The week in ideas, May 4, 2012

Healthcare relief for low-income and illegal restaurant workers in L.A. A Texas restaurant that would rather get a tip than an award for hospitality. And Week In Ideas visits once again with Mary Jane (wink, wink… cough cough cough).

Idea #1: Healthcare for illegal restaurant workers. A unique—possibly first of its kind—partnership between a restaurant workers’ group and an L.A. community clinic is offering low-cost healthcare to illegal immigrant restaurant employees. Legal immigrant and low-income restaurant workers who can’t afford healthcare are eligible as well. The Restaurant Opportunities Center’s local L.A. branch and the St. John's Well Child and Family Center are the organizers. Workers pay $25 a month and receive preventive and primary care.

Idea #2: Hold your customers hostage. This is a beaut! A group of diners goes out to La Fisherman in Houston, Texas, for an evening out. According to one of the diners, Jasmine Marks, the service was really bad: rude, inattentive, some dishes didn’t show up. When the check arrived, it had a 17 percent gratuity added, because the group had more than five people. Marks complained, said they didn’t intend to pay the 17 percent tip. What did the restaurant do? They called the cops and locked the group inside. Can’t say that qualifies as “hospitality,” folks.

Idea #3: Marijuana on the menu. I believe we have a trend on our hands! A couple weeks ago we showed you High Times new marijuana cookbook. There are also a growing number of marijuana-laced wines. And now, a restaurant in Ashland, Oregon, has introduced its cannabis-infused Mongolian barbecue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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