Last weekend we made our way to the Birmingham Farmers' Market. What a delight to buy produce grown locally. Over time I hope to recognize the growers and sellers and perhaps develop relationships! Coffee and breakfast items were available so one could make a morning of it. Live music and running little kids made the scene festive and alive. In the future I must remember our reusable grocery bags and my coffee mug so less waste will be generated by my purchases.
After a while at the market and a bit of wandering we visited the Cosi in Birmingham for a quick lunch. It was my first time dining at Cosi. Kristin and I both ordered sandwiches. Tasty sandwiches, freshly prepared on thin, salted bread. I was quite pleased that carrots were available as a side in place of the standard potato chips. Healthy options can help folks make healthier food decisions! Thank you, Cosi!
For the negative--the place was a mess. When we first arrived it was fairly busy. By the end of our meal the dining room had cleared out and we saw it was wrecked! Paper waste on the floor, chairs situated haphazardly, empty plates and dirty silverware on several tables, YUCK! We inquired about comment cards and were directed to their website. After sharing our feedback with the woman behind the counter we were told something about tight staffing and having a rush. I understand, really.
Update (7/17/07)
Here's the response from Cosi.
Thank you for your Talk To Us email about your recent visit to Cosi in Birmingham, I am sorry to hear that you did not have a good experience. I can assure you that the dirty dining room you experienced is not how we strive to run our business and we know that our success will only be achieved through meticulously clean restaurants. I will follow up with the restaurant team in Birmingham about your experience to reinforce our standards with the managers and partners.
Please accept my apologies and if you care to forward me an address I can send coupons to enjoy your next meal at this or any of our Cosi locations on us. I hope that you will return soon and I look forward to continuing to serve you.
Thank you for your time and concern - guests such as you who give us honest feedback help us continue to improve Cosi operations.
Sincerely,
[name not published]
District Manager
Team Michigan
Thanks, Cosi! We'll be back!
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Monday, July 16, 2007
Monday, July 2, 2007
Open the box: Pandora Radio
I've found a most excellent way to listen to music while online. It's called Pandora Radio and it's totally rad. Pandora Radio builds a listening stream based on your tune preferences. Go here. Create an account. Then get started by inputting an artist or group you dig. Pandora will usually play one song by this performer before selecting other artists or groups who have qualities similar to the performer you first selected. It will typically toss in other songs by the performer you originally entered as the mix goes through its catalog. You can give Pandora's selections a thumbs up and it will remember you liked it. Make a point to give a thumbs up to songs you enjoy so that you keep the stream going in the right direction. Or you can give it a thumbs down and it will move to the next selection.
I've created several stations that represent different music interests. My stations include Tom Waits, Ruth Brown, The Black Keys, Kevin Coyne, The Mountain Goats, and The White Stripes. For artists that have a distinctive style, Pandora Radio works really well. I'm usually pleased with an entire listening session for The Black Keys. For an artist like Tom Waits the selections are not always right on. Mr. Waits has many unique styles so it's tough for the system to come up with appropriate recommendations.
Use this tool to explore artists and groups you may not have considered previously. It opens your radar to a whole realm of untapped possibilities. It's more targeted than just streaming a radio station. Once you login it remembers your preferences. If you're away from your personal computer you can still access this for music (perfect for playing while at work).
Click on the selection currently playing in Pandora and you can get connected to more information on the artist and album. View the attributes assigned to the selection, see similar works by other performers, and if you're really into it--click the link to purchase it via Amazon or iTunes.
Click here to give it a try. You'll have to create an account but it's a painless process. Give it a go!
I've created several stations that represent different music interests. My stations include Tom Waits, Ruth Brown, The Black Keys, Kevin Coyne, The Mountain Goats, and The White Stripes. For artists that have a distinctive style, Pandora Radio works really well. I'm usually pleased with an entire listening session for The Black Keys. For an artist like Tom Waits the selections are not always right on. Mr. Waits has many unique styles so it's tough for the system to come up with appropriate recommendations.
