Archive for August, 2007

Good Juleps = Good Service (& Vice a Versa)

Tuesday, August 28th, 2007

Garibaldi’sI am an ex- waitress and I am sometimes the best and the worst customer to wait on.  I over-tip, blame the kitchen for slow service, and help stack plates.  However, if you are just ill-informed, have bad manners or shamelessly try to up-sell my wine order, watch out. I never walk out without tipping, but I will call a manager over to my table and diplomatically point out the server’s short-comings, then I leave a 14% tip to prove a point.

I had an opportunity a couple of weeks ago to point out the short-comings of an out-of-her-league server at Garibaldi’s. Prior to our 6:00 reservation, my husband and I had a cocktail at the house. I had a Marker’s Mark Mint Julep.Yum. Frosty silver cup, bourbon with a hint of sweetness, and refreshing infusion of mint I had picked from planters on my back porch. We were greeted by Flo, (name is changed to match her service level).  She offered the typical wine or cocktail before dinner option.

“Flo, I had a Mint Julep here a couple of years ago. Do ya’ll have the ingredients tonight?” Flo confidently assured me that yes, they did.

“Well, I would love one, please. And ask the bartender not to make it too sweet. It was a tad too sweet last time.”  Flo scurried off to get the cocktail and upon her return, she placed a lightly colored iced beverage in front of me.

“This isn’t my order,” I said. “This isn’t a julep.”

Flo retorted, “Try it and see what you think. If you don’t like it, we can send it back.”

To some diners, this might not strike them as completely idiotic. To me, it was a bizarre statement. You don’t have to taste something to know it’s wrong. Having a sophisticated palate is not a prerequisite, honey!  The cocktail before me was, number one, too light and number 2, utterly devoid of mint.  Imagine a Manhattan the color of light orange juice with no garnish or even a brown Martini with no olives. So that was the predicament.

I laughed out loud when Flo instructed me to “try it,” which I did.  The taste caused me to laugh even harder. It was a watered down bourbon and soda. Sadly, after my instructions to take it back and ask the bartender to try again, I was presented the same exact drink with one sad, lone mint leaf floating in the mess.  I had blamed the bartender because I am an ex-waitress and I was being easy to serve. Now I was blaming the waitress and things were getting ugly.

I told Flo, “Just bring me a glass of Pinot Grigio.” Flo insisted that they could get it right, julep-wise.  My confidence shaken, I refused, “Just a glass of your house Pinot Grigio, please.”

The episode would have been forgiven and forgotten except at this point Flo tried to up-sell me to the $12 a glass rather than racing off to get the $9 a glass I had ordered.  She justified the push by saying, “I just thought you’d like to try something new.” How she knew what was new to me remains a mystery.  I refused and for the rest of the meal we had surly service.  Entrées plopped in front of us without comment.  Proving a point, she ground pepper over my plate, angrily saying, “Just tell me ‘when.’” She had taken personally my laughing at a poorly made drink.  It was as though she had caught me talking trash about her mother.

I love Garibaldi’s for nice food. It is one of the best, but “fine-dining” experiences in Savannah are inconsistent. Good or bad service is unavoidably linked with the success of the meal. The meal I had that night was adequate; nothing to write home about and nothing to complain about either.  The whole experience was a little pitiful though, all because of a server who was out of her element.  I think Flo would be better at Bennigan’s or Chili’s. Or maybe she would screw that up too.   I can imagine a customer orders a Frozen Margarita, no salt.  Flo arrives with a light blue concoction rimmed with salt, proclaiming “Try It. If you don’t like it we can send it back.” 

I would bet that Flo will not last long as a server and when I return to Garibaldi’s, if by some wild chance she is still there, I won’t sit in her section.

Don’t Miss Happy Hour August 30th

Tuesday, August 28th, 2007

picture-018.jpg I will absolutely scream if you miss Happy Hour at Alligator Soul on Thursday August 30, 5:30.  Annie will be in The Hamptons. Sounds quite Queenly so I will try to scream quietly. (auuggh!)

Consort? George Foreman, Sr.

Monday, August 27th, 2007

George Sr. (Click) George, Sr. will be attending the Sept. 20th Fundraiser for the  Frank Callen Boys and Girls Club.  I double dare Queen Linda to get a Royal picture with him.  Tiara or no Tiara.

