MrsT decided the fish-and-chips I had last night looks so good, she wanted some for herself tonight.
I had penne bolognese with (parsley-smothered) garlic bread:
A little fun culture difference - now, I know French (and UK, and European in general) table service, by US standards, is considered slow, but that’s never bothered us. We allow extra time and “embrace the pace,” so to speak.
Last night, we ate here, inside, and yes, service wasn’t going to set any speed records, but it was fine, and when we asked to pay, she came back 15 minutes later with her little card reader and we paid.
Tonight, same place. Service was a bit slower than the night before, and when I asked to pay, she said yes, cleared the table, and off she went.
15 minutes…20 minutes…since it was a short walk to the hotel MrsT left on her own…30 minutes…server walked by several times, smiled, kept going.
40 minutes…45 minutes…finally she came back, gave me a funny stare, and said simply, “eh…Yes?”
“Yes, I wanted to pay, please…eh…l’addition, s’il vous plaît?”
“Yes, just go inside to pay.”
“Oh, sorry, yesterday we ate here and paid at the table.”
She smiled at me very sweetly, shrugged her shoulders and replied, “Yes, but tonight is…a different time.”
I don’t care, all I know is, I outlasted a French server.