Bluenoser,
I tip my hat off to you...most women in this world rather be in the corporate world than be a domestic goddess.  You are one of the few. I wish my wife can be one....but I guess two paycheques are needed in the household in this time and age. 

Going to a greasy spoon or family restaurant for breakfast in Canada, we would walk out if we didn't have coffee in front of us within 4 minutes. It was extremely rare for this to happen.

Mike,

Yes, karma to you for that list, it is a list that I never found consistent in Bermuda.? I am not being horrible, but after studying hotel management and working in hotels for years, as well as the tourism industry, I have always thought that this list is a STANDARD set of unwritten rules that should be automatically checked off in any restaurant.

I will be honest, what used to frustrate me to no end in Bermuda, was having so-so service and then having to leave the 15% for that so-so service, and many, many a time did I send letters to various hotels/restaurants in an anonymous fashion each time I received this so-so service.? I know it sounds petty, but I thought I could help them by pointing out the negatives so they could improve.

I think one of the very worse things a waiter/waitress/host/hostess can do to send out negative service vibes, is to not offer a drink once the customer is seated, or to take too long in getting the drink to the table.? One of my biggest pet peeves in life.? The greeting, the point to point contact with a genuine smile, the checking back and forth with the customer on the meal are all important too.? No matter how obnoxious, snobby or rude the customer is.?

I think the problem is Bermuda, as I have said before, is that people's hearts just are not into it.? Once they were, before International business.? Now the question on everyone's lips in the hotels and restaurants is "how can we change our industry and end up in International business?"? or "why am I serving this rude customer when I drive a beamer?"? If your heart isn't in it, it aint gonna work.

I am not saying everything is doom and gloom, there are some places left in Bermuda that understands service...I agree with AAW on Fresco's, I had good, good experiences there.? I also LOVED Portofino for the service more than the food, Ascot's for the outstanding service I had on a consistent basis, Harbourfront gave some good service, Tom Moore's Tavern - outstanding, Waterloo House, also outstanding.?

What I said above about bad service also included some hotels as well as restaurants.? I hate bad service anywhere, whether it is in England, Jamaica, Bermuda, or wherever, people should not own/operate/work in the service industry if they do not like people, bottom line.

And the portions are HUGE!! My family ate there before Christmas.... WOW WOW WOW!   Loved it to death!

AAW,

It is a great place for an evening with your spouse, no question.  With regards to kids, I did see a few families dining there and Slowhand did mention that he went with his family.  (Although it isn't the sort of place that I would wear jeans and a t-shirt to.)  I did say that the food was fantastic and it truly was.  I have never been to the Southern states so I can't really compare it to the "real Southwestern experience".  However, I'm from Alberta, which is known for its spectacular Alberta beef, and the food that we had at Blu's exceeded my expectations.  As well, I have yet to hear a bad review from anyone that has dined there.  Hope that helps!

Thanks Sigh, gonna have to check this one out...always looking for a place with good Steak.  Can't wait now...mmmmm steak.

CC

I know its cheesey and gaudy, but the best service I have ever had was in Las Vegas! It seems that everywhere you go people are falling over each other to help you. Maybe I got lucky, but I went to most of the big casinos for meals and was never disappointed (except for all the money I lost gambling!).