I already did a blog on pet peeves when dining out, this is a short follow up.

We all have things that gross us out about food, or as I like to call it – skeeve out. For some people it is the way food looks or smells, but for me it is something else entirely. As I was reading a write up in Bon Appetit mag about hotel bars I realized that I have a REAL problem with food in bars, namely the “bar snacks”.

This is what bar snacks SHOULD look like

Here’s the thing: If a charming bartender puts a fresh bowl of popcorn, nuts, pretzels, etc. in front of me, I will happily enjoy them. And by fresh I mean I SAW the edibles come from the container into my bowl, not from another bowl into my bowl. If anyone I don’t know puts their hands in that bowl, I am done eating. I have utmost respect for bartenders. I trust the bar tender has clean hands; their hands are in water all of the time. I mostly like other bar flys, however I know there are some disgusting people out there who don’t wash their hands after using the restroom (I know – really nasty). How do I know that the person sharing that bowl of pretzels with me has washed their hands? I am not risking giardia or other illness on their cleanliness. Don’t talk to me about shell on nuts like pistachios and peanuts either. Pistachios have part of the nut “touchable” and I can’t stand peanuts.

Crazy? Perhaps. I just don’t like to eat food other people have touched if I am not sure their hands are clean. I shocked Friend Lynn when I told her if I am at a party the same rules apply. If I know everyone there, fine. If there are a bunch of people I don’t know, and one of them chooses not to use the tongs and sticks their hands into the veggie tray, popcorn, potato chips etc. I won’t eat that item. She laughed and thought I was kidding until she saw my face. She and I have been to several parties together and she never noticed that. Of course, now she will be on the lookout. I KNOW I am not the only one with this particular pet skeeve. I personally know someone (who shall remain nameless) that buys foldable bamboo tongs as host gifts for friends when she notices that they don’t have enough serving utensils at parties and people are putting their hands into the food. I know you read this blog weekly – you can out yourself.

And yes, this rule applies to buffets as well. When Jack was little we used to go to buffets here in Vegas quite a bit. It was a great way for him to TRY new things and if he didn’t like them, he didn’t feel badly about not finishing what was on his plate. These days I go to buffets seldom. Usually with visiting friends, when a new one opens (because I HAVE to see it), or for brunch on a Sunday. I won’t go to the Bellagio buffet any more. One afternoon I witnessed a tourist use their hands to grab large handfuls of shrimp from the seafood bar. I informed my server and they shut the whole cold seafood section down and emptied it. Can you imagine if no one had reported it?

I know what you are thinking. “She doesn’t know all of the people making and touching her food when she eats out.” That is true, but I TRUST that the dining establishment has trained their staff on proper hand washing and food handling techniques. In fact, I KNOW in the Las Vegas area if you are going to work in any food handling establishment, including grocery stores, you must have a food handler’s safety card. I have one and so does my son. Come to think about it, I had never really focused on it before I took that class when I was in culinary school.

One of the nicest bar pleasures for me has been when I see the bartender make a special point of creating my “bar snack”. Such was the experience at the Bar American at the Lowe’s Portofino at Universal Studios Orlando. And it was AWESOME! Olives, warm nuts and nice pretzel mix…just for me! No one else was permitted to share mine since each patron or small group of patrons, at the bar got their own! Happy, happy, joy, joy. Frabjuous DAY! Now I am spoiled. I want ALL bartenders to do this for me. Alas, it is not to be…I was handed a recycled bowl of popcorn. Needless to say, I am not touching it.

Bar American at Lowe’s Portofino

Next week? My trip to Zion Mountain Ranch, a surprising gem in the mountains.