I’d like to speak to the manager!!!

I knew last night that when I posted that I hadn’t taken any notes I’d regret it today.

My day today started just like any other.

Got there at 1:10. I was late today.

Answered a million and two phone calls.

Returned a few messages.

Answered way to many emails.

Had an interview with a potential new server.

Scarfed my lunch standing at a high top.

Pre-shift. (More on that later).

It’s 4:45. Candles lit. Lamps on. Music on. Unlock the doors. Here we go.

We sat 60 people at 5:00 tonight. Between 4:50 and 5:00.

In the summer and busy nights we try to open early to ease the blow of the first push. 90% of the time we are all in on 5:00 reservation before 5:00.

Tonight, a lot of people got there early.

I get the inside going.

Now out to the patio to make sure they are good to go.

There is one table seated.

I’m standing talking to the host, when a gaggle of folks walk up.

I whisper to her. I hope I didn’t fuck up and forget to put a large party reservation in the book.

They arrive at the outside host stand.

You’ll never guess.

Yes. It’s a large party.

That made 2 four top reservations. 1 five top reservation.

13 people.

They have approached the host stand saying they want to sit together.

Ugh.

No. Just no.

The host starts to move things around.

I gently pull the I-pad away from her and start moving things around myself.

I know it’s a dick move, but I hate, hate, hate people who play the system.

I explain to them that they can’t sit together. They will be at 3 different tables. 3 different servers.

They ask why.

The host answers. She’s very gentle with them.

I get everything situated.

They start seating the tables. A 5 top at table L-2. A 4 top at L15. A 4 top at L17.

That’s taken care of.

At least I thought.

A server appears to ask if the 2 four tops can move closer.

I say yes, but then realize they are moving 2 tables into one servers section.

I send the host over, she’d more delicate than me and she moves L-15 back. Moves L17 to the table next to them.

They then decide to be difficult NOT to order anything for 45 minutes, not even a drink while they decide if they are staying.

They do end up staying. They end up eating. They end up being there almost 3 hours.

And this gets to the gist of the story.

One of my hosts, who happens to be new says, I didn’t realize this until yesterday, but if you have to move one thing, it sets off a chain of events that effects the whole night.

The butterfly effect.

And this is absolutely the truth.

We do NOT have a large restaurant.

Tables are a commodity.

I spend 30 minutes to an hour before the staff gets there moving things around. Trying to accommodate requests. Making sure all the servers have approximately the same number of covers. Making sure that Jen doesn’t get 3 four tops at 5:00 and that Beth doesn’t get any tables until 5:45. I also check to make sure that each table is allotted its certain amount of time. A 2 top gets 90 minutes. a 3 top an hour, forty-five. 4’s and 5’s get 2 hours. 6 and 7’s get 2.5 hours. And all other parties get 3.

I do this most days before my team gets there.

My host team checks my math. They continue to move things all night to keep numbers comparable. Constantly adding numbers together to see where everyone is for the night. Moving things around to try to be equitable.

And the other problem with 3 four top reservations sitting together is that as I just said, if they sit together they’ll definitely not get up in 2 hours. They will be there for at least 3 hours and the tables I booked behind them will suffer the consequences.

So no. You can’t sit together.

Sorry.

Call the restaurant and follow the rules.