Latest news with #diningexperience
Daily Mail
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Server sparks heated debate after leaving scathing comment on influencer's Instagram about 'bad' tip
Food influencer Asia - who goes by @thefoodieb**ch on Instagram - is used to giving her opinions on different restaurants - the food, the ambiance, the service. But what she hasn't experienced is an employee from the restaurant giving their opinion back - until now. In an Instagram Reel that has garnered more than 86,000 views and almost 3,000 comments, Asia talks about her experience at Etra in East Hollywood. In this video, which she shared with her 30,000 followers, the 27-year-old introduces a new rubric she would be using going forward for restaurants: vibe (or atmosphere), price, staff, and food. She gave the vibe a 5/5 (she credits the inclusion of a purse hook), the price a 2/5 (she paid $32 for an 'appetizer'), the food a 3/5, and the staff a 4/5. Asia mentioned that she staff were the reason she tried what she called a 'f**king delicious' Branzino. 'This is why staff is important,' she said in the video. 'Staff should know what's actually good on the f**king menu. The owner was a little weird but the staff was nice and knowledgeable.' The server Asia had commented on the video, asking the influencer why she had left a 'bad tip' But it seems as though the great service from the staff didn't warrant an equally great tip. The alleged server from the restaurant left a comment on Asia's Instagram calling her out for the tip she left. 'Hey Asia! Respectfully, I'm wondering what was missing for you service wise? You had some kind words for us as a staff here, but you left us a really bad tip,' she said, followed by a sad-face emoji. Asia then responded, 'Hi! Respectfully it's difficult for me to justify a 20-30 percent tip on top of the overpriced food. 'I believe I left 15 percent though next time I'll have to decide between a glass of wine or a heftier tip!' The server then went on to reply that while she understood the difficult economy, servers and other people in the kitchen relied on tips for their livelihoods. She also mentioned that while diners will pay any price for a meal, they'll typically cut corners while tipping - and that the influencer actually tipped less than 15 percent. And while the two continued to have pretty civil discourse about what is 'acceptable' for tipping, other fans in the comment were quick to share their own thoughts. Some defended the server, and said that the influencer was in the wrong for 'trying to save a few bucks' in regard to the tip. 'They are trying to pay their rent, cover food costs, pay staff a living wage, jump through impossible regulatory hoops, etc,' one Instagram user commented. 'We're all just trying to survive in this capitalist hellhole of a country, don't take it out on small restaurant owners and staff by leaving unfair reviews and s**tty tips.' 'A really insane vibe to be such a harsh critic of small owned businesses and also being a bad tipper,' another user said. One user even commented: 'If you can't afford to tip, don't go out to eat.' But other fans pointed out that absurdity of the server publicly commenting on Asia's video. 'This should have been a DM, no way you trying to embarrass her over 15 percent. Get a grip,' one person replied to the server's original comment. 'No way a waiter is in your comments guilting you for leaving 15 percent what kind of dystopia is East Hollywood,' another chimed in. Other users mirrored the same sentiments, saying that tip culture was 'getting out of hand.' But despite all the comments rolling in in her defense, Asia finally left another comment on her own video saying, 'Officially been bullied into 20 percent tip minimum thank you everyone for your service.'
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Feast in the Field returns to Palisade Peach Festival
MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KREX) – The Palisade Chamber of Commerce is bringing back the Feast in the Field as a part of the Palisade Peach Festival. The feast will be hosted by Sue and Phil Patton at Peachfork Orchards and Vineyard at 281 33 Road, a Mesa Land Trust-conserved property. It will consist of a 'refined, open-air dining experience set in the heart of Colorado's Grand Valley,' according to the news release. There are three separate nights up for reservation, Aug. 14, 15, and 16, each starting at 6 p.m. and being 21+. Alongside high-quality Palisade produce, guests can expect local protein and farm-fresh salads, there will also be vegan options. Although the menu still isn't released, the news release says one thing you can expect is Argentine shrimp ceviche with peach pico. If you have food allergies, please note that when registering and although care is taken, food may not be completely allergy-free. Tickets are $140 and if you'd like to register, get updates, or learn more, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Dubai's booming restaurant scene is feeling the heat of high costs and high failure rates
