1. Keep in mind that some restaurants don't allow modifications. If that bothers you, keep in mind that there are plenty of restaurants that do allow them, and you will probably be happier patronizing those establishments rather than stewing in a restaurant that you feel is not accommodating you. 2. And some dishes cannot be … Continue reading Restaurant Etiquette: Making Modifications
The front desk can be your best friend or your worst enemy whether you are a guest, a server, or a front of house manager. The amount of information that a host is privy to and the logistical finesse required to keep service running smoothly is enormous. Nowadays, however, the host is becoming an endangered … Continue reading Restaurant 101: The Host
It seems that with every passing day the protocol for tipping changes. Service charges are springing up on checks while the tradition of automatic gratuity for large parties is going the way of the dodo. What is restaurant customer to do? I’ll be honest with you, it is currently a frustrating situation that varies from … Continue reading Restaurant Etiquette: Tipping
Expo: short for "expediter", a person who organizes the flow of food from the kitchen into the dining room. This requires a strong knowledge of how long it takes each dish to cook (cook time) and how quickly the kitchen is currently cooking each dish (ticket time). Good expos will alert servers or managers if … Continue reading Restaurant 101: Expo
As the classic 1980's ballad goes, children are the future. And there are many things that we ought to teach them well, one of which is how to co-exist in a shared space with other people. Some of my favorite guests in restaurants are precocious little gourmands, but there are some things that adult companions … Continue reading Restaurant Etiquette: Children in the Dining Room
