CCC

[the_traveler]

Oh! That makes more sense. I thought he was talking about metal vs. plastic.

When I talk about the type you polish, I just say "silver". Maybe it's a regional thing.

No, it's not regional. I never heard anyone anywhere in the US say, "Could you set the table, and be sure to put out the metalware." I've always heard "silverware" - even on those flying thingies. (I doubt they carry real silver silverware - even in First Class!)

 

[SarahZ]

I don't say "metalware" either. I meant I say "silverware" to mean just regular utensils, and I say "silver" when I mean the good stuff you have to polish and only bring out for special occasions. My mother always called it "the silver" too. That's why I thought maybe it's regional to say "silver" vs "silverware".

Anyway, when I said "real silverware" up there, I meant the metal kind, not actual silver utensils.

 

[the_traveler]

I knew what you meant.

Even when you go to (and I'm not calling these the lowest class places) Denny's or Golden Corral or the Waffle House, how many times did you say this:

There are spots on my silverware. You didn't polish your Silver enough.

I'm going to take a wild guess and say never. I bet you may just ask for new silverware.

 

[SarahZ]

Never mind. I misread Dave's post.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Generic utensils (1) that are stamped out of a giant sheet of metal quicker than you can blink, cost more to ship than they do to manufacture, and require no time or effort to maintain are in an entirely different class of cutlery (2). Which is why they are more appropriately called flatware (3) or tableware (4) to indicate their casual everyday purpose and nearly indestructible nature. Now you have four terms which are more appropriate than simply calling everything silverware.

 

[SarahZ]

As I said, it's a regional thing. Everyone in my area calls it silverware, even if it isn't real silver. If you're going to lecture me, you might want to forward that memo to the entire state of Michigan while you're at it.

I don't nitpick my southern boyfriend for calling carbonated beverages "Coke", even though it's also known as cola, soda, pop, soda pop, or a carbonated beverage.

I clarified my statement when I realized it might fall under a dialectal difference.

 

[the_traveler]

I bet if you ask 1,000 people what "tableware" is, 95%+ will either not know or they'll say "the plates, dishes and cups on the table". Yet if you ask those same 1,000 people if they have "silverware", almost all will say "yes in my counter drawer" and they use it every day!

 

[Danial Tijuana]

I totally agree is it bad to have your back to the window.

 

[jebr]

Generic utensils (1) that are stamped out of a giant sheet of metal quicker than you can blink, cost more to ship than they do to manufacture, and require no time or effort to maintain are in an entirely different class of cutlery (2). Which is why they are more appropriately called flatware (3) or tableware (4) to indicate their casual everyday purpose and nearly indestructible nature. Now you have four terms which are more appropriate than simply calling everything silverware.

Utensils may work, though I can have plastic or metal utensils as well, so that doesn't help eliminate it. Flatware I've heard of before but never used, and I've never heard of tableware before. So we're left with cutlery, which would, frankly, confuse me if someone used it to mean flatware.

Ultimately, language is meant to communicate. People often take words and use them beyond their intended purpose, but if we're still able to communicate, that's what ultimately matters. I may ask for a "Kleenex" when I really don't care what brand of facial tissue I get, and I may not get a Kleenex, just a facial tissue. But I still got what I needed.

Plus, even the New Oxford Dictionary concedes the alternate usage of silverware. Granted, silverware could still be plastic under that definition, but most people would use "plastic silverware" in that instance.

As I said, it's a regional thing. Everyone in my area calls it silverware, even if it isn't real silver. If you're going to lecture me, you might want to forward that memo to the entire state of Michigan while you're at it.

Also forward it to pretty much the entire state of Minnesota. We always call metal utensils silverware, even though it's not made of silver.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Everyone in my area calls it silverware, even if it isn't real silver.

Yeah, I get that, but you also included "real" in front of it which made it sound like it was actual silverware, which it quite obviously is not and never has been.

I don't nitpick my southern boyfriend for calling carbonated beverages "Coke", even though it's also known as cola, soda, pop, soda pop, or a carbonated beverage.

If your boyfriend went around saying "I don't care if they have plastic plates so long as they have real Coke" when referring to restaurants where they only serve Pepsi I think you'd understand how backwards this sounds.

 

[TVRM610]

What was suggested in the first part of post #42 sounds very similar to the "buffet cars" that were on the Silvers in the 1970's and/or 1980's! You stood in line at the buffet counter, chose what you wanted from the trays, it was put on the plate and/or tray, you paid at the end of the line and then a crew member carried the tray for you to your table.

