to stop them, take them out or to the bathroom and deal with them. don’t let them just keep crying.
-if your kid is being loud and obnoxious and you can’t control them, take them home
-if your kid is running around the restraunt and you can’t control them, take them home

Not too difficult people… nobody wants to sit next to your bad ass kids. Yes, children too have bad days and it is difficult on parents. I’ve been there – I get it… but that still doesn’t give you the right to disrupt other’s dinner because you don’t want to or don’t know how to deal with your children. Not even my 11 yr old wants to eat dinner next to these kids.

Yes, people who are overly sensitive should not eat where children are allow – common sense. If you can’t stand kids – don’t go around them.

Seriously – it’s about common courtesy and respect for one another – things that our society seems to have lost.

And by the way – good luck to the new restaurant.

OP November 11, 2009 (3:18 pm)

What W. Seattle (and Seattle at large) needs is a good old east coast style diner run by a surly and slightly rude Greek family.

That, or a place for my dream breakfast/lunch restaurant. If only I had enough capital….sigh….

OP November 11, 2009 (3:24 pm)

And thank you “oh my” and “MJ”.

John November 11, 2009 (3:27 pm)

Thank you, Laconique and Kate. I agree with your statements. Parents today have a definate problem with controlling thier children. My three kids are long gone, but they knew not to move or speak a word when we ate out. Today when a kid comes into a restuarant I frown knowing what’s about to transpire. I’ll go see my grand children if I want that atmosphere.

rw November 11, 2009 (3:30 pm)

Sounds as if what West Seattle really needs is a Chuck E Cheese…. with a happy hour for parental attitude adjustment.

margaritaville November 11, 2009 (3:32 pm)

Excited to hear that the space has been leased. Empty storefronts are depressing. So sorry that the discussion morphed to whether or not the restaurant will be kid friendly. Pre-judging a restaurant before it opens? What a way to welcome a new business to West Seattle.

WSB November 11, 2009 (3:38 pm)

Hey all, seriously, the Chuck E Cheese stereotype is an insult to many kids. I have one, 13 now but behaving himself in restaurants dating back into infancy (except for ONE time in Pegasus, at age 6, and we left, easy solution), who had no interest in running around, eating stereotypical “kid food” like mac-n-cheese, chicken fingers, etc. (Waitperson: “Caesar salad? For the little one?” Me: “YES! Why didn’t you believe me the first time?”) I wish more restaurateurs would realize that. Maybe the little guys and gals are just freaking out over the horrible selections on “kids’ menus” and would be just fine if they got more credit for their palate – TR

christopherboffoli November 11, 2009 (3:43 pm)

Ah yes, the return of the endless debate about kid friendly vs. adult friendly. I should be amazed that no one has suggested this store should become a Trader Joe’s. :-)

Laconique November 11, 2009 (3:47 pm)

Totally agree, WSB- Junior Member is an only child, yes? Gotta love only children- spend lots of time around adults, have parents undivided attention and discipline, and are great at making up their own quiet amusement. Plus, I hear we’re pretty “green” too. :)

OP November 11, 2009 (3:50 pm)

Nice idea, Chris B., but a tad small for a TJs. And ZERO parking.
Maybe the little guys and gals are just freaking out over the horrible selections on “kids’ menus” and would be just fine if they got more credit for their palate.
Agreed, WSB. There’s more to life than chicken fingers, mac and cheese, grilled cheese, etc. Some restaurants account for this, but sadly, most don’t.

Jose November 11, 2009 (3:56 pm)

YAY! Good news on many counts, not the least being that it’s so grim driving by that papered-up place every day.
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As for people with kids: I find that the ones who participate in a community blog generally are the ones who raise their children right – to behave in restaurants. The ones who don’t raise their kids right aren’t reading this (or, probably, much of anything else) anyway.
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But since, despite our best hopes, the bad parents are obviously in the overwhelming majority, I do hope that this new endeavor is decidedly NOT kid-friendly.

curlyq November 11, 2009 (4:07 pm)

Glad to hear about the new restaurant and the Mediterrannean slant to the menu–I think we needed that in the Junction. I love Kokoras down the road, and welcome another in our midst, maybe a bit more upscale. Garlic and more garlic, please. I hope they do well.
Ovio was terrific and was highly rated by both patrons and reviewers. My understanding is they left for personal reasons, not because their business wasn’t doing well.