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — From suspended tables to underwater lounges, some 13,000 food and drink establishments in Dubai pull out all the stops to attract customers in one of the world's most saturated dining markets. They cater to all tastes and budgets. Some spots ladle out inexpensive biryani while others offer dishes dusted with edible gold. These are some of the ways the emirate is competing with its neighbors Saudi Arabia and Qatar for tourist dollars and, so far, it's beating them handily. Dubai has more restaurants per capita than any major city except Paris. But the city-state's booming restaurant scene is testing the limits of its growth-at-all-costs model, raising questions about how long Dubai can keep feeding its own ambitions. A crowded and competitive market The competition is cutthroat, so presentation is key. 'Gone are the days when it just tastes good,' said Kym Barter, the general manager of Atlantis The Palm, a resort perched on a manmade archipelago that boasts more Michelin stars than any other venue in the Middle East. But dazzling Dubai's food bloggers — the most popular of whom have millions of social media followers — isn't enough. Staying afloat means battling high rents and winning over a diverse and demanding group of consumers. Dubai has roughly nine expatriate residents for every Emirati citizen. Most of its private sector workers are migrants on temporary contracts, and only Vatican City has a higher share of foreign-born residents. Tourists, in turn, outnumber locals about five to one by some estimates, and they spend lavishly. Visitors to Dubai drop an average of over five times more than those traveling to nearby Saudi Arabia or even the U.S., according to global restaurant consultant Aaron Allen. Dubai is 'on the right path' to becoming the world's food capital, said Torsten Vildgaard, executive chef at FZN by Björn Frantzén. The restaurant, which runs at more than $540 a head, was one of two in Dubai to nab three Michelin stars in May. 'We're only seeing the tip of the iceberg of what's to come in terms of gastronomy here,' Vildgaard added. With each new set of illuminated high-rises and hotels, another crop of eateries emerge, vying for patrons. The legions of construction workers powering Dubai's progress also need affordable options. That growth, propped up in part by investor pressure on some of the world's biggest chains to expand in Dubai, has created what some analysts warn is a bubble. 'If you're a publicly traded company like Americana, what are you supposed to do — just stop opening restaurants?' restaurant consultant Allen said, referring to the Gulf-based operator of KFC, Pizza Hut and other big franchises. The frenetic expansion of Dubai's restaurant industry is part of a regional shift that has seen Gulf Arab states pour hundreds of billions of dollars into building out tourist destinations as they move away from hydrocarbons to diversify their economies. Saudi Arabia has a high-stakes, $500 billion project: a straight-line futuristic city called Neom. But, in a Muslim-majority region, the United Arab Emirates has gone to lengths that some consider too much of a compromise, including relaxing restrictions on alcohol that fuel its pubs and nightlife and other social reforms. High costs and failure rates The rapid development comes at a price. Dubai's restaurants have a high failure rate, industry veterans say, though local authorities don't say what the rate of closures is. In the downtown district and other prime areas, annual rents for restaurants can top $100 per square foot. That's on a par with some of the world's most expensive cities. Still, the emirate issued almost 1,200 new restaurant licenses last year, according to Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism. The department declined to respond to questions. Empty tables during peak hours are common, even in top locations. Part of the problem, managers say, is that traffic congestion is so severe that convincing diners to drive out can be a tall task. 'I sometimes go, 'Do I go into the restaurant right now, because I'm going to get into traffic?''' said Waseem Abdul Hameed, operations manager at Ravi, a Pakistani family-owned eatery famous for its official Adidas shoe line and a 2010 TV feature from Anthony Bourdain. He knows restaurateurs who have had to shut up shop and others who are squeezed by slim margins and increasingly reliant on delivery apps, Hameed said. The demand sends fleets of migrant workers racing through gridlock on motorbikes, with few protections and tight delivery windows. Emirati newspaper Khaleej Times reported the accidental deaths of 17 Dubai food couriers last year. The math of Dubai's restaurant scene doesn't add up, delivery apps and wealthy tourists notwithstanding, restaurant consultant Allen said. He cited operating expenses that have more than doubled relative to sales since 2009, when a financial crisis almost hobbled the emirate. Too many Dubai entrepreneurs, he put it simply, have 'too much money, and they don't know what to do besides open restaurants.' Gabe Levin, The Associated Press
Associated Press
03-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Dubai's booming restaurant scene is feeling the heat of high costs and high failure rates
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — From suspended tables to underwater lounges, some 13,000 food and drink establishments in Dubai pull out all the stops to attract customers in one of the world's most saturated dining markets. They cater to all tastes and budgets. Some spots ladle out inexpensive biryani while others offer dishes dusted with edible gold. These are some of the ways the emirate is competing with its neighbors Saudi Arabia and Qatar for tourist dollars and, so far, it's beating them handily. Dubai has more restaurants per capita than any major city except Paris. But the city-state's booming restaurant scene is testing the limits of its growth-at-all-costs model, raising questions about how long Dubai can keep feeding its own ambitions. A crowded and competitive market The competition is cutthroat, so presentation is key. 