Page 16 - Boca Club News - August '23

Page 16, Boca Club News

The Good Life: Dining, Drinks, Destinations

Dining Out:

At My Tipping Point! (TIPS on Tipping!)

By Alan Serinsky of Bocaire These all play a huge part as to what legal tender is Like many of my fellow foodies, we want the privilege
Country Club. Hungry Al’s love left on the table. to reward those waiters who have made our evenings
for food started very young. Back in my teen and college years I spent a lot of more enjoyable. We also want the option to penalize the
Never satisfied with his Mom’s days and nights working as a waiter. I have no trouble ones who could care less about how they do their job. I
dishes, he started to cook his recalling the tough work—and sometimes abuse—waiters bet you wouldn’t tip the dentist if he broke a tooth while
way through her “Betty Crocker would endure. So whoever thinks this job is a “walk in cleaning your teeth.
Cookbook.” During the years the kitchen” is greatly mistaken. But if you were smart Personally, I believe tipping should not be an
to follow he spent many hours enough and had the skills to get the bartenders to pour obligation! There’s no rationale for rewarding someone
working in restaurants, both as server and cook, attending heavy drinks, the chef to fall victim to your brown-nosing who keeps you waiting 45 minutes for your entree,
cooking classes and traveling the world in an effort to and a few desserts to freely find their way to the table, delivering a cold plate of food or leaving your wine glass
expand his palette. As a professional writer, Hungry Al then a twenty-five percent tip was quite possible. empty for at least 15 minutes (that’s my limit).
offers his perspective on current food trends and guides And in college this would buy a whole lot of lemon Check Please! So here’s my advice on tipping:
you through your local restaurant options. drops for you and your friends! 1. If your waiter was attentive to your needs;
Food For Thought: Since I’m away from Florida this Read All About It... 2. If the waiter delivered the food as expected;
month, I thought it would be a good time to discuss a topic Declaration of War on Tipping! 3. If your waiter handled himself or herself
that is not only current but has plagued my values and There is a recent trend for restaurants to consider and, professionally;
wallet for years. From my research, “tipping” basically in some cases, to take action on eliminating the policy of 4. If your waiter helped to make for a fun dining
started in Tudor England. Those seeking lodging in private tipping. Why not? The Europeans have been doing it for experience;
homes would pay their appreciation to host servants in decades. But honestly, I’m a little “tipsy” on the idea. This 5. If the waiter thanked you for sitting at his/her table.
the way of “vails.” Obviously, it caught on. means I have mixed feelings for both sides of the table. Then it’s your job to show your appreciation.
The thing that bothers me the most is the criteria that Yeah, there are countless times I’ve seen dinner tabs A minimum of 20% is certainly not an outrageous
folks use to determine their tipping philosophy. It amazes left on tables with barely a ten percent tip...or none at compliment to these individuals who are working hard
me the reasoning that goes into making these decisions. all. I know about the imbalance of wages between the to pay their bills or college tuitions.
And some of them have nothing to do with the service. dishwashers and the waiters. I feel sorry for servers who Now if the waiter is making you feel as if he or she is
For example: are subject to a different standard with a lower minimum doing you a big, fat favor walking a dish from the kitchen
Why is the service staff responsible for the quality or wage. And I hear all about how the owners of restaurants to the table, I suggest you leave a minimum of 15% and a
quantity of the food order? Is the way a waiter dresses are dealing with a low three-percent profit margin. penny. The penny is a message to him/her that they have
really relevant to the tip amount (think Hooters)? Do you The bottom line is: Americans aren’t going to take this no “cents” being in this business.
fall victim to the tricks of the trade, like table-side service, change sitting down. They will fork over every excuse Hungry Al welcomes comments (hungryal@comcast.
over-the-top spoon-hanging sommeliers, or simply a nice not to buy into messing with a tradition of tipping that’s net).
smile and a “Thank You...Alice” note on your check? been a staple with diners for decades.
Grape Expectations:

Summer Reds

By Ed Wolfarth, who moved to Cabernet Franc. There is no summer red better than Pinot Noir from New Zealand. With the exception
South Florida after retiring with Cabernet Franc. This relative of Cabernet Sauvignon is of Beaujolais, New Zealand Pinot Noir is the best red
his wife, Vicki, as Professor lighter in body than its offspring, but still has all the spicy wine that can be chilled to drink in the late summer. Its
of Sports Sciences & Physical flavors and tannins that red wine drinkers love. Look for fruity flavors are the perfect match for the humid summer
Education at both Queens College Cab Franc from Anjou and Chinon in the Loire Valley of weather. New Zealand Pinot is fast becoming the best
and Hofstra University. He is a France. They pair well with anything flying off the grill, source for Pinot outside Burgundy. While NZ Pinot may
nationally ranked senior tennis and they’re relatively cheap! I look for Domaine De Pallus never eclipse NZ Sauvignon in popularity, it has the
player and long-time USPTA from Chinon, or any 2019 Chinon or 2020 Anjou. You potential to become more popular than Chardonnay or
Elite Teaching Professional. Ed can’t go wrong for around $15 a bottle.
has written many educational and tennis articles in the Grape Expectations on page 17
past. Over the past few years, Ed has turned his hobby of
wine collecting into a way of continuing his passion for Serving Your Needs LLC
writing, and has written on the subject for publications.
As a self-proclaimed “wine snob,” he has collaborated on
many wine lists for private clubs and a few restaurants.
Ed can be reached at wolfarthe@msn.com. We have a wide variety of services offered.
Rosé and white wines are the summer classics, and Many other specialty services delivered upon
yes, summer may be officially over, but the hot weather request. Dependable concierge services at
lingers. There’s a good chance, however, that you have
had enough of whites by now and yearn for something affordable rates.
more substantial—those diaphanous red wine grapes that
allow fresh fruit to shine without the heaviness associated
with winter wines.
You can still drink reds in the late summer heat. Below
are a few suggested red grapes, regions and wines that
you need to try. Don’t be afraid to pop open one of these
puppies, and keep the unused wine in the fridge for future
consumption. It will slow down the oxidation process,
and keeps the wine fresh for up to two weeks.
Grenache/Garnacha. This red grape is grown around ServiCeS OffereD
the world and is often used as a blending grape. It is often
characterized by low acidity and soft tannins. It is fruit- • Handyman Short or Long Distance
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commonly called GSM blends. That’s Grenache, Shiraz • errands free estimates
(same as Syrah) and Mourvedre. If you can find it, my Management • Deliveries
favorite is Charles Melton’s Nine Popes. His version of • Prepping Move in-Out
a Chateauneuf-du-Pape will sell for about $40 a bottle. • Professional Organizer • Pick-Ups, Drop-Offs We’re One Call Away
I also enjoy Spanish Garnacha. This grape needs hot • events 561-399-9360
weather, as it is a late bloomer. Garnacha may indeed have • Pack/Unpack • Airport
originated in Spain but is planted all over the world. In • in-Home Petcare
the southern Aragon region of Spain, Garnacha is often • residential House Cleaning
high in alcohol but with soft tannins. It is also used in
some Rioja wines, but really shines in Priorat in southern servingyourneeds.net We accept payments through: Cash App, Debit and Credit
Spain. Look for Alvaro Palacios. Some bottlings can be
had for under $40. Vintages of 2019, 2020 and 2022 were Serving Your Needs LLC Gift Certificates Available!
particularly excellent.