NYC Restaurants Paving the Way for Time-Limit Rules on Diners?

On the MSN online column Bites Today, the columnist posed this question:  

"What's more annoying at a restaurant, waiting desperately for a table as diners take their sweet time finishing up, or missing out on your last bite as hurried waiters yank away your plate?"

Apparently NYC diners prefer the latter. Time limits on dining is making headway in NYC restaurants, even in the most upscale ones. The New York Post reports:

"Table time limits — whether openly acknowledged or gingerly hinted at — are becoming de rigueur for popular eateries packed with voracious eaters vying for seats. But what’s shocking foodies all over town is that 60 percent of diners now support such time limits during peak hours, according to a nationwide poll by Zagat."

What do you think of time limits on dining? Will this trend be likely to take hold in D.C.?

Food News

Restaurant calorie labels aren't changing diner's eating habits.Federal regulators are finalizing plans to require chain restaurants to carry calorie labeling on their menus. This is part of a national effort to to fight obesity by guiding diners to make healthier eating options. However, a new study shows that the labels are not changing people's dining out habits. Researchers theorize that dining out is seen as a treat, which is why people choose to ignore nutrition in favor of their comfort foods.
What do you think of calorie labels in restaurant menus?

Flooding dampens Mississippi oyster season.An article in the Washington Post reported that due to the flooding of the Mississippi river, the state's oyster season is in doubt. Oysters are dying because freshwater from the river is threatening the oysters' saltwater habitat. State officials suggest that canceling or restricting the October to April harvest will give the oysters a chance to recover.
Although we love to eat oysters and all types of seafood, sometimes it's crucial to be aware of news about our food sources. By making informed choices, we can help to prevent future problems with our seafood supplies.