But if you don't like the food he might get a smaller tip and the chef is not listening to his recommendation. If the waiter mentions the scallops without you

But if you don't like the food he might get a smaller tip and the chef is not listening to his recommendation. If the waiter mentions the scallops without you asking he is probably being told to push them. Then if you ask for his recommendation and he mentions the scallops again, just ask him to recommend something other than the scallops. I don't actually do this myself, but I've had enough bad experiences with restaurant food that I am considering it.