Well said Alex! so true, some (not all) owners and their staff just don't give a s*** about their reputation, that's all.
2009/3/17 Alexander Lebedeff <[email protected]> > I'll have to agree with Robert (his post is quoted in past issues) on all > his points -- Moscow restaurants are a drag. Way too often. > > And Alina mentioned that "Restaurant owners should be reading this." > Absolutely, Alina, people in the Moscow restaurant industry do read these > posts. :) But yeah, mostly expats, and not the people who need a good kick > in the butt. :( > > Going to a restaurant should be a pleasure. It should be an experience > where for a couple of hours you can relax, and enjoy the process of paying > money to people who make you feel like a guest in their establishment. > > So, personally, I generally favor "local" joints. Not quite > "holes-in-the-wall," but more earthy, normal places, where one can build a > relationship with the waiters, and be treated extremely nicely. As in, > getting a beer within a minute. (For Moscow, that's like record time.) > > I generally do avoid "Name" restaurants, because they do tend to suck. Way > badly. I don't mind spending hard-earned money -- I love it! -- but I hate > getting ripped off. A couple of mentioned places, such as Darbar and > Pushkin are yes, worth it -- IMHO -- but they are exceptions. > > But -- erk -- one thing is, I now speak exclusively Russian with the wait > staff, wherever I go. I used to speak English to them. So that's a factor > to consider, if you're speaking English to a waitron. Ten years ago, you'd > automatically get the best seat in the house, and a free glass of > champagne. But hey, bummer, things have changed. The reality is, Eastern > culture, sociologically, tends to avoid actively-taxing situations, so being > an English-speaking customer NOW lowers you on their "priority list," > because the staff wants to avoid the challenge of dealing with you. It's > sad, but true. (Speaking as a bearer of both cultures.) > > My advice, for people who like a good restaurant experience: > > 1) Be careful with "Name" places. Don't fall for glossy ads in magazines, > for the "feel." Just because a restaurant can hire talented graphic > designers and content-writers doesn't mean its chefs are any good. > > 2) Avoid middle-class chains these days, unless someone tells you verbally > otherwise. Yes, "Kofe Hauz" bites the big one. Many middle-class chains > are obviously cutting corners, and reducing themselves to the "rip-off" > level. > > 3) You can tell a lot about a place, if they've raised their prices > "because of the crisis." If more than 20%, they're putting you on. Well, > maybe not "putting you on," but certainly not showing care for your > continued patronage. > > 4) Learn "Restaurant Russian." It involves a few dozen words, and it > works wonders with the staff. I am a qualified witness. > > 5) Mainly... Follow the advice of your friends. Ask actively. Heeding > advice posted on the expat list is OK too, since, if you have a crappy time > at a recommended place, you can always flame the sender. :) > Diplomatically, of course :) :) > > All the best, > > -Alexander > > _______________________________________________ > Expat mailing list > [email protected] > http://www.lists.ru/mailman/listinfo/expat > http://www.expat.ru/forum/ >
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