Bates College | Napkin Board Responses

February 29, 2008

Q: New Commons is so nice! I can't believe how much better the food tastes, and the variety offered at every meal and all of the new dishes. Little things too, like seeing sliced pineapple or a garlic spread at the vegan bar really makes my dining experience that much better. My compliments go to the chefs and the dining staff.
A: Thanks for your kind words

February 28, 2008

Q: More pizza and faster, please!! Online menu is wrong.
A: The pizza is an artisan product which can not be made any faster than we presently are. As for the on line menu, we are in the process of working on this.

Q: Clock?
A: They are coming.

Q: At lunch time today I think that the upstairs should have been opened up earlier. It was rush hour and it still took a few minutes for it to be opened.
A: It will be opening at 11:00a.

Q: the pizza is great. any idea of caloric information for one slice of regular?
A: Not off hand, but give me a little time and I will get that info together.

Q: The new vegan bar and vegan desserts are wonderful!!! Thanks to dining services for their talent and hard work!
A: Thanks for your kind words.

Q: Is it possible to offer fruit (apples, oranges, banana, etc.) like old commons, in that large metal fruit holder thing? That tiny bowl of fruit at new commons is disgraceful, and by dinner time, it was empty.
A: We are in the process of having a fruit rack built that will have a full days fruit available, so please bear with us. If there is none , of none that you like out, please do not hesitate to ask.

Q: I saw nutritional yeast available at dinner, but not at breakfast. I like to have it in the mornings to put on my oatmeal, and boost the protein content of my breakfast. Can this please be available at every meal in New Commons?
A: Yes it can be available.

February 27, 2008

Q: I LOVE new Commons. Such an amazing upgrade!! We love you guys!!
A: Thanks for your kind words.

February 26, 2008

Q: I love the new Commons! But can we please have the Whole Wheat Pasta as an option every night there like we did at the old commons? (or at least put it in the salad bar like it was before?) I need this pasta to survive!!
A: Whole wheat pasta is part of the rotation , but will not be served every night.

Q: I'm really enjoying New Commons! It's so nice to have more vegetarian options at lunch, and the food really tastes fresh and good. But I was wondering if the waffle bar will ever offer whole wheat or multi-grain batter? Just a thought. Thanks!
A: That is a thought., Presently we are just trying to get everything settles but once done can certainly look at this as an option.

Q: Two sugar free deserts at one meal! Thank you so much!
A: Your welcome.

Q: I was wondering if it would be possible to replace one of the multiple dispensers of skim milk by the cereal with soymilk? And I was also wondering what brand/type of soymilk is in the metal dispenser; I really like it. Thanks!
A: The brand of the soy ,ilk is White Wave. We purposely separated the say from the milk so there would be no confusion.

Q: It was a strange feeling Thursday through Sunday with faculty, staff, students, and families of each at meals. However, it soon came to grow on me, so much in fact that I would like to see it happen more often. It's nice to be able to see faculty and staff (and their families) outside of our (students') normal interactions with them. Has there been discussions about having meals when there is a reduced price for faculty and staff to come in. Let's say, each lunch on Friday is open to faculty and staff for half-price. Something like that I think would be nice.
A: We are looking at some option.

Q: Menu is off again. Go new commons!!!
A: I have sent the information to our Web Master. Hopefully it will be corrected soon.

February 25, 2008

Q: waffles-awesome, brick-oven pizza-awesome grapes on pizza (and no other choices)-not awesome, chocolate chip muffins-awesome, same old pasta and chicken parm-not aweseom, new commons building and seating-awesome
A: Guess 4 out of 6 ain't bad.

Q: I was disappointed to find out that breakfast is only served until 10:30. I used to go and get 'brunch' everyday at 10:50 (when my classes end) and now must rething my entire way of life. Is there any way of leaving the breakfast hours the way they used to be? However, you did a fantastic job with the new Commons! It is so bright and airy!
A: We need to close breakfast at 10:30a so that we can turn that platform over and be ready for lunch by 11:00a.

Q: Todays curry fish stew was amazinggggggggg ..Great Job !
A: Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.

Q: This is an amazing Indian recipe..pleaseee can we have this dish ?
2 cups Red kidney beans
Salt To taste
1 Pinch Turmeric powder
1 Onions, chopped
5 Garlic cloves, chopped
1 inch Ginger, chopped
3 Green chillies, chopped
3 Tomatoes, chopped
1/2 tsp Corainder powder
1 tsp Red chilli powder
1/2 tsp Garam masala
2 tbsp Oil
Handful Corainder leaves

Preparation:
Soak kidney beans overnight. Wash and cook the beans. Keep aside.
Heat oil in a pan, add ginger, garlic and chillies. Fry until they turn brown.
Add onions and tomatoes. Cook until masala separates from oil.
Add salt, turmeric powder and mix well.
Add the boiled rajma, red chilli powder, corainder powder, garam masala and stir.
Simmer the flame and cook until a thick gravy is formed.

Q: One more point about omegas.Hemp is contained in hemp milk which has high levels of omegas especially omeaga3 as well as protein and lots of vitamins.Could hemp milk please be put in the vegan cooler? It would be a great alternative to dairy and soy milks.
A: At this point we will not be getting help milk, but will be revisiting this option in the future.

