The Brickhouse Man Cave

I innocently suggested to my husband that we try the new Brickhouse pub/tavern for lunch due to a few suggestions on this board. Wow guys, my husband and I were not prepared. Poor Justin got skewered for calling the place white trashy but I came away with the impression it was more of a Brett Michaels "Rock Of Love" try-out. Again, very nice service, okay pub food and great theatrics. I think the disconnect was that this place was located in that neighborhood. I would have expected it downtown or better yet Las Vegas.

Anyway, I got to thinking about these restaurant chains catering to men such as Hooters, Tilted Kilt and this new man-cave concept and I have to ask why there are no chains catering to women? My husband replied that the reason there are no chains is that every restaurant caters to women. Men would just assume stay home then go to a restaurant. I don't know...maybe if the waiters all look like barechested Jim Morrisons and they served a lot of salads and chocolate desserts.. ..

Anyway, I got to thinking about these restaurant chains catering to men such as Hooters, Tilted Kilt and this new man-cave concept and I have to ask why there are no chains catering to women? My husband replied that the reason there are no chains is that every restaurant caters to women. Men would just assume stay home then go to a restaurant. I don't know...maybe if the waiters all look like barechested Jim Morrisons and they served a lot of salads and chocolate desserts.. ..

I agree. We need some equilibrium. Along with the cute girls there should be some hunky ( god did I just say that) guys. Fair is fair. Plus when mama is happy everybody is happy.

What do you think ladies, would you frequent a place with some hot dudes dressed to show it off? Of course the food and service would have to be good too.

I'm all in favor.

I remember the late, lamented Greek restaurant that was in the strip mall off of Blankenbaker (can't remember the name to save my life though) that was staffed by servers of Greek descent. All I will say is they gave new meaning to the phrase "Greek gods." They didn't have to shed their shirts to look good either.

Poor Justin got skewered for calling the place white trashy but I came away with the impression it was more of a Brett Michaels "Rock Of Love" try-out.

I still stand by that statement, skewered or not.

Anyway, I got to thinking about these restaurant chains catering to men such as Hooters, Tilted Kilt and this new man-cave concept and I have to ask why there are no chains catering to women?

The Kilt does a better job than Hooter's or Brickhouse in catering to the women. They have a few built guys in kilts running around that the women seemed to enjoy.

I would go there if they rubbed my shoulders, told me I was beautiful, no that dessert wont make you fat, and validated throughout the meal for being a great Mom.

How 'bout a restaurant that gave women equal service consistently without wondering if you'll be tipping 20%?

My husband and I were in Frontera (Chicago) for lunch recently on a Friday and were surprised to see only 3 men in a packed dining room.

How 'bout a restaurant that gave women equal service consistently without wondering if you'll be tipping 20%?
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I know that I'm going to get skewered for this one anyway, so I'm going to really hang it out there.

Unfortunately, one of those stereotypes that waiting a group of women dining together is generally going to be a big pain in the A@#, in my experience, most of the time is true.

Many moons ago, I waited tables before I started cooking at a few downtown lunch places and I learned quickly that two or three women eating together isn't so bad.
But in a larger group, if one of the women is "high maintenance" then the rest usually followed in some kind of herd mentality. I would secretly pray that large groups of women wouldn't get seated in my section. If I was unlucky then I knew that I would be in for lots of running for little in return.

It never failed that if one person wanted something that when you came back with it after asking if anyone needed anything before you left the table the first time, someone else wants the identical thing when you return, again and again.
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Also, If you can get them to stop talking to each other long enough so you can take orders, just try waiting on a large group of women like this.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnlm2e3EN78.

And of course, just go ahead forget about the auto-grat on large partys and do yourself a favor and ring in separate checks.
I've never understood why most women are so adamant about this. If I'm out with some of the guys we just take turns picking up the tab. Why can't women be more like that?

Now that I've stirred the pot sufficiently, I can't wait for responses.

Okay, for starters it's spelled parties. I don't generally travel with groups like that....gasp. But I tend to agree, the chatter is crazy and often they don't open their menus for 20 min, lol. However, I recently took my 2 daughters to a restaurant where we were seated and ignored for a VERY long time while the waiter took good care of 3 other tables. Finally, a man sitting next to us approached the waiter and told him that he should bring us some drinks or bread. I was shocked, but happy. I then told him that I had worked in the same industry for years and my family owned restaurants. Boy, did the service turn around after that. I tipped him 20% which I always do, unless the service is spectacular or the food ridiculously cheap and good, then I tip more.

This could be an entire different thread, but I have raised my girls to learn how to tip and how to act in restaurants. I know there are exceptions, but many modern women today don't have husbands, dates, etc, but do have family, clients and personal meals. Many women have worked in the service industry during high school and college. Don't just diss all of us! Most places here are NOT like that, glad to say.

Okay, for starters it's spelled parties. I don't generally travel with groups like that....gasp. But I tend to agree, the chatter is crazy and often they don't open their menus for 20 min, lol. However, I recently took my 2 daughters to a restaurant where we were seated and ignored for a VERY long time while the waiter took good care of 3 other tables. Finally, a man sitting next to us approached the waiter and told him that he should bring us some drinks or bread. I was shocked, but happy. I then told him that I had worked in the same industry for years and my family owned restaurants. Boy, did the service turn around after that. I tipped him 20% which I always do, unless the service is spectacular or the food ridiculously cheap and good, then I tip more.

