Although our restaurant business is exciting in it’s “everyday is different” reality, that often translates to a new product, a new staff challenge, a new customer request…things that cannot be found “in the book”. That’s why we say, “The customer is always right”. That covers the bases, when an intoxicated, ill mannered guest confronts a new manager, with a claim that the perfectly prepared medium steak is overcooked and his steamed broccoli is too soft, but the rest of the party is spending a lot of money and the chapter on overcooked steaks doesn’t cross reference ill mannered and soft broccoli, we go with rule #1. The customer is always right.
Then, every once in awhile, we get a really, truly, never heard that one before. Like today. A cook applicant, rushing to the interview, due to traffic, got into an accident. With the police at the scene, the applicant called to ask if it was ok if he was running a little late. In fact, he showed up, smashed car and all, only 20 minutes late and ready to grill or be grilled. Gotta hire this guy, right? (Rule #202?)
In the same day, another first…
A woman walks up to the bar and tells the bartender;
“I just ordered this wine, but it’s not even filled up half way”
Bartender Replies, with an understanding smile;
“That is an industry standard 6 oz wine pour, but in that 18 oz glass it looks small”
The woman continues to look at the bartender, somewhat expressionless, with no response.
After a couple of seconds the bartender asks;
“Would you like me to put that in another glass perhaps”?
To which the woman says yes.
The bartender then goes into the back room, pours the 6 oz of wine into an 8 oz function wine glass and returns the much fuller appearing wine glass to the woman, who says….
“Thank you very much” and returns to her table. (Seriously. I don’t make this shit up!)
And, another satisfied customer!! (which, truly, is our goal!)
Here’s the something old; A lady walked in the front door today, holding a certificate that proclaimed that Moonstones was voted best Fine Dining in Chelmsford. Good for us!! I asked; “How much will it cost to have it run in the local paper”? Bingo! Nothing like paying for your awards. Sort of takes the thrill out of things. FYI, they have a “Best Seafood Restaurant”, “Best Ethnic Restaurant”, “Best Pizza Place”, “Best Pizza Pub”, “The Best Italian”, “The Best Spanish Cafe that once was Skips”…you get the picture? It’s like youth sports in the 21st century…Everybody gets a trophy!!
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