Have you heard? There’s a new lounge in town and it’s absolutely worth checking out.

I usually love going out to eat. Fortunately, the Valley offers a pretty decent selection of restaurants to satisfy even the pickiest of palates (I kind of fall into that category). So when a new restaurant comes to town or I choose a place I’ve never been, I’m usually excited to go. But lately, I haven’t had much luck.

For this blog purpose, I’ve decided not to disclose restaurant names, but–if you feel so inclined–shoot me an e-mail and I’d be happy to share.

It all started with a Friday afternoon when Mike (my boyfriend, in case you haven’t been introduced via old blogs yet) told me to pick a place for dinner. After much thought we decided on a recently opened place in Bethlehem. Bad choice.

We were greeted with friendly smiles and immediately seated at a nice window table. I didn’t have time to look at the drink menu so we placed a water order with our waitress and looked over the appetizer list to which we chose hummus with pita bread. Our waters came and so did the hummus. I was impressed.

Then it all just went downhill from there. I chose a tropical-sounding drink and made my order as she asked us what we wanted for dinner. Then we sat. And sat. And sat. For about 30 minutes, if not longer. And I still had not received my drink.

When our waitress finally came around–no food in hand–I asked for my drink and she exclaimed “Yes!” in a tone that made it sound like she was saying, “yes, of course you are allowed to have your drink right now.” Frankly, I should have received it 5 minutes after I placed my order.

Ten minutes later she returned with my drink–and still no food–which was a huge glass of rum and pineapple and coconut goodness that I would have much preferred to sip rather than chug because at that point we really just wanted to leave.

Our fair-at-best food arrived luke warm; Mike’s blackened tuna steak apparently tasted like canned tuna drained and formed into a rounded steak-like formation. The presentation was completely awful. We ate what we could, didn’t ask for boxes, signed the receipt, and left with unsatisfied stomachs.

Then, yet again we experienced another annoying dinner. This one didn’t last too long and spawned this blog because, even though I may not always look like a Style girl or a business professional when I eat dinner, I still am and can easily report the awfulness in a blog. So restaurants be wary of whom you are serving.

Last night, we opted for Italian, chose a place in Emmaus, and were seated right away. Tables around us were served, waitresses scurried about our area, but not one stopped at our table to introduce herself or take our drink order. Twenty minutes passed and still nothing, no one. It was 8 o’clock, the dinner rush had clearly calmed down. Even if it hadn’t, I’ve eaten at NYC restaurants packed with late Saturday night diners and Sunday afternoon brunch-goers with much better service. We walked out and ate at Pickles instead–another restaurant that I’ve been meaning to try. Much better service and much better food.