I’d like to speak to the manager!!!

I was asked by a man tonight if I was the General Manager.

I said yes.

He says I’d like to speak to you at my table.

I approach the 4-top introduce myself and ask how I can help.

I’m immediately told they are locals. They live down the street.

I’ve never seen them before.

The man who approached me proceeds yo say that they are not impressed with their meals.

Another person says that we should be concerned that their locals because their food is inedible.

I ask exactly what the problem is.

I’m told the paella is burnt they had to scrape the rice off the bottom of the pan.

I try and explain this is how it is supposed to be served.

One of them throws their arms in the air and says we’ve eaten paella before. We know how it’s supposed to be cooked. Clearly you have no interest in what we have to say.

I sure them I am interested but I don’t understand how food we serve all night using the same method turns out four plates of inedible food.

Someone says don’t want anything for free. But as locals we think you should know.

I thank them for letting me know. That I’ll discuss it with the chef at the end of the night.

They don’t want me to do anything for them but as locals I should know how disappointed they are with the experience.

I apologize again that they are unhappy.

I’m told a few more times how unhappy they are as locals.

I excuse myself from the table.

30 or so minutes later they leave.

They all exit with out speaking to me.

A minute later a woman appears and says.

We live here. We are locals. And I just have tell you how disappointed we are with our experience tonight.

I say I’m sorry.

She continues.

As year round locals we e read the reviews. Your score on trip advisor is 3.6. That’s not good. And clearly they are right. The food is not good. And you should be ashamed serving it to year round locals. That live down the street.

I say to her again that I’m sorry. That we are new. I’ll take her comments to the chef after the shift.

She tells me she is local again.

I’m getting frustrated and finally say exactly what does where you live have to do with anything. We treat all our guests the same. Whether you live next door or in Alaska.

Well it will matter in the winter. And you’ll be missing the locals when they only eat here once. Like us. I assure you they won’t come back.

Ma’m I assure you the dining room is filled with people I know right now. And many of them have eaten here multiple times. And they have never complained. Also I’d understand if one persons meal was un satisfactory but for all of your meals to bed I don’t know to speak to that. We serve 100’s of halibuts. 100’s of scallops. We’ve never had complaints so I don’t know how we managed to prepare all of your meals poorly.

I want you to know that o know the owner and I will speak to him personally. We are locals and you care whether we come back. Especially if we live down the street.

A man and his wife have been in the lobby taking turns in the restroom. They exit. Then he pops his head back in and says just for the record our meals were great.

She reminds me again that the locals won’t dine here twice. Just as a woman opens the door and walks in. I recognize her from Sunday. I say hi Laura it’s so nice to see you again. I hope you’ve enjoyed your week so far.

She replies, Sunday night was so special I had to come back.

The local leaves.

And I get Laura, one person, seated at the best table in the restaurant.