Monday, February 9, 2009

Props

Just want to say, that JH has gone out of their way on this issue, and I credit them for realizing that they aren't pulling it off and are willing to make changes to their menu.

That's the difference between a local place (even with a few locations) and some chain restaurant.

Customer Feedback Making a Difference...

John Harvard's...they listen!

Received today, from the general manager:

"Eric,
I thought you would find this interesting. I was never particularly fond of the item that you had the unusual experience with here about a month and a half ago (the forgettable Au Poivre Burger). We have been running a "Black & Blue Burger" as a lunch special lately with the motivation of coming up with an item that could supplant the Au Poivre.

We dust the burger with blackening seasoning, top it with blue cheese crumbles and serve it on our well known foccacia bread with chipotle mayonnaise, and the standard lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle accompaniment.

Our Corporate Chef was here on Wednesday, we did a side-by side taste test and the Au poivre Burger is going away. This change will take place this Wednesday, February 11.

Thanks for making me want to get rid of it. A single experience can make a difference."

Witness, the power of the Palate!

Now, let's go give it a try.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

White Noise

I don’t have much to say, other than I’ve officially become old! Junior Palate was tripping all over himself to watch the Grammy Awards, and I’m sitting here wondering who these people are…I’m still waiting for Human League, Flock of Seagulls and Spandau Ballet to take the stage.

The “musical” performances tonight have ranged from painful white noise to not-so-painful (at least for me) bouncing cleavage (Katy Perry) and an old, but game Paul McCartney. A big highlight for me was Stevie Wonder, but even bigger for T-Wein…the Jonas Brothers!

I think it was in the summer of 1986 when I had the distinct pleasure of seeing Stevie Wonder live in concert, on the “In Square Circle” tour. Plugging his new album, we had to sit through “I Just Called to Say I Love You” and other assorted puff pieces, but seeing him perform “Superstition”, “Living for the City”, “Higher Ground” and “Sir Duke” live, and watching him on stage, you know you are the presence of a musical genius. I’ve seen a lot of concerts in my day: Huey Lewis and the News, Hall & Oates, the Doobie Brothers, Billy Joel, Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, Bette Midler, Barry Manilow…I could go on and on. But when you see Stevie (even if he can’t see you), you can’t help but be amazed. My kids are genuinely amazed by his talent and ability, and thankfully respect him as a musician almost as much as they respect Jack Black. It would hurt me tremendously if they didn’t put him in same league with Tenacious D.

You’ve been great…now I gotta go watch Ne-Yo.