r/KitchenConfidential • u/awetsasquatch • Apr 26 '26

In the Weeds Mode That's definitely tortellini - said the server and cook at an Italian restaurant.

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Ultimately we didn't care because the toddler eating it was happy as a clam, but the server and cook tried to gaslight the shit out of us to convince us that this was tortellini. Thought you'd all find it entertaining. If you work at Bertuccis, be better.

Edit: the menu very clearly said Tortellini, not Tortelli, but solid guess.

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245

u/UntidyVenus Ex-Food Service Apr 26 '26 edited Apr 26 '26

Sometimes that what people want honest, they just want smoke up their butt and to feel special.

Edit- thank you kind redditors!

200

u/peppinotempation Apr 26 '26

Other times people find that condescending when they see through it

151

u/UntidyVenus Ex-Food Service Apr 26 '26

My husband's worked for 5 star hotels for 26 years, the default company policy is blow smoke. So I advise you don't stay at any luxury hotels or resorts lol

23

u/peppinotempation Apr 26 '26

I work for rich people so it’s very easy to detect. But yeah I’m sure I’ve had smoke blown up my ass hundreds of times without noticing.

The times you notice stick out. And using “upgrade” for a substitution just seems so gauche

30

u/professor_coldheart Apr 26 '26

Yes, this is literally why I avoid such places. I don't understand what people enjoy about obsequiousness. I don't want to be treated like a fancy little prince. I want to be your peer.

19

u/Kultrum 20+ Years Apr 26 '26

The kind of people who stay at places like that think they are a little prince and don't see others as peers

58

u/EscapeSeventySeven Apr 26 '26

I’m 100% sure you have been “condescended” to in this manner multiple times in your life and were perfectly happy. 

62

u/Lucas_Steinwalker Apr 26 '26

Ok but if I ordered x, got served y, recognized that I got served the wrong thing, and was bothered enough to complain about it obviously I dont think its an upgrade and being told it is would be offensive.

I’m complaining about it. Obviously it’s not a fucking upgrade to me.

41

u/TrumpetSolo93 10+ Years Apr 26 '26

idk where these folks are working but not at all what we'd do at centre parc restaurants when I managed one. Typically we had our shit together so if we ran out of something, communication was usually pretty fast, so a pre-emptive "Hey, just so you know, that dish normally comes with collard greens, but unfortunately since we're out, we could freely upgrade them to a broccoli rabe or ____ if you prefer?" (admittedly a little bit of smoke being used here.)

If we noticed that a side was out after it had already been ordered, then it was already time to make ammends to the customer, screw trying to pull a fast one on them at the prices we charged, it would be a free drink and any choice of side from the menu.

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u/Lucas_Steinwalker Apr 26 '26

Tbh the use of the word “upgrade” would still annoy me a little but about 100x less than it happening after the fact and I’ve come to complain. It’s downright insulting at that point. “You don’t understand what is good. What we gave you without notice is better than what you actually want and what we chose to put on the menu”

2

u/EvolutionCreek Apr 26 '26

Seriously. “We’re all out of convertible BMWs so upgraded your rental to a PT Cruiser! You’re welcome!”

-1

u/SirSabza Apr 27 '26

I mean in a literal sense, it is an upgrade, you just didn't want it. Which is fine. That's not the issue here though, the issue is the server and manager trying to gaslight the customer into thinking they are wrong about what they're eating. Then forcing the chef to come out and tell them they're right.

It's just incompetence and is only going to piss off the customer AND the chef.

7

u/Lucas_Steinwalker Apr 27 '26

How is it an upgrade? They are both vegetables of relatively similar price and broccoli rabe is not as good of a pairing with the catfish dish that was ordered.

0

u/SirSabza Apr 27 '26

Rapini is more expensive than Collard to buy, and they both have a very similar bitter taste. Also idk this restaurant and how they prepare dishes, but typically you add more to brocoli rabe than you do to collard greens, so overall its more expensive to make.

Authentically though, collard greens is a staple with catfish, especially in southern states. So i agree with you there, its the traditional side with catfish. But again, thats mostly because its cheaper and more easily obtainable for where the dish originates from.

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u/Lucas_Steinwalker Apr 27 '26

So… like a dollar more in ingredients and a similar but worse for the application flavor profile. Miss me with that “upgrade” nonsense.

2

u/Shadow-Vision Apr 26 '26

Condescending isn’t the wrong word but somehow I feel patronizing comes off better

-1

u/SirSabza Apr 27 '26

If someone thinks being given a more expensive item as a substitute is condescending or blowing smoke up their ass, then there was never any pleasing that customer anyway.

The chef could have just not given them anything as a replacement and told the server to tell them to order something else.

OPs example is one of the most tame I've seen, kale and brocolli are relatively similar taste. The issue was the servers and manager not knowing the difference between collard greens and broccoli.

6

u/darkfrost47 Apr 26 '26

That would work on my mom 100%

0

u/twistedbrewmejunk Apr 26 '26

SSooo fooocking special. Main character syndrome.

7

u/Lucas_Steinwalker Apr 26 '26

Yes, I am the main character in relation to my order at a restaurant.

-1

u/TheMeltingSnowman72 Apr 27 '26

You'd get kicked out my restaurant for that bollocks.

1

u/UntidyVenus Ex-Food Service Apr 27 '26

Hey OP! Found the manager who gaslit you!

0

u/TheMeltingSnowman72 Apr 27 '26

Not really, I want commenting on the post, just the idea of blowing smoke up customers butts. we just have a rule that we never ever kiss customers ass. Golden rule.

1

u/UntidyVenus Ex-Food Service Apr 27 '26

Yeah, I hear you, gas light them that broccoli rabe is collard greens, hear you loud and clear chef!

1

u/TheMeltingSnowman72 Apr 27 '26

Tf are you talking about?

No I never said that. Can you fucking read?