My friend Tina and I used to love meeting for lunch in downtown Portsmouth. Our lives have changed a bit and so we don't get to do it often, in fact it's been several months. Our favorite meeting spot was always the Friendly Toast. We love the decor, the food (the falafel and the artichoke dip were always on our agenda) and the service was always friendly (just don't sit in a window seat at noon if you don't want a splitting headache from the glare).
I never had the chance to take my kids there and always have wanted to. I got the chance to take my youngest there a couple of weeks ago during a spur-of-the-moment shopping trip to Macro Polo/G. Willikers. I was psyched to finally take him, I knew he'd love it. He actually did enjoy the visit immensely, mostly because it was so new to him, there was so much visual stimulus, and he wasn't hungry.
I for one was crestfallen. What has happened to the Friendly Toast?
The entire staff was absolutely nonplussed at all times. The Apathetic Toast? It wasn't that crowded yet the meal took over an hour due to slow service. The Tired Toast? My waitress never cracked a smile; in fact, I don't believe anyone working there smiled the entire time. The Sad Toast? It was as though they'd all stirred their coffee with phenobarbital swizzlers that morning. The Zombie Toast? My son was very well behaved, polite and quiet enough so I know it wasn't us. Well, I did spill a soda, but our waitress just walked by our table obliviously, so clearly she didn't even know. I had to flag down a different waitress for help, who proceeded to bring me several napkins and leave. No inquiry as to whether I'd like a replacement, no offer to help me clean it. The Mean Toast?
My son had ordered a burger, the child size portion - though the tiny burger was served with a humongous, full-sized bun that dwarfed the burger. He didn't touch it (I don't blame him, it was frightening) but did eat the fries with gusto. I guess it's pretty hard to screw up french fries. I ordered my old favorite, the falafel and home fries. The home fries were fine, but the falafel was really dry and sat uneasily in my stomach. I wondered aloud to the waitress where the tangy yogurt sauce was. She raised her eyebrows, shrugged her shoulders and shook her head in a "ummm, sorry?" kind of way. No offer to get me some, or explanation of why it was missing, nothing. Was I speaking a different language than the entire staff? It was surreal. I couldn't believe this was my lovely Friendly Toast.
While waiting another ten or fifteen minutes for the check, I took a good look around, trying to absorb all the funky art that I am so fond of. I took in as much as I could hold in my memory banks because that might be the only place I'll see them again.
Later that afternoon I pondered if it could have just been a bad day for everyone working there - waitresses, cooks and others. I really wanted to believe it, such was my affection for the Friendly Toast. When I woke up at 2 AM with a nauseous feeling in my stomach, I hoped it would be a passing feeling. When I was revisiting my meal at 3 AM, I decided it was really over between us. Goodbye, old friend(ly toast). It was good while it lasted!
Posted by at March 28, 2006 02:17 PM
Comments
The boys and I used to go and vote on the cheesiest wall decoration. Occasionally we would mix it up and critique tattoos.
Posted by: shilton at March 29, 2006 06:06 AM
I couldn't agree more with some of the comments on this blog posting. "Nonplussed" is exactly the word to describe it. I could care less about a long wait but the service is borderline rude. Barely did our waitress, hostess, etc make eye contact and everyone seemed as if they thought they were too cool to be working there. Last time I checked, waiting tables is customer service. If you don't like customers, you might think of a different occupation. I know not every day can be a good day but the last few times I have been there, I was incredibly dissapointed and haven't been back for my fave Green Eggs and Ham. Sigh, on to better breakfast joints where they actually want your business....
Posted by: localfoodie at March 29, 2006 12:25 PM
I'm sorry, are you talking about the Disgruntled Biscut?
Posted by: m at March 30, 2006 04:02 PM
It sucks to have to diss a place you think is special, but you're absolutely right. We used to enjoy it too, long ago.
As long as we're at it, I gotta get this off my chest. A couple years ago I went to try Jumpin' Jay's Fish Cafe cause I heard it was good. The place was empty and I wanted to sit at a table not the counter. They refused. So I happily went across the street to the Japanese restaurant and got treated like royalty. It was awesome.
I haven't been in awhile, but last I knew Norma's on Rt 1 in York is great for breakfast. And Jenn is the greatest waitress! (of course I'm kinda predjudiced cause I like her).
I'm not a fan of chain's but I went to the IHOP in Newington tuesday cause my truck was getting checked out and I was waiting. Tina was an excellent waitress. My only complaint was the homefries were the cheezy shredded type and they were served as white as Conan O'Brien in the middle of the pile, and charred on a too hot of a grill for a few moments on the outside.
Christo's is good in Sanford and Six J's too. The ultimate 'breakfast' is the Sunday Brunch at the New England Center in Durham! Go once, you won't regret it. It is a buffet but you won't care.
Posted by: Dave D at March 30, 2006 10:07 PM
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