Australian wine labels are getting worse and worse.

[SNIP]

Yes, I get to have some of the same type of fun, when confronted with "An old New Orleans favorite" on the menu in some mid-western (US) dining establishment. As for the Outback group, probably the biggest complaint that I had (not knowing a whit about Aussie food) was their initial (may still be in effect) corporate edict, that all diners were to be kept waiting for a minimum of 30 minutes, so as to sell appetizers, wines by-the-glass, and similar. One could enter a mostly empty Outback (several others of this type of establishment had the same, or similar policy), and be told that the wait was

30-45 minutes. Of course this policy was placed into effect by the "bean- counters" at corporate, and as most of these places are still in business, must have been effective a some point toward the bottom line.

In my limited experiences with them, the food seemed OK, the wine lists needing a makeover, and the service (excluding the imposed wait period) passable. OTOH, with a call, I could always get a table at the best restaurants in Denver, so I never felt the need to wait, for an adult McDonald's meal. I'd always rather support the local chef, than some corporate entity in, say Dallas, but that is just me.

Hunt

Comes from anywhere except Western Australia that is.

So it was deliberate. Hmmm.... I do remember waiting an eternity.

I'm with you Hunt. This was the idea of 'local' who thought I'd be homesick, and might need a fix....:>).

This same gent, a week later in a bar in Boston, unbeknowns to me, organises a waitress to bring out a pyramid shaped stack of Foster's cans to our party. When asked was I impressed, I could only admit to being impressed by the gesture and the carrying skills of the waitress, as you have just bought me the 2nd worst beer in the world. When asked what was the worst, I stated their very own Budweiser. I was asked then to nominate the best american beer and that would be the next round. Knowing the contracts remained unsigned,and the city I was in, it was hard not to blurt out "Sam Adams rules!".

The contracts were signed the next day...:>)

Swooper...

heh ! ;)