The Eldest's contract in Arkansas ended early so she came home for a visit. We went for dinner at the La Cantina Italiana in Framingham where the waitstaff includes
robots. The robots assist the human waitstaff. This robot at the hostess station shows the patrons to their table while listing the daily specials.
The La Cantina Italian restaurant is a comfortable, family style restaurant that has been around forever. In my teens and early twenties, this was a place to go out with friends. A lot has changed since those days.
This is Stella. She played a tarantella while she brought me
a white Zinfandel from the bar. The first time I heard the tune, I had to check my phone as the tarantella is the ringtone I use for my Cousin M.
For appetizers, we had stuffed mushrooms and
shrimp cocktail. I was so busy eating and enjoying the Eldest's company, I forgot to take pictures of the food before it was devoured.
I had a salad and some delicious Italian bread
and for my entrée, my favorite, Linguini a la Vongola (linguini and clams in a red sauce)
Bella delivered drinks to another table. An article from the local newspaper, The MetroWest Daily News explains how the robots free up the human waitstaff to wait on customers, make the dining room more efficient, and add some fun for the customer.
Another robot delivered a birthday cake to another table and played the Happy Birthday song while the human waitstaff sang along.
Once in a while the robots develop a problem
Poor Francesca got confused as to which table to deliver
the slice of Limoncello cake I had for dessert. Apologies for the crumbs as I was too busy eating and talking to the Eldest.
Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.
How fantastic that must have been to see CJ. Especially if you have never experienced it like i haven't.. I suppose as long as the robots are not replacing any waitstaff its a cool idea if they are just 'helping'. Happy T day! Hugs! deb
ReplyDeleteThe robots free up the human waitstaff to wait on customers. Instead of the waiter having to go to the bar to get your drink, he gets to wait on other customers while the robot fetches the beverages. While the robot brings your drink or dessert to the table, the human waiter removes it from the robot tray and serves the food at the table.
DeleteWhat a fun place you went to! I am often too greedy to take pics of the food - that's life! Glad you had such a fun time out! Valerie
ReplyDeleteSometimes it's hard to remember to take a picture first before eating the food. 😺
DeleteWe have those robots here too! At first there was an uproar that they would take away jobs from humans but the waitstaff disagrees and loves them! Glad you're getting time with the Eldest before her next assignment! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI’m glad too, as it’s been fun having her around. - CJ
DeleteImpressive that a very old and old-style Italian restaurant is on the cutting edge when it comes to robotic table service!
ReplyDeletebest, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Since the restaurant isn’t in the area where there are a lot of restaurants, they have to do something different to bring people in. - CJ
DeleteHmmm very interesting place. The food looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteClassic Italian food like you would get at your Italian grandma’s house
DeleteThey must be incredibly busy if they have to include the robots. I think it is a charming and clever idea, though. It was fun seeing everything you had to eat and drink at La Cantina Italiana in Framingham. I love good Italian, too. Thanks for sharing both food and drink with us for T this Tuesday, dear CJ. Loved the cat faces.
ReplyDeleteLa Cantina has been a popular place to eat in the area. Now new generations of patrons are enjoying it. Especially with the adorable cat robots. CJ
DeleteWhat fun! Though, I'm afraid the robot would freak me out:)
ReplyDeleteNo, they really are quite cute with their happy tune and animated faces
DeleteI shouldn't be reading this right now because your food photos are making me very very hungry. But, the robot is very interesting. I can't say I've seen that before. My doctor's office did have a non-mobil robot who took your temperature and checked you in during covid, but I haven't seen one who could lead you to your table. Hope it was a good T day and not really wet.
ReplyDeleteEarly morning thunderstorms that shook us out of bed. A few sprinkles later on, but no heavy rains.
DeleteOK I worry that robots might take over the planet but if they all have cute cat faces then maybe it wouldn't be so bad lol. Happy T Day Elle/EOTC xx
ReplyDeleteRobots with cute cat faces. I'd be completely under their spell
DeleteI have never heard of a robot working at a restaurant. How interesting. It sounds like you had a great time with your oldest. Happy T Day.
ReplyDeleteWe've been enjoying her visit
DeleteHow fun is that! I totally want to go there! The food and drink look wonderful too and how fun to have your daughter home too. Happy T-day, CJ. Hugz
ReplyDeleteGood food and a fun place. Having the Eldest with us was the icing on the cake
DeleteFood looks and sounds delicious. I do not like the auto-AI service. People need jobs.
ReplyDeleteThe robots are not AI. They do not "learn". They are computers and are programmed by the staff. They are programmed with the layout and table arrangement of the restaurant, answer to a call signal to retrieve drinks, salads, desserts, They have a function so they don't bump into things. The restaurant has a complete human waitstaff. No jobs have been lost. The robots free up the waiters so they can give diners a personal dining experience. There is less time for diners to wait for drinks, salads, and desserts. Human waiters remove the food from the robot tray and serve the diners. It was a fun experience.
DeleteWow, what a fun experience! And so cute with cat faces, too.
ReplyDeleteAnd they sing, how FUN is that.
Also don´t worry about not taking pics, a good conversation is more important :-)
And good food, of course - happy belated T-Day!
The robots are very cute. The singing was fun the first 100 times. When you leave the restaurant you go home with an ear worm. 😺
DeleteFood looks delicious. I like these robots. I've encountered robots in some restaurants in Singapore too. A good and fun sight for children too as they like to see the robots who servs food.
ReplyDeleteLittle children and us big kids, too, enjoyed the robots serving food.
Delete