fine dining

In article <[email hidden]>,

Dee Dee said:

"Robert L Bass" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:FlnHi.2677$io2.933@trnddc06...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Fair enough. You and she can have the crappy
food and the screaming kids. I'll put up with a
little smoke.

I consider myself fortunate to live in a state where it's illegal to smoke
in restaurants. This way I don't have to go to McDonalds to get away from
smoke. FWIW, I have nothing against people who smoke. I just don't want
to breather the stuff with what's left of my lungs. :^)

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

I think the contents of the cigarette must've changed. I can't recall that
awful odor until the last 25 years.
Dee Dee

I have to agree.

Cigarettes did not used to stink like they do now.
The odor of GOOD tobacco burning is rather pleasant. Like incense.
It's why I don't mind pipe smoke or the smell of a good cigar.

The smell of pipe smoke is actually a rather pleasant memory. My
grandfather smoked a pipe and snuggling into him, his clothes had that
smell and it was nice.

People really should consider buying GOOD tobacco and rolling their own.
It'd be cheaper too.
--
Peace, Om

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"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a [censored]" -- Jack Nicholson

On Sun, 16 Sep 2007 23:13:27 -0400, "Dee Dee" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

"Julie Bove" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:VVlHi.1864$fz2.1842@trndny03...
Can't say that I care

Quoted message said:

for Olive Garden either and I don't think I would go to Red Lobster
either. I consider none of these places to be "fine dining". More like
family restaurants. But perhaps if you live in a small town, that might
be the best you can get.

Red Lobster and Olive Garden are about the best you can get where we live --
and then it isn't exactly cheap for what you get. When they first opened
up, we went once to both. I've already written my review of my problem with
both, but I noticed today as we were driving by that although previously the
parking lots have been full up and brimming over into other businesses,
today they had plenty of spaces.

The same as happened somewhat to Chili's, although it has taken a little
longer. They still get a good business. Now I see there will be a TGIF
coming. Our town is growing a lot, but there are no bistro-type
restaurants; just chains.

That's fine with me -- everytime I buy something for my kitchen, I consider
it just the price of a meal out -- not extravagance.
Dee Dee

Dee Dee, your town sounds pretty much like mine. About fifteen years
ago the referendum came up to allow alcoholic beverages in the town
(soundly defeated that time). In a letter to the editor of the local
paper, a resident opined that we didn't need alcohol to bring nice
restaurants. After all, McDonalds had come to town...

We now have an Applebees and a few decent locally-owned restaurants,
plus one that probably considers itself to be 'fine dining'. I
wouldn't call it that. The acoustics are such that you almost have to
shout to make yourself heard across the table... what's the opposite
of 'tranquil, relaxed dining"?

Best -- Terry

Terry said:

Dee Dee, your town sounds pretty much like mine. About fifteen years
ago the referendum came up to allow alcoholic beverages in the town
(soundly defeated that time). In a letter to the editor of the local
paper, a resident opined that we didn't need alcohol to bring nice
restaurants. After all, McDonalds had come to town...

Ouch. That is sad.

Quoted message said:

We now have an Applebees and a few decent locally-owned restaurants,
plus one that probably considers itself to be 'fine dining'. I
wouldn't call it that. The acoustics are such that you almost have to
shout to make yourself heard across the table... what's the opposite
of 'tranquil, relaxed dining"?

There is a Keg restaurant near here that has a similar problem. The
building was originally a paper mill and had been vacant for years before
being converted into a restaurant. They did a nice job in the conversion,
except for the acoustics. My mother used to love that place but I always
found the noise hard to handle. The problem of the high noise level was
compounded by having rock music blaring. That, in turn, caused people to
talk louder to be heard over the music. the food was good, but I always
found it too noisy.

Dave Smith said:

Terry said:

Dee Dee, your town sounds pretty much like mine. About fifteen years
ago the referendum came up to allow alcoholic beverages in the town
(soundly defeated that time). In a letter to the editor of the local
paper, a resident opined that we didn't need alcohol to bring nice
restaurants. After all, McDonalds had come to town...

Ouch. That is sad.

