I first heard about this rule-of-thumb many years ago while listening to British journalist and broadcaster, Janet Street-Porter on BBC Radio 4's "Today" morning programme.
I thought: what a great idea! She also posited the additional idea that we diners should also ask to take a peek in the kitchen.
Two things collided that have brought about the stream of consciousness. One was taking a late Sunday lunch at the "Coach Makers" pub in London's Marylebone Lane recently. I specifically name them because I think that such remarks should be public - even more for reasons that become apparent when I mention reason number two in a moment. The pub by the way was full (at 4pm) with the local Marylebonites haute-voix, which one got used to after a while.
My wife, her friend and myself ordered wine and the specials. All quite acceptable, but this isn't a restauarnt review (as regards the food quality per se). Before desert Madame and her friend traipsed off to 'powder their noses' which gave me an opportunity to peruse a copy of "The Observer". On their return, they both had wrinkled noses indicating that the toilets were 'disgusting'. I'll not outline their reasons for commenting in case you're eating while reading this, save to say that my wife called over the manager and read a version of the Riot Act to him - well within earshot of the other diners.
He sheepishly said that he would look into the lack of toilet paper, broken seats, and non-flushing [you said you weren't going to mention this, Ed.]. We in the meantime forewent desserts and coffe and did some quick vamoosage vowing not to return.
All this is in contrast to those civilised people over in the Big Bagel. There the New York Sanitary Inspector has regular inspections that take place and their (the eatery) is awarded a rating which is publicly displayed outside. The findings are also published in the local press. This procedure incidentally, is not confined just to New York, but is nationwide.
Why can this not happen in London? "Spending Cuts", "We haven't got the manpower", and rubbish like that. "Piffle" as our Mayor Boris would say. I think that if such a system were to work here it would go some way to upgrading the facilities in places such as I have just mentioned that would, in effect, make the places self-policing, especially not knowing when inspectors might be coming round!
In the meantime, do as I will make sure I do henceforth - check the loos and kitchen FIRST!
