Monday, March 29, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
Sunday, November 1, 2009
New York Times Compiled List of Restaurant Dos and Don'ts
If you eat out as much as I do, you know how dead-on this list is.
One Hundred Things Restaurant Staffers Should Never Do (Part 1)
By BRUCE BUSCHEL
Herewith is a modest list of dos and don’ts for servers at the seafood restaurant I am building. Veteran waiters, moonlighting actresses, libertarians and baristas will no doubt protest some or most of what follows. They will claim it homogenizes them or stifles their true nature. And yet, if 100 different actors play Hamlet, hitting all the same marks, reciting all the same lines, cannot each one bring something unique to that role?
1. Do not let anyone enter the restaurant without a warm greeting.
2. Do not make a singleton feel bad. Do not say, “Are you waiting for someone?” Ask for a reservation. Ask if he or she would like to sit at the bar.
3. Never refuse to seat three guests because a fourth has not yet arrived.
4. If a table is not ready within a reasonable length of time, offer a free drink and/or amuse-bouche. The guests may be tired and hungry and thirsty, and they did everything right.
5. Tables should be level without anyone asking. Fix it before guests are seated.
6. Do not lead the witness with, “Bottled water or just tap?” Both are fine. Remain neutral.
7. Do not announce your name. No jokes, no flirting, no cuteness.
8. Do not interrupt a conversation. For any reason. Especially not to recite specials. Wait for the right moment.
9. Do not recite the specials too fast or robotically or dramatically. It is not a soliloquy. This is not an audition.
10. Do not inject your personal favorites when explaining the specials.
11. Do not hustle the lobsters. That is, do not say, “We only have two lobsters left.” Even if there are only two lobsters left.
12. Do not touch the rim of a water glass. Or any other glass.
13. Handle wine glasses by their stems and silverware by the handles.
14. When you ask, “How’s everything?” or “How was the meal?” listen to the answer and fix whatever is not right.
15. Never say “I don’t know” to any question without following with, “I’ll find out.”
16. If someone requests more sauce or gravy or cheese, bring a side dish of same. No pouring. Let them help themselves.
17. Do not take an empty plate from one guest while others are still eating the same course. Wait, wait, wait.
18. Know before approaching a table who has ordered what. Do not ask, “Who’s having the shrimp?”
19. Offer guests butter and/or olive oil with their bread.
20. Never refuse to substitute one vegetable for another.
21. Never serve anything that looks creepy or runny or wrong.
22. If someone is unsure about a wine choice, help him. That might mean sending someone else to the table or offering a taste or two.
23. If someone likes a wine, steam the label off the bottle and give it to the guest with the bill. It has the year, the vintner, the importer, etc.
24. Never use the same glass for a second drink.
25. Make sure the glasses are clean. Inspect them before placing them on the table.
26. Never assume people want their white wine in an ice bucket. Inquire.
27. For red wine, ask if the guests want to pour their own or prefer the waiter to pour.
28. Do not put your hands all over the spout of a wine bottle while removing the cork.
29. Do not pop a champagne cork. Remove it quietly, gracefully. The less noise the better.
30. Never let the wine bottle touch the glass into which you are pouring. No one wants to drink the dust or dirt from the bottle.
31. Never remove a plate full of food without asking what went wrong. Obviously, something went wrong.
32. Never touch a customer. No excuses. Do not do it. Do not brush them, move them, wipe them or dust them.
33. Do not bang into chairs or tables when passing by.
34. Do not have a personal conversation with another server within earshot of customers.
35. Do not eat or drink in plain view of guests.
36. Never reek from perfume or cigarettes. People want to smell the food and beverage.
37. Do not drink alcohol on the job, even if invited by the guests. “Not when I’m on duty” will suffice.
38.Do not call a guy a “dude.”
39. Do not call a woman “lady.”
40. Never say, “Good choice,” implying that other choices are bad.
41. Saying, “No problem” is a problem. It has a tone of insincerity or sarcasm. “My pleasure” or “You’re welcome” will do.
