We use Resy as our reservation system. It has its pro’s and con’s but the one thing I love is that unlike open table their surveys and reviews are only seen by us. They are not seen by the public.

This is mostly awesome because the people who fill out the surveys get their complaints and comments out of their system, so they don’t usually go further with their posts. They don’t post on Yelp or trip advisor.

98% of our surveys are spectacularly wonderful. 95+ plus positive. They praise the food. They praise the service. They praise ambiance.

So we are always disappointed when someone doesn’t have a good experience. Often though their complaints are understood. Over cooked steak. Hard to get in to. Etc.

Todays 50% rating was not one of those complaints.

The reviewer was upset that our chef wasn’t on the line cooking. They come to eat his food and last night he didn’t cook it.

So I explained to chef that he is only allowed to step away from the line going forward if we close the restaurant. No bathroom breaks. No vacations. No sick days. Don’t visit with your mom while she is here. Don’t work on your cook book while we are slow. Don’t come out front to visit with friends as you did last night.

All kidding aside. Our chef cooks about 90% of the steaks we serve. But everyone deserves a break. Last night friends were in. His mom is also in town. Sometimes he steps off the line to cut meat. Sometimes he works upstairs on new menu items. Sometimes he his upstairs cleaning the stock room, his cook book or our new wine list.

Who really thinks a chef/owner can’t step away to be a person?

Wait till he finds out that colonel sanders doesn’t cook at Kentucky Fried Chicken. Or Wendy’s is staffed by teenagers. Or that Red Robin has nothing to do with birds.