Dining & Entertainment

RESTAURANT ETIQUETTE 101 PART 2 THE STRUGGLES OF A SERVER

     " The Challenges A Waiter Or Waitress Will Encounter During Their Shift."

December 13, 2022, 8:51 A.M. ET By Richard Webb: Englebrook Independent News,

MANHATTAN, NY.- Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen. I hope now a good amount of readers of my last piece have a better understanding of how some guests behave. The last piece was just one interaction many of us face in the Hospitality Industry. No matter what role you may play in a restaurant or what area you are working in, we interact with HUNDREDS of guests each day on multiple floors in the building. From Private Rooms, The Bar & Lounge Area, The Main Dining Room, Outside Patio Area, Food Deliveries & Pickup Orders. Off-Site Catering Events will also impact the Kitchen, but no excuses right ?

     Now, you are being brought to your table. Oh, you don't want that table ? "Can we have that other table over there ?" Oh, the table next to the window with the stellar view of 80 Parked Cars ? Absolutely. We would love for you to have the ability to keep an eye on your dusty Buick, outside. 

     Now, that you have the menus in front of you, most of us would think that everything from here on should be smooth sailing right ? Please take the Kung Fu grip off your phone and act like you are really going to enjoy the dining experience with your friends and family. Minimize the conversation at this point as well. The smarter move would have been for you and your guests to read through the menu, or at least view it online with your phone while you waited the 45-minutes for your table. I completely understand, that all of the Social Media Platforms are way more important than being prepared to order your food and beverages when the server greets you.

      The guests at the next table made a reservation and are stress free. They are taking their time to browse through the menu. Three out of the four of the guests in your group are still trying to figure out why you failed to make a reservation on a Friday night at 6:30 p.m. You had an opportunity to relax in the Bar Area and have a beverage and a couple of appetizers, but you forwent that option. 

     Significant tension, and now your server arrives to help continue your dining experience. 

     " Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen, my name is Richard and I will be taking care of you tonight. Just to, "can we get some bread?" Oh, ok, I guess you would not like to hear about the soups of the day or any specials that the Culinary Team has spent time on preparing for tonight. Quick question, would you be interrupting me so fast if the bread cost extra? Sure, I will get you some free bread right after I get your drink order. 

     "Would you like to start off with a glass of wine or a cocktail from the bar?" "Yes, can we please have a pitcher of Red Sangria, but can we get Pinot Noir instead of Cabernet ?" Sure, as long as you want to forego the amazing receipt that we have in place, and are comfortable with fresh fruit vs. the fruit that has been marinating for at least 36-hours. Cool. got it. "Can we get it without ice?" Definitely. You would also like a Pina Colada too? Ok. and you would like a glass of wine. Got it. Would you like to order any of the great appetizers, soup or salad to share for the table? "No." Ok, I will go get your beverages while you decide on your entrees. 

     As I return with your drinks, and before I can even place them on the table, you immediately ask, " Why is the pitcher of Sangria not filled to the top?" Once again you are reaching . Did you really feel by asking for no ice, that you were going to receive more liquor in return? That is a wild idea and bordering on dumb. Drink recipes are not made by accident. " I don't taste any liquor in my Pina Colada." Once again, recipes are in place for a reason. A Pina Colada is meant to be a well balanced and blended drink. You are more than welcome to add a shot of rum or any other liquor you would like for your Pina Colada. No, that's ok I fully understand you came out to a nice dining restaurant with short pockets. That's fine. I just need you to understand that you will never get the same strength of a drink at a Restaurant or Bar, that you make at home for yourself. I personally make drinks heavier at home as well, but in no way, shape or form would I expect to achieve the same goal at a nice establishment with minimal money in my Wallet of Bank Account. 

     " My glass of wine seems short." I apologize, but every pour is 6oz. This is not the Dive Bar that is next to your apartment. 

     You are ready to order. Great. " What would you like to order, Sir?" I will take the Filet Mignon Medium Rare Plus." That sounds awesome, but if I enter a memo on the computer that says Medium Rare Plus, I immediately have to field a conversation with the Chef in regards to my ridiculous request.  Nobody knows what your weird idea is of Medium Rare Plus. We will err on the side of Medium Rare and then anticipate you needing it cooked more. This will immediately impact the dining experience with your guests negatively, who will most likely be paying the bill.

     Next. Oh, you said you always like to create your own salad ? That sounds great in theory, but the kitchen is seriously impacted right now, because it is 7:10 p.m., on a Friday night. Two Omissions and Two Additions is the most I can help you with if you would like to have your meal arrive in a timely fashion.

     Now, nobody is eating because they don't want to be rude and enjoy their food while it is hot and waiting for us to put your Steak back on the grill for two minutes and thirty seconds to achieve the temperature that you created and patented in your mind apparently. Your guests are respectful, a seriously selfish move on your part. 

     It gets better, now we have to reheat three meals or make three new meals depending on the circumstances. We are trying from entrance to exit to please you in every aspect of your dining experience, but you are making it significantly more difficult to accomplish that task. Finally, now that everyone is eating and enjoying their food, we should be halfway to the goal. " My Tacos are Cold." I apologize for that. There is no way that it has anything to do with the Beef, Chicken, Fish, or Steak being at the perfect temperature of 141 Degrees or a little higher and every other topping that needs to be added to a Taco needs to be held at a temperature of 40 Degrees or slightly lower to be safe according to The Department of Health Standards, right ? Great, any other questions ? " I didn't ask for onions on my Cheeseburger. I completely understand. Did you even attempt to read through the Menu Description, or did you just order blind ?

     You most likely have dined out at other restaurants, right ? A seriously weird concept would be that you feel that every restaurant has the same recipes. I know this might be hard to wrap your head around. Are you allergic to onions and choose not to tell us ? No, ok, would you like us to make you a new Cheeseburger or would you like to be a normal person and just remove the complete premise that it was nobody's fault but your own ? Ok, we will hold everyone's meal up once again, so that we can try to please you.

     No problem, I will get you some more free bread, while you and your guests wait for your mistakes to be corrected. Yes, it is free. Now that everyone is finally enjoying their meals, Awesome. A Quick note to self, we are already planning on moving the reservation for your tables future time slot, considering that there have been so many intricacies with you and your guest's order. Is everyone still enjoying their entrees or would you like to wrap anything up to save room for some coffee or dessert.

     Great now you are expressing that the coffee is not hot enough. Did you possibly consider that the coffee is not hot enough, because the actual issue is that your whole mouth piece is plastic and you lost the ability to gauge the temperature of any hot food or beverage years ago. Weird concept, right. 

     We have some Delicious Dessert Options for you and your guests. Perfect, you would like to order One Dessert for four quests ? The Couple across the table from you do not want to share one dessert with you and your significant other, they don't want to force the issue because you are known to have Alligator Arms when the bill is placed on the table. 

     Smooth move, they are going to look you in the face and act like it was a great dining experience, and talk derogatory about you on the car ride home. The Bill is on the way, Stay Tuned.

FILED UNDER DECEMBER 13, 2022: DINING & ENTERTAINMENT: