The other night, I was dining at a hip Hollywood hot spot and there was something on the menu that really got me thinking. I felt a little rant coming on, but then I just thought I'd share my experience and then see what y'all thought.

So I don't want to mention the name of the establishment, because I don't think I want to give them any publicity. If the comments you leave get me to change my mind or thinking on the situation, I may edit this post later and give them their due props.

Right on the cover of the menu, is read: "No substitutions, No modifications, No reservations".

Ok, no problem so far. A lot of places don't take reservations and I guess they don't want to change the menu. Whatever.

But inside, there was an entire paragraph at the bottom of the menu, i wish I would have written it down, but it basically went out of the way to let you know that they were so proud of their menu and there would be no substitutions or modifications and no exceptions to that rule. It was kinda like "don't even think of asking" mentality. We make our food this way for a reason, and that's that. Ok, if that's how you want to run your business... fine. But it sure just rubbed me the wrong way, especially when there were many choices on the menu that looked incredible and I wanted to try them, but I don't like mushrooms, so they wouldn't "hold them" for me. There were a few other dishes that looked good too, but sometimes I do like to modify the dish based on my personal tastes. I don't have any crazy outrageous requests, but sometimes it's nice to just get exactly what I want. I don't mind paying extra, or waiting longer, or whatever. I realize we weren't at Burger King where I could "have it my way" but it was a very expensive restaurant and I would think a high end place like that would be more accommodating.

Once more, they also said something about not wanting to change the menu because it disrupts it's efficient service. LA is known for a lot of things, but good service at restaurants isn't one of them. Our waiter, who looked like he just finished an audition, sure didn't seem like he wanted to be there. The service was slow and not particularly good anyway, so would it kill you to remove those mushrooms for me? What if I had a food allergy, would they change it then or tell me to pick something else? What is Brad & Angelina came in to dine and asked for something off the menu or a slight change. Do you think they'd stick to their guns or bend a little to the please the celebrities?

I don't know folks... am I overreacting? Does this deserve and entire blog post? Do a lot of places have this attitude?

By the way, the food was fantastic... I got the special of that day... pork chop, asparagus, roasted potatoes... but I doubt I'll go back there. Wasn't diggin' the vibe?