Nothing makes me happier than going out to eat, and leaving with this feeling. Whether you go in with high expectations, low expectations, or no expectations, and then you leave with a somewhat euphoric feeling. That is what eating out is supposed to be all about. Why not your place? Wouldn’t you want people thinking…
Category: bar
It Doesn’t Take Much
Old research, before social media, would tell us the effects of a diner having a bad experience. Basically, in a nutshell, it says that if someone has a bad time at your restaurant, they will tell 12 others. Those 12 others will tell 6 more that you are not good. Those 6 will tell 3…
The Little Things
Little things mean a lot. I think that might be the title of an old song. Regardless, it is true nonetheless. Little things can make the difference. The difference between success and failure. The difference between profitability and loss. The difference between a customer’s good experience or bad. Both good and bad The little things…
While the Boss is Away…
It is an interesting phenomenon. As soon as the boss goes home the employees start to get in to mischief. You are being naïve Mr. or Ms. owner if you think otherwise. I was out at a place the other night, and as soon as the manager left, I watched the bartender start to pour shots….
Learn the Food!
Many years ago (many years ago), I was a server at the new ‘hot’ place in Los Angeles. The chefs went on to win a James Beard award, but that is not really the point of this particular tale. Every day before we opened the doors to the public, the dining room manager would line…
I Was Wrong (and Still Am)
As many of you who read this blog know, I can come across a bit high and mighty. The one thing I feel that has allowed me to sound like that, has been the fact that all this time I knew (and I assumed you did too) that I was full of it. As I chronicle…
You Are in Charge
I went out with my dear wife the other night to a local sports bar to catch a little college football. I will spare you the details of how much I love this woman. Let’s see, you want to spend your Saturday night out at a loud sports bar watching college football? Yeah, that’s how awesome…
Do the Math
I have mentioned before in this blog, as well as to my consulting clients, and to my students, that it is all just one big–not too big–math problem. I recently wrote a post about cost structures and how every place is different when it comes to finding their profit. https://tabletalkpdx.com/2015/10/23 This is just another way…
Every Place is Different
Cost structures. Not exactly the sexiest of topics. But understanding what they mean, especially to you the chef/owner, is important. Every establishment is different. I don’t mean that this place serves Italian food, this place serves Mexican food, this place serves Thai food, etc., of course those places are different. That is more like what we talk about…
Take Pride in Your Work
Not the kind of pride that is one of the 7 deadly sins. I’m talking about the opposite. The kind of pride that only you can feel. The kind of pride that only you know about. There is no need to share it with others. The simple joy that is obtained from the knowledge that…
Step it Up
That’s right, I am talking to you Mr. Owner. Mr. Manager. You want to have a successful place? You want a lot of customers coming in and spending a lot of money? You want employees who are doing good work and enjoying it, leading to more customers coming in? You want your staff to do…
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