JunctionWkr November 11, 2009 (4:15 pm)

I just hope that they are open for lunch! We need more lunch options.

FYI – not all kids eat mac-n-cheese, my kids love seafood! (And, no I don’t mean fish sticks)

junctionite November 11, 2009 (4:52 pm)

Kids are okay as long as they are supervised and well behaved, I’ll just be happy if we can get dinner for two, each with a glass of wine for around $50 (plus tax and tip is fine) and yes it can be done!

th November 11, 2009 (5:03 pm)

I was wondering why there were so many comments about a new restaurant opening. It is the kid vs. non kid debate which has been hashed out on the forums famously critizing one of my dearest friends. The truth is to make it the restaurant needs to get as many people in the door and when you eliminate families (like Taliricos used to) you eliminate a large customer base.

Genessee neighbor November 11, 2009 (5:12 pm)

I wish the new restaurant well. We are getting a great variety and choice in eateries in WS and I think it’s great! Kid-friendly? Well, we raised our kids to behave in restaurants too and they won’t learn if they never go out to a restaurant. BUT…we have quite a growing population in WS and I think there are many other choices for parents to take kids to. I like the idea of going to my local restaurant, enjoying a good meal and not having to deal with poopy diapers, screaming kids and food on the seats and under the table when I decide to ‘splurge’ and eat out. So, I’ll always choose a restaurant that most families would not choose. We need to serve both populations but possibly not in the same restaurant.

jbar November 11, 2009 (5:52 pm)

We would have frequented AMA AMA weekly if they had been even the tiniest bit kid friendly — we have kids at the dance studio 4 nights a week. I think that Ovio did a great job being a nice restaurant and quasi kid friendly — they were a great example of being both. And just for the record — we wouldn’t take our kids during peak adult hours (most parents wouldn’t.) We happily frequent Fresh Bistro now, and they have great kid options — and I don’t think it takes away from their business one bit.

ca November 11, 2009 (6:13 pm)

I hope that this new restaurant is more adult oriented, I am so tired of certain restaurants that are outside the “norm” and have screaming messy children and parents letting them do so. I hope that its a nice amibance with great food. Don’t take offense dance/soccer etc moms, not ALL kids are well behaved let’s be honest. So excited for new restaurant in the area, hope it stays!

MargL November 11, 2009 (6:23 pm)

Don’t need coloring books – don’t even really need a special “kid’s” menu. But pleasepleaseplease put a small stool in the bathrooms? The little girl can wash her hands quite competently and in this age of rampant weird viruses it’s a fantastic incentive to parents and kids to wash if it can be done quickly and easily without having to balance the child on the edge of the counter, or hold her up while trying to hand her soap and turn on the water, or have her stand on your leg after she’s stomped in who-knows-what on the bathroom floor.

MrJT November 11, 2009 (7:55 pm)

Bring back Guppy’s

Hey there November 11, 2009 (8:12 pm)

There has always been an adult venue in this spot. After Godfather’s that is… Why not make it an arcade for the tweens and kiddos? Burgers, Fries and Shakes!!!!

Amanda November 11, 2009 (8:14 pm)

I have a child. Sometimes I like to go out without him and enjoy an “adult” meal. Some quiet time with my husband is much better without little kids around. There are a lot of “kid friendly” places in West Seattle, not every place has to have a baby changing station it in.

WS Restaurant Attack November 11, 2009 (9:28 pm)

I think it is awesome that so many people are so passionate about kids and food! How about a cannibal restaurant where you could eat tender, juicy kids? Everyone would be happy! It could be called Dahmer’s. . . . . . .

miws November 11, 2009 (10:45 pm)

Bring back Carlisle Furniture!