Use this tool to explore artists and groups you may not have considered previously. It opens your radar to a whole realm of untapped possibilities. It's more targeted than just streaming a radio station. Once you login it remembers your preferences. If you're away from your personal computer you can still access this for music (perfect for playing while at work).
Click on the selection currently playing in Pandora and you can get connected to more information on the artist and album. View the attributes assigned to the selection, see similar works by other performers, and if you're really into it--click the link to purchase it via Amazon or iTunes.
Click here to give it a try. You'll have to create an account but it's a painless process. Give it a go!
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
A slight negative for a big positive
While reading this month's Mother Earth News, I came across an interesting bit of information that was completely new to me and I'd like to share it.
"Compact fluorescents do have a downside: They contain tiny amounts of mercury, so instead of throwing them out, they should be recycled or taken to your city’s hazardous waste collection point." (Source)
Really? Very good to know considering I've made an effort to get more of the compact fluorescents into our residence.
But worry not, even though they contain a tiny bit of mercury, they're still better when you look at the bigger picture and their overall benefits. See below from NPR's Morning Edition.
"...even though fluorescent bulbs contain mercury, using them contributes less mercury to the environment than using regular incandescent bulbs. That's because they use less electricity — and coal-fired power plants are the biggest source of mercury emissions in the air." (Source)
Interested in properly disposing of your compact fluorescents? Check Earth 911 for a site near you! If you're close to an IKEA store, they offer bulb disposal/recycling services.
Switching to the compact fluorescents seemed like a bit of an investment when I purchased a 4 pack from Target for $15 or so. Then I found Costco was offering multi-packs of both 75 and 100 watts at bargain prices (8 Energy Star certified bulbs for around $10). But really, the cost is secondary to the energy savings.
Now that I've learned this information I see that a mercury warning is printed on the side of the bulb. Lesson learned? If you're not reading Mother Earth News, read your light bulbs.
"Compact fluorescents do have a downside: They contain tiny amounts of mercury, so instead of throwing them out, they should be recycled or taken to your city’s hazardous waste collection point." (Source)
Really? Very good to know considering I've made an effort to get more of the compact fluorescents into our residence.But worry not, even though they contain a tiny bit of mercury, they're still better when you look at the bigger picture and their overall benefits. See below from NPR's Morning Edition.
"...even though fluorescent bulbs contain mercury, using them contributes less mercury to the environment than using regular incandescent bulbs. That's because they use less electricity — and coal-fired power plants are the biggest source of mercury emissions in the air." (Source)
Interested in properly disposing of your compact fluorescents? Check Earth 911 for a site near you! If you're close to an IKEA store, they offer bulb disposal/recycling services.
Switching to the compact fluorescents seemed like a bit of an investment when I purchased a 4 pack from Target for $15 or so. Then I found Costco was offering multi-packs of both 75 and 100 watts at bargain prices (8 Energy Star certified bulbs for around $10). But really, the cost is secondary to the energy savings.
Now that I've learned this information I see that a mercury warning is printed on the side of the bulb. Lesson learned? If you're not reading Mother Earth News, read your light bulbs.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Drink up. CamelBak makes it easy.
I'm a fan of water. I like to listen to it. I like to shower in it. I like to play in. Most of all, I like to drink it. I'm passing this next bit along as an enthusiastic two-thumbs up review of CamelBak's Better Bottle.
It has a bite and sip valve system that hasn't yet leaked. This bite and sip method took a short time to get used to--I wasn't sold right away. In fact, I called it my 'man bottle' for a while. It grew on me.
The attached straw makes it a breeze to drink on the sly or while driving. No need to tip the entire bottle for a drink and no chance for a wet spill.
The lid has a molded plastic hoop that allows for easy carrying or attaching. This being a considerable improvement over Nalgene's loop that connected the bottle to the top and was prone to breaking with use.
Oh, and the opening of the bottle easily accommodates ice cubes. A major plus for the summer months.
