🚀 go-pugleaf

  HW> From: wiley@faxcsl.dcrt.nih.gov (Harvey W. Wiley)

  HW> Which brings up an interesting - and I'm sure controversial - topic:
  HW> what should one do in response to such an experience? Tip less? Ask to
  HW> speak with the manager/maitre'd/owner and let them know? Never go
  HW> back? Give it "just one more try"? Write a letter (a) to the
  HW> management (b) to the Post (c) to Food & Whine (d) to dc.dining?

Complain to the management, either in person or with a quick letter soon after
the event.  If there were extenuating circumstances, they'll remember them and
know they have to handle those conditions better in the future.  If there
weren't, they can grill the people responsible and forcibly fix the problem. 
If management doesn't know about the problem (and most often, a waiter will not
tell them!), they can't apply their resources to fix it.