by waiter | Aug 10, 2005 | Uncategorized
n an Op-Ed Piece in today’s NY Times author Steven Shaw argues that restaurants should abolish tipping and adopt a European style “service charge” much like Thomas Keller, the celebrity chef, is doing at his deservedly world famous establishment Per Se. “…Mr. Keller...
by waiter | Aug 5, 2005 | Uncategorized
The door chimes. Three young twentysomething men walk through the door. “Good afternoon gentleman,” I say greeting them cheerfully, “How many in your party? The guys don’t acknowledge my presence and walk towards the middle of the restaurant. Annoyed, I follow behind...
by waiter | Aug 5, 2005 | Uncategorized
It’s a slow lunch shift. I’m busy at the front window comparing the hemlines of various female pedestrians when the phone interrupts my studies. “Good afternoon The Bistro,” I say, filtering the annoyance out of my voice, “how may I help you?” “I want to speak to a...
by waiter | Aug 5, 2005 | Uncategorized
“Table 17’s pissed,” Beth informs me. “Why?” I ask warily. “They thought the special salad was too expensive.” Ah, the Caprese Salad – arugula, roasted red peppers, ripe tomatoes, and buffalo mozzarella dressed with out famous parmesan pesto sauce. Delicious and...
by waiter | Aug 4, 2005 | Uncategorized
I’m staying at my parent’s house in the bucolic Pennsylvania countryside. Exhausted from the previous 110 work week I’m enjoying some recuperative the peace and quiet. Since I was working on Mother and Father’s Day I offer to take my parents out to dinner. “Let’s go...
by waiter | Aug 3, 2005 | Uncategorized
“Hi welcome to Outback,” the hostess perkily chirps, “Two for dinner?” “Yeah,” Fluvio replies looking grim. “Follow me.” “By the way is Toupee working the floor tonight?” I ask. “Yes he is,” the hostess replies looking over her shoulder. “Could you send him over to...
by waiter | Aug 2, 2005 | Uncategorized
Table 26 has outstayed their welcome. I look at my watch. The couple’s drunk. Its way past closing time. I dropped the check an hour ago. They haven’t so much as looked at it. Time to start nudging them out. “Can I take that for you?” I ask pointing at the check....
by waiter | Jul 29, 2005 | Uncategorized
The phone rings. “The Bistro,” I answer, “How can I help you?” “What kind of cuisine do you serve?” a female voice asks. “Northern Italian madam.” “And what’s your sushi special tonight?” I pause a...
by waiter | Jul 24, 2005 | Uncategorized
I’m tired. Fluvio went on vacation and I’m stuck minding the store. I’ve got seven more double shifts till he comes back. I’m worried. It’s only Sunday and I’m already punchy. There are bags under my eyes and my cheeks ache from...
by waiter | Jul 22, 2005 | Uncategorized
I’ve received a couple of aggrieved emails lamenting that I haven’t written many posts this week. I’m grateful to have readers that eagerly await each post. The readers, as you can see by the comments, are one of the major reasons why Waiter...
