Photo by zoonabar posted on flickr with Creative Commons license
I want to start an awareness campaign on the Internet that calls out pricey restaurants who rush patrons through so-called dining experiences. For the last two years, I have noticed that waiters have become exceedingly aggressive removing plates, napkins, and glasses before meals are completed, We feel totally frustrated by this situation.

Tonight, Eliot and I, once again had to suffer through another humiliating dinner. We went to the new Mexican Restaurant, Porfirio’s, in South Beach. The restaurant was supposed to be upscale and well-appointed. Instead of savoring the delicious delectables this eating establishment had been touted for, we got the bum’s rush.

We were were out of there in a little over a half an hour. There was only one other couple in the restaurant at the same time. The over-active waiters kept switching our plates, playing with the floral arrangements on the table, and sponging the table-top over and over. I kept thinking, “Take that dirty rag away from me.”

Another strange situation. Our waitress encouraged us to order appetizers, when all we wanted were entrees. She felt our main meals were not going to be enough. We agreed to share the guacamole. Just as were dipping our chips in the green stuff, more food appeared, Apparently, the restaurant offers a free starter to newcomers. Why didn’t she tell us this before? We had too much food.

Eliot and I are not shy. We could have blown a whistle and yelled “stop.” We were not in the mood for a confrontation. Now we regret it, so we posted a negative review on Porfirio’s website. Let’s see if we get some satisfaction.