Worst Lunch Ever

So working at the Trade Center in Boston means that unless you're prepared to take a 90-minute lunch, your options are sorely limited. People who cook or plan ahead probably just bring their lunch, but I don't usually have it together, so I'm at the mercy of the few options available (fairly decent cafetaria, Fresh City). A few weeks ago Legal Test Kitchen (LTK) opened a block away, and there was some mild rejoycing. In addition to a fun quirky menu, they offer all electronic ordering (the server has a blackberry-looking device that is supposed to instantly transmit your order, guaranteeing faster service), and you can rent iPod docking stations. Cool.

My co-worker and I decide to try it out and couldn't possibly have been less impressed unless the waitress had actually spit in our food while we watched. We sit down and order drinks, which arrive about 5 minutes later. My diet coke was fine, my friend's iced tea was completely lacking in ice, which much have melted, because it was totally watered down. She politely asked for a new one, to which we received a "no problem". Fine. 10 minutes go by, no new iced tea, and the server still hadn't taken our order. When she does arrive, she has no idea how to use the blackberry-like thingy so she has to come back. Huh. We order. 20 minutes go by, no new iced tea, no food, no bread (though we'd received the runny and thouroughly unappetizing spread for it). She asks for a new iced tea (again) and some bread, is told that the iced tea is still brewing and she's still checking on the bread. At this point we had been there over 35 minutes. We left.

Where to even begin? Don't employ new technology without thoroughly training the staff, and how about having notepads in place as a contingency? If someone asks you for an iced tea and you know it's going to be 15 minutes, wouldn't you tell them and offer them something else (sprite, water?). Spread without bread or crackers? Ew? So annoying! So we abandoned ship, went to Fresh City and sat outside on the lawn. Not what we had intended, but at least we were away from desks and now we know never to bring clients there.

We also rather poorly timed our return to coincide with the afternoon session of the MA bar exam, being given in the ballroom. Oh. My. God. It took us 5 minutes just to get into the damn door! Who would have thought an army of future lawyers would have such poor crowd sense! Oh well, it's still better than Providence.