Tech Tables

I have a lot to write about…I never really knew how often culture and Bostonian influence touches my life daily, (even in my voice, apparently, when some of my boyfriend’s relatives declared that I had the cutest Boston accent) until I really opened my eyes for blog material.  Basically what we’re looking at now is endless material and squelched time in between jobs at work. 

I know I promised to write about the Dodo’s and all that, but in a stolen minute between re-imaging computers, I feel compelled to write about something interesting I stumbled across yesterday. 

So I’m already a big fan of Uno’s (on mall property, but in its own building, right next to the Dave and Buster’s-to-be, or the old Circuit City for longtime Braintreers).  Some draws: an awesome bottomless soup and ½ special on certain days, and it’s a common spot for fundraising groups to hold bank nights in which a portion of each bill goes to the organization holding the event.  Plus, consistent food and good atmosphere are always good things, and although I can’t drink, I would imagine the bar area would be a nice place to chill and maybe watch a Pat’s game.

Yesterday the beau was down for another visit (he’s a New Hampshire native) and we bopped ideas back and forth for a cheap but nice place for lunch.  We nearly landed on Café Asiana (my personal favorite in Braintree but my man isn’t big on Chinese and Thai food) and Camponellis’ (not sure if they are even open for lunch) but we for some reason just landed Uno’s.  We’ve been there before, and sometimes, you just gotta stick to what you know.

As always we were greeted warmly at the door with somebody holding the door open for us, but we were in for a little surprise at our table: a micro computer, which almost looked like a tiny GPS propped on a little metal stand.  Some features: a tiny light on top and a credit card swipe on the side.  There was one at every table, but to be honest, when you are seated in one of Uno’s mini-booths with an equally mini table, it takes up a deal of room.  I can’t for the life of me remember what it was called…something along the lines of a Zenith or Zenio, but after our waitress took our drink orders and briefly explained how to work it (touch screen, stylus), we both dove right in.  (It’s worth mentioning here that my boyfriend and I are more than a bit nerdy…he’s a computer engineering major and I currently am an summer intern at Academy Technology Services at Milton Academy, and we both work IT at Stonehill. Many people at Uno’s left their little lunch computer untouched during their meal, but we’re both a little tech-inclined).

It was a cool little thing, with a number of little tabs at the bottom to flip through.  The first I believe was just basically a specials menu…new menu items, about Uno’s and their foods, basic things.  There was a tab for “drink re-order”, which apparently makes your little computer light (a tiny fixture on top) light up red so the waitress knows you need another round.  We sadly found out this only works for alcohol though, bummer.  We did however, order a dessert under the aptly named “Order a Dessert” tab, with which you can pick a dessert and modify it (add whipped cream, add chocolate syrup, ect) and send it to your table.  Sweet!  In the meantime, you can play some little games (memory, trivia), sign up for Uno’s rewards, or even watch movie trailers and…my favorite feature…buy movie tickets.  With the AMC just a brief drive or even walk from the Uno’s, the date planning portion of my brain hummed.  What a great idea.  You can also call the waitress to the table for whatever reason, and pay the bill yourself with the card swipe (although the waitress did give us the option to do it the old fashioned way).

However, the beau and I did recognize the inevitable drawback…this new little gadget could possibly cut down communication lines between restaurant goers.  Why chat and bond when you could tap your little screen with a mini pen?  I can see how Uno’s is trying to be innovative and even provide a way to break the ice on an awkward first date, but there may have to be a line drawn as to where the tech invasion becomes too much.  Should we allow little computers at our tables, or cast the tech aside for old fashioned quality time?  It could go either way.  I’m still undecided.  Let me know what you think.

More to come!