Are Mondays really bad? [moved from DC/Baltimore board]

[jeb]

The Post had an article this week about avoiding restaurants on Mondays. I had always heard that you shouldn't order fish on Mondays. My friends happen to be taking me out for a BIG birthday on a Monday in early May. Should I be concerned about a restaurant like David Craig's or Palena? I am not sure if I should be more concerned about food that isn't fresh or not having the main chef there. Any experiences to share? Comments. Thanks.

[thinks too much]

I know that Monday's are not the night to go out, but perversely enough, that's always the night when I have a craving to go out to eat. It's almost like I want a pick-me-up to start the week. Sadly, that's the night when many restaurants are closed. It seems that few people share my predilection.

[bonmann]

I am 100% with you. Not only do I go out on Mondays, I very often try a restaurant that I have never been to before.

I think it is because fewer people eat out on Mondays so my experience won't be effected by how busy it is. My SO says it is my challenging the restaurant to see what then can do on a night when everyone is just going through the motions.

[leah]

Puttin my two cents in:
In MY opinion - the philosophy about restaurants not having fresh fish on Mondays - is old fashioned. Restaurants are not limited by their delivery days anymore as they perhaps were in the past. It does seem true that alot of Exec Chefs have Sun and sometimes Mondays off - but if it is a respectable kitchen, the Sous should be more than capable of handling everything. Hmmmmm How many Exec Chefs actually "cook" anyway???

[lunchbox]

I agree with Leah-
Fresh fish is so easily available from good vendors, especially in your neck of the woods- that if you call ahead, the restaurant may even make a special order for you.

I too, haven't read the article, but the gist of what you mention is essentially true- Mondays are still "Chef's night off" and because weekends are busy and Mondays are generally significantly less so, the Restaurants are much less likely to receive an order from their vendors.
Conversly, since many vendors are closed on weekends, if the Chefs/purchasers order over the weekend to replace their depleted stocks, then the deliveries will be made on Monday!
Unless you specifically want to meet the chef, there is no harm in going to the restaurant while the Sous chefs are running the show. Who knows, the chef may like working the slow days!

[tubman]

I haven't read the article and can't find it searching the Post site. Could somebody post a link to it? TIA.

[Brian S]

The NY times also had an article, and here's the link. For what it's worth, I agree.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/25/wee...