Dining "at the bar"

Leah, you are right, of course. Not an every-moment log but instead a documented procedure they can observe in action.

The RTE food/glove issue was never a problem with me until a recent visit to a well known spot for fish sandwiches. Walked in and the cook was tiding up in the kitchen; he took our order, cooked and plated without a hand wash or glove. Next customer walks in to pick up raw fish; he puts on a glove, gets their order, takes off glove, takes money, then goes right on cooking the next guys sandwich. Same story, no hand wash or gloves from start to finish. The glove thing still wouldn't be an issue if the dude would have washed his hands, but I guess the glove rule does have a place. I won’t name names in case the RTE food police are reading, but I’m sure you can figure it out.

Some bartenders who attended the same Metro Health Dept seminar on the new food code I attended were very very dismayed to learn they need to be wearing gloves when putting bar garnish on drinks. Alternative option is a documented hand-washing log...ugh.

Hopefully that will reduce the number of citrus wedges put in beer.

Some bartenders who attended the same Metro Health Dept seminar on the new food code I attended were very very dismayed to learn they need to be wearing gloves when putting bar garnish on drinks. Alternative option is a documented hand-washing log...ugh.

Hopefully that will reduce the number of citrus wedges put in beer.

Sorry Rob. It shouldn't apply for food IN drinks- the alcohol kills all the germs, right????

I just like to dine at the bar if I am looking for a more casual experience at an upscale restaurant. If I'm just coming in for small plates and drinks, why not sit at the bar rather than take up a whole table and dirty the tablecloth? (See Marsha's column this week in LEO.)

I, as a rule, do not like to "dine" at the bar, however, there are exceptions....the two most notable are a late night nibble at 60 West, which I've been known to do when Alan has a late flight in, or at Majid's because the bar area is just so cool and fun. Now sitting at the bar, per sa, is only good for 1 or 2 people....we ate at Majid's the other evening for my birthday, and there were three of us, and I made the mistake of not stating that I wanted a table in the bar area. It was not a bad experience, and the food was wonderful and of course the service was as well, but it was very hard to maintain a converation with three of us keeping up....being in the middle, I had to intrupret all evening.....once burned, twice shy.....Now, I will draw the line if I'm with someone and the "noise" in the bar is high level.....

Just my .02 worth.........

Just wondering what motivates people to choose to eat "at the bar" instead of at a table. I only recently started doing this, it was twice, and both times at Volare.
My reason: they had 1/2 price bottles of wine at the bar only.

What are some of your reasons?

Heather,

I do like you do at places which offer deals for the bar area ( specifically Volare). But then I ge a bar table- not sit at the bar. But mostly, I rarely eat at the bar- even when dining alone. I much prefer a table for comfort and enjoying my food. Also, females sItting at the bar alone tends to signal "pickup" and for some reason my husband doesn't care for that...

Exceptions would be out of necessity and/or where I can watch them cook.
Deb

I like to sit at (in) the bar...well...because it's a bar. Nothing like bellying up to a nice high top and gettin' ones drink on and ones snack on. Yep, pencil me (us) in for a bar table any time.

I live in Indiana. Eating at the bar = no kids.

Two reasons:
1) Our restaurant worldview is waiters get paid & don't dine; diners pay & don't wait.
Don't wait to be seated, I mean. If there are no tables and there's a bar, that's where we go.

2) If it is a weekend evening we always have a couple of rounds before ordering food so if a place is getting close to filling up we usually go to the bar and eat there out of consideration for the establishment. This is America, not France, so we think it is kind of jerky to monopolize a table leisurely having a couple of rounds before ordering any food. Support your local entrepreneurs & help 'em turn the tables!

Lonnie, I like the way you think!

or at Majid's because the bar area is just so cool and fun.

BTW, nice meeting you in person at the bar a few weeks ago at Majid's, Bill. Your food recommendations were spot on. I understand we just missed JustinHammond.

or at Majid's because the bar area is just so cool and fun.

BTW, nice meeting you in person at the bar a few weeks ago at Majid's, Bill. Your food recommendations were spot on. I understand we just missed JustinHammond.

Unless Bill was partying late, you did just miss us. We had a couple of drinks, chatted with Bill, and traded dog pics.

Give me a call or shoot me a message next time you're in the area and we'll grab a drink. It has been awhile.

Yup, I hosted revolving Foodies that evening.....it was fun and good meeting everyone......

I love eating at the bar - it's casual, more intimate, and makes for easy sharing.