Sometimes I think I must be complainy, difficult and a very demanding customer, but this time I…read moremust say I was calm and relaxed and I just do not know what was going on that last time I visited "Le Coq" in Neuenheim.
I was pleasantly surprised that when we were able to get a table without reservations at one of my favorite bistros in Heidelberg, on a Thursday night at that. Firstly rule, if you want to eat at Le Coq is make a reservation. Being able to walk in and get a table is like trying to win the Lotto, it doesn't happen often but you are very happy when it does. Naturally, the place was packed and we sipped a very good Sauvignon Blanc from the open wine list and chatted, while waiting for our main courses. Our food came and both my friend, J., and I realized that our fish with champagne sauce and spinach was terribly undersalted. No problem, we both grabbed the salt shaker a few times and added some salt to our meal. No complaining going on here, just a few joking comments about the cook definantly not being in love.
Time to pay and the very nice waiter asks us how the food was people he asked am I supposed to say good if it is undersalted. Hmmmm?! So we mentions that the fish entree could have used more salt. Is that really so terrible? Hmmmm?! Didn't think so until the manager came over smelling like stale smoke and berates, yes berates, us for my comment. Telling me that I know nothing about making delicate champagne sauce and feeding 100's of people a night. (Hey, who knows maybe the other 100 people thought the fish was undersalted. Do I know?) I gently try to let him know that I was asked how the food was and mentioned it was undersalted, no crime on my part and hey, I am still the customer and paying a good EUR 20,00 for my dish. Do I deserve this kind of attitude from the manager?
So anyways, now that I have vented, I feel better. I still love the french bistro Le Coq in Neuenheim, but I hope the manager has a better day the next time I eat there and the cook uses a bit more salt. Hey, but that is just my opinion.