I’d like to speak to the manager!!!

A story I am not proud of.  

Tonight, we opened the doors at 4:58. A few minutes later than we like to, but we only had 1 two-top reservation at 5:00.  

30 seconds later a couple walk in that is NOT the 5:00 reservation. They look 17, at most. The boy is in stylish ripped jeans, a black t-shirt. The girl is dressed equally casual. Once again they look 17 at most and like typical teenagers.  

I really think nothing of it, as we often get teenagers on dates at our restaurant. I can’t imagine having had the where with all to take a date to a nice steakhouse at 17.  

Fast forward 12 minutes, and I walk by and the server is opening a bottle at the table.  

Hmm?

Once again, I think nothing other than to make a mental note to ask if he carded them as IT IS his second day.  

When he is finished, he lets me know that they have indeed been carded. I did not ask how old they really were.  

Once more I think nothing of it, they order, apps, entrees.  

About an hour later I realize that their entrees have not been touched at all and they are eating about one bite every 12 minutes.  

I ask the server if the table will turn by 6:30. He assures me it will NOT.  

I then ask if he’s checked on them and he says, yes. That they are just taking their time. I have also realized that the bottle on the table is bubbles. NOT wine.  

I ask what they ordered and he says:

Dom Perignon!

Seriously!  

DAMN!!!

WOW.  

But I am aware that they truly aren’t eating. They are chatting, looking at their phones, and taking a bite about every 10 minutes.

I once again check in with the server.  

And here is the point of the story.

I tell him to make sure he keeps an eye on them as nothing about their meal is normal. The champagne. The pace at which they are eating. The sitting there.  

I have to admit I’m worried they’ll dine and dash.  

With no basis for this other than their age and what they ordered.  

This is really too many years of living in NYC. Where it happened a lot.  

They continue to sit there and around 6:45 the server takes their entrees away.  

They order dessert and he brings it to them. They eat about five bites. And ask for the check.

I am not watching the table. I’m not standing next to them. I’m not doing anything inappropriate. But they do have a rather large check and look 17.  

The server comes to let me know they have cashed out and the table with will be ready in about 10 minutes. Just in time for the next reservations.  

They leave.

I feel bad for thinking the worst.  

REALLY BAD!!!

Then the server comes and shows me the check. 

They have tipped 50% of the check.  

Now I feel really, really bad and remind myself that I ALWAYS tell my staff not to judge anyone who sits down because you don’t know who they are.  

As I said, I am not proud of this story.