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Mike

jeannie November 11, 2009 (11:34 pm)

Interesting how restaurant stories always generate a flurry of comments, but I don’t see any commments thanking our veterans in the top story.

Chris D November 11, 2009 (11:34 pm)

New Owners – do something with the exterior of the building, lose the awning – distinguish yourself from any of the other previous (now closed) establishments. Keep it casual and well priced. Develop a solid menu with good variety and stick to it. Good luck.

P November 12, 2009 (12:13 am)

I would like to point out a few things….

I had the first post

the law usually decides kid friendly or not.

kids are humans too.

dawsonct November 12, 2009 (1:23 am)

Whatever happened to babysitters?
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What is “normal” food?
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Mediterranian. Spanish, French, Italian, Slavik, Greek, Turkish, Lebanese, Kosher, N. African, Morrocan? Somewhere specific? A little bit from each place? Ingredients and techniques from the cuisines of the countries bordering the Med? Fairly vague; slightly more descriptive than “food suitable for human consumption,” but not much.

WSB November 12, 2009 (2:35 am)

Babysitters:
If you have family in the area, great.
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Otherwise, unless you have the occasional really fabulous teenager handy, a professional agency-screened child-care temp aka “babysitter” can cost you $100. I think we sprang for that a grand total of four times during Junior Member of the Team’s younger years. Luckily he has always been a delightful dining companion.

Kayleigh November 12, 2009 (5:11 am)

I could care less if it’s kid-friendly or not. I’m just happy that my mostly-vegetarian self can maybe find something that I actually like (unlike at Ama Ama.)

Meghan November 12, 2009 (6:36 am)

Wow, what a hot button issue! Can’t we all agree that kids in a restaurant are OK unless they are noisy and running around?? As far as ‘kid friendly’ goes, I think there are plenty of restaurants in W. Seattle already that are kid friendly. I especially like restaurants that have a bar side that is 21 and over. That way I can sit amongst adults and not worry about kids running around. And families with kids still have a place to go. I sincerely hope this new restaurant does well. It’s a very big space, so it’s automatically a challenge, especially in this economy. The key is to make the food affordable and “understandable” enough to W. Seattle diners who are very budget conscious and relatively unsophisticated in general (though not entirely thank god) compared to other Seattle neighborhoods. That’s why people line up out the door for mediocre food at places like E. Joe’s and Charlestown, but places like Beato and Ama Ama fail. **BTW, there’s a new combo lunch menu at Fresh Bistro which is AFFORDABLE AND FABULOUS!

cjboffoli November 12, 2009 (7:16 am)

Meghan: Ama Ama didn’t fail because its food was too esoteric and sophisticated. The owners apparently had personal problems and elected to close the business.
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Mark Fuller at Spring Hill is serving sweetbreads and smoked black cod rillettes (winning James Beard awards in his spare time) and the place is thriving.
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I completely disagree with you that restaurants should be dumbed down. I happen to know a lot of people in West Seattle and my experience is that there are many smart people here who are willing to try new things. There are so many existing venues that offer options for budget eaters.
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I’m of the mind that, if I see something on a menu that I don’t know, I ask about it or educate myself about it. The last thing I do is wish it away out of intimidation or fear of the unknown.

MargL November 12, 2009 (8:17 am)

Just in general, to me it’s never been about not -wanting- to try something different (like sweetbreads and smoked black cod rillettes). It’s fear of “OMG, I just paid $54 for this plate and I really don’t like it” that keeps me from trying some new things. If they’re reasonably priced and appeal to enough people the word of mouth advertising can keep the place alive.