This could be an entire different thread, but I have raised my girls to learn how to tip and how to act in restaurants. I know there are exceptions, but many modern women today don't have husbands, dates, etc, but do have family, clients and personal meals. Many women have worked in the service industry during high school and college. Don't just diss all of us! Most places here are NOT like that, glad to say.

Bravo. I have always found that groups of women are wonderful patrons.

I love dining out and restaurants and everything about the whole experience. I eat out several times a week and 99.9% of the time I am polite, considerate and understanding of the staff and other diners. I have been on the receiving end of bad behavior too many times to knowingly do so myself.
Some rules:
Rule: Do not sit at a table for an extended period of time after the restaurant has closed when the staff is waiting on you to leave.
Rule: Do not walk in to a restaurant 10 minutes before closing time and then proceed to do the above.
Rule: Do not wait 20 minutes before you even open the menu while your server paces back and forth waiting for a clue that you’re ready.
Rule: Do not talk while the server is reciting the specials.
Rule: Do not start with 4 people then grow to 6 then grow to 8, all the while commandeering tables and chairs like you own the place.

HOWEVER, every once in a while there is that .01% time when I ignore the rules that are understood by industry people around the world and become that table. I never WANT to, but sometimes the conversation is just too good to call it a night. Sometimes I don’t get off work on time and am dying for food and conversation so I meet a girlfriend at two minutes till closing. Sometimes I can’t get a friend to stop talking long enough to pay attention to the server telling the specials at the other end of the table. Sometimes when extra people show up for dinner I am so happy they’re there that I ignore the fact that we are probably a pain in the ass and just go for it. The more the merrier.

To the point, these things are more likely to happen when I am out with girlfriends. We have a great time together and I am more apt to forget “the code” and just have a great time. A night out with friends where dinner is theater and not just nourishment is rare and to be enjoyed. So there it is: I’m guilty. But the one rule I never break, what I would consider the Cardinal Rule, is a generous tip. I haven’t left less than 20% in years. So I comfort myself by knowing that the server will forgive me, even if it isn’t until after we leave.

I waited tables for years........
Just as you can gripe about large groups of women, I hated large groups of men. Especially business meetings where they want a table three times the size they need so they can "spread out". They order the minimum on food, but drink like fishes (even if it is only tea or soda and you have to run back every two minutes to fill some "thirsty man" glasses). MAYBE 15% on their business lunch and then complain they can't get away with tipping anymore since it's a business expense. Oh...yeah...funny how their lunches could take two hours because they "had things to discuss". Take it to a board room and order take out!

Some rules:
Rule: Do not sit at a table for an extended period of time after the restaurant has closed when the staff is waiting on you to leave.
Rule: Do not walk in to a restaurant 10 minutes before closing time and then proceed to do the above.
Rule: Do not wait 20 minutes before you even open the menu while your server paces back and forth waiting for a clue that you’re ready.
Rule: Do not talk while the server is reciting the specials.
Rule: Do not start with 4 people then grow to 6 then grow to 8, all the while commandeering tables and chairs like you own the place.

HOWEVER, every once in a while there is that .01% time when I ignore the rules that are understood by industry people around the world and become that table. I never WANT to, but sometimes the conversation is just too good to call it a night. Sometimes I don’t get off work on time and am dying for food and conversation so I meet a girlfriend at two minutes till closing. Sometimes I can’t get a friend to stop talking long enough to pay attention to the server telling the specials at the other end of the table. Sometimes when extra people show up for dinner I am so happy they’re there that I ignore the fact that we are probably a pain in the ass and just go for it. The more the merrier.

To the point, these things are more likely to happen when I am out with girlfriends. We have a great time together and I am more apt to forget “the code” and just have a great time. A night out with friends where dinner is theater and not just nourishment is rare and to be enjoyed. So there it is: I’m guilty. But the one rule I never break, what I would consider the Cardinal Rule, is a generous tip. I haven’t left less than 20% in years. So I comfort myself by knowing that the server will forgive me, even if it isn’t until after we leave.

I was not aware there were so many "rules"
If you don't want me to walk in a place 10 minutes before you close, do as some places do and say the kitchen is closed.
I was unaware that I was supposed to open a menu and order immediately.
I agree it is a bit rude to talk over the server while she is explaining specials but maybe I know what I want and don't care.
Also, once I am seated at a four person table, I should tell anyone else that shows up to get out. It is a rule.

Now you know why I spent 9 years on Crete, and my eldest son is half greek

I'm all in favor.

I remember the late, lamented Greek restaurant that was in the strip mall off of Blankenbaker (can't remember the name to save my life though) that was staffed by servers of Greek descent. All I will say is they gave new meaning to the phrase "Greek gods." They didn't have to shed their shirts to look good either.

I was not aware there were so many "rules"

I didnt mean to imply that these rules are universal, simply that they are lessons I have learned and try to follow myself.

People need to stop thinking about the political elections and go to their happy places. The forums are getting full of froth.