We went to dinner at Ottavio's (American Fork, UT) for a friends birthday tonight, and while the food was good, there was much to be unhappy with.

First, from the time we were seated till the time our dinner was served (the main dish, not the salads) was about one hour. When you have an infant and a two year old, you don't want to wait an hour.

Second, after my two year old spilled his water, the cup got picked up quickly, but nobody brought him a new one till we finally asked quite a while later. And nobody cleaned up the water and ice from the floor except for a prefunctory wipe with one napkin, and that not till we'd asked for another drink for him.

Third, while we were waiting, we got very little attention like the standard topping off of water.

Fourth, our meals, when they finally came, came three at first, another a few minutes later, two more a few minutes after that, and mine about five minutes after that. And it wasn't because I ordered something that takes a long time to cook (not that they couldn't have coordinated that during the 45 minutes or so that they had between the time we ordered and when we were served), as evidenced by the fact that one of the first three things to come out was that same as what I had ordered.

And finally, after all that, when the bill came, they had given themselves an 18% tip. How generous. The service must have been great. Why is it that the tip is automatically added on when dining with a group? Is it that they realize they're likely to screw up enough that their tip is going to be reduced? And what's with 18%? And what's with the line on the credit card slip under the "included gratuity" for "additional tip"? I wanted to put a negative amount in there.

I should have put a negative amount in there.