42. Do not compliment a guest’s attire or hairdo or makeup. You are insulting someone else.
43. Never mention what your favorite dessert is. It’s irrelevant.
44. Do not discuss your own eating habits, be you vegan or lactose intolerant or diabetic.
45. Do not curse, no matter how young or hip the guests.
46. Never acknowledge any one guest over and above any other. All guests are equal.
47. Do not gossip about co-workers or guests within earshot of guests.
48. Do not ask what someone is eating or drinking when they ask for more; remember or consult the order.
49. Never mention the tip, unless asked.
50. Do not turn on the charm when it’s tip time. Be consistent throughout.
One Hundred Things Restaurant Staffers Should Never Do (Part 1)
By BRUCE BUSCHEL
Herewith is a modest list of dos and don’ts for servers at the seafood restaurant I am building. Veteran waiters, moonlighting actresses, libertarians and baristas will no doubt protest some or most of what follows. They will claim it homogenizes them or stifles their true nature. And yet, if 100 different actors play Hamlet, hitting all the same marks, reciting all the same lines, cannot each one bring something unique to that role?
1. Do not let anyone enter the restaurant without a warm greeting.
2. Do not make a singleton feel bad. Do not say, “Are you waiting for someone?” Ask for a reservation. Ask if he or she would like to sit at the bar.
3. Never refuse to seat three guests because a fourth has not yet arrived.
4. If a table is not ready within a reasonable length of time, offer a free drink and/or amuse-bouche. The guests may be tired and hungry and thirsty, and they did everything right.
5. Tables should be level without anyone asking. Fix it before guests are seated.
6. Do not lead the witness with, “Bottled water or just tap?” Both are fine. Remain neutral.
7. Do not announce your name. No jokes, no flirting, no cuteness.
8. Do not interrupt a conversation. For any reason. Especially not to recite specials. Wait for the right moment.
9. Do not recite the specials too fast or robotically or dramatically. It is not a soliloquy. This is not an audition.
10. Do not inject your personal favorites when explaining the specials.
11. Do not hustle the lobsters. That is, do not say, “We only have two lobsters left.” Even if there are only two lobsters left.
12. Do not touch the rim of a water glass. Or any other glass.
13. Handle wine glasses by their stems and silverware by the handles.
14. When you ask, “How’s everything?” or “How was the meal?” listen to the answer and fix whatever is not right.
15. Never say “I don’t know” to any question without following with, “I’ll find out.”
16. If someone requests more sauce or gravy or cheese, bring a side dish of same. No pouring. Let them help themselves.
17. Do not take an empty plate from one guest while others are still eating the same course. Wait, wait, wait.
18. Know before approaching a table who has ordered what. Do not ask, “Who’s having the shrimp?”
19. Offer guests butter and/or olive oil with their bread.
20. Never refuse to substitute one vegetable for another.
21. Never serve anything that looks creepy or runny or wrong.
22. If someone is unsure about a wine choice, help him. That might mean sending someone else to the table or offering a taste or two.
23. If someone likes a wine, steam the label off the bottle and give it to the guest with the bill. It has the year, the vintner, the importer, etc.
24. Never use the same glass for a second drink.
25. Make sure the glasses are clean. Inspect them before placing them on the table.
26. Never assume people want their white wine in an ice bucket. Inquire.
27. For red wine, ask if the guests want to pour their own or prefer the waiter to pour.
28. Do not put your hands all over the spout of a wine bottle while removing the cork.
29. Do not pop a champagne cork. Remove it quietly, gracefully. The less noise the better.
30. Never let the wine bottle touch the glass into which you are pouring. No one wants to drink the dust or dirt from the bottle.
31. Never remove a plate full of food without asking what went wrong. Obviously, something went wrong.
32. Never touch a customer. No excuses. Do not do it. Do not brush them, move them, wipe them or dust them.
33. Do not bang into chairs or tables when passing by.
34. Do not have a personal conversation with another server within earshot of customers.
35. Do not eat or drink in plain view of guests.
36. Never reek from perfume or cigarettes. People want to smell the food and beverage.
37. Do not drink alcohol on the job, even if invited by the guests. “Not when I’m on duty” will suffice.
38.Do not call a guy a “dude.”
39. Do not call a woman “lady.”
40. Never say, “Good choice,” implying that other choices are bad.
41. Saying, “No problem” is a problem. It has a tone of insincerity or sarcasm. “My pleasure” or “You’re welcome” will do.
