Stingy Tipper's Brazie's Review

Why 17%?

Besides being stingy, why would StingyTipper leave a 17% gratuity instead of rounding it up to the more traditional and expected 18%?  Why couldn’t StingyTipper find it within ST’s inner being to stretch towards leaving an 18% tip?  What would compel StingyTipper to mince a 1% difference?  Such was the dilemma faced when dining out recently for a wedding anniversary celebration at Brazie’s Italian Restaurant, located at Watson and Arsenal in South City. 

Perhaps the answer lies in expectations.   Before relocating from its storefront position on Hampton Avenue a few years ago, Brazie’s was one of StingyTipper’s favorite dining establishments, not only because of the food, but also due to the exceptional service rendered.  After finally making it to the “new” location, StingyTipper was looking forward to encountering the same great service that was a Brazie’s trademark.  And, indeed, ST was not disappointed.   The Salutation was commendable (score of 3), as were the Equity and Value dimensions of the S.E.R.V.I.C.E. rating system.  All other areas scored a 2 (satisfactory), for a total score of 17.  Thus, a 17% gratuity. 

But somehow, however, Stingy Tipper perceived a subtle slippage in the overall quality of service to which ST had grown accustomed at the old location.  Examples include:   insufficient attention to the need for a wine chiller and lack of attention to wine pouring service, waiting too long after the arrival of entrées to check back on our needs and satisfaction, and not offering any “treat” in acknowledgement of spending our wedding anniversary at their establishment.   Sometimes it’s the little things that make the difference between leaving an 18% (or higher) gratuity and a lower one.   StingyTipper wanted to send the message that these types of little things do indeed make a difference (in this case only a 1% difference) between good service and great service.  StingyTipper’s fondest hope is that on the next visit to Brazie’s these little things will not recur so that ST will feel compelled to leave a full 18% tip, if not higher.    

Scoring Key

1 = Unsatisfactory    2 = Satisfactory    3 = Commendable

S.E.R.V.I.C.E. SCORE

Salutation                     =  3

Equity                            =  3

Responsiveness            =  2

Value                             =  3

Informed                       =  2

Comfort                         =  2

Experience                     =  2

            Total Score:                   17 = 17.0%

Gratuity Scoring Guidelines



                   "Stingy"                        7-10 = Tip Same %          

                   "Not-too-Stingy"      11-15 = Tip 15%               

                   "Gracious"                   16-21 = Tip Same %

              

StingyTipper's Tip of the Week

Remember to still tip your server when you head out for those big Mother's Day buffets. 
Happy Mother's Day.

Guido's on The Hill Review

Why does StingyTipper love Guido’s Pizzeria and Tapas restaurant so much, after only two visits to this Hill dining establishment?  Is it the clean, crisp, bustling atmosphere that reminds ST of restaurants from ST’s many years in Chicago?  Or maybe it’s the friendly welcome from the “traditional Nana” by the front door, who greets and seats with a warm smile and engaging sense of humor?  Perhaps it’s the kinky appeal of the restaurant’s overall concept—Italian food together with Spanish tapas (all delicious!).  Or could it be that they go out of their way to make you happy:  On our visit Saturday, even the chef thanked us profusely as we exited the front door he was holding open for us.

In the final analysis, I believe it’s the E criteria—overall Experience—of the S.E.R.V. I. C.E. rating system that makes Guido’s so special.    One leaves Guido’s feeling good, wanting to come back soon, and eager to recommend it to one’s friends and family. 

Five of the seven S.E.R.V.I.C.E. rating system criteria scored at the three (commendable) level—Salutation, Responsiveness, Value, Comfort and Experience.  Equity and Informed criteria both scored a requisite two (satisfactory).   Unlike StingyTipper’s most recent dining experience, where it was impossible to figure out who, among the five people who waited on us, should actually receive the gratuity (see review on Sandrina’s), our server at Guido’s was the same from start to finish--and she was excellent!  She was welcoming, appropriately friendly, and attentive to our needs, and was even able to make lemonade out of lemons:  when she brought us the wrong version of the goat cheese appetizer we had ordered, she promptly acknowledged the slip-up and brought the correct item, allowing us to keep the incorrect (but still delicious!) appetizer at no charge.  However, StingyTipper was a bit disappointed that, once our main courses had arrived, it was a good 15 to 20 minutes before she checked back with us regarding our satisfaction and needs.  In her defense, it was a very busy evening; but we were seated right by the service breezeway which she passed several times before checking in with us.

Guido’s, StingyTipper will be back!  You make us feel good about being a St. Louis restaurant diner and the quality of service in the Gateway City.  A future blog (after completing several out-of-town trips for work) will provide StingyTipper’s perspective on the difference ST witnesses between service in St. Louis and other restaurants in which ST has dined across the country. 

Scoring Key

1 = Unsatisfactory    2 = Satisfactory    3 = Commendable

S.E.R.V.I.C.E. SCORE

Salutation                     =  3

Equity                            =  2

Responsiveness            =  3

Value                             =  3

Informed                       =  2

Comfort                         =  3

Experience                     =  3

            Total Score:                   19 = 18.3%

19  (but ST only left an 18.3% gratuity due to rounding on the non-tax total—after all, I am the StingyTipper!)

Gratuity Scoring Guidelines(Updated)



                   "Stingy"                        7-10 = Tip Same % as score         

                   "Not-too-Stingy"      11-15 = Tip 15%                          

                   "Gracious"                   16-21 = Tip Same % as score                 

              

StingyTipper's Tip of the Week

StingyTipper is changing the S.E.R.V.I.C.E. rating system to make it easier for you to follow:

Total Score of 7 to 10 = Tip the same % as the score.        “Stingy”  

Total score of 11 to 15 = Tip 15%.                                      “Not-too-stingy”         

Total score of 16 to 21 = Tip the same % as the score.      “Gracious” 

StingyTipper's Tip of the Week

I just had great food, but lousy service, in a Baton Rouge restaurant during my lunch break today.  This is sometimes the dilemma you'll confront--good food but bad service.  What to do?  Follow the  S.E.R.V.I.C.E rating system, no matter how scrumptious the food, because great food deserves great service!