I, and many other passengers hated it! I am glad they no longer serve that way!

Those were buffet cars... Totally different then what I described but I'm fairly certain you would hate them too just because it is different.

I think it would be worth a try.

 

[pennyk]

What was suggested in the first part of post #42 sounds very similar to the "buffet cars" that were on the Silvers in the 1970's and/or 1980's! You stood in line at the buffet counter, chose what you wanted from the trays, it was put on the plate and/or tray, you paid at the end of the line and then a crew member carried the tray for you to your table.

I, and many other passengers hated it! I am glad they no longer serve that way!

Those were buffet cars... Totally different then what I described but I'm fairly certain you would hate them too just because it is different.

I think it would be worth a try.

I think the first time I was in a Silver Sleeper, there was a buffet counter. I seem to remember wine came with dinner. I also seem to remember my room was a slumber coach (room for one with toilet under bed). I cannot remember what year it was, but I think it was the late 80's/early 90's - is that possible? I know it was before I was keeping "records" of my trips.

 

[Big Iron]

What was suggested in the first part of post #42 sounds very similar to the "buffet cars" that were on the Silvers in the 1970's and/or 1980's! You stood in line at the buffet counter, chose what you wanted from the trays, it was put on the plate and/or tray, you paid at the end of the line and then a crew member carried the tray for you to your table.

I, and many other passengers hated it! I am glad they no longer serve that way!

Those were buffet cars... Totally different then what I described but I'm fairly certain you would hate them too just because it is different.

I think it would be worth a try.

I think the first time I was in a Silver Sleeper, there was a buffet counter. I seem to remember wine came with dinner. I also seem to remember my room was a slumber coach (room for one with toilet under bed). I cannot remember what year it was, but I think it was the late 80's/early 90's - is that possible? I know it was before I was keeping "records" of my trips.

Slumbercoaches and the buffet/table cars ran during the time frame you recall. While nits are being picked, the toilets in the slumbercoaches (both singles and doubles) were not covered by the bed. What you were in was a 10-6 Heritage Sleeper roomette. Naturally, the bed in the roomette was wider than that of the Slumbercoach as it did cover the entire width of the room when down.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Those were buffet cars... Totally different then what I described but I'm fairly certain you would hate them too just because it is different.

I knew what you were talking about and even though I really dislike buffets like Dave (hate would be more accurate) I've had no particular problem with Panera Bread or Pei Wei or other restaurants of similar design. There's no ambiance to speak of, and it's definitely loud and downmarket compared to a more traditional table service restaurant, but it seems like it might be workable. I think such a project could be successful if handled with care and precision.

On the other hand it's understandable for folks to be hesitant to go along if they think it sounds like a buffet. Friends, family, and coworkers have convinced me to try buffets with every cuisine and price point imaginable. All over the country and all over the world from $5 to $100 per person. The only thing that tied them all together was the universally lackluster experience when it came to quality and freshness. I remain convinced that there is simply no such thing as a good buffet.

Even if you spend $100 on a buffet you're not getting anything truly special. Best case scenario you're really just buying a $25 entree with extra servings for free. If you're lucky those extra servings are also worth around $25 and after stuffing yourself silly with four plates of moderate quality food you've managed to break even. How is that a good value? Fargo is one of my favorite movies and even though the blood and violence never bothers me the short but realistic buffet scene makes my stomach churn like it's sick.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Excellent Point about Buffets Chris! I'm Especially POd by the so Called "Buffets" in Vegas and other Casino/Resorts (***???) that Overprice their Buffet Food and have the Balls to Charge Outrageous Prices for Second Rate Food that they used to Comp the Suckers, er Gamblers that were Lured to these Joints so they would Lose the Rent Money!(And another Movie that Features Buffets is "Vegas Vacation" with Chevy Chase! Hilarious and True!!! )

You Can Find Really Good Food in Vegas (and all Cities) for High Prices but its not @ the Buffets!!! :help:

 

[pennyk]

Those were buffet cars... Totally different then what I described but I'm fairly certain you would hate them too just because it is different.

I knew what you were talking about and even though I really dislike buffets like Dave (hate would be more accurate) I've had no particular problem with Panera Bread or Pei Wei or other restaurants of similar design. There's no ambiance to speak of, and it's definitely loud and downmarket compared to a more traditional table service restaurant, but it seems like it might be workable. I think such a project could be successful if handled with care and precision.

