Little Glass Houses for You and Me

Next time you're out eating with a barista from a respected cafe, pay attention to what they do at the table.

Do they ask for a recommendation of what's good?  Or do they order a la Sally?

Do they let the chef's work stand on its own?  Or do they add salt before tasting their meal?  Or smother their frites in ketchup before trying one?

If their cafe markets itself as a champion of sustainability, are they ordering an endangered fish?  Does that dessert they're enjoying contain chocolate from the Ivory Coast?

In short, are the choices they make when they're eating aligned with what they're telling you to do at their cafe?

Because if they're not, call 'em on it.  When they tell you that you can't have your drink the way you want it, feel free to bring up the hypocrisy you witnessed them commit at the local trattoria last weekend.

We say this in full recognition that a barista's pay doesn't often allow them many opportunities for fine dining. The above doesn't really apply to eating at chains - and most of us need to do that now and then for sake of convenience.

But we've seen enough examples at nicer restaurants while attending tradeshows and conferences over the years to know who's really walking the walk.  And it's not everybody.

We're not suggesting cafes shouldn't institute rules on what they think it the right way to serve things. All we're saying is that if you do that in the name of what tastes right to you and are not allowing menu exceptions - then have the same respect for every other quality-minded food professional.

We like Ken Nye's take on service.

Comments

[Amelie]

Good Point! You are always one to put out there thought provoking conversations and we like it.it just isn't right for some cafes to dictate how someone should enjoy their coffees while they're dipping their filet mignon in A1 steak sauce.