They say the CamelBak is dishwasher safe--thus far I have just washed by hand. I've only filled it with plain ole water so I cannot comment on lingering flavors due to non-water liquids.
I bought my first one from Bearcub Outfitters in Petoskey and have since purchased two more for the household when REI ran their annual sale.
Enjoy--happy drinking!
It has a bite and sip valve system that hasn't yet leaked. This bite and sip method took a short time to get used to--I wasn't sold right away. In fact, I called it my 'man bottle' for a while. It grew on me.
The attached straw makes it a breeze to drink on the sly or while driving. No need to tip the entire bottle for a drink and no chance for a wet spill.
The lid has a molded plastic hoop that allows for easy carrying or attaching. This being a considerable improvement over Nalgene's loop that connected the bottle to the top and was prone to breaking with use.
Oh, and the opening of the bottle easily accommodates ice cubes. A major plus for the summer months.
They say the CamelBak is dishwasher safe--thus far I have just washed by hand. I've only filled it with plain ole water so I cannot comment on lingering flavors due to non-water liquids.
I bought my first one from Bearcub Outfitters in Petoskey and have since purchased two more for the household when REI ran their annual sale.
Enjoy--happy drinking!
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Thank you, WAB
We dined at Woodward Avenue Brewers last weekend and ordered the chicken and avocado quesadillas along with a salad. The avocado slices were crunchy, not yet ripe, and certainly no good. We brought this to our waitress' attention and she happily put in a rush order for a different type of quesadilla. Thank you! Super response and just the type of service I would expect. Fine job, WAB--see you soon!
Monday, June 18, 2007
Microwaved for your consumption
Here's the thing, it's usually an enjoyable dining experience. A fine Midtown location, hip staff, and a varied menu. I thought Traffic Jam & Snug's meatloaf might be a good choice. Bad idea--especially if I was looking for a fresh meal. And the wait staff was completely certain the mushrooms would not be in the spinach lasagna.
I'll let my message to Traffic Jam & Snug explain...and then her response...and then my response...
from: Matt Church
to: tjsnug@traffic-jam.com
date: Jun 9, 2007 9:05 AM
subject: Surprise at Traffic Jam
Good morning,
Last night my fiance and I dined at Traffic Jam. We're both Wayne State graduates, frequent the Midtown area, and are usually pleased with our Traffic Jam experiences. I'm sorry to say that last night was a huge exception to our positive Traffic Jam meals.
Before we placed our order my fiance made in inquiry about the vegetarian spinach lasagna. She greatly dislikes mushrooms and asked the waiter specifically if mushrooms were in the lasagna. He informed us that he too did not like mushrooms and they were most certainly not in the lasagna. Based on his response she ordered this dish. Once she started eating her meal she was completely dismayed to find large chunks of mushrooms in the lasagna! She pushed them to the side of her plate and showed them to the waiter. His response, "Hm, I don't know what those are--they're not mushrooms though." They were clearly mushrooms! When he returned with the check he told us that someone in the kitchen said it was burnt pasta. It is not at all possible that what was on her plate was burnt pasta. It was mushrooms--and it's a good thing that she wasn't allergic to them. We did not at all appreciate feeling that the waiter was trying to cover his mistakes with a clear fib!
I ordered the meatloaf. I was looking forward to sweet potato fries and a delightful meal. What was served to me looked like a tv dinner or a microwave meal on a nice plate. The peas were shriveled--definitely microwaved. The sweet potato fries were rubbery and dull--also clearly microwaved. And the meatloaf--it was okay but microwaved as well. My entire $14 dish had been microwaved! What a surprise from a decent restaurant! I asked the waiter to swap out the peas and sweet potato fries for soup. He suggested that sweet potato fries sometimes look like that and have that texture. The only fries that I've seen with that texture and appearance are microwaved fries! I do appreciate him providing me with soup in place of the microwaved sides, but to even have any such sides be served to customers is unbelievable.
