I remember my father coming to Los Angeles on business once when I was a server at an upscale place in Beverly Hills. He came in to lunch with some clients on a day that I was working. After his meal I was walking him to his car and I was eager to find out if…
Category: Consultant
Tipping
Once in a while I like to put a post out there directed at the customer. This is one of those. There always seems to be so much confusion out there about tipping. I actually had a friend the other day ask me if 10% was still the norm. Maybe when Roosevelt was president Seriously? 10%? …
Lock the Door
I took a road trip recently to visit my mother on the Oregon coast. After driving for six hours, and getting into town late–too late to surprise my mom–I decided to have a little Irish whisky and celebrate St. Patrick’s day before checking in at my motel and hitting the hay. I walked into a restaurant/bar that I had taken…
Help me
I probably won’t ever be accused of being a generous guy, but occasionally, I have my moments. From time to time I like to surprise friends and loved ones by calling ahead to restaurants and arranging to buy dinner, or dessert, or a bottle of wine to recognize and help celebrate a special occasion. Make…
Tip the Dishwasher
I have mentioned on many occasions that I am fortunate to live in a neighborhood with many eating options. I am lucky. On any given night, I can eat Italian, Mexican, Japanese, Thai (3 choices there, actually), Indian, American, etc. If I am not feeling like any of those, I can just decide to get some…
There is a Reason Why It Didn’t Work Before
Having lived in the same house for fifteen years now has afforded me an interesting perspective on some of the restaurants that have come and gone in the neighborhood over those years. It kind of cracks me up when I see a place close, and then open up as something else in a very short period of time….
Keep Portland Restaurants Sanctimonious
Ok, I stole this one from a bumper sticker. I don’t usually get much out of bumper stickers, but this one caught me off guard and really cracked me up (fortunately, it didn’t really crack me up because I was on my bike and that would have been bad). The actual bumper sticker reads: “Keep…
Table Touches
Every time you stop by a table it is called a touch. That’s what we call it in the restaurant business. Actually, we don’t, but those teaching hospitality at various schools tell us it is, so we believe them. Anyway, it is important to touch the table as often as possible. Maybe not too much…
A Positive Experience
A proper greeting My wife and I went out the other day to one of the many restaurants within walking distance of our house. We were greeted immediately by someone, with a smile, who actually said ‘Hi’ to us, before we said ‘Hi’ to him. Not easy to do, since both of us try to…
Manage the Door
I went out to dinner the other night with my daughter. At least I tried to. My wife was having an event at the house, and it was suggested that I leave the premises. My first mistake was making my poor daughter walk to the restaurant. Let me check We are lucky to live in…
The (Big) Three Culprits
Restaurants are complicated businesses. There are many moving parts that operators need to keep their eyes on. As a consultant, I am reminded of this with every client I meet. Many of whom are very successful businessmen (and women). They have all managed to be very good at what they do, running their small business,…
Write it Down
Please When I was younger (much younger), and a bit more tolerant of the unseasoned diner (yes there was a time–although my kids would never believe that), I worked at a posh, (that word was used at one time), Beverly Hills steak house. Tableside service. Salad tossing. Beef carving. Desserts flambe. I could memorize a party of eights’…
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