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Felipe - MS HRC ICC Rep 2005-2006

Olive Garden, Arcadia

Sunday, October 23.

My friend and I went to Olive Garden, it is one of my favorite places, even though it is always crowded. We were told about 20 to 25 minutes but really only waited about 10 minutes.

We had a server who was good, but wasn't having a good day. He named tag popped off. He almost dropped the menus after he collected them, little stuff like that. Through it all he keep a semi smile; however, he was getting frazzled. He informed us he was filling in for our real server, who was on break.

We didn't have a laspe in service, in fact we were well taken care of. The food was good as always. I ordered the Tour of Italy. My friend ordered their new chicken dish with the smoked mozzerella.

At one of the hostess came to tell our server about an addition table she had, apparently they do not get alone. Our server kind of snapped at the hostess telling she just got back from break, and to give her a few moments.

Later the manager came out and greeted each table, introducing himself by name and the title of manager. To which I asked him, what kind to Manager are you. He told me he was service manager, and asked me what kind of guest was I. I laughed and informed him I was a Hospitality Major guest. He asked me what school I went to and what not. He siad he had two other managers there from the Collins School and how they do job faires there.

He was really nice and it was cool to see him working the floor as he did. Even when new guest showed up he was there to greet them.

Another satifying trip to the Olive Garden.

Shawnte - President MS HRC 2005-2006

Johnny Carinos, West Covina

I just got back from Johnny Carino's, lord let me tell you it was a mess. A hot mess. First we (my roommate) got in and it was like a house atmosphere. I personally don't like the "homelike" feeling, because if I wanted that feeling I would stay at home. Anyway, they sat us at the bar area booth and the bartender was our server. Oh yeah and we sat down the booth was soaking wet. After it was dried again we sat. The bartender asked us if we needed more time for our drink order, we said yes. Well he never came back. I grabbed a busser who happened to walk by, he got the drinks for us. 20 minutes after we got our drinks we were finally asked about the food order. When we received our salads the food runner was polite and very cheerful (too much so) but he was all over the bar area talking to the guests but there were trying to watch the baseball game.

The Bartender was responsible for the whole entire bar area which included tables, booths, and the bar. Which it was busy so naturally he couldn't serve everyone efficiently. He completely forgot about me. Then when our food came out, our drinks had been empty for about 10-13 minutes and the food runner came out he slammed my plate down and my food almost flew out off the plate! I just looked at him. The he said, "Wait, let me guess who's plate this is, this one is yours, no wait, this is yours, (and he crossing our plates around the table like a maniac) "and he wound up giving me the wrong plate after all that. He walked away facing me asking "is everything cool?" I couldn't even respond. He said are you sure? I was trying to slightly turn my frown to a half smile. He was just so obnoxious. But he was trying.

So the food was actually okay. I had the spicy romano bow tie chicken pasta. I over heard the guest behind me say he was a new patron and had never been there before and had asked the server what is this..(the oil for the bread, but this had some other stuff in it) she said and I quote "don't worry about it, it's just something for you to put on your bread" I mean, no comment! Then he had asked if he could sit in the dining area, not the bar, she said "well there was several tables that are being cleaned off" and then walked away and never came back to reseat him!!!!!

The manager came over to us and literally stood there for 3 seconds and then grabbed our plates and left. He didn't even say may I take them for you or asked how our meal was or anything.

We were never checked on the entire meal and I had to get up twice to grab a busser to help. Then I had to find the bartender to get our check and then some random server settled our check. He asked if we needed boxes and then gave us no bag. We just left with our boxes in hand.

Although the food was good. I don't think I will ever go back. I have been to some places and gotten bad service before and returned to them. But the thing that made it worse at Carino's was that the staff was so happy, content, and satisfied with the service they were giving. That scared me because you could tell the staff was thinking they were doing a damn good job. They were thinking, wow look at us we're doing great...uummmmmmm... No, you're not.

I was trying to be open minded and was being very calm about everything ( my roommate was not) .A mess.

I was thinking about all of you when I was there. lol

Chris - VP MS HRC 2005-2006

Plei, Pasadena/Los Angeles

I have mentioned this place a few time to my fellow club members, friends, students and co-workers. Imagine if you will a small restaurant changed into a gaming facility. I am not talking about Poker or Blackjack, but Jenga and Uno.

They serve a limited food and bar menu. This place is an alternative the regular club scene. Grab some of your favorite board games from Chutes and Ladders to Monopoly. They also have card games and Dominos. I have gone 4 times. They have two locations one in Pasadena and one is Los Angeles. Every single time I have gone, it has been standing room only.

So check them out at http://www.mingleandplei.com

Shawnte - President of MS HRC 2005-2006

Denny's, Pasadena

On Friday night, technically Saturday morning, around 2:00 AM, we (my date and I) decided after a long night of Plei-ing (more on this place next). We thought it would be a good idea to get some food. We took a trip down the street to Denny's in Pasadena on Colorado.

It's Denny's so I do not expect too much in the way of service and taste of food. Now the service wasn't too bad and food was, well Denny's breakfast food.

The only service issue I had was when I asked for my hashbrowns to be "covered" (covered in melted cheese) instead of getting eggs, since I do not like them. When I got my meal, I had regular hashbrowns as well as covered hashbrowns. I didn't see the bill to know if they charged me for the extra hashbrowns or not.

Two things happened this night/morning to make this Denny's trip a bit more memorable than any other. The first was the temperature. It was cold enough to hang meat in there.

The second was the fight which broke out on the street along side of the restaurant. What does this have to do with Denny's? At one point during the fight the entire service staff, manager, and back of the house staff was standing behind the counter watching the fight. While they were watching, guests were screaming at the to call the police. This was ignored for a couple of moment before the manager yelled back that the police had been called. Once the cops arrived and broke up the fight the cooks ran back to the kitchen to check on the food they left to burn.

Shawnte - President of MS HRC 2005-2006

Hot Wing Cafe, Pasadena

On Monday I went to the Hot Wing Cafe, in Old Town Pasadena. The place was dead as it was raining and after 9:00 PM. There was only one other guest there and two other people who I think were employee's watching Monday Night Football.

My friend and myself were walked up the counter. After being asked if our order was for here or to go, we were asked to have a seat since we were staying. Our server couldn't have been more than 18 years old. She was really nice and funny. She kidded with us a little bit while taking our order and giving refills. She was dressed in black pants with blue flames on it. She had a black mid shirt, which showed off this cutest little zipper belly button ring and a fresh tattoo on her back.

We ordered hot wings, philly sandwhich hold the onion, curly fries, and soft drinks.

The hot wings were the bomb. They have specials for Monday and Tueday for Hotwings. They also have drink specials as well. The philly needed salt or something it was okay, just missing something (onions maybe..yeah I wanted them but the person I was with did not. Oh well she was footing the bill.). The fries where room temp, which was odd. It is pretty cool that you can get all drumettes and "flat" pieces for an extra $0.75.

The service was right on.
The food was not bad, but the wings were great.
The value was good too.

I would definately go back.

Shawnte - President of MS HRC 2005-2006