'Gone are the days when it just tastes good,' said Kym Barter, the general manager of Atlantis The Palm, a resort perched on a manmade archipelago that boasts more Michelin stars than any other venue in the Middle East. But dazzling Dubai's food bloggers — the most popular of whom have millions of social media followers — isn't enough. Staying afloat means battling high rents and winning over a diverse and demanding group of consumers. Dubai has roughly nine expatriate residents for every Emirati citizen. Most of its private sector workers are migrants on temporary contracts, and only Vatican City has a higher share of foreign-born residents. Tourists, in turn, outnumber locals about five to one by some estimates, and they spend lavishly. Visitors to Dubai drop an average of over five times more than those traveling to nearby Saudi Arabia or even the U.S., according to global restaurant consultant Aaron Allen. Dubai is 'on the right path' to becoming the world's food capital, said Torsten Vildgaard, executive chef at FZN by Björn Frantzén. The restaurant, which runs at more than $540 a head, was one of two in Dubai to nab three Michelin stars in May. 'We're only seeing the tip of the iceberg of what's to come in terms of gastronomy here,' Vildgaard added. With each new set of illuminated high-rises and hotels, another crop of eateries emerge, vying for patrons. The legions of construction workers powering Dubai's progress also need affordable options. That growth, propped up in part by investor pressure on some of the world's biggest chains to expand in Dubai, has created what some analysts warn is a bubble. 'If you're a publicly traded company like Americana, what are you supposed to do — just stop opening restaurants?' restaurant consultant Allen said, referring to the Gulf-based operator of KFC, Pizza Hut and other big franchises. The frenetic expansion of Dubai's restaurant industry is part of a regional shift that has seen Gulf Arab states pour hundreds of billions of dollars into building out tourist destinations as they move away from hydrocarbons to diversify their economies. Saudi Arabia has a high-stakes, $500 billion project: a straight-line futuristic city called Neom. But, in a Muslim-majority region, the United Arab Emirates has gone to lengths that some consider too much of a compromise, including relaxing restrictions on alcohol that fuel its pubs and nightlife and other social reforms. High costs and failure rates The rapid development comes at a price. Dubai's restaurants have a high failure rate, industry veterans say, though local authorities don't say what the rate of closures is. In the downtown district and other prime areas, annual rents for restaurants can top $100 per square foot. That's on a par with some of the world's most expensive cities. Still, the emirate issued almost 1,200 new restaurant licenses last year, according to Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism. The department declined to respond to questions. Empty tables during peak hours are common, even in top locations. Part of the problem, managers say, is that traffic congestion is so severe that convincing diners to drive out can be a tall task. 'I sometimes go, 'Do I go into the restaurant right now, because I'm going to get into traffic?''' said Waseem Abdul Hameed, operations manager at Ravi, a Pakistani family-owned eatery famous for its official Adidas shoe line and a 2010 TV feature from Anthony Bourdain. He knows restaurateurs who have had to shut up shop and others who are squeezed by slim margins and increasingly reliant on delivery apps, Hameed said. The demand sends fleets of migrant workers racing through gridlock on motorbikes, with few protections and tight delivery windows. Emirati newspaper Khaleej Times reported the accidental deaths of 17 Dubai food couriers last year. The math of Dubai's restaurant scene doesn't add up, delivery apps and wealthy tourists notwithstanding, restaurant consultant Allen said. He cited operating expenses that have more than doubled relative to sales since 2009, when a financial crisis almost hobbled the emirate. Too many Dubai entrepreneurs, he put it simply, have 'too much money, and they don't know what to do besides open restaurants.'
Arab News
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Review: A cinematic dining experience at Munchies in Safwa
SAFWA: Munchies in Safwa city, Qatif governorate, may not catch your eye at first. There are no flashy signs or strong online presence to draw you in. But those who visit will find a unique dining experience. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ Ahmed Al-Quraish opened the restaurant in 2023. It operates on a reservation basis and relies mostly on word of mouth. The low-key approach continues inside, where the interior feels more like a carefully designed set than a typical restaurant. With dim lighting, cozy seating, and attention to music and mood, the ambiance supports the food without overshadowing it. The menu offers variety, with more than 50 items ranging from Italian comfort dishes to bistro classics. A recent visit started with a crispy Caesar salad, generous in size and flavor, followed by hot arancini with a molten center. Both had a good balance of texture and temperature. The main dishes were well prepared. The wagyu steak arrived cooked as requested, served with creamy mashed potatoes. It was tender, well seasoned and satisfying. The pasta was rich and silky with a proper bite, and the fish and chips were golden and crisp. The dessert menu focuses on enjoyable flavors. The chocolate cake was fudgy, the choux pastries flavorful, and the vibrancy and refreshing nature of the passion fruit cake stood out. Munchies occasionally offers live music or themed events, but at its core are thoughtful food and atmospheric surroundings, creating a welcoming atmosphere. Munchies is open from 3:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. This spot delivers consistent quality and ambiance. The overall experience is worth making a reservation for. Check their Instagram, @munchiesksa, for more details.
