Restaurant ripoff?

[Bucko]

Poor Lisa had to sit at my table at NWIWC not once, but twice! That takes character......

This stuff really sets me off, so forgive the soapbox. I am not shy about calling waitstaff on the carpet. If I do not get satisfaction, I request to talk to the manager/owner. I try to do so politely but firmly. To substitute a wine or food dish without prior permission is TOTALLY unacceptable -- I would send the wine back and I would ask to speak to the manager and ask for an explanation. This is not being rude on your part -- rather, it is unacceptable behavior by the restaurant. I have had waiters tell me that a grossly corked wine was "just fine" but I stood my ground, asked to speak to the owner, and I have found in most cases that the owner is embarrassed and only too happy to make amends. Waitstaff are just not trained properly, plain and simple. And if I may be so bold, since you are pretty young, many waiters may try to take advantage of you, not knowing that you have an exceptional palate.
Stand your ground, spin your head around a couple of times, spit green pea soup, mumble something about Satan, then smile politely and say "Now how about bringing me what I ordered, not this swill....."

Bucko