I am going into a management meeting today, grateful for such success we have achieved together yet hauntingly-dissatisfied by knowing we can be so much better! “Get better everyday” is one of our many mottos and goals. “It’s never good enough”, as both a truism and a lie. Welcome to my world. I am not sure where/how I am “blessed” with the ethic, or fear, or curse. (Does it need to be labeled? I love the dude who said recently, “A.D.H.D. is a gift. Use it” …Or something like that!)
I had the nicest server this week..so pleasant. Z was timely, and present. Yet, so many mistakes were made. I don’t even care that z splashed water on me! 🙂 But, know how to pronounce the specials. Know the ingredients. Don’t forget something that was ordered. See the dirt on the floor. See the dust on the lamps. See the lights too bright. This was in my own restaurant.
I may have been upset, but it immediately reminded me of my overnight in Boston last week–and visits to two very reputable, very successful restaurants. At the 1st, for dinner, the wait time was quoted wrong by nearly 100%. (Thank you for the complimentary appetizers! The croquettes were the best ever!) Then, we had to ask for water re fills every time, and they continued throughout, to leave empty glasses and dirty plates on the table. TWICE management stopped over–very friendly, very affable–but never noticed the messy table or directed staff. It actually made me wonder if messy tables was something they were going for–you know, like, the “atmosphere” of messy. The next morning, brunch, at a different location, more mess! No coffee ready, brought coffee instead of tea, didn’t supply sugar, messed up the other diners order, forgot the water after request, had to go back to the kitchen for cream (did I mention it was brunch?) And, the whole time this server was showing his inexperience, and over his head with preparation and service, the manager was only feet away chatting constantly with the charming, had-his-shit-together veteran waiter, who showed her how it takes exactly 6 twists to remove the wire and wrap from the top of a champagne bottle. HELP!!!! She should have been present enough to notice, he should have been confident enough to ask. You see my dilemma?
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