Queen Linda is going to meet George Foreman at Boys & Girls Club Fundraiser on Sept. 20th

Monday, August 27th, 2007

Linda Click Queen Linda. She asks us to consider this worthy event.  I hope she wears this dress and tiara to meet George.  I’d be there, but the 20th is Princess Sage’s birthday. Family dinner calls.  UHMMM. I could always send a check:)

Boxing legend George Foreman, Sr. will be the guest speaker at the Frank Callen Boys & Girls Club Annual Fundraising Dinner, “For Kids’ Sake”, Thursday, September 20th  6:30pm, at the Armstrong Atlantic State University Conference Center.  Musical entertainment by American Idol finalist Stephanie Edwards, and Ben Tucker Jazz. The evening features a silent auction, wine, and a catered dinner by Paul Kennedy Catering. Tickets $175; table and event sponsorship opportunities available; for information call 912-233-2939; email: fcbgced@comcast.net or ccurreyortiz@yahoo.com

Leslie on Cookie

Monday, August 27th, 2007

Leslie and CookieClick to see the true image and the huge tree trunk that they jump with ease.

September Birthdays

Monday, August 27th, 2007

dscf0108.JPG

September Mint Julep Queens’ Birthdays
Queen Holly was waiting last year for Princess M. to arrive. Click to see her is all her glory. September 4

Queen Leslie - New horse and second home keeps Queen L very busy.
September 10th

Social Secretary -Tiffani is now married.  We need pictures:)
September 12

Carolyn G is Crowned MJQ at Large

Tuesday, August 21st, 2007

Erica and Carolyn GClick on image

Our only MJQ at large, Carolyn G spends most of her year away from Savannah in DEEEtroit.

Happy Belated Birthday, Carolyn G.

Tuesday, August 21st, 2007

Queen Carolyn G. Click on image

Queen Carolyn G has spent most of her summer at her Detroit castle.  Her birthday was August 4th.  We all hope it was FAB:)  When she is in Savannah visiting her daughter, hopefully she can meet us for Happy Hour at Alligator Soul, August 30th at 5:30.  Reign on!!!

SPELLING julep/julip

Tuesday, August 21st, 2007

picture-358.jpg Click on image to see the lovely banner and Tiara that Annie and I gave away:)

A Julep Spelled Any Other Way Tastes as Sweet.
    Next let me address a spelling problem that has caused some consternation in the realm. I gave my Mint Julep Queen sash to a lovely lady in waiting from California that we met at a party last year.  I think her name was Kathy and she was having a girls’ night out and so enjoyed meeting us that Annie gave her the tiara right off her head and I draped her with the banner right off my chest.  I had to order a new one. (I love www.beautypagentbanners.com) .
     My sweet consort offered to place the order and charge it. It arrived in the mail and as I opened it, my heart sank.  “Mint Julip Queen” in emerald green was printed across the darn thing. I fussed and fumed and said they would have to refund my money since it was wrong and now I didn’t have time to get another one before the next party. Damn them.
     My consort sheepishly asked, “So, how do you spell ‘Julep?’”
     “J-U-L-E-P!!” I yelled. “How could you not know that?”
      So after all, I can demand no refund since the error was our (his) fault.  Now I have another banner for my collection of gag-gift banners. Turns out though, the joke is on me. A couple of months ago, I was asked, (along with several MJQs that made themselves scarce) to attend “The South’s” wrap party.  Surprise! I came home 30 minutes prior to the party in a rush and sweat. Slinging glittery eye shadow and applying extra makeup with my handy, dandy spackle knife.  I knew not a single Queen had responded that they would meet me, so I was representing the MJQs. Carrie Johnson, the editor had asked if I would wear full regalia, and that required tiara, pageant banner, and green gown.  Sure, any excuse for wearing tiara and green satin. I grab my banner. Pin it on and dash to the party without a second thought. Imagine my surprise when there I am in the damn “Julip” misspelled banner, radiant and posing for the camera.  Lovely.
     Andres, our web-designer suggested that I buy www.mintjulipqueens.com as well.  “If Stephen (my consort) can’t spell it, imagine how many other people can’t spell julep,” he wisely notes.  Probably the same amount that can’t make one, which is quite a lot I have found. So when in doubt, breakout the Webster’s and the always have a Bartender’s Guide on your reference shelf.

Annie Rules -Happy Birthday

Monday, August 13th, 2007

Annie and Cosmo Click for larger image