First dinner at Palo as platinum

[dclpluto]

We've always been happy with Palo dinner - and tipped well - until our last cruise. The food was awesome and service was just OK.
We each ordered an entree and then asked for one to share, which we've often done in the past. Our server this time said "No, that is too much food".
At dessert time we were very full, and seeing the table next to us got two desserts to go, we asked for one tira misu to go - our server declined - said it was against policy.

We tipped accordingly.

That server deserved a 0 dollar tip

 

[shelbell77]

I leave $20-25 per person.

And agree "no" is never a word I've heard at Palo nor one I would tolerate. Truthfully they are normally pushing too much food on you and encouraging you to try more items and often say "its fine if you just try a bite".

 

[hubbard53]

I leave $20-25 per person.

And agree "no" is never a word I've heard at Palo nor one I would tolerate. Truthfully they are normally pushing too much food on you and encouraging you to try more items and often say "its fine if you just try a bite".

yes, that's always been our experience in the past. The table across from us got several dishes - they got the entree, took several pictures, took a few bites and then sent it back and got the next entree.

It sounds silly but we did not want to complain to head waiter or manager - I guess we felt ashamed of being gluttons

 

[Divslp]

One of the couples in our cruise group also reported a similar experience during palo dinner on the fantasy (server refused request of more than one entree). I wonder if it's the same server.

 

[dclpluto]

One of the couples in our cruise group also reported a similar experience during palo dinner on the fantasy (server refused request of more than one entree). I wonder if it's the same server.

Wonder what his problem is. He's only hurting himself in tips

 

[Tigger1313]

that food is not cheap, if you took one or two bits and "sent it back" while asking for another entree I can see why they would say no more, if you just want to taste something why not just ask for a Half Portion. Sounds like a waste of food to me. We usually give about $20 extra, Im sure with the price going up again people are going to tip less. that makes me sad

 

[dclpluto]

that food is not cheap, if you took one or two bits and "sent it back" while asking for another entree I can see why they would say no more, if you just want to taste something why not just ask for a Half Portion. Sounds like a waste of food to me. We usually give about $20 extra, Im sure with the price going up again people are going to tip less. that makes me sad

No with the price going up people will tip more not less

 

[PrincessShmoo]

if you just want to taste something why not just ask for a Half Portion

Not all items have a half portion.

 

[over50visits]

That server deserved a 0 dollar tip

Because s/he wanted to follow the rules? You want to punish the server because they wouldn't break the rules as another serv

that food is not cheap, if you took one or two bits and "sent it back" while asking for another entree I can see why they would say no more, if you just want to taste something why not just ask for a Half Portion. Sounds like a waste of food to me. We usually give about $20 extra, Im sure with the price going up again people are going to tip less. that makes me sad

Excellent points! We did once ask for a smaller portion ("half") and they tried to help us out. But really, it's not a tasting menu, and it isn't the MDR. Their entree cooking and presentation is something the chef takes pride in (we've spoken with many of them), so it doesn't seem like the right place to ask them to restructure their offerings for us. Ordering several courses and tasting a bit of each may happen in the MDR (sadly), but it's not really a nice thing to do, and with the expensive food in Palo I can see why they would prefer you choose your entree and enjoy.

And...punishing the waiter (through a lousy tip) for explaining and following the restaurant rules is.....something that doesn't seem right to me. These men and women are the best on the ship, and they work hard to get there, as we have had several tell us about the vetting process they had to go through. Appreciate them, they are great.

 

[dclpluto]

Because s/he wanted to follow the rules? You want to punish the server because they wouldn't break the rules as another serv


Excellent points! We did once ask for a smaller portion ("half") and they tried to help us out. But really, it's not a tasting menu, and it isn't the MDR. Their entree cooking and presentation is something the chef takes pride in (we've spoken with many of them), so it doesn't seem like the right place to ask them to restructure their offerings for us. Ordering several courses and tasting a bit of each may happen in the MDR (sadly), but it's not really a nice thing to do, and with the expensive food in Palo I can see why they would prefer you choose your entree and enjoy.

And...punishing the waiter (through a lousy tip) for explaining and following the restaurant rules is.....something that doesn't seem right to me. These men and women are the best on the ship, and they work hard to get there, as we have had several tell us about the vetting process they had to go through. Appreciate them, they are great.

Who told you these are the rules?

 

[over50visits]

Who told you these are the rules?

No one! It appears the servers explained the to the posters, who relied on that information (called them "rules") to make their decision. But there are so many different opinions on what should go into a tip, hate to get into that.

For the OP, you will have a great time in your first dinner as Platinum. Relax, savor the wonderful setting and cuisine, and appreciate the wonderful waitstaff there.

 

[honeybeesmom]

Thank you, we are really looking forward to the whole experience.

 

[ladypiph]

For those who have been to Palo dinner does the whole experience take about two hours or can we get it all done in about an hour?

 

[hubbard53]

Excellent points! We did once ask for a smaller portion ("half") and they tried to help us out. But really, it's not a tasting menu, and it isn't the MDR. Their entree cooking and presentation is something the chef takes pride in (we've spoken with many of them), so it doesn't seem like the right place to ask them to restructure their offerings for us. Ordering several courses and tasting a bit of each may happen in the MDR (sadly), but it's not really a nice thing to do, and with the expensive food in Palo I can see why they would prefer you choose your entree and enjoy.

And...punishing the waiter (through a lousy tip) for explaining and following the restaurant rules is.....something that doesn't seem right to me. These men and women are the best on the ship, and they work hard to get there, as we have had several tell us about the vetting process they had to go through. Appreciate them, they are great.

for the record, my wife ordered the Filet and wanted a piece of fish as well - not the whole fish entree, just the protein. We didnt 'punish' the server; he just got the "yeah, you brought us food" tip rather than the "wow! you really made this a great experience!" tip.