I’d like to speak to the manager!!!

We, and by we, I mean our staff, killed it tonight.  We broke all the records by a lot.   We fed more people than we ever thought possible, and we hit a revenue record that was not forecast for us, for the next three years. 

The best part of these facts though is that the evening was one of the smoothest ever. 

Food was spot on, only a couple of re-cooks.  Servers weren’t running around like crazy.  And the food running team and expo were better than I’ve ever seen them.  They thought we were slow tonight. 

Kudos, kudos, kudos to the whole staff.

I also had several people seek me out at the end of their meals to let me know how wonderful their experience was.  Most of them I knew, but one particular man sought me out on the patio after finishing his dinner inside.  I recognized him as having eaten here before, but I don’t know his name and we’ve only spoken briefly before. 

He came up to me, and complimented us on the beauty of our patio.  He continued saying that he and his family have been coming to the restaurant since it opened almost 4 years ago and he wanted me to know that the changes that I had brought to the restaurant, were much noticed and a great improvement.  Not that anything was bad before but that things had definitely improved since I became GM.  It felt nice to be recognized. 

I should add that I was on the patio because my host has said  to me, have you looked at the weather?  

FUCK YOU!  NO!  IT’S NOT GOING TO RAIN!

But of course I pull out my phone and what do I see a severe thunderstorm warning alert.  I look at the radar.  It’s now about 6:50 and according to the radar we have about 30 minutes to formulate a plan. 

Fuck.  Fuck.  Fuck.

We still have the entire second turn to seat and the place is packed. 

However, one should not panic in these moments and so I planted myself on the patio and formulated a plan.

First, it’s at the end of the first turn and the second turn doesn’t start till 7:00.  So I stop seating.  I tell everyone who approaches that we won’t be seating anyone else until we have the all clear that it’s not going to rain.  However, if it does rain it’s going to be quick and furious, meaning we’ll dry everything and seat people as soon as we can.  You might have to wait but we’ll make sure you have an awesome time in the end.  I also have the patio host clear all the clean tables so it won’t be a rush to do so, if it rains. 

Meanwhile, I have about 8 tables in the middle of their meals. 

All but two are eating their entrees.  I tell their servers to let them know that they should keep things moving as we are expecting storms.  The two tables that are waiting on food, I approach and point out the tables they are to move to should it rain.  The tables on dessert, I suggest that they get their desserts to go and enjoy them in their cars or at home. 

The night continues. 

It grows dark. 

According to the radar the line is moving toward us.  And it keeps coming.  And it keeps coming.  And as it moves closer, it moves north.  Around 7:45 it becomes apparent that there is not going to be any rain. 

Meanwhile, I have about 25 people waiting to be seated, all late for their reservations.  They have gotten drinks from the patio bartenders and none of them are upset at all. 

We get the tables reset and I seat people in the order they arrived. 

And by 7:45 everyone is seated and we are moving on with our night. 

It screwed the momentum and flat seating everyone bogged them down but they all got through it. 

And at 10:00 tonight I sat down at the chef’s table and opened my laptop and looked at revenue and all was good in the world.