42. Do not compliment a guest’s attire or hairdo or makeup. You are insulting someone else.
43. Never mention what your favorite dessert is. It’s irrelevant.
44. Do not discuss your own eating habits, be you vegan or lactose intolerant or diabetic.
45. Do not curse, no matter how young or hip the guests.
46. Never acknowledge any one guest over and above any other. All guests are equal.
47. Do not gossip about co-workers or guests within earshot of guests.
48. Do not ask what someone is eating or drinking when they ask for more; remember or consult the order.
49. Never mention the tip, unless asked.
50. Do not turn on the charm when it’s tip time. Be consistent throughout.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Fox News- idiots...MSNBC- idiots...Obama administration- idiots!!!!!!
Check out this Jon Stewart video diatribe concerning the White House war on Fox News. Although I feel Jon was a little unfair to to Jim Cramer when he skewered CNBC's role in the stock market crisis, nobody tells the emperor that he has no clothes on better than The Daily Show host.
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| For Fox Sake! | ||||
| ||||
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Top 10 Most Expensive Watches in the World Ever Sold
The Top 10 Most Expensive Watches in the World are dominated by PATEK PHILIPPE. The French term ‘bienfacture’ is a recognition of fine workmanship in the quality of making all component to movements, watch cases and bracelets. 100% of the Patek Philippe mechanical movement are awarded by the prestigious official hallmark of the Geneva Seal granted since 1886.
#1 Henry Graves Supercomplication PATEK PHILIPPE (1932) - Let’s begin with the topper. Henry Graves Supercomplication watch, made in 1932, was sold at Sotheby’s auction in 1999 at a whopping price of $11,002,500. The watch fetched a much greater price than what was initially expected. The pocket watch has two faces and 24 complications (or functions). It took 4 long years to manufacture the watch. It still holds the record of the most expensive watch ever sold on the face of our planet.
#2 Caliber 89 PATEK PHILIPPE (1989) – The second position goes to Caliber 89, manufactured in 1989. It was sold at a mind-boggling price of $5,002,500 at Antiquorum in 2004. The “clockwatch” is made of 18 carat white gold. It is considered to be one of the most complex watches ever built, with 33 functions, along with dials for a second time zone.
#3 Platinum World Time PATEK PHILIPPE (1939) – The third position goes to Patek Philippe Platinum World Time (1939) wristwatch. It was sold at an eyebrow-raising price of $4,026,524 in Antiquorum in 2002. According to watch experts, this platinum watch is one of a kind gem creation ever made.
#4 Heures Universelles PATEK PHILIPPE (1953) – In the fourth position stands Model 2523 Heures Universelles, a Patek Philippe creation of 1953. The watch fetched a stupendous price of $2,899,373 at Antiquorum in 2006. The delicate watch is made of 18-carat white gold. The watch sports a polychrome and enamel dial representing the North American geographical map.
#5 Model 2499 Patek Philippe First Series (1957) PATEK PHILIPPE – The fifth slot again goes to a Patek Philippe creation. The Model 2499 First Series watch was manufactured in 1957 and sold at Christie’s in 2007 at an astounding price of $2,280,000. The prized 18-carat rose-gold wristwatch bears the signature of Patek Philippe.
#6 Patek Philippe Model 1591 (1944) PATEK PHILIPPE – The sixth watch again is a Patek Philippe creation. The Model 1591 watch, manufactured in 1944, was sold at Christie’s in 2007 at an amazing price of $2,263,964. The stainless steel wristwatch once belonged to a maharajah who used to wear it while playing polo. It was later gifted to a person who arranged the maharaja’s wedding. It is the only stainless-steel version of model 1591 and holds the world record of being the only stainless steel watch ever sold in an auction.
#7 Patek Philippe Model 2499 (1951) – In the seventh position stands a Patek Philippe Model 2499 First Series watch, manufactured in 1951. The watch fetched a monumental price of $2,129,000 in Antiquorum, 2002. The watch bears the embossed signature of Patek Philippe. It is an 18-carat rose gold watch with a perpetual calendar and a moon-phase dial.
#8 Grande Complication PATEK PHILIPPE (1926) – The eighth position belongs to Grande Complication, again a Patek Philippe creation of 1926. It was sold at Christie’s at a prodigious price tag of $1,980,200. The watch was said to be made for one of the closest patrons of Patek Philippe. The watch has 12 complications or functionalities, including a twin-barrel winding mechanism working on both directions. The watch also sports a perpetual calendar.