Q: The new building is really very nice, but the trays are sooooooo small. Could we get some larger ones? These trays hold only plate and a glass, this does not even hold half of my meal.
A: Yes they are small and that was intentional . The tend is to go
"trayless" for environmental issues, but feeling that was not the correct decision for Bates I made the decision to meet in the middle. By decreasing the size of the tray we can minimize the amount of chemicals, water and utilities needed to clean them while still having trays available for those who choose to use them.

February 23, 2008

Q: I want to commend you on the high quality of service and food that you have provided over the course of your soft opening in the new dining commons. Dinner on 2/21 felt like it had been prepared just for me with all of my favorite offerings: Focaccia Chicken, Scalloped Potatoes, Broccoli, Rice and Cheese Casserole, and Toll House Pie. YUM! Thank you so much for all that you do!
A: Thanks for your kind comments

Q: The pizza at the new facility is absolutely amazing!!! Not only is the experience of seeing the pizza being made a wonderful change, but the actual pizza seems so much better in terms of taste and certainly I enjoy the larger slices. Yum, yum...
A: Thanks for your kind words

February 21, 2008

Q: Wow!!! No other words describe it! As a senior, it will take me some time to adjust, so right now I am in a state of awe. While it will grow on me, I am sure, I will always have a place in me that holds the old Commons near-and-dear. I am excited for all the new things that this facility will offer and can't wait to see what it's like on Sunday at dinner. But, from what I've seen today, overall, the student body seems to be rather impressed.
A: Thanks for your kind words I will pass them on to the staff who have been working so hard.

Q: Normally when I am here during breaks, I am not terribly impressed with the meal offerings during breaks. I mean, it's not like there's bad stuff, just not a lot of things I like. For some reason, the offerings that have been available in Commons during February Break (aka in the Den), have impressed me. There are lots of options and more so than I think there has been in the past. With the transition this week to the new facility, I am even more impressed that the offerings this week have been really good.
A: Thanks

February 18, 2008

Q: How can you justify serving the last meal in Commons with plastic utensils and paper plates? And why was only half the seating area open? As a senior, the old Commons has way to many memories for my last meal there to be way sub-par. I was hoping that I would at least be able to sit in my normal seat, but you can't even give me that. You sure let down a lot of people who pay over $45,000 a year to this school.
A: Sorry that you feel the way you do, but perhaps there is more to the story. In order to have the new facility open in time for the your return on the 24th the dish machine needed to be moved. This move was very complex and time consuming and needed to be done over the weekend so that we would be ready for final health inspection on Tuesday the 19th. In terms of the schedule this meant that the machine needed to be disassembled and made ready to move by Saturday am- hence the need to go to paper. As for the tables, like the dish machine, there was time
sensitivity associated with their move as well. When the moving plan was put together a lot of time and effort was spend to minimize the impact on the student population, but given the complexity of the project there was no way that this could be completely avoided. A lot of people have been working very hard for a very long time to bring the new dining commons to life and it is not very often that I take the content of napkin inquire personally, but this time I can not help but do so. To even suggest that we would purposely make your last meal in the old Commons sub-par is absurd. The commons staff is dedicated to service and providing the best culinary experience we can. The fact that you were inconvenienced for one day because of a major move I feel is pretty nominal in the larger scope of thing. Lastly the fact that you pay $45,000 to go to school here to me means
that you understand and embrace the Bates environment which one if understanding and tolerance. If you would like to discuss this with me further, please do not hesitate to contact me.

February 17, 2008

Q: This post is in regard to two posts written on Feb 12th.Two comments are extremely rude that was allowed to be posted so I hope that this post is posted because it is not ok to name call people because of their individual request or of a difference of opinion for that matter! This is one of the comments:
"If that obnoxious being didn't like the tofu, then don't eat it and have just the broccoli! Sheesh!"
In regards to the other critical comment written on that day,I was not the person who requested to have the tofu excluded, which goes to show that there is definitely more than one person writing about vegan options!
A: All comments are posted, we do not sensor them. As I indicated in my response. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I agree with you that the opinion could have better stated.

February 14, 2008

Q: In response to this post:Q:"If that obnoxious being didn't like the tofu, then don't eat it and have just the broccoli! Sheesh!"People have a right to respectfully address concerns, likes, and dislikes, however insulting others is not acceptable.
A: Perhaps there could have been a better way in which they could have
articulated their comment.

February 13, 2008

Q: Could we have the ice creams and frozen yogurt available every day posted online please? Thanks!
A: We will try and make sure this happens after we move.

Q: Shredded carrots in the salad bar make my day! They are so much easier to eat than the sticks. Yummy!
A: We can do.

Q: PLEASE CAN WE GET SOME MORE BIG SALAD BOWLS? PLEASE?!!
A: We are aware of this and are taking corrective action.

February 12, 2008

Q: Corn chowdah. Can I say AMAZING? I had it for lunch, but by dinner time there was no more! So sad, but so delicious.
A: Glad you enjoyed it.

