We were busy tonight.  Actually we are busy every night right now, but we started just 20 or so covers less than where we ended the night tonight. 

There was a line at the door when we opened at 4:50. 

We are seating people in the dining room.  Sending people to the patio. 

And all is going well.

Then.

Three people walk in. 

The hosts ask if they have a reservation. 

They say that they do not BUT that they are just going to the bar.  The host explains that we take reservations for the bar and that if they give her a second she’ll see what she can do. 

At this point the woman walks to the door of the dining room and looks in, and turns and says but all the stools are empty.  Why can’t we just sit?

FUN FACT. 

Every person who walks in without a reservation does this.  But all the stools are empty.  Yes, but they are for reservations. 

The host says, yes, but they won’t be in 30 minutes.  They are reserved.  I think to myself, thus the reason they are called reservations. 

The woman insists that they are local and come in all the time.

I laugh to myself.  First.  If you came in all the time, you’d know we take reservations.  Second.  If you came in all the time, I would know at least your face.  I’ve never in fact seen you before.  And third, You might be local but that’s not helping much if you have never been in before.

The host continues, to try to find them a spot. 

I step behind the host stand.  We are very busy.

But. 

I have been doing this longer than they have.  I see holes.  I see spots where we can move things.  I can also roll the dice and hope the outcome doesn’t screw us. 

I’m looking when the woman says, well if the bartender just sees us he will find us a spot.  He always does.

I look up from the I-pad and say, that’s not how any of this works.  Thinking again, you don’t come here often because everyone in a 100 mile radius knows are the bartender’s name.  He’s been there for almost four years.  And.  You’d also know that I make the reservations not him. 

I move some things around.  Say to the threesome, I can seat you now, but I’ll need the stools back by 6:30.  It’s around an hour, twenty and that should be more than enough time to eat.  If that works for you I can get you seated. 

They agree. 

They are seated.

They tell the other bartender behind the bar that they haven’t been in the restaurant in over a year. 

Not what I’d really call a regular.