I recently celebrated 24 years of wedded bliss with my darling wife. Can you imagine? It got me thinking. Thinking about how on earth she has managed to put up with me all these years, sure, but also thinking about how just the dining out with me aspect alone would drive any normal person over the…
Front vs. Back Remix
This is definitely a subject worth revisiting. It never goes away. Now I have always been a guy who tries to get along with everyone, so I never really fully understood it. I mean I understand why it happens to a certain degree, but I don’t, and won’t, tolerate it. I do understand where it…
The Restaurant Game
When I was much younger, my mom got a couple of hostess gigs at some upscale restaurants. Yeah, it’s her fault. She ended up marrying the owner of one of these places, and sometime during that period she invented a game about restaurants. To win this game, you had to make your way around the…
Who’s the Boss?
Actually, this post should be called, “Where’s the boss?” It’s sad, but too often restaurant employees are left to fend for themselves. That is not how to run a successful restaurant. Or any business for that matter. We probably have all had this happen in our working experience: The owner comes around once a week. Not…
Where Everybody Knows Your Name
That’s all they really want. I mean, I guess to some restaurant employees that seems to be asking a lot. And perhaps it is. But, customers just want to go to a place where they are recognized. Where they are not invisible. Use the name https://tabletalkpdx.com/2014/09/20 It doesn’t matter who they are. Whether they are…
Think of Everything
I have had more than a handful of consulting clients who have done very well for themselves outside of the hospitality industry, and for whatever reason, probably something related to the existence of the Food Network, they think it would be a good idea to own a restaurant. An old saying There is an old…
The Manager
What a challenge. I don’t mean finding a good one (good luck with that), but just doing the job itself. A lot is usually expected from this position. And usually, it is not rewarded properly. I usually tell people that I meet, who have recently landed a manager job, “Be careful what you wish for…” I mean,…
They Remember Me!
I went out with a co-worker of mine a couple of nights ago, and we were greeted immediately by a very friendly bartender. Even though we had only been in there once before, she still remembered us, and asked all about us, and our work–which she also remembered. Sure, it’s true that it will add to…
Don’t Try to Be More
That’s right. Just be who you are and don’t try to be more than that. It will only lead to trouble. I gave the same advice to my daughter when she left for college. It is in line with the Greek credo: “Know thyself, nothing in excess.” Who are your customers? It starts here. Who…
Work Clean, Work Small
My wife will most likely feel like killing me for writing this post, but seeing how I am forever desperate for material I am going to have to take that chance. When we entertain at the house, which is pretty often (somehow with me working nights), we tend to be a pretty good team. Like…
The Front Door
My wife and I went to Washington D.C. a couple of months ago, and attempted to go to a restaurant on the recommendation of a friend of ours whose opinion we value. “You’ve got to eat there!” Now this guy eats out quite a bit. Travelling for work gives him occasion to eat at some of the…
Revenue Streams
Seeking advice from my parents as I set up this whole consulting business has been extremely helpful. Having mentors who have made a good living can be a very valuable tool. One of the things my mom has shared with me is that she doesn’t do a job unless there are at least three potential…
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