rather than throwing your sponges away when they get dirty, if you look after your cleaning equipment properly, your sponges and cloths can last for weeks. we needed something simple and rough. i reluctantly gave into all this, and gave them more of a smudge than a good thumbprint. the food has always been exceptional along with service. i never really made that connection before, but it definitely seems like something of a trend around this time. it was just that i was at the wrong place at the wrong time a few years back. i voted for me against my will. 