Which brings back a memory. When McDonald's was still in its infancy
(remember the burger count?) and people actually anticipated one
opening up near them, I lived in Palo Alto. A new Mc Donald's opened
up on El Camino a mile or so from where I lived at the southern end of
Stanford. They put votive candles on the tables at night and dimmed
the lights. We laughed every time we drove past, but at least they
were trying to give it some ambiance. That practice didn't last very
long, but at least someone was thinking out of the box (so to speak).
--

History is a vast early warning system
Norman Cousins

"Omelet" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Fortunately, more and more cities are banning smoking in public places.
--
Peace, Om

Among the offenders I've seen at my local hospital are the workers who would
stand by the doors and smoke. Walk out and it would knock you over. Then
they moved the smoking-permitted sign up and away from the door, but to get
to the entrance doors, one had to pass by this designated area, or "go
around to another sidewalk." The last few times I've been there, I've seen
no smokers. I don't know where they went -- but I think maybe they're out
of sight; surely they all didn't give up the habit.
Dee Dee

"Dave Smith" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
The problem of the high noise level was

Quoted message said:

compounded by having rock music blaring. That, in turn, caused people to
talk louder to be heard over the music. the food was good, but I always
found it too noisy.

One time we went to a local restaurant (out on a minor highway) that was
rated as having excellent crabcakes. We walked in and it was a dumpy
looking bar -- which was OK by us if it had good food. We sat there for a
minute or so, and realized it had some sort of techno-music (can't really
explain it) that had maybe four bars of music constantly repeated - loud.
By the time the waitress came, we were so damned annoyed - and I mean really
annoyed -- that we said that we would be leaving, that we couldn't stand the
music. Two old foggies leaving the place. Geez! She was probably happy to
see us go, that she'd not have to serve such picky people who probably
wouldn't tip her anyway ;-)
Dee Dee

Brian Christiansen said:

The other day, I was listening to a talk radio program. The topic of
discusssion was smoking laws.

A caller called in to say that because of the smoking laws in her town being
too lax (I think), she could not go to "fine dining" restaraunts like
Chilis or Applebees, and was forced to go to fast food joints.

Perhaps my standards aren't very high because I have no problem eating at
places like that, I even have no problem eating at fast food joints, for
that matter. By the same token, I really don't think of places like
Applebees, etc. to be "fine dining," and that they are really only perhaps a
half-step to a step above fast food joints. Even a good part of that is
because they have nicer decor.

Brian Christiansen

I once dated a man whose definition of "fine dining" was: metal
flatware rather
than plastic.

Cindy Hamilton

"Dee Dee" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Among the offenders I've seen at my local hospital are the workers who
would stand by the doors and smoke. Walk out and it would knock you over.
Then they moved the smoking-permitted sign up and away from the door, but
to get to the entrance doors, one had to pass by this designated area, or
"go around to another sidewalk." The last few times I've been there, I've
seen no smokers. I don't know where they went -- but I think maybe
they're out of sight; surely they all didn't give up the habit.

While I was glad they banned smoking at work, I think it looks
ridiculous to have groups of people loitering by the door. Seems there
should be some provision in the law that there be a room with filters
where people could go smoke.

nancy

<sf> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Which brings back a memory. When McDonald's was still in its infancy
(remember the burger count?) and people actually anticipated one
opening up near them, I lived in Palo Alto. A new Mc Donald's opened
up on El Camino a mile or so from where I lived at the southern end of
Stanford. They put votive candles on the tables at night and dimmed
the lights. We laughed every time we drove past, but at least they
were trying to give it some ambiance. That practice didn't last very
long, but at least someone was thinking out of the box (so to speak).
--

That's cute, that idea. I like it.
Smiling,
Dee Dee

"Dee Dee" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

<sf> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Which brings back a memory. When McDonald's was still in its infancy
(remember the burger count?) and people actually anticipated one
opening up near them, I lived in Palo Alto. A new Mc Donald's opened
up on El Camino a mile or so from where I lived at the southern end of
Stanford. They put votive candles on the tables at night and dimmed
the lights. We laughed every time we drove past, but at least they
were trying to give it some ambiance. That practice didn't last very
long, but at least someone was thinking out of the box (so to speak).

Quoted message said:

That's cute, that idea. I like it.
Smiling,
Dee Dee

Votive candles and children, what could go wrong? Heh.

I've been to a Burger King that was decorated nicely compared
to the usual. It was refreshing. Up in New Hampshire, perhaps
I'll stop in week after next and see if it's still the same.

nancy

Brian Christiansen said:

I live in Tucson, AZ where just recently, a referendum was passed
that outlawed restaurants even having seperate rooms as smoking
sections, so I really don't have to make that choice.

In Louisiana, you can not smoke in restaurants, public buildings,
workplaces, shopping malls or public parks, but you can smoke in bars
and casinos.

Becca

Dee Dee said:

Among the offenders I've seen at my local hospital are the workers who would
stand by the doors and smoke. Walk out and it would knock you over. Then
they moved the smoking-permitted sign up and away from the door, but to get
to the entrance doors, one had to pass by this designated area, or "go
around to another sidewalk."

We had the same problem at our local hospital, so they banned smoking
anywhere on the hospital grounds, including the parking lot.

