About Elizabeth Crouch

livin' the life

Recent posts

• Follow Following 1 Best place to sell used DVDs? Elizabeth Crouch asked in Other Entertainment 7 months ago 1 Answer by protosaurus…

• Follow Following 1

  where can i find escargot (for cooking at home)?

  2 0 Paris Grocery (underneath Pike Place Market on Western Ave, just down from The Spanish Table) has had them in seasons past. Give them a call to see when they're available. Typically, it's easier to find them frozen or canned due to food-borne illness concerns. Elizabeth Crouch answered in Meat about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 5 more answers »

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  funny, smart, not depressing

  0 0 Absurdistan, A Confederacy of Dunces, The White Tiger, The Manual of Detection, Lady Oracle. Elizabeth Crouch answered in Book Recommendations about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 6 more answers »

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  I'm looking for something in ScFi/Fantasy. I've loved Charles Stross, Neil Gaiman, Ray Bradbury, Ursula K Le Guin and Suzy Charnas.

  3 0 You'd probably appreciate China Miéville. "Perdido Street Station" is a good place to start! Elizabeth Crouch answered in Book Recommendations about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 9 more answers »

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  who pays for the food if I send it back?

  9 0 Typically, if you don't eat the food, the restaurant eats the costs. I've personally never worked anywhere where the service staff would have to pay for it. Your server was either being dishonest, or your server is being mistreated by restaurant owners or chefs who don't want to take ownership of or pay the price for their terrible food. You shouldn't be afraid to send back food in a restaurant if it's genuinely not good. As a consumer, you have a right to expect the quality you're paying for, and most restaurants respect that. It sounds like this isn't a quality establishment. Elizabeth Crouch answered in Eating Out Etiquette about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 3 more answers »

• Comment on emily's answer…

  1 0 Indeed. Cedars should treat their employees fairly. According to the word on the street, the house takes the tips. So they're either going to the managers, or back into the business, as revenue. Either way: shady. Elizabeth Crouch commented about 1 year ago

• Comment on Elizabeth Crouch's answer…

  1 0 Tip-out policy varies from restaurant to restaurant. Bussers at any restaurant are generally tipped out by the service staff. If you're having sake, beer, or cocktails, there is most likely also a bartender who is being tipped out by your server as well; tip accordingly! Elizabeth Crouch commented about 1 year ago

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  Is the "second cheapest bottle" thing considered gauche?

  3 0 The "second cheapest bottle" rule originated from an unscrupulous practice of marking it up at a higher rate than the cheapest or more expensive bottles, just to stick it to people who didn't want to look like cheapskates. I can't think of a quality restaurant in Seattle that would do that to their guests; most of the restaurants I frequent choose each bottle on their list with careful consideration of food pairing and providing their guests with the best quality wine for the best value possible. If cost is a concern, but you still want to enjoy an amazing bottle of wine, inquire about the restaurant's corkage fee. If you're bringing in a killer bottle that isn't offered on the restaurant's list, you can avoid potential scrutiny from the server or sommelier by showing you know your stuff. And you can avoid all potential snark by offering your server a taste, or the last half-glass! Elizabeth Crouch answered in Eating Out Etiquette about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 3 more answers »

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  What's the correct tip when the service is limited by design?

  6 0 As great as your server is for keeping your Ramune replenished and counting up your colored plates at the end, kaiten sushi can be pretty much considered a buffet. The "correct" tip at a buffet is 10%. However, if your server is actually taking the time to take care of you, provide you with special service, bring you things that don't come chugging along on the little train tracks—and especially if your server is bringing you multiple rounds of beer or cocktails—a standard restaurant tip of 15-20% is appropriate. At a restaurant where your order is placed at a counter, but staff brings you food and/or drink is where things get a little fuzzy. Tipping at counter restaurants is not required per se, but is always appreciated. A standard tip for a to-go order is 10%. If you've ordered an $8 sandwich, tip a buck. If the staff is also bringing you drinks or bussing your table, tip a little more generously. Elizabeth Crouch answered in Eating Out Etiquette about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 2 more answers »

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  What was your favorite new restaurant this year?

  1 0 Mmm. I haven't eaten at enough of the new places this year, but definitely reserve judgment until you try the pork belly pancake, chorizo dumplings, and duck meatballs with house-made egg noodles at Revel. To. Die. For. Others: Sitka & Spruce's new locale, Lecosho (if only for the duck leg confit), La Bête. Elizabeth Crouch answered in Best of 2010: Cooking and Cocktails about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 12 more answers »

• See all of my 1 Question , 8 Answers and 2 Comments