Of Maitre 'ds and good service at restaurants!

Of Maitre 'dhotels, Unsung Heroes and getting good service at restaurants!

So, you plan to go out for dinner at a new restaurant. Whether or not you enjoy your evening it will depend entirely on you. Yes. You. AND the maitre 'd/steward/stewardesses - those thankless leviathans, who are the priests in the temple of a restaurant and is between God, the chef, and the table. Having a good time is all about attitude and mind set. Go relaxedly. Be there early. ALWAYS make a reservation before going. Don't just show up. Hurriedness shows in your interactions with the establishment. Try to switch off your mind from work/outside world and be in the moment. Walk into a restaurant with a relaxed casual attitude. Smile at the doorman, be courteous to the valets and wait for your turn to be seated. 

Once seated inside, be mindful of the body language that you project. Make it known that you are there to enjoy your dinner relaxedly rather than being a nitpicker and a hard task master with a I-here-to-pay-the-bucks-you-better-serve-me well smirk on the face. If the Maitre 'd hasn't yet caught your attention, you could raise your hands and get it. Try some witty ice breakers. Helps relax him/her and this will go a long way in your service. If you are a cheesy person like me you could try a yours truly time tested gag like this: Clutch your stomach as if you are in pangs of hunger and tell him/her that you are so starved that you'll need either food immediately or go to the doctor for Intra-Venous Fluids, but because the doctors tend to rip you, tell them that their place seems a better choice.

The question, "What would you like to have sir/madam" can be politely answered with: "What would you suggest as we are first timers here" rather than an answer like: "What's good here". The blanket reply you are most likely to get is: "Everything here is good sir." You might have gone in there with something on your mind. I want to have this, or that. But please remember that the maitre 'd knows best. A healthy dose of skepticism for 'facts' is fine, not towards people. Show some respect for him and his work and he'll sure surprise you. Trust is everything.

Once you get his recommendations, you don't have to keep him standing there till you squabble amongst your family/friends and finally come up with the order. Please allow him/her to get back to attending other people and once when you have decided on the menu get back to them and place your request and also tell them clearly in which order of preference you want to have your meal. 

Today, it is all about 'bespoke cuisine'. Unless you know your food well, I wouldn't suggest that you alter the recipe for a dish. You might inadvertently rip the very essence of a dish. I like to think that a restaurant is the expression of the chef/owner and it is their art. You don't tell an artist what to do, isnt it? They've already tried and tested the recipe 100s of times, hence it is wise, to have it as it is. If I were you I wouldn't call the chef out and talk to him. I'd consider that an overkill unless you personally know the chef, that is.

Most of us have time to regale our family/friends only during the weekend, but weekends are rush time for restaurants. It may be a good idea to be a 'repeat customer' at your favourite restaurant than a new one. A week day should be fine for such adventures. Enjoy your food! That's what you go there for? Right? Pictures and Facebook can wait. 

You had a good time, now the maitre 'd asks, "Anything else sir?" I would go: "Anything but the bill please!" When the bill arrives, check it and then pay your tips generously. Whipping out your hi-tech device and opening that 'tipping app' is unnecessary and may sometimes be churlish. Give what your heart says. Because, to use a hack phrase, at the end of the day, everyone is working their asses off for money and why not make someone's day? 

There! My few cents! But then who am I to tell you? You do your thing. Be yourself. And put a smile on others face!