Donna November 12, 2009 (8:22 am)

I’m guessing that the original poster just wanted to suggest a place that welcomed families with some kid options – not a place that had train tables and kid centric foods. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Many WS parents are intelligent and want their children to have better food than pizza and fat and salt heavy food – we want choices too. As for Mediterranean food and its viability in WS – Phoenecia did it quite well AND it was very child friendly. In fact, my family ate their regularly with my small children and we were always made to feel welcome. Parents have an obligation to control the behavior of our children. That said, adults often are not very well behaved either. Think about the times when you sit next to a person talking loudly on a cell phone. Or how about the last time you were in a restaurant next to a group of loud, foul mouthed people who had too much to drink and every other word was the F bomb. Bad behavior comes in all forms so we shouldn’t be too quick to just apply it to those under the age of 10. I say, in this economy, let’s welcome any new restaurant that comes into the space and try and support our local businesses.

Chris November 12, 2009 (8:41 am)

Rena, thanks for the parenting lesson. Apparently everyone here has taught their kid to be well-behaved so there shouldn’t be a problem.

cjboffoli November 12, 2009 (9:06 am)

MargL: The sweetbreads at Spring HIll are $12. Is that really too risky of an investment to have a new experience?

MargL November 12, 2009 (9:50 am)

You’re right Christopher, looking at the menu there $12 does seem a reasonable price for a plate of crispy sweetbread, honeycomb and kohlrabi coleslaw. Tho’ I assuming ‘honeycomb’ refers to something like braised tripe – which I have tried and don’t like (oh if only it were a little chunk of fresh honeycomb from bees! yum!) and coleslaw – also not a fave, regardless of vegetable. ;-) It’s the combinations of different+different+different. Why not different+familiar+familiar – or does sweetbread always have to be served with some other innards?

I’d be willing to pay a whole lot more for something I -know- I’d enjoy – Peking duck breast with a crispy skin? Mmmm!

Or maybe a small sweetbread appetizer with a mustard dipping sauce? I’d try that!

Jiggers November 12, 2009 (11:21 am)

I talked with one of the new owners(Sam) Wednesday morning outside while they were consulting some business ideas. It is going to be an eatery of some sorts, I can’t tell you much else. He said they are going to open quickly. Nice guy.

Jen November 12, 2009 (11:40 am)

Donna – great perspective, you managed to put into words exactly waht I was thinking! Kind of by defnition you only ever notice the kids who are misbehaving and the parents who aren’t addressing it. No one ever notices the kids who are sitting quietly or the parents who are down on their hands and knees after the meal, trying to get all the detritus up off the floor :-) I used to wait tables, I used to be footloose, fancy-free, and childless. I used to expect perfect behavior from children. Then I had kids. There are all kinds of inconsideration: letting your kids run amok in a restaurant and spoiling the experience for other people, being loud and rude as an adult with the same result, and painting all folks with kids with the same brush all qualify. I think if more people tried their best to put themselves in other people’s shoes from time to time things would work out better all around!

junction profile November 12, 2009 (11:41 am)

I welcome the interest of a business man or woman that wants to move to our Junction. Welcome. I like variety as much as anyone but it’s rare I walk into any restaurant and not find something that I think is reasonably priced and desired.

I wish the Junction Association could get a “master plan” with their existing footprint of businesses. There would be a lot more small town feel if they just mandated consistent awning sizes, color and design. Visualize that for now and let an URBAN DESIGNER be the consultant to the city for the urban village and the entire urban hub.

Jiggers November 12, 2009 (12:07 pm)

I prefer to hang around service dogs than ratty kids. Honestly.

AM November 12, 2009 (12:59 pm)

i think a great happy hour is a must, 21 and older after a certain hour, and a reasonably priced menu would make me want to try the new place out!

homesweethome November 12, 2009 (2:18 pm)

Donna – thank you for the great summation. No one notices when parents must leave a restaurant because the adult patrons at the next table are unruly. Further, for all the “adults” out there – when you stumble past my house at 2 am on Saturday night from your local bar of choice, maybe you could keep the language clean and the yelling down so as not to wake me and mine? This is a 2-way street folks, if you want children to behave its not just parents that ought to display good behavior in public – its a total nuisance to have to explain to my kid why adults are rude in public. A little tolerance goes a long way.