My fiance and I had been considering having our wedding rehearsal dinner at Traffic Jam. After last night's experience we can cross that option off the list without a doubt. We would not at all want Traffic Jam to reflect the dining options of Detroit to our guests. We had been excited about holding the event at your restaurant--considering you've been around for so many years, you're in the heart of Midtown, and you have people from the area working there--but last night's meal experience told us without a doubt that we will take our business elsewhere.
Thanks for your time. I hope that the microwaved plate policy doesn't continue to stand. Provide your customers with the meals they pay for and expect from Traffic Jam!
Matt
I was pleased to see a response in my inbox. The contents of the message didn't really keep me pleased.
from: tjsnug@traffic-jam.com
to: Matt Church
date: Jun 12, 2007 3:59 PM
subject: Re: Surprise at Traffic Jam
Dear Matt,
I'm sorry! Yes, late last week we did experiment with the lasagne. It has been a mainstay here for so long, and we wanted to perk it up a bit. We did a trial run with portebello mushrooms, sampled it on the staff, earned positive feed back, and ran with it. My big mistake was not ASSURING that each and every of our 35 wait staff knew about the change. A poor job, now recognized.
As for the meatloaf, that item, along with its peas, has always been microwaved. A majority of our business comes from people in a hurry-short lunch break, quick dinner before the symphony, etc. and we could not meet that demand by baking-to- order. We try to overcome that fact by adding leeks, apples, currants, curry and other flavorful ingredients. The sweet potato fries are deep fried.
Again, I'm sorry that you were unhappy with your meal.
Sincerely,
[name not published]
Right. And I'm supposed to feel better about our meal? I think not.
from: Matt Church
to: tjsnug@traffic-jam.com
date: Jun 13, 2007 4:36 PM
subject: Re: Surprise at Traffic Jam
Hi [name not published],
Thank you for your response--albeit a faint apology. You don't seem especially concerned about making sure my business returns to your establishment.
While I completely understand that you can't freshly prepare each slice of meatloaf, microwaving the entire plate seems pretty awful in terms of food taste and presentation. Peas don't microwave well. And while the sweet potato fries were deep fried initially, those on my plate were without a doubt microwaved prior to being served. How about putting a microwave icon next to items that are microwaved so customers know what they're ordering--and the quality they're paying for? It's nice that you cater to those in a hurry, but why offer fast food quality meals at decent dining prices? Perhaps you could come up with a short menu for those in a hurry and save the rest of the menu for those who actually want to come in and enjoy a meal. I'm offended that you so openly offer microwaved meals at $14 per plate. Feels like you all are serving up left-overs to paying customers. Certainly not in line with all the fresh bakery items and the "best, freshest ingredients" you tout on your website.
Thanks for your response though--at least I now know where to go for a quick microwaved meal at a hefty price.
Matt
That's the end of the story for now. Super disappointing considering I've enjoyed many meals there. The Midtown area needs solid restaurants--I hope the lasagna and meatloaf experience was a fluke and not an indication of a downward spiral for such an institution.
I'll let my message to Traffic Jam & Snug explain...and then her response...and then my response...
from: Matt Church
to: tjsnug@traffic-jam.com
date: Jun 9, 2007 9:05 AM
subject: Surprise at Traffic Jam
Good morning,
Last night my fiance and I dined at Traffic Jam. We're both Wayne State graduates, frequent the Midtown area, and are usually pleased with our Traffic Jam experiences. I'm sorry to say that last night was a huge exception to our positive Traffic Jam meals.
Before we placed our order my fiance made in inquiry about the vegetarian spinach lasagna. She greatly dislikes mushrooms and asked the waiter specifically if mushrooms were in the lasagna. He informed us that he too did not like mushrooms and they were most certainly not in the lasagna. Based on his response she ordered this dish. Once she started eating her meal she was completely dismayed to find large chunks of mushrooms in the lasagna! She pushed them to the side of her plate and showed them to the waiter. His response, "Hm, I don't know what those are--they're not mushrooms though." They were clearly mushrooms! When he returned with the check he told us that someone in the kitchen said it was burnt pasta. It is not at all possible that what was on her plate was burnt pasta. It was mushrooms--and it's a good thing that she wasn't allergic to them. We did not at all appreciate feeling that the waiter was trying to cover his mistakes with a clear fib!