Q: The tofu at the salad bar used to be really fresh, but these days, they've been tasting kind of old and not as fresh.
A: I will look into that.

Q: Some of the comments on this napkin board, especially the person who constantly writes about the vegan options, complains way too much. I am actually very grateful that Bates dining offers a great variety of vegan selections so thanks for the delicious food! Will there be new recipes served at the new commons? I'm so excited!
A: Thanks for your kind words and yes there will be may new recipes served in the new commons.

Q: I actually thought the addition of tofu in the broccoli with black bean sauce was a nice change and tasted delicious. If that obnoxious being didn't like the tofu, then don't eat it and have just the broccoli! Sheesh!
A: Thanks for writing

Q: Whenever we have string beans and tofu on the vegan bar, can we please have some sort of sauce on the mixture? Whenever the tofu is simply fried in oil it is rather unappetizing- oily and flavorless.
A: Thanks for your comments, we ill review the recipe.

Q: Can I please have the recipe for Commons' typical mashed potatoes? They are always so good, I never need to add spices or butter.
A: We will add this to the menu offerings.

Q: It's been awesome to see grits added to the Bates menu this year. Will there be more hot cereals available in New Commons? I especially like oat bran, muesli, maltex, scottish oatmeal, corn meal mush, wheatena, penobscot porridge, and cheesy grits. Any or all of these would make me really pleased! I think it would be a good way to expand breakfast offerings.
A: We will be looking into this.

February 11, 2008

Q: After all my complaining about the online menu being wrong, the last few days have been correct. I'm so pleased that I can start believing the online menu again. Now I can procrastinate even more by going to the online menu because it will be a valuable use of my time. Thanks to whomever/whatever has made the menu be correct; it's very much appreciated! :o)
A: Thanks for noticing, We are doing the best we can to keep the on-line up .

Q: regular chocolate chip muffins, please, not banana or anything else, plain ol' choc. chip.
A: I'm so with you. I will make sure there are plain choco chip as well as banana.

February 10, 2008

Q: Please exclude the tofu from the broccoli with black bean sauce! It is much better without. But I thoroughly enjoyed the peking tofu, please serve that more often.
A: Thanks for hoy thoughtful comments.

Q: Last night the vegan bar contained FOUR different types of carbs (wheat pilaf, couscous, two types of rice)..and NOTHING else...even though mexican seitan was on the menu...as a vegan, I look to the vegan bar for options that a)aren't salad and b) aren't carbs...please work to make this not happen again!!
A: Thanks for bring this to my attention.

Q: Can we please have taco bar soon? maybe even two times in a row or twice in a week or something? I miss my tacos. thanks
A: There is a Taco bar on the menu for Tuesday.

February 7, 2008

Q: The grilled chicken pasta was glorious.
A: Thanks , glad you enjoyed it.

February 5, 2008

Q: There's been fish way to often recently. Heck we have 3 meals with fish today and tomorrow! Why is this? Are we just trying to clear our stores before new commons or something?
A: No we are not trying to clean out our stores we get deliveries five/six times a week and only have the capacity to store just about one days needs in our present facility. Yes there is fish on the next three meals, as well as chicken as well as a meat. The fish that you are referring to are three of our most popular one of which, the sole stuffed popper, is one of the 10 most popular entrees. I can see how one might think that the fish offerings are excessive, but if you look at the menu as a whole and not just what is being served on the main line you would see that there is a balanced offering of chicken, meat and fish as well as alternatives.

Q:Sherman told me he got in a bit of trouble for the adventures in dining napkin. I wrote it, not him. It was supposed to be a joke.
A: We thought it was a joke as well- must be pulling your leg about getting in trouble- and thought it was a wonderful idea to do an adventure about him.

February 6, 2008

Q: This wasn't on the menu, but I am so impressed with the responses from previous napkin board questions that I thought there's no better expert to ask...Do you think it's impossible to put spaghetti inside of a calzone? Also, the Pizza Station is my favorite station on earth. I hope it still exists in new Commons!
A: Interesting concept. Let me see what we can do with this one. If the pizza station is your favorite place on earth, then I hope what we are planning for the new facility makes it your favorite place in the universe.

February 4, 2008

Q: I was DEVASTATED to get to lunch at 12:45 the other day and find that the vegan cookies had already run out!! Very unacceptable! :( More vegan desserts please!
A: As was I. We have upped the par on this item to avoid this tragedy again.

Q: The vegan yam and carrot casserole was awesome! I hardly ever see it in Commons. Could we please see it more often?
A: It is a new item we are trying and yes you can see it again.

Q: The vegan cooler was under-stocked when I went to lunch at 1:30 today. Also, where has the almond butter gone? Thanks.
A: We were out of many items, but this has been corrected.

Q: Hi, I'm Catholic and my faith requires me eat pancakes on Mardi Gras. (Not really, but it would be really cool to have pancakes for dinner tomorrow, February 5.) Thanks!
A: Perhaps next year.

February 1, 2008

Q: Did you get my ques. about soy yogurt. Is it just that you run out sometimes of the product?
A: We have been having trouble getting this product , but it should be in today.