(no subject)

[aroraborealis.livejournal.com]

I've been enjoying brunch at Sound Bites in Ball Square occasionally for about 7 years. Now, of course, everyone who knows Sound Bites also knows and puts up with their trying to rush you out the door. The breakfast is great, and so you put up with the fact that they drop off the check practically with the food, and whisk your plate out from under you the minute you put your utensils down. Okay, I'm used to that. They're a small place and turnover is the key to their making money. Fine.

Yesterday, however, they reached a new and disappointing low, and lost me as a customer in the process. While I was dining with a friend, the host stopped his running around and said to us, "Less talking, more eating!" When I looked at him with what must have been a rather dumbfounded look, he went on to say that they had a long line, and that here, people eat more than they talk, and there's no time for talking, and people are waiting. "You have 20, maybe 30 minutes here, max." At that point, I'm pretty sure I looked as shocked and offended as I felt, and he said, "Don't get mad. I'm serious, that's just how it is."

Now, honestly, I've always liked Sound Bites, even with the varied quality of service, and even though I've felt rushed in the past, it hasn't been so bad that I wouldn't go back, especially because it's such a great neighborhoody feeling place. But I hate to feel rushed, in pretty much any situation. Even more, I hate to feel rushed when I'm eating, which I think is a pleasure that should be savored, not to mention that the rushing of food is just generally unhealthy and bad.

I told the host on my way out that I wouldn't be back. It seems unlikely that he cares, given that there's always a line and I haven't been a regular in a while, but I figured he ought to know that he lost one in that exchange, anyway. The food is good, after all, but there's no reason to be outright rude to your patrons.

Comments

[nowalmart.livejournal.com]

I had a friend in from out of town this weekend, and we walked around Davis Square. Our conversation obviously turned to restaurants, and I mentioned how many did brunch on the weekends.

I have lived in the Davis Square area for almost two years now and have never had brunch at Sound Bites. The stories I hear, combined with the line, completely turn me off. There are dozens of good restaurants in the area. We are blessed to have numerous choices, good competition, and a complete lack of chains (for brunch).

Why I would ever want to go to Sound Bites is beyond me. I have been to Zaftig's across the river. While there is a line there, as well, I have never been rushed or treated poorly. So it is possible to do.

I think even Amelia's Kitchen is now doing a Saturday brunch, which is something I want to check out.

[ron_newman]

Cafe Soleil in Teele Square also does Saturday brunch, but not Sunday. Has anyone here tried it?

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

It's Soliel Cafe, and yeah, I've tried it. I really actually miss them being open for dinner more than I want to go there for brunch. Although I think Brian, the owner, would go nuts if it were open any more hours. They do a lot of catering.