That one server who told me I season everything like a dentist...

I had this guy named Marco working the floor about 2 years ago at a place in Portland. He comes back to the kitchen one night and just says my food tastes like I'm trying to prevent cavities... told me I was way too careful with salt and acid, like I was scared to actually season anything. I was pissed at first because I thought I was being precise but he kept bringing it up every shift for like 3 weeks straight. Then one Thursday he pulled me aside and showed me how he seasons his family meal... just went way heavier on the vinegar and salt than I ever would. Tried it on a batch of braised greens and suddenly people were asking what I changed. Has anyone else had a front of house person call them out on something that actually made you better?

3 comments

3 Comments

michaeld481mo ago

Table 12 on a busy Saturday, a server named Jen told me my hollandaise tasted like butter with trust issues. She said I held back on the lemon and cayenne like I was trying to keep the eggs from getting heartburn. Made me mad enough to double the acid next time, and yeah, the dish actually popped instead of just sitting there being polite.

spencer_coleman1mo ago

butter with trust issues" is hilarious - did she actually say that mid-service or was it after the rush?

ray_martinez821mo ago

Man, that's GOLD. I've been in kitchens where someone calls out your sauce like that and you just have to laugh or rage - no middle ground. @spencer_coleman, the real trick is keeping your balance tight but not being scared to hit the acid hard on purpose. Next time someone gives you grief about it, take it as a CHALLENGE and bump those flavors up until nobody can say a WORD. Trust issues in a sauce just means it needed more backbone, plain and simple.