I wrote earlier about the shite tipping practice going on in NY, and increasingly I’m seeing more and more restaurants dead or light with patrons. I walked into Del Postal the other Thursday evening at prime time and got a table for 4 with no problems.
I eat out a lot in NY for multiple reasons: My apartment is too small, I don’t have groceries, it’s too hot to stay at home, the games on and I don’t have an HDTV and most importantly there’s too many damn good restaurants around here to not eat out!
Having plenty of experience in banquets and restaurant service, I’m instantly picky about issues I see that show how weak the restaurants service really is. Here’s a list of some of my biggest issues when I go out to eat:
- Host or hostess does not acknowledge me (guests) upon entering the restaurant – eye contact and a smile are key.
- Not being sat promptly at my reservation time, when I’m on time. If the service is extended (which in NYC that’s usually), then escort me to the bar and make sure to come get me when the table is ready
- Music that’s too loud for the restaurant, or no music at all. And no a TV doesn’t count.
- Dirty flatware, glassware and silverware or being served with bent silverware, cracked or chipped glassware or flatware: This just shows carelessness to your service.
- As a server I would always greet my table and introduce myself to them for the evening and believe all servers should take that minute to do so. Now I understand this is a professional relationship, not a social one, so I don’t necessarily need your name, but at least point out that you’re the head server I’ll need to flag for assistance.
- Servers that don’t have a clue about the food, how it’s made, or the specials: especially at higher end restaurants.
- Servers that are either overly attentive, or no where to be seen. A server should make an eye check on all their tables before heading back to the kitchen and if anything needs a check (water glass etc.) prompt your busser for help.
- Being asked “You still workin’ on that?” or anything like this when not all the people at a table have finished their course.
- Not much can be worse that badly prepared food.
- Not thanking the guests as they leave. Last impression!
Now that I’m hungry I need a steak!