To tip or not to tip?

This week with TMOO, I discovered another position in the service industry that is not at every restaurant. I am talking about hired entertainers. Some of these entertainers can be singers, violin players, maybe the occasional balloon animal guy, and whoever else may cater to the establishment. (No pun intended..) The reason why I wanted to acknowledge these people is because not everyone knows to tip them. Not only that, but not everyone does tip them after they provide their service.

I ventured out to San Francisco's Mission area to a great place called Puerto Alegre. I had been here once before with some friends because their margaritas are off the hook good. So is the guac......MOVING ON. While I was there a couple of mariachia singers were walking around and singing to the tables. This went on for a few minutes and everyone stopped to watch them play. They were very good needless to say. After they were done, they walked around with a bag to every table saying "Tip? Tip?". I wasn't sure how to take this. Is it rude for them to so bluntly walk up to a table and put someone on the spot for money? I mean, we didn't order mariachi singers with our tacos so why should we have to tip them right?

I get it. They provided a service but the service was not requested. However working in an industry where you live off tips, I understand the struggle. So I coughed up 5 bucks and put it on the table. They said thank you and then I was stuck with them at my table singing for the next 5 minutes. It was fun. We had a good laugh. Thank god there were margaritas.

Below is our famous mariachi singers. Bless their hearts...

Mariachi @ Puerto Alegre SF


I would love to hear other people's thoughts and opinions on this matter. Please feel free to let TMOO know!

Happy Hour Adventures

Greetings everyone! This week I discovered a restaurant in San Francisco's Cow Hollow district that has a great happy hour. Now, this normally wouldn't be a big deal but the place is very chic and looks like its overpriced. However the happy hour is unbelievable!

Unami sits off of Union Street and after walking by it a few times in the past, I was certain it was not going to be a place I would ever spend money in. The vibe is very uppity and trendy. Not my usual scene to say the least.  After their happy hour came highly recommended, it was time I tried it. So I grabbed a girlfriend and we headed down. As we walk up, there was already a line starting to form. The place opens at 5:30 pm which is when HH starts. It also ends 1 hour later at 6:30 pm so there's not a lot of time to spare.  As the doors open, the crowd comes flying in the place. The bartender handed us the menu and I couldn't believe it when I saw $5 dollar sushi rolls. The cocktails were great and the appetizers were cheap and delicious as well. The sticky bun bacon cheeseburger sliders are something that I will have dreams about for the rest of my life.  The sushi was very Americanized but tasty. I think our bill was around $50 bucks but for the amount of food and drinks we had, it was very reasonable. In one hour, I had managed to eat 2 rolls, 2 appetizers and 2 signature cocktails. It was a lot in a short about of time but I highly recommend Unami for Happy Hour.
http://www.umamisf.com

For more information on Unami SF, click the link above.

Cheers!

Lemme Introduce Myself.

Welcome to Tip Me Over And Over. This is a place where you can get helpful tips and advice on your dining/drinking experience. I myself am an experienced waitress and bartender for over 10 years. I grew up in the industry. My parents owned one of the hottest restaurants/bars in my hometown until I was 13 years old. I was waitressing when I was 10 years old.  At the ripe age of 19, I became a bartender.  It is what I know and love.  (Yes, it's legal in some areas to bartend under the age of 21.) Although it may not be the most glamorous job in the world, it is thriving and there is no denial in that. No matter what people eat and drink. People eat/drink when they are happy and people eat/drink when they are sad. This is a place where you can get the most out of your experience as well as develop an appreciation for server life.