Feast of Fantasy

[Storm]

Looks like the smoker is out for us then too. I can not believe a server would expect to be tipped in advance! That's just asinine! Provide me with good service and I will tip you well for it. The service comes before the tip, not the other way around. If a server at a bar told me they expected me to tip them before they served me, I'd walk out and find a different bar. I guess knowing what I do now about both the FoF and the Smoker I won't be walking into either in the 1st place.

[William_MacKean]

I may stop going...I have a strong dislike for the "Pay me and I will do my job"!  I understand what a tip is for, and why good service should be rewarded...but to stoop to extortion for a tip?

I had no idea they were doing this.  That does seem... wrong.  The glass and the bottle are what the glass and bottle are.

I am sure there is someone you can talk to.  Perhaps when you purchase your ticket to the Smoker?

[Phelyp, Lord Maydestone]

We've been to the FoF three times now, and found the food excellent.  Haute - yes, but really good.  Our service has also always been very good without us needing to tip in advance, but tip we did when the feast was finished (and generously too I might add).  Will we go again?  Not sure.  We want to try the Smoker too.  I do have to say that I find the 'show' that the feast master puts on it extremely trite and contrived, and hasn't change much in our three visits.  We have no problem with bawdy or raunchy humour (yes I added a 'u' - I'm Canadian), but it seemed that this year the gay jokes were flying at top speed.  Not funny and not okay.  Personally I found them bordering on offensive and extremely tiring.  If either of the hosts of the feast were gay that would be different, but not knowing who is sitting in the audience you would think they would leave that archaic prejudice behind.  The woman sitting next to me pointed out that it was "strange listening to such 'jokes' coming from a man who so obviously shaves his legs!"  Having read other posts, I am not likely to try and make a complaint to MAF, but I certainly won't be in a rush to go again.  Funny, King Henry/John himself, never makes such quips when he has us an other friends over for a BBQ or drinks!

[groomporter]

What are they doing for the meal at Feast?
At the Masters' Dinner we had unimpressive pork chops and a kind of Cajun rice thing with crunchy, under done rice. I've always assumed we get left-overs from feast for the masters' dinner so I hope it being better cooked for the general pubic (sic)

[Will Gamwell]

I see the food stroll by me 3 times a day, so you'd think I would remember . . . here is the menu per the website, which after seeing it is correct.

2009 Menu . . .
Appetizer
Tres Filo Tartlets
Brie, Seafood with Sausage served with Wasabi
and Southwestern Sauces

Salad
Roasted Blueberry Walnut Salad

Soup
Soup d' Jour

Entree
Duck Confit with a Pomegranate Glaze served
with Fleur de Sel crusted Potate and Vegetable Confetti

Entree 2
Seasoned Walleye served with Rice Pilaf

Dessert
Chambord Fruited Angel Cake topped with
Chocolate Shavings

[Muffin]

Bacardi and I went to the Smoker on Saturday night! What a change from last year!!!! We had a fabulous time!! Our beautiful serving wench filled our glasses right to the tippy top right away and when I handed her a couple of dollars her remark was "Oh already!?" we continued to tip each time she brought a round and her smile grew each time.. After the feast was over and we were standing around talking with some of the cast she came over and thanked us again.. We told her the story of our experience last year and she too was appalled and let us know that she knows who the serving wench was and she is no longer employed by MNRF!

Given our experience with the smoker I may even consider trying the feast out again next year! Can't squeeze it in this season..

[groomporter]

I see the food stroll by me 3 times a day, so you'd think I would remember . . . here is the menu per the website, which after seeing it is correct.

Okay what we got at the dinner must have been leftovers, or surplus from food booths.

[William_MacKean]

Before Sunday's show, I asked Gretchen and Carr about the 'serving' issue.  Gretchen stated in no uncertain terms that it was 100% not true.  Carr thanked me for asking about it and said he has not seen such.

I watched closely this time and saw nothing.

All is well.

[TheFerret]

We told her the story of our experience last year and she too was appalled and let us know that she knows who the serving wench was and she is no longer employed by MNRF!

Well that's one way to fix the problem!  Good hear as well!

[groomporter]

Word from higher up is that *none* of the shows are allowed to advertise themselves as being rated R, PG-13, or "unsuitable for children". I guess Mid America Festivals doesn't want the folks with children to feel their little dearies are being excluded.

I checked the broadsheet and it does still list certain shows as "LC" -"Loose Cannon this show may contain material not suitable for children" but the last shows of the day for Johnny Phoenix and the Tortuga Twins seem to be the only ones rated LC as of fourth weekend:
http://www.renaissancefest.com/MRF/irishheritage.pdf