On the other hand it's understandable for folks to be hesitant to go along if they think it sounds like a buffet. Friends, family, and coworkers have convinced me to try buffets with every cuisine and price point imaginable. All over the country and all over the world from $5 to $100 per person. The only thing that tied them all together was the universally lackluster experience when it came to quality and freshness. I remain convinced that there is simply no such thing as a good buffet.

Even if you spend $100 on a buffet you're not getting anything truly special. Best case scenario you're really just buying a $25 entree with extra servings for free. If you're lucky those extra servings are also worth around $25 and after stuffing yourself silly with four plates of moderate quality food you've managed to break even. How is that a good value? Fargo is one of my favorite movies and even though the blood and violence never bothers me the short but realistic buffet scene makes my stomach churn like it's sick.

I guess I will put my 2 cents in regarding buffets. I think cheap buffets are a major cause of obesity in this country. Too many people eating too much food of very low quality.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

I couldn't agree more Jim & Penny.

A little known fact is that Vegas actually has some great food that many folks never see.

Probably because they're wasting their time at the big hype low quality buffets.

One of the top culinary experiences of my life was in Vegas at Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill.

Three people, $450 check, and worth every single penny.

Seriously, no regrets whatsoever, and this is me we're talking about.

That being said you don't need to spend half a grand to enjoy great meal.

I've also had excellent $25 meals at the Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, and Hash House A Go Go.

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

Well of course, as long as you're losing money at the slots the in-house restaurants can afford not to cut corners. Also better food makes for better gamblers, by better I mean happy, well fed and losing money.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Actually Micah the Slots Now pay the Overhead for these Clip Joints and the other Sucker Plays, er Games make the Profits! Food and Drink and Entertainment Aren't Cheap in Vegas Anymore, they have Actually Become a Profit Center for Vegas Resorts/Casinos along with the Shopping Malls like @ Ceasers Palace!

 

[GG-1]

Excellent Point about Buffets Chris! I'm Especially POd by the so Called "Buffets" in Vegas and other Casino/Resorts (***???) that Overprice their Buffet Food and have the Balls to Charge Outrageous Prices for Second Rate Food that they used to Comp the Suckers, er Gamblers that were Lured to these Joints so they would Lose the Rent Money!(And another Movie that Features Buffets is "Vegas Vacation" with Chevy Chase! Hilarious and True!!! )

You Can Find Really Good Food in Vegas (and all Cities) for High Prices but its not @ the Buffets!!! :help:

Aloha

Go to Railroad Pass Casino their food is good and priced right.

 

[the_traveler]

Go to Railroad Pass Casino their food is good and priced right.

Finally, we get back to talking railroad! :giggle: (And I agree it's good, and because it's miles from the Strip - well out of LV in fact - the price is right.)

 

[Shortline]

I have to know-where in the world is a $100 buffet, an what would make it so?? I'm not a buffet type person at any price but just curious!

 

[the_traveler]

a $100 buffet, an what would make it so??

My guess it would have "expensive items" like "all you can eat" lobster or such.

 

[Bob Dylan]

a $100 buffet, an what would make it so??

My guess it would have "expensive items" like "all you can eat" lobster or such.

Because Suckers are Willing to Pay this Much in such "Prestige" Joints as Bellagio, Wynns etc.

The Food Network had a Show Featuring a Hamburger in some Swell Joint in NYC that was $250!!!!!

I wouldnt Pay $100 to Eat in Wolfgang Pucks Personal Kitchen let alone @ a Vegas Casino/Resort Buffet!

Sounds like Eric (GG-1) who Lives in Vegas knows where to go to Eat Good and Cheap!!!

 

[Devil's Advocate]

I have to know-where in the world is a $100 buffet, an what would make it so?? I'm not a buffet type person at any price but just curious!

Locations such as the Wynn, the Bellagio, the Cosmopolitan, and even Bally's had buffets that could reach near $100 depending on the day and time and which selection you made. You can also find $100 buffets in upmarket hotels like the The Ritz-Carlton Millenia in Singapore. The more expensive buffets tend to have more "fancy" foods like crab or foie gras with more "servers" and more "made to order" items.

However, in all cases the quality is still substantially less than an equivalently priced sit-down restaurant with table service. The folks who run the buffets are expecting you to gorge yourself and if you're just there to eat a somewhat normal amount then you're getting a terrible value. Even if you eat enough to make it a decent value financially you're still harming your health.

Buffets seem to be for people who can't make up their mind and/or are clueless about money, quality, or health. I like a nice variety as much as the next guy, but I don't need to eat a dozen completely unrelated servings in a single sitting.