Meghan November 12, 2009 (3:02 pm)

Christopher: I didn’t mean restaurants should be “dumbed down”!! I go to Spring Hill about twice a month and I’m a huge fan. But the reality there is a limited audience for that type of food in W. Seattle. And it is relatively expensive. That’s why even Spring Hill (with all it’s national accolades) still has to have Monday spaghetti and meatball night, the 3-for-$30 promotion, and an affordable burger on their menu. The key to success in this market is to serve food that people feel is a good value at whatever price they’re paying. That’s why Beato failed. The food and wine were great, but the portions were small and people didn’t understand or appreciate too many of the dishes. And that’s what Fresh Bistro is now understanding by incorporating a value lunch menu – and some larger portions – into their menu. That’s the key to success. It’s very difficult to get people to cross the bridge to dine in W. Seattle. It’s a reality. So if this new place is going to succeed, it needs to offer value.

c.c November 12, 2009 (8:59 pm)

I agree with Hey there: a new place for the tweens and teens would serve a purpose and most likely be very successful. Then upscale west seattle residents could stop complaining about the kids running the streets with nothing to do…

Herman November 12, 2009 (11:29 pm)

There are legions of kids in W Seattle. Have a look at the Junction on any Halloween. There are plenty of adult restaurants at the Junction already.
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There’s nothing wrong with another option for parents. Have a look at the restaurants in Brooklyn and see how they provide great options for all types.
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Many people in Seattle are strangely hostile to children. I don’t get it. Parenting is a service to the nation. And it’s expensive. Cut the parents some slack.

dawsonct November 14, 2009 (12:04 pm)

MargL, any restaurant that is sort of pushing the envelope and expecting their customers to take a certain leap of faith would also rather replace a diner’s meal than have them be disappointed with their selection.
That being said, it is also important for the adventurous diner to be informed about their selection. Ask the server plenty of questions, make sure you understand the ingredients (if they treat you like an ignoramus, THEY have the problem, not you. Be sure to let the owner/floor manager know about your experience so they can “re-train” your server), and then if you order something and it simply doesn’t appeal to you, say something quickly and have an explanation for your dislike. For those of us in the kitchen, the feedback is invaluable and, the fact is, even when something IS prepared right and is what the chef was trying to produce, it won’t appeal to everyone. Don’t be ashamed that your tastes may not match exactly those of the kitchen. It’s cheaper to throw away a meal than to lose a customer because they had a bad experience.
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Whatever you do, don’t be one of those people who eat half of their plate and then send it back. That plate becomes yours after more than two or three bites.

dawsonct November 14, 2009 (12:33 pm)

Still waiting for your reply, Normal Food Lover, what is “normal” food?
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Damn shame about the corporatization of babysitting. I really enjoyed doing it when I was a kid. The people I worked for usually had cable and a color TV, two things my Dad didn’t see the need for, until I moved out of his house. Or I could get hours of uninterrupted reading and get paid for it!
I guess it is endemic of our society today that the thought of hiring a pre-teen and teen-aged boy to watch your kids probably carries way too much negative imagery for people. Sensationalism for the most part, I would speculate.

Claire j November 14, 2009 (11:09 pm)

I have a suggestion. Moderate these comments. This is ridiculous.

dawsonct November 16, 2009 (11:05 am)

Nah, I much prefer reading the meandering commentary of my W. Seattle friends and neighbors. It reinforces my impression of us as one of Seattle’s more interesting communities.

LLS December 3, 2009 (9:53 am)

I would LOVE a good happy-hour at an affordable price, $8/glass of wine is NOT a happy-hour! Regarding kids, I take mine everywhere and they know to behave or they’ll get a swat(s). We go to restaurants to experience the foods they offer, we don’t require a child’s menu – what’s the point? If your child only eats chicken nuggets or mac ‘n cheese, leave them at home for crying out loud! We typically order a few menu items and share them with the little ones – works for us. No restaurant should have to designate themselves ‘kid friendly’ or not. As far as I’m concerned all businesses(not 21 and older only) welcome EVERYONE, provided they behave themselves and not act as if they’ve been raised by wolves – this goes for children AND adults alike! :)