I’d like to speak to the manager!!!

Someone mentioned yesterday that they’d never heard of taking reservations at the bar.

The restaurants I know who do this, started during COVID.

Guests know when they arrive they have seats at the bar.

They are also reserved for dinner so they aren’t just coming in for a cocktail.

More importantly because they don’t belly up to the baevthe folks who are dining aren’t being interrupted with people reaching over them for drinks.

We turn our 23 seat bar at the older restaurant 2.5 times a night. It really is the best bar in town.

The other reason we don’t let people sit at the bar prior to dining is it makes everything harder.

They’ll order drinks, but before they get them their table is ready. It takes forever to get them seated.

If they sit before dinner they’ll end up starting with an app which won’t have come and they’ll have to deal with the check, get the food to the table etc.

Or. They’ll sit at the bar, decide they like it, stay now the server loses covers and the people reserved at the bar have nowhere to sit.

PS. Remember this is all fine dining.

And

More than anything, last night I had one bartender doing service bar for 100 seats, plus serving a 16 seat bar, and it’s just too much to serve the oyster bar. Or people to hang out before dinner.

Ultimately though, I’m in the business of generating revenue. If I say no, I’m not being a dick. I want the business. But not if it slows down and hinders everyone else.

More importantly, take no for an answer. You are not a toddler. These aren’t hard concepts.

Know there is a reason and accept it.

I’d like to speak to the manager!!!

When someone tells you who they are, believe them.

I missed an interview because of the weather last Friday.

The horrible rain caused an accident and I was late getting to work.

I ended up interviewing her on the phone.

I offered her the job.

She let me know she had other interviews but would let me know her decision.

On Sunday she accepted.

I didn’t get back to her on Sunday.

On Monday, by the time I responded, she sent me an email saying she’d reached out to me by email several times and phoned the restaurant. Could I please respond?

24 hours had not passed at this time.

When I did respond I explained that I was one manager running three restaurants doing the best I can.

She was quite nice with her response.

Yesterday was a blur.

I had a managers meeting, then an interview that led right up to service. I didn’t get back to her yesterday.

Today I got this message:

Any update Jeff? I’m starting my other job on the 7th and would like to get a schedule from you for a start date.
I understand that your busy but I also turned down 5 other places for this job, I’m also a very busy person.
Please let me know as soon as possible, thank you.

Here’s the thing.

She couldn’t start till the end of next week.

And I really am doing the best I can.

I responded by rescinding the job offer.

If she’s this impatient now it’s only going to get worse when she gets comfortable.

And I’m sure she’ll be much happier at a restaurant with more managers who can be more responsive.

I do wish her well.