I’d like to speak with the manager!!!

As of the Wednesday, after Memorial Day, we have been opening at 4:30.

For the past two summers, by 4:30 there are 10 cars in the lot, waiting to come in.

If we get those 20+ people in seats at 4:30 then we can add more covers to the total for the night.

Today we opened at 4:30. 

We had three tables sat almost right away.

I noticed a group of people coming in, and I knew we had no more reservations till 5:00, so I headed to the host stand.  

I get there, just as the host turns and says, here he is now.

I say, hello, how I can I help you.

And the man in front of me says, “What do you think about 14 people?”

I ask him to clarify.

He says we are a party of 14 can we get seated.

I look at the I-pad, but I already know the answer.

I apologize and say, unfortunately, no.  We can’t accommodate 14 people tonight.

But it’s right at open.  Surely there is room

Unfortunately, no.

What about if we split up. 

Unfortunately, no.

Are you sure?

Yes, unfortunately no.

And then he said:  WHY NOT?  

I say excuse me?

He says, why not.  Why can’t you seat us.  

I truly wish, I’d just said, because I said so.  

But instead, I said.

Well, first off any party over 8 triggers a pre-fixe menu and that would have needed to be arranged well before now, with me, the servers and the chef.

2^nd, the Gallery where we can put a party of 14 is closed tonight, (we were filming a TV thing today) and even if it weren’t closed, we don’t have staff out there because we didn’t have any large parties on the books.

3^rd, the patio isn’t staffed for a 14 top, because it’s going to rain in 2 hours, 

4^th, we can’t split you up because the dining room is fully booked until 7:30 tonight. 

So, NO, we can’t accommodate you.

He was ANNOYED.

It was the I can’t believe you are going to turn away business attitude.

Fun fact, that I’ve discussed several times today.

We say no to business all the time.

And I do mean all the time.

We always make the decision that is best for the restaurant, long before we make a decision for the guest. 

It might seem counterintuitive to not say yes to everyone.  

But that is not the case.

And I dare say, it’s true in most businesses.  

That not every offer to accommodate a business deal is a good one.  

So, I turned away the 14-top.

And I really wish I’d said, because I said so.