I’d like to speak to the manager!!!

Tonight, I was at the door, when a 5-top was leaving.  I did my usual thank you for coming in, how was your meal, are you from here or away greeting.

I learn that they are indeed local, they love the restaurant, and come as often as they can.

I also learned that that the woman’s father tried to book a party of 10 a few weeks ago, and was upset that he would have had to use a pre-fixe menu and NOT be able to order off the full menu.

She goes on saying, and it’s a real shame too, because he was ready to drop a couple of thousand dollars on the tab.  

She then continues with he might not ever come back because of this policy.

Yes, I’m sure a man who loves our restaurant will never come back because of our large party policy. Especially the next time he’s only 4 people.

She finally, wants to know if there are ever any exceptions to the policy.

I assure her that even Chef’s close buddies have all been required to use our pre-fixe menu.  (This is true).  

She leaves, not quite satisfied with the answer.

The backstory.

For the summer of 2021, we said no to any party over 10.  We could accommodate them.  We had tables that could seat up to 48.  

What I’m about to say is true of almost any upscale restaurant.  

Large parties can wreak havoc on the flow, and efficiency of the restaurant.

Large parties stay longer and although they do spend a lot of money, if compared to a 3 four tops vs 1 twelve top, I’d bet the checks would average out to be similar.  

Except that I can seat 3 four-tops and they’ll be in and out in 2 hours.  A 12 top is going to be there for 3+ hours, unless they are given a time limit.  

The execution of a large party also slows down the bar, the kitchen etc.  

Send a bartender 12 different martinis and it’s going to be a few, especially since they have to go out together.  

Send them three tickets with 4 martinis each and they’ll get made faster.  Is it the same, yes, but not executed the same.  

The same is true for the kitchen.

However, the kitchen can be destroyed if a series of tables, with a large party hit the kitchen at the same time.  

Restaurants when they are planning out their menu, take in to account, where each dish comes from in the kitchen.  If there are 20 main courses, then 4 will come from grill, 4 from saute, 4 from ovens, 4 from salad, 4 from pizzas.  I’ve seen menus sent back to the drawing board, when too many items come from one area. 

All it takes is one 10 top ordering 10 dishes, all coming from the same area, to fuck the kitchen. 

Every more upscale restaurant I know, uses a different menu for parties, to ensure that when the order is placed, the burden is shared with the entire kitchen, not just one area.

For us, we use a pre-fixe menu that pulls one main course menu item from each area.  One item from the oven. One item from the Josper.  One item from the grill.  One item from the back.  We can serve 12 people, and each area only has to produce three items, as the food is served family style and shared like a thanksgiving dinner.  

Many people balk at this idea, like this woman’s father, BUT, after using this menu all summer it’s truly spectacular to serve.  The food is served on large boards that are placed in the center of the table, piled high with various meats, with huge carving knives to facilitate the cutting of the meat.  

Almost everyone I’ve sold this menu to, has been worried that it won’t be enough food and not one group has finished their entire offering.   Every group has walked out with bags of takeout.  

And they all go on and on and on about how fabulous the experience is.  

And.

Contrary to popular belief, if we served this food ala carte, not charging per person, but for what is delivered to the table for the amount of people dining, the price would be the same.  Chef and I were very cautious to not let people think we are taking advantage of them.  

While I understand her father’s disappointment, it’s for the sake of the restaurant, AND ALL of the diners that we use the pre-fixe party menu.  

And there will not be exceptions.