#9 Grogan 1925 PATEK PHILIPPE (1925) Watches – In the last but one spot stands Patek Philippe made Grogan, manufactured in 1925. It was sold at a monumental price of $1,945,040 at Christie’s in 2006. The gold chronograph watch has a cushion-shaped case and suits the left-handed wearer. It is a unique one of its kind watch ever created.
Officier (1923) PATEK PHILIPPE Watches – The last position is yet again a Patek Philippe creation (a clean sweep by the brand). The “Officer” watch was manufactured in 1923 and sold at an astronomical sum of $1,918,387 at Antiquorum in 1999. It is made of 18-carat yellow gold and features functionalities like chronograph and a 60-minute register.
#1 Henry Graves Supercomplication PATEK PHILIPPE (1932) - Let’s begin with the topper. Henry Graves Supercomplication watch, made in 1932, was sold at Sotheby’s auction in 1999 at a whopping price of $11,002,500. The watch fetched a much greater price than what was initially expected. The pocket watch has two faces and 24 complications (or functions). It took 4 long years to manufacture the watch. It still holds the record of the most expensive watch ever sold on the face of our planet.
#2 Caliber 89 PATEK PHILIPPE (1989) – The second position goes to Caliber 89, manufactured in 1989. It was sold at a mind-boggling price of $5,002,500 at Antiquorum in 2004. The “clockwatch” is made of 18 carat white gold. It is considered to be one of the most complex watches ever built, with 33 functions, along with dials for a second time zone.
#3 Platinum World Time PATEK PHILIPPE (1939) – The third position goes to Patek Philippe Platinum World Time (1939) wristwatch. It was sold at an eyebrow-raising price of $4,026,524 in Antiquorum in 2002. According to watch experts, this platinum watch is one of a kind gem creation ever made.
#4 Heures Universelles PATEK PHILIPPE (1953) – In the fourth position stands Model 2523 Heures Universelles, a Patek Philippe creation of 1953. The watch fetched a stupendous price of $2,899,373 at Antiquorum in 2006. The delicate watch is made of 18-carat white gold. The watch sports a polychrome and enamel dial representing the North American geographical map.
#5 Model 2499 Patek Philippe First Series (1957) PATEK PHILIPPE – The fifth slot again goes to a Patek Philippe creation. The Model 2499 First Series watch was manufactured in 1957 and sold at Christie’s in 2007 at an astounding price of $2,280,000. The prized 18-carat rose-gold wristwatch bears the signature of Patek Philippe.
#6 Patek Philippe Model 1591 (1944) PATEK PHILIPPE – The sixth watch again is a Patek Philippe creation. The Model 1591 watch, manufactured in 1944, was sold at Christie’s in 2007 at an amazing price of $2,263,964. The stainless steel wristwatch once belonged to a maharajah who used to wear it while playing polo. It was later gifted to a person who arranged the maharaja’s wedding. It is the only stainless-steel version of model 1591 and holds the world record of being the only stainless steel watch ever sold in an auction.
#7 Patek Philippe Model 2499 (1951) – In the seventh position stands a Patek Philippe Model 2499 First Series watch, manufactured in 1951. The watch fetched a monumental price of $2,129,000 in Antiquorum, 2002. The watch bears the embossed signature of Patek Philippe. It is an 18-carat rose gold watch with a perpetual calendar and a moon-phase dial.
#8 Grande Complication PATEK PHILIPPE (1926) – The eighth position belongs to Grande Complication, again a Patek Philippe creation of 1926. It was sold at Christie’s at a prodigious price tag of $1,980,200. The watch was said to be made for one of the closest patrons of Patek Philippe. The watch has 12 complications or functionalities, including a twin-barrel winding mechanism working on both directions. The watch also sports a perpetual calendar.
#9 Grogan 1925 PATEK PHILIPPE (1925) Watches – In the last but one spot stands Patek Philippe made Grogan, manufactured in 1925. It was sold at a monumental price of $1,945,040 at Christie’s in 2006. The gold chronograph watch has a cushion-shaped case and suits the left-handed wearer. It is a unique one of its kind watch ever created.
Officier (1923) PATEK PHILIPPE Watches – The last position is yet again a Patek Philippe creation (a clean sweep by the brand). The “Officer” watch was manufactured in 1923 and sold at an astronomical sum of $1,918,387 at Antiquorum in 1999. It is made of 18-carat yellow gold and features functionalities like chronograph and a 60-minute register.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
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