>> It wasn't tacky. It was smart. It could fit in a pocket or purse and
>> would vibrate and blink if left on the bar, table, etc. It did away with
>> broadcasting "Jones, party of 4, your table is ready. Jones, party of
>> four." over the speaker system and annoying patrons already seated who
>> could care less about the Jones party.
>>
>> They did everything they could to NOT inject noise into the experience.
>>
>> Here's their website. http://www.ironhillbrewery.com/media/ Get back to
>> me if you still think it's an upscale burger jointt!
>>
>> Best,
>>
>> Andy

Sometimes, people, for one reason or another don't want their name broadcast
all over the place. Working in Las Vegas, I was standing next to a couple
who were waiting for their car.

Man to woman: "Hey, there's Fred Flintstone over there in the cab line."
Woman to man: "Omigawd, that's not Wilma with him, that's his secretary."

I have an unpronounceable last name. It's aggravating enough just to have
the hostess write it down correctly, let alone say it right. So, I just use
Steve. And then, they're ADHD, as they usually call us in less than five
minutes, and we're standing there, never having left their sight. I guess
that's why they're hostessing and not taking orders or some other job where
you have to remember anything for more than five minutes.

And they turn those PA systems up loud on purpose. And don't get me started
on that screaming popular today music that sounds like one three foot loop
run continuously through an 8 track player at loud volumes.

I have hearing aids, and like to hear the conversation, not some dumb rock
garage band. Easy music, classical, instrumentals, even MUZAK is fine. The
music is there as a background, not an 800 # gorilla on your table.

For anyone who cares or who is looking for ideas in their future restaurant.

Steve

visit my blog at http://cabgbypasssurgery.com

Steve wrote on Sat, 31 Jul 2010 10:35:00 -0700:


>>> It wasn't tacky. It was smart. It could fit in a pocket or
>>> purse and would vibrate and blink if left on the bar, table,
>>> etc. It did away with broadcasting "Jones, party of 4, your table is
>>> ready. Jones, party of four." over the speaker
>>> system and annoying patrons already seated who could care
>>> less about the Jones party.
>>>
>>> They did everything they could to NOT inject noise into the
>>> experience.
>>>
>>> Here's their website. http://www.ironhillbrewery.com/media/ Get back
>>> to
>>> me if you still think it's an upscale burger jointt!
>>>
>>> Best,
>>>
>>> Andy

> Sometimes, people, for one reason or another don't want their name
> broadcast all over the place. Working in Las Vegas, I
> was standing next to a couple who were waiting for their car.

> Man to woman: "Hey, there's Fred Flintstone over there in the cab
> line." Woman to man: "Omigawd, that's not Wilma with him, that's
> his secretary."

> I have an unpronounceable last name. It's aggravating enough just to
> have the hostess write it down correctly, let alone
> say it right. So, I just use Steve. And then, they're ADHD, as they
> usually call us in less than five minutes, and we're
> standing there, never having left their sight. I guess that's
> why they're hostessing and not taking orders or some other job
> where you have to remember anything for more than five
> minutes.

> And they turn those PA systems up loud on purpose. And don't get me
> started on that screaming popular today music that
> sounds like one three foot loop run continuously through an 8 track
> player at loud volumes.

> I have hearing aids, and like to hear the conversation, not
> some dumb rock garage band. Easy music, classical,
> instrumentals, even MUZAK is fine. The music is there as a
> background, not an 800 # gorilla on your table.

> For anyone who cares or who is looking for ideas in their
> future restaurant.

I am reminded of a story where someone suggested an announcement as
follows:

"Donner party of six", then "Donner party of five" and then "Donner
party of four".



--

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

Email, with obvious alterations: not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not

In article >,
James Silverton > wrote:

>I am reminded of a story where someone suggested an announcement as
>follows:
>
>"Donner party of six", then "Donner party of five" and then "Donner
>party of four".

I am told that a lot of people waiting for tables in Truckee (near Donner
Pass) use "Donner" as a call name.

One hostess quipped, "Well, I guess you won't need the menu, then."

Charlotte
--

I think pride is contagious in a restaurant. The owner down to the bus boys are hard-working proud people in my favorite places. The problem is that some chefs/owners seem to be unable to swallow some pride when their big idea doesn't work out.

Pride

Flexibility

Humility with confidence

Appearance (I hate slovenly waitstaff:look sharp/work sharp)

I agree with the folks' comments on music. I hate that loud crap. I've got headphones at home. I'm out with friends/family I would like to have some banter with people who came for the same.

Little things. Give me crappy bread and I'm not expecting much from the kitchen. Again pride leads to good appearance and mental sharpness from the workers. Cleanliness, customer enjoyment and the little things are EVERYONE's job.

I don't envy you. I wouldn't know where to start. Just commenting on things I've observed.

"Gorio" > wrote in message
...
>
> I think pride is contagious in a restaurant. The owner down to the bus
> boys are hard-working proud people in my favorite places. The problem is
> that some chefs/owners seem to be unable to swallow some pride when
> there big idea doesn't work out.
>

> Gorio

The world is full of people who can't cook as well as they think they can.