I ordered the meatloaf. I was looking forward to sweet potato fries and a delightful meal. What was served to me looked like a tv dinner or a microwave meal on a nice plate. The peas were shriveled--definitely microwaved. The sweet potato fries were rubbery and dull--also clearly microwaved. And the meatloaf--it was okay but microwaved as well. My entire $14 dish had been microwaved! What a surprise from a decent restaurant! I asked the waiter to swap out the peas and sweet potato fries for soup. He suggested that sweet potato fries sometimes look like that and have that texture. The only fries that I've seen with that texture and appearance are microwaved fries! I do appreciate him providing me with soup in place of the microwaved sides, but to even have any such sides be served to customers is unbelievable.
My fiance and I had been considering having our wedding rehearsal dinner at Traffic Jam. After last night's experience we can cross that option off the list without a doubt. We would not at all want Traffic Jam to reflect the dining options of Detroit to our guests. We had been excited about holding the event at your restaurant--considering you've been around for so many years, you're in the heart of Midtown, and you have people from the area working there--but last night's meal experience told us without a doubt that we will take our business elsewhere.
Thanks for your time. I hope that the microwaved plate policy doesn't continue to stand. Provide your customers with the meals they pay for and expect from Traffic Jam!
Matt
I was pleased to see a response in my inbox. The contents of the message didn't really keep me pleased.
from: tjsnug@traffic-jam.com
to: Matt Church
date: Jun 12, 2007 3:59 PM
subject: Re: Surprise at Traffic Jam
Dear Matt,
I'm sorry! Yes, late last week we did experiment with the lasagne. It has been a mainstay here for so long, and we wanted to perk it up a bit. We did a trial run with portebello mushrooms, sampled it on the staff, earned positive feed back, and ran with it. My big mistake was not ASSURING that each and every of our 35 wait staff knew about the change. A poor job, now recognized.
As for the meatloaf, that item, along with its peas, has always been microwaved. A majority of our business comes from people in a hurry-short lunch break, quick dinner before the symphony, etc. and we could not meet that demand by baking-to- order. We try to overcome that fact by adding leeks, apples, currants, curry and other flavorful ingredients. The sweet potato fries are deep fried.
Again, I'm sorry that you were unhappy with your meal.
Sincerely,
[name not published]
Right. And I'm supposed to feel better about our meal? I think not.
from: Matt Church
to: tjsnug@traffic-jam.com
date: Jun 13, 2007 4:36 PM
subject: Re: Surprise at Traffic Jam
Hi [name not published],
Thank you for your response--albeit a faint apology. You don't seem especially concerned about making sure my business returns to your establishment.
While I completely understand that you can't freshly prepare each slice of meatloaf, microwaving the entire plate seems pretty awful in terms of food taste and presentation. Peas don't microwave well. And while the sweet potato fries were deep fried initially, those on my plate were without a doubt microwaved prior to being served. How about putting a microwave icon next to items that are microwaved so customers know what they're ordering--and the quality they're paying for? It's nice that you cater to those in a hurry, but why offer fast food quality meals at decent dining prices? Perhaps you could come up with a short menu for those in a hurry and save the rest of the menu for those who actually want to come in and enjoy a meal. I'm offended that you so openly offer microwaved meals at $14 per plate. Feels like you all are serving up left-overs to paying customers. Certainly not in line with all the fresh bakery items and the "best, freshest ingredients" you tout on your website.
Thanks for your response though--at least I now know where to go for a quick microwaved meal at a hefty price.
Matt
That's the end of the story for now. Super disappointing considering I've enjoyed many meals there. The Midtown area needs solid restaurants--I hope the lasagna and meatloaf experience was a fluke and not an indication of a downward spiral for such an institution.
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