At least one high-profile Las Vegas restaurant has picked up on the trend, started in Europe, which uses video to keep track of diners' progress.

Chef Charlie Palmer of Aureole at Mandalay Bay told The New York Times he has 16 cameras in his dining room, most of them
equipped with zoom lenses.

On occasion, Palmer said, the cameras monitor more than intended.

Gleaned from the LVRJ, March 5, 2000.

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Wondering here, does this bother anyone? Would you eat in a restaurant where you knew they had cameras equipped with zoom lenses? Very interesting new trend, I think.


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gail@talkvegas.com
Moderator, TalkVegas After Hours
Administrator, TalkVegas BB

Gail,
It would bother me. So much so that I don't think I would want to eat at Aureole. I guess that sounds silly since I spend all of that time in the casino where there are cameras all over the place, but somehow that is different to me. First I know the cameras in the casino are there and they serve a purpose. They protect the casino's interests and they also protect the customers. A lot of money is changing hands and it's nice to know if someone grabbed my purse or someone's chips at a table, it has been caught on video tape. I don't see what purpose cameras in a restaurant serve. They say it is to track diners' progress. Hello, have they ever heard of a server? The server can't see when the people are finished eating, or are in need of a drink refill, etc.? Especially cameras with zoom lenses. I just don't buy it. I know there are cameras all over the place, even spy satellites that can see details from miles away, but this still seems different to me. Auerole gets a big thumbs down from me on this one. [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/frown.gif[/img]

Lee Ann
Past, Present and Future Forum Moderator
leeann@talkvegas.com

I agree totally with LeeAnn. I'll never dine at Aureole's now knowing this.

To me it's not a big deal. It's a good thing since I have dinner reservations there! I am very glad that Gail posted this though, so thanks, Gail, for the warning.

V,why not waive at the camera and smile while you are having dinner? That ought to bring a response<G>

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John
Moderator Dining Forum
john@talkvegas.com

John, I agree with V. it's no big deal and it could be fun. Cue cards, costumes, schemes, and assorted other entertainment opportunities.

For those unfamiliar with Aureole's, it is a pretty unique place where a few cameras aren't the strangest things going on.

JMT,

I can just see you and John coming up with a plan to get thrown out of another Las Vegas restaurant! [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

jm

John: I already thought of waving!

Oh, I'd wave something at them.....!
I think that attentive service is part of the waiters job, not some geek in a room watching a bunch on monitors. It's just one more way they are slowly taking out personel service, then trying to repackage it as, "it better for the customer".

Just like when they make something out of plastic and extol the virtues that it won't rust.....yeah, it won't rust, but it's also a heck of a lot cheaper to make....then they charge you double.


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Lee-PA
Moderator, What's New Forum
lee@talkvegas.com

Jeff, it has been a while since JMT and I were removed from a Las Vegas restaurant. Maybe it's time to get "creative" and see what we come up with. Not since the fruit hats at the Rio have we made a spectical of ourselves<G>

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John
Moderator Dining Forum
john@talkvegas.com

The main purpose of the cameras is not to look for pilfered silverware, but to see exactly where the diners are in the progress of eating the meal. I don't think I'd worry about it at all unless there were microphones hidden underneath the tablecloth!

Being in Las Vegas, we all know that there are cameras almost everywhere. But re: dining service, I still prefer the "old fashioned" way with NO cameras <g>.

I'm always weary as to what the real reason is for what these big wheels do. If I were to guess it is so the management can cut down on wait staff and save payroll.

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gail@talkvegas.com
Moderator, TalkVegas After Hours
Administrator, TalkVegas BB

Wave! Heck, I'd do more than wave.

I can sing and I can dance and I'd probably do that and a lot more if someone had a camera on me in a fine restaurant without my permission.

On the other hand, I don't even think a thing of it in the casino except when I lose a winning hand, then I usually do something most objectionable in the direction of the closest eye in the sky.

On one occasion at Stupak's old Vegas World, I had a few drinks and about $600 in "Stupak's Funny Money" which I was spreading all around the roulette table in an effort to get rid of it or win big and get out of the place to meet a flight.

I had little stacks of chips all over the board and the dealer says. "Sir! You forgot number 9!"

I just said, "Forget it!"

Sure enough number 9 came up!

I really had a visual conversation with that eye in that sky that night.

But I did make it to the airport on time!

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will800