Just look around.

Steve

visit my blog at http://cabgbypasssurgery.com

Gorio wrote:

> Little things. Give me crappy bread and I'm not expecting much from the
> kitchen.

You probably didn't mean that as sweepingly as it came out: Crappy white
bread is the standard with barbecue, and some amazingly good barbecue can be
had with it.

Bob

Right you are. The best BBQ places do give you those two pieces of ghetto white bread, it's tradition and does accompany that outside shoulder dinner with mixed sauce perfectly.

If there's bread at the table, though, I think it reflects on the focus on quality.

What gets me is when I try a new place and they can't even make eggs right, or can't bake a stinkin' chicken. Why ya in bizniss?

Generally, though, I go out for things I can't make at home. I'm not buying a whole prime rib for my family of four. I go out for that; something my daughter and I have in common. Rack of lamb is another for which I will go out.

I've waited to be seated and NOT been disappointed many times. Chalkboard, no chalkboard, I could give a rip. Good food and service and you can write my name on it as a satisfied customer.

Making people happy is not just a job. The staff has to enjoy making people happy. I don't care if it's pizza, ribs or escargot; gotta have folks that enjoy making people happy.

On Sun, 1 Aug 2010 13:08:09 +0000, Gorio wrote:
>
> Making people happy is not just a job. The staff has to enjoy making
> people happy. I don't care if it's pizza, ribs or escargot; gotta have
> folks that enjoy making people happy.

there's a lot to be said for that.

your pal,
blake

"Bob Terwilliger" > wrote in message
...
> Gorio wrote:
>
>> Little things. Give me crappy bread and I'm not expecting much from the
>> kitchen.
>
> You probably didn't mean that as sweepingly as it came out: Crappy white
> bread is the standard with barbecue, and some amazingly good barbecue can
> be had with it.
>
> Bob
>
>

True, but that is about the only exception. Give me crappy bread in an
Italian restaurant and the rest of the meal is probably the same. If it is
in a place like Providence, it won't survive very long either.

On Jul 31, 3:49*pm, Gorio > wrote:
> I think pride is contagious in a restaurant. The owner down to the bus
> boys are hard-working proud people in my favorite places. The problem is
> that some chefs/owners seem to be unable to swallow some pride when
> there big idea doesn't work out.
>
> Pride
>
> Flexibility
>
> Humility with confidence
>
> Appearance (I hate slovenly waitstaff:look sharp/work sharp)
>
> I agree with the folks' comments on music. I hate that loud crap. I've
> got headphones at home. I'm out with friends/family I would like to have
> some banter with people who came for the same.
>
> Little things. Give me crappy bread and I'm not expecting much from the
> kitchen. Again pride leads to good appearance and mental sharpness from
> the workers. Cleanliness, customer enjoyment and the little things are
> EVERYONE's job.
>
> I don't envy you. I wouldn't know where to start. Just commenting on
> things I've observed.
>
> --
> Gorio

Thank you. I agree that an 'ownership' mindset of everyone in the
restaurant is critical. If people don't have
'ownership' of what they do, it shows up in everything.

On Sat, 31 Jul 2010 19:51:00 +0000 (UTC), Charlotte L. Blackmer wrote:

> In article >,
> James Silverton > wrote:
>
>>I am reminded of a story where someone suggested an announcement as
>>follows:
>>
>>"Donner party of six", then "Donner party of five" and then "Donner
>>party of four".
>
> I am told that a lot of people waiting for tables in Truckee (near Donner
> Pass) use "Donner" as a call name.
>
> One hostess quipped, "Well, I guess you won't need the menu, then."
>
> Charlotte

<snort>

your pal,
blake

On Sat, 31 Jul 2010 14:10:23 -0400, James Silverton wrote:

>>>> It wasn't tacky. It was smart. It could fit in a pocket or
>>>> purse and would vibrate and blink if left on the bar, table,
>>>> etc. It did away with broadcasting "Jones, party of 4, your table is
>>>> ready. Jones, party of four." over the speaker
>>>> system and annoying patrons already seated who could care
>>>> less about the Jones party.
>
> I am reminded of a story where someone suggested an announcement as
> follows:
>
> "Donner party of six", then "Donner party of five" and then "Donner
> party of four".

<snort>

i had a friend who routinely made reservations, etc. under the name 'norman
bates.'

your pal,
blake

On Sat, 31 Jul 2010 10:35:00 -0700, Steve B wrote:
>
> And they turn those PA systems up loud on purpose. And don't get me started
> on that screaming popular today music that sounds like one three foot loop
> run continuously through an 8 track player at loud volumes.
>
> I have hearing aids, and like to hear the conversation, not some dumb rock
> garage band. Easy music, classical, instrumentals, even MUZAK is fine. The
> music is there as a background, not an 800 # gorilla on your table.
>
> For anyone who cares or who is looking for ideas in their future restaurant.
>
> Steve

it depends on the kind of clientele you want to attract. for some, muzak
would be the kiss of death.

your pal,
blake