by waiter | Aug 7, 2006 | Uncategorized
It’s late afternoon and the thermometer reads a pleasant 85 degrees. The only problem? That’s the temperature inside the Bistro. “Why does the A/C decide to crap out now?” Beth, one of our servers, wails. “Today of all days.” “Because it’s a hundred degrees out,”...
by waiter | Aug 2, 2006 | Uncategorized
I am pleased to announce that I have secured a book deal with Ecco, an imprint of Harper Collins, for Waiter Rant: A Behind the Scenes Look at the Front Lines of Dining Out. I would like to thank Dan Halpern and Ecco for giving me this opportunity. I look forward to...
by waiter | Jul 28, 2006 | Uncategorized
There’s a tired piece of corruption that unscrupulous restaurant owners and managers love foisting on hardworking waiters – tip stealing. Simply put, some managers insist on getting “tipped out” at the end of the night like a bus person or bartender. It’s almost...
by waiter | Jul 27, 2006 | Uncategorized
Beth and I are in the kitchen drinking coffee. The lunch shift’s drawing to a close. The restaurant’s almost empty. Beth can’t wait to go home. “I’ve worked like six doubles in a row,” she says. “I can’t take it anymore.” “I’m here twelve days straight,” I reply. “I...
by waiter | Jul 24, 2006 | Uncategorized
“So how’s the party going?” I ask Beth, one of our waitresses. “Not bad considering,” she replies shrugging. “So who was the deceased?” I ask. “Did you find out?” “Their grandma,” Beth says. “She was like 90.” “An old soul whose time had come,” I say. ( whose ) “I...
by waiter | Jul 17, 2006 | Uncategorized
It’s early Saturday night and one of my customers is throwing a fit. The problem probably started when he threw food at the woman sitting next to him. The situation’s out of control. Plates and utensils litter the floor. The lady’s covered with food. She yells...
by waiter | Jul 15, 2006 | Uncategorized
It’s a hot muggy Friday night and the Bistro’s crowded. The central air system struggles to hold down the temperature. I guess we won’t be selling cappuccinos tonight. The hostess takes a smoke break. As I’m watching the entrance a foxy brunette walks through the...
by waiter | Jul 11, 2006 | Uncategorized
It’s eight o’clock on Saturday evening. The Bistro’s mobbed. It’s the busiest hour of the busiest night of the week. Two couples hang anxiously outside the front door, hoping to get a table. Since no customer’s close to finishing they’re going to have a long wait....
by waiter | Jul 10, 2006 | Uncategorized
It’s Sunday afternoon. The Bistro’s dead. There’s not a single customer in the restaurant. The staff’s spread out in the back, reading magazines, fiddling with cell phones, or taking a nap. “Where’s Armando?” I say, not looking up from my newspaper. “I haven’t seen...
by waiter | Jul 8, 2006 | Uncategorized
It’s Thursday evening and I’m walking towards Café American for a post shift cocktail. A cool breeze floats past me, fluttering summer skirts and caressing bare skin. Sidewalk cafés teem with young people drinking beer and savoring the gentle night. Girls sit with...
