Sometimes service is so bad you don’t want to leave a tip. Yet, is there ever a good reason for not leaving the right tip? Let’s look at this topic.

The server approaches, towers above us at the table. “Have we made any decisions?” His tone is patronizing, like he’s dealing with a distracted toddler, with an implicit warning in

It seems like articles regarding the notion of banning tipping in restaurants have become all the rage.  From restaurant owners to food critics, people see

Who doesn’t imagine an enjoyable evening at some much-loved restaurant? Fine food, attentive service, an atmosphere that strikes just the right chords. An evening to remember.

Dear Helena, Last Saturday I went to a new pizza place and it was packed. The waiter asked if we wanted drinks and we said, No, just tap water. When

“Over the holiday between Christmas and New Years, we made reservations a week ahead at Étoile in Uptown Park. In fact, my husband went to the restaurant to make the reservation, picked out a booth table (actually a banquette along the back wall) and reserved it for two at 7:30 on the Saturday night before […]

It’s never nice when a kitchen coughs up a plate of bad fish, but that’s what happened to Village Voice critic Robert Sietsema and a guest on Friday night in the dining room at an unnamed but “expensive” Upper West Side restaurant.

So you’re looking forward to a meal out with your friends this weekend. You’ve saved a bit of money, bought a new outfit and you’re ready to have a lovely evening out. What could go wrong? Unfortunately you could fall victim to an annoying waiter! Here are some of the most irritating things that a […]

Dinners From Hell is a fun food blog with true stories about restaurant dining disasters written by diners, servers and chefs.