would never reject a restaurant solely because it lacked some of these elements. But here are 10 hallmarks that I’ve found to be common among the best sushi bars: 1) When you enter the restaurant (probably by passing under...

I used to do this for a living so I hope I can help you. Let me start off by saying it is not an insult to haggle. However, if you are not able to haggle on price you may be able to haggle on services, ie linens, centerpieces,...

/Mediterranean direction. Rental dishes and linens are a definite. As are staff – 2 waiter/bartenders is what I think we’ll need. Maybe someone to finish the food, but I may just change things to keep that part...

Went to college in NY. Living in the dorms, my floor would spring for Chinese take out at least once a week. And with my combo plate would com the little white paper bag that would contain 1 fork wrapped in a white napkin, hot...

safe. If you want any eye opening experience, take a job delivering produce/linens/cleaning supplies to restaurants. It is truly amazing how some of these people conduct business “behind the scenes”.

enjoyment of the food. In my memory of the best restaurants I’ve eaten at, sits an experience at Locke-Ober’s (pre-Lydia Shire) in Boston. The whitest linen, the fastest water refills or the most smiling and...

delicious. Some of it had a lot of fat – almost like pork belly. Service was also great – they brought a hook for the purse of one of my dining companions and folded the napkins whenever anyone went to the bathroom,...

and how would you like your napkin folded, dahling?

't many places downtown with white table cloths and real cotton napkins where you can find entrees for less than $14. The chicken dinner at Merritt Bakery in Oakland is 20% more than the half chicken at Tadich! Fishermans Wharf...

wife noted “the slick” table surface too (I always prefer table linens). Also, the tables for two are somewhat small (between bread plates, dinner plates, water and tail glasses and sides....it gets crowded fast)

It didn’t last long because when you asked for anything they just replied, “eat s**t” and they used Sear’s catalogs for napkins!

dozen napkins.

when we entered, but either the memory is failing, or too many things have changed. One aspect that was retained was the elegance of the dining room. Now, I have to admit that I really enjoy a stately and luxurious room with...