Flanfire

There are good days and bad days, sunny days and - well, rainy days. But Friday was fine, weather wise. With grandbaby in tow, we met with a dear friend for breakfast at what was once one of Austin's prize eateries - the former Laura's Bluebonnet Kitchen, now named Austin's Diner. Laura, who still sells strawberries seasonally and is raising her son Jake, would still be proud of the food and the decor at her old establishment, which has changed little other than for the addition of weekend patio dining. But at least on this one day, the service was so poor I nearly cried.

Not that the place was crowded, or that the staff was short. I counted at least four or five waitstaffers on hand, but none of them deemed it important to provide us with water, dinnerware, or even menus for several minutes. When we did order, we had to call upon the manager, who at least spoke to us. We were not sure whether the two waitfemales assigned to our table spoke no English or just preferred to paint their nails at the counter, but then, perhaps, they are afraid of small children.

When it was time for our food, we still had no dinnerware. One of us had ordered oatmeal, which was supposed to come with raisins and cinnamon sugar and even a spoon. It took five minutes to get a spoon (the wrong size) and another minute or two to get the raisins and stuff - which were delivered to me, not to the person who ordered the oatmeal. My grandson had to wait until all of the rest of us were finished eating to get his pancake - which we had repeatedly asked about to little avail (and which sat on the sill for some time after it was finally cooked). Of course, he had little interest in eating it after waiting for so long a time. The coffee refills were not hot, either, and we had other problems as well.

Something is dreadfully wrong at this establishment - but do not blame the cooks. It is the lack of spirit - the complete failure to recognize the privilege of serving in an Austin original restaurant, the utter disdain for human beings who are relying on your labors for their comfort just as much as you as a server are relying on their tips for your sustenance. Hopefully, our experience was not the normal one at Austin's Diner. But we do notice that business is off. Hmmmmm!!

The rains have, of course, come, and wiped out many worthwhile outdoor events, including the Burnet Bluebonnet Festival and some higher profile events in Austin. Charities that were depending on turnout for some of these events may be hurting, and in any case those who were to perform missed out on opportunities to strut their stuff for people who may have never seen them before. Of course, we need the rain. Of course, all of this rain may leave us with sunshine for next weekend's bluegrass festival (Old Settlers). But cheer up the downtrodden, and if you are a friend of someone whose sets were canceled (or who could not sell anything at their booths, or who were otherwise significantly inconvenienced or worse by the rain), find a way to encourage them today and tomorrow.