Out to eat

[cerulean]

I went out to dinner a couple days ago. It was a nice Italian place. The food was great but... no knives!

First, they bring out a big loaf of freshly baked bread. The bread was fantastic, but there was no bread knife to cut it with. Our butter knives were workable, as they were slightly serrated near the tip, but why not bring out a bread knife?

Next, I'm served pollo and pasta. Still, no knife. The chicken is tender enough to "cut" with the side of my fork, but why not bring out a steak-type knife with it?

Now, I'm not expecting the waiter to bring out a Henckels Twinstar Plus 6-piece block set, but I'd like to have some real cutlery for my food. A waiter wouldn't just bring out a bottle of wine without opening it and, when you order ice cream, he doesn't just walk out with a scoop of ice cream and then deposit it directly into your waiting hands. Fact is, you need some tools to eat certain foods.

Anyways, I'll be sure to bring a knife with me from now on when I go out to eat. I don't think other patrons would notice or care if you produced a folding knife and began using it. In fact, it would probably make them realize just how inadequate the restaurant's cutlery is.

[This message has been edited by cerulean (edited 03-02-2000).]

 

[Ferret]

What did you have for dessert?

 

[PMATULEW]

Go for it!

I do it on a regular basis. My wife always looks around for a reaction like I've pulled out an AK-47 or something, but nobody ever seems to notice.
A knife is a tool. If it suits the need, use it. What better way to prove it's value in a non-confrontational manner.

P.S. Do clean off the steak sauce before you put it away. Makes it tough to open later...



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Paul Matulewicz
Sayre, PA
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Professional Technician
Amateur Artisan
Veteran Tinker

 

[hso]

Cerulean,

The term "breaking bread" comes to mind. Many "traditional" styles of eating bread require you to tear off pieces of the bread instead of slicing them. WRT the chicken dish, either your server wasn't paying very much attention about the lack of utensels or the place didn't want the customers to have a ready means to protest the upcoming bill.

Bon Apetit,

Mike

 

[Ryan Meyering]

You went out of the house without a knife?

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For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:23

 

[Matt Shade]

Before my mom met my dad she went out to dinner with a guy who did that. He pulled out somehting like a buck 110 to cut his meat, and claimed that he'd used it to castrate some pigs earlier that day. she steered clear of him after that.

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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !

[This message has been edited by Matt Shade (edited 03-03-2000).]

 

[PhilL]

I would have asked the waiter for a "steak knife" it would be hard to believe a nice place wouldn't have one. I would love to use one of my own knives while out to dinner, I don't know if the patrons would mind, but I've got a feeling my wife would have a Chit Fit!

 

[Walt Welch]

I usually pull out my Kit Carson #18 folder with a 4 1/4" blade of 420V steel. No one has objected yet. Of course, it is bead blasted, scales and blade, so has a low profile appearance.

Once, at a steak house, I was given a 'steak knife' which was fully serrated, and barely able to cut through the butter. I whipped out my DMT fine diamond rod hone, and put an edge on that sucker in almost no time. My daughter looked at me and dryly commented, 'great job, dad, only about 499 to go!' Kids. Sometimes they just don't appreciate you.

Walt

 

[stjames]

I always keep a specific knife on me just for food, as opposed to general utility uses. With 3500 restaurants in this town, it comes in handy

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James Segura
San Francisco, CA

 

[Columbo]

I just like the reaction when I unsheath my CS Desperado to trim the fat from the prime rib. For some reason restaraunts just seem more quiet and less crowded after I do that.

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Dave
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If at first you don't succeed, go buy a knife.

 

[Gwinnydapooh]

Never had to use it at a nice restaurant, but I use mine at the cafeteria at my college all the time. I'm gradually training people to think of it as a tool. (I think.)

I also like to make a show of cutting open their chicken sandwiches since it seems like every week a couple slip by that are almost entirely raw.

But the castrating knife is going a bit too far IMHO . . . . .

 

[Rugger]

I just did that here at my desk- my company buys us dinner on Thursdays (we work late on Thursdays) & tonight was ribs & chili wraps- I just wiped down the Wegner & put it away about 10 minutes ago. Once upon a time I caused a bit of alarm when I cut up some pizzas with a neck knife (the plastic one wasn't working) at a post-match drinkup with a visiting rugby team from France- I popped the knife out & was cutting pizza before I caught the looks on the faces of the guys standing around- pretty funny. But one would want to be more low key in a "real" restaurant. I just don't see any real reason to go after one's meal with a Bowie. If the meat's that tough, shoot it again.

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Runs With Scissors
AKTI# A000107

 

[Stiletto Raggio]

What kind of a neck knife can you carry in NY, NY without legal troubles?

Also, I was at a diner once visiting my GF who is a waitress. "Knives" provided were basically crap, so when I wanted to cut this thing (don't ask), I pulled out my Gunsite and proceded. Rather than freaking out, the people I was with ( a couple of her guy friends) ooh-ed and aah-ed at the big flashy peice of stainless steel.

Interesting conversation piece, but know the crowd you are with.

 

[fudo]

I have a 3" drop point knife with Desert Ironwood handles by Newt Livesay for "close encounters of the food kind" It's a nice looking knife and no one gives you grief for a knife that has a handle longer than the blade.

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The thorn stands to defend the Rose, yet it is peaceful and does not seek conflict

 

[Bronco]

I wouldn't want to scare any of the sheeple in the restaurant and give Diane Feinstein any more reason to start drafting up the "assault steak knife" legislation.

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Semper Fi

 

[knzn]

As Ryan said--You left the house without a knife??!!

 

[misque]

Rugger,
"If the meat is that tough, shoot it again".
ROTFLMAO!!

That was hilarious, Dude!
Thanks, man! It's been a Shi**y day and that made it much better!

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My new bumper sticker:

Let me tell you about my SIFU!