Off The Menu, September 26

To Settle or Not To Settle
The Nation Restaurant Association (the other NRA) is joining the opposition to a settlement reached with Visa and Mastercard over credit card transaction fees. The Association believes that the settlement does not address transparency issues with the swipe fees, nor does it help lower those fees for restaurants.
Restaurants oppose $7.2 billion credit-card fee settlement [Reuters.com]

Portland Wine Lovers, Rejoice!
Southeast Division’s Restaurant Row is getting an addition to its many offerings. The SE Wine Collective is officially opening their tasting bar today and will offer wines from their members along with other local choices.
SE Wine Collective Opening Today [Eater PDX]

Eat Like a Top Chef Judge
Love Top Chef but wish there was an interactive tasting feature on your TV? Top Chef Kitchen, a five-week pop-up restaurant opening in New York on October 16, will provide diners with a prix fixe meal cooked up by 2 different ‘cheftestants’ each week.
Top Chef Kitchen New York

Taking Delivery Services Too Far
And in the “what were they thinking” department, the operators of a taco truck in Olivehurst, California have been arrested on drug dealing charges. A three-month investigation – which of course they dubbed “Operation Dirty Taco” – found that the brothers who ran the truck were serving more than just food.
Operation Dirty Taco: Food Truck Busted Selling Meth, Marijuana [The Huffington Post]

Need a Quick Fix?
What you don’t want to hear as diners arrive at your restaurant is that the stove isn’t working. So you might just want to find your local restaurant troubleshooters and put their numbers into your speed dial.
Behind a Restaurant Emergency, a Troubleshooter [The New York Times]

Setting a New Level in Customer Service
We just couldn’t resist sharing the story of Alberto Casillas, a cafe owner in Madrid caught up in a protest there. When he saw protesters being beaten by riot police, Alberto invited the protesters into his establishment. He then refused entrance to the police, blocking them from coming in himself, and even fed the protesters.
Watch a Café Owner Stand Up to Riot Police in Madrid [Eater.com]

 

Tags: Off The Menu