Becca

"Becca" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Brian Christiansen said:

I live in Tucson, AZ where just recently, a referendum was passed
that outlawed restaurants even having seperate rooms as smoking
sections, so I really don't have to make that choice.

In Louisiana, you can not smoke in restaurants, public buildings,
workplaces, shopping malls or public parks, but you can smoke in bars and
casinos.

Becca

Bars and casinos; now those are places I would go to often if they just had
more stringent smoking rules ;-))
Dee Dee

In article <[email hidden]>,

Dee Dee said:

"Omelet" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Fortunately, more and more cities are banning smoking in public places.
--
Peace, Om

Among the offenders I've seen at my local hospital are the workers who would
stand by the doors and smoke. Walk out and it would knock you over. Then
they moved the smoking-permitted sign up and away from the door, but to get
to the entrance doors, one had to pass by this designated area, or "go
around to another sidewalk." The last few times I've been there, I've seen
no smokers. I don't know where they went -- but I think maybe they're out
of sight; surely they all didn't give up the habit.
Dee Dee

They banned smoking on ALL hospital property a couple of years ago where
I work.

I do have some sympathy for smokers, but still don't want to have to
breathe it. Smoking rooms or areas should be allowed... somehow. ;-)
--
Peace, Om

Remove _ to validate e-mails.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a [censored]" -- Jack Nicholson

Dee Dee <[email hidden]> wrote:

: Bars and casinos; now those are places I would go to often if they just had
: more stringent smoking rules ;-))

We don't have smoke-free legislation for restaurants, but new
bars are opening as smoke-free places anyway, and they seem to
thrive. Many places that are not designated smoke free and
that were heavy with smoke five years ago are now smokeless from
people's social instincts.
--thelma
: Dee Dee

"Thelma Roslyn Lubkin" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Dee Dee <[email hidden]> wrote:

: Bars and casinos; now those are places I would go to often if they just
had
: more stringent smoking rules ;-))

We don't have smoke-free legislation for restaurants, but new
bars are opening as smoke-free places anyway, and they seem to
thrive. Many places that are not designated smoke free and
that were heavy with smoke five years ago are now smokeless from
people's social instincts.
--thelma
: Dee Dee

I know that you know that I was joking. I don't care for either place.
:-))
Dee Dee

Dee Dee <[email hidden]> wrote:

:> We don't have smoke-free legislation for restaurants, but new
:> bars are opening as smoke-free places anyway, and they seem to
:> thrive. Many places that are not designated smoke free and
:> that were heavy with smoke five years ago are now smokeless from
:> people's social instincts.
:> --thelma
:> : Dee Dee
:>

: I know that you know that I was joking. I don't care for either place.

...and here I thought I was the only one. The drop in public
smoking is still an interesting phenomenon.

--thelma
: :-))
: Dee Dee

"Omelet" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Dee Dee said:

"Omelet" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Fortunately, more and more cities are banning smoking in public places.
--
Peace, Om

Among the offenders I've seen at my local hospital are the workers who
would
stand by the doors and smoke. Walk out and it would knock you over.
Then
they moved the smoking-permitted sign up and away from the door, but to
get
to the entrance doors, one had to pass by this designated area, or "go
around to another sidewalk." The last few times I've been there, I've
seen
no smokers. I don't know where they went -- but I think maybe they're
out
of sight; surely they all didn't give up the habit.
Dee Dee

They banned smoking on ALL hospital property a couple of years ago where
I work.

I do have some sympathy for smokers, but still don't want to have to
breathe it. Smoking rooms or areas should be allowed... somehow. ;-)
--
Peace, Om

Due to the air systems, as you know it's pretty hard to have smoking rooms.
At Costco they have designated a space (with a picnic table) at the back end
of the indoor/outdoor space for the smokers to sit. I can't recall if it's
been there in the winter yet, but so far there are plenty of takers in this
heat.

Tho, I think not being able to smoke during working hours near one's work is
a good incentive for a worker to try to quit the habit for at least 8 hours
a day. Tough, tho.
Dee Dee

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

and that Appleby's is fine
dining.

Pete...where do you come up with this blather?

It's a consequence of being educated and intelligent.

If you want to contest any of my claims, please do so.

--
Peter Aitken

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden]
says...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I am sure that she must be a truly discriminating diner if she would rather
eat at a fast food joint than catch a whiff of tobacco smoke.

That's her choice. It would be mine too. I don't want to be around
smoke and smokers.

Fair enough. You and she can have the crappy food and the screaming kids.
I'll put up with a little smoke.

The way I understood it was that she would go to a fast food joint so
she would be able to smoke.

--
Peter Aitken