Each week we answer all those burning questions that you’ve always wanted

Published 7:00 am Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Each week we answer all those burning questions that you’ve always wanted to know the answer to, but then get too drunk (or shy) and forget to ask. This question comes from Brad:At dinner the other night, I ordered a decadent seafood dish and wanted to get the best wine to go with it. The waitress suggested what I thought was the driest wine on the menu, and I was skeptical but thought she must know the food. The wine was very good, but when my food came, they completely clashed. What could I have done at that point? I had downed half the glass, and she let me taste it first, but she was clearly wrong about the match. I felt really awkward.I’m sure it does nothing to sooth your budding interest in wine, but I ask for recommendations each and every time I order wine out at a restaurant. In my experience, an easy 30% of waiters are full of shit. This isn’t a wine knowledge issue, it’s part of a bigger service issue. It costs a restaurant nothing to offer sips of wines by the glass to waiters and give them a few adjectives and pairings to which they can cling. When I say that many waiters are full of crap; I must point out many more care about every prong of your experience and give recommendations as if their jobs, or at least their pay, depended upon it. Rule of thumb: Always judge the recommendation first by the service, and then give them (and yourself) a do over. If you’ve ordered a seafood ravioli in a luscious cream sauce, and your waiter recommends a razor sharp white from the menu, make sure you get to taste it first. If your monkey brain still isn’t sure about the recommendation (and THAT’S ok), speak up. My favorite negotiating phrase is, “This isn’t exactly what I expected, and I’m worried it might not work.” Now they have an out, without hurting anyone’s feelings (something about which I wish Seattleites worried less). If the waiter was full of shit or being pushy, they can recommend something else more appropriate. If the waiter reassures you, then you have an out come entree time to say, “To me, this wine really clashes with this dish.” Proper waiter etiquette dictates you receive half a glass, at least, of a more suitable match.

Now, I’ll fess up to waiter error, Jeebus knows there’s enough of it in this town, but as a former waiter, nothing bummed me out more than an unhappy customer who suffered silently. I can’t help you if you don’t speak up. Another point for Brad, that waitress should know she got it wrong so she can get it right the next time. Waiters are people; people can change. Maybe your waitress genuinely thought she made an excellent match; she should know it’s not for everyone. So first express your concerns; then stand up for your personal happiness. No icky confrontation required. Any waiter worth their salt will correct the situation immediately, and be more careful next time. It’s never too late to improve your dining experience.If you have a nagging booze question you want answered, email me HERE.