Restaurant ripoff?

[GudWiin]

Hi!

Having been both a restaurant patron and a waiter, I have to say that what you describe is just the sign of a poor waiter. I served tables in every type of restaurant from Denny's to fine dining, and have also tended bar. I have never substituted one item for another without first an apology to not having the desired item and then permission to bring the customer a different item. Usually, I have substituted a *nicer* wine for the one requested, at the *lower* price, the exact opposite of your experience! (Were that you had been my customer instead.) I note that your waiter told you that "no one ever notices the difference." Well, you did. I would have never bet that my customer (no matter how obviously wine-ignorant) wouldn't notice that it wasn't his/her favorite brand. Most people know their favorite brand. Beringer White Zinfandel lovers (for example) know Beringer, and they will notice a substitute immediately, even though they may not say anything. And in both fine restaurants and not-so-fine ones, one must always assume that your customer could be *anyone.* Your waiter sorely misjudged you. I'll bet that his income (of which at the very least 75% is probably his tips) suffers for his ignorance and poor skills.

As a lover of wine and dining, I appreciate good service. And I'll give a waiter the benefit of the doubt and a little extra slack most of the time. But once you've been behind the scenes, you really get picky about your service! I'm sorry to hear that this is such a prevalent problem, but it's probably ignorance, rather than dishonesty.

And it should always be mentioned to the manager. Don't forget to vote with your dollar and show your waiter your appreciation--pay him/her exactly what he/she is worth. That's what really hits the point home for them.