My wonderful co-workers...

I have had the pleasure of working in many, many, many different restaurants. Did I mention many? In most instances, the people are crazy, me included. Alcoholics who work in the restaurants because they can get away with it, druggies, people running from responsibility or scared to branch out for whatever reason. I have been all of these people. However, I came to LA and found a restaurant where every single person is kind and responsible and helpful. I walked in for my very first interview and knew, and felt the positive energy. I saw the smiles and the pleasantness and the energy swirling around that place. And then I got the job and realized it wasn't just my imagination. I actually like going to work on a day to day basis. I get excited to see my co-workers and talk about what is going on in their lives. It seems as though most people there have a whole other life they are trying to pursue. Mostly, it is acting. But some are writers. Some are singers. Some are make up artists. Some have master's degrees. Some have been there for 25 years and have such a strong commitment to the establishment that it is note worthy. They get only the best shifts, the best sections, insurance and tons of time off. So, that proves what a great company Lawry's is to work for. They reward their employees for commitment. So, here is a post to all my co workers. Every single one of you is awesome in one way or another. Whether it be your thoroughness. Or enthusiasm. Or work ethic. Or kind demeanor. Or your witty personality. You make me want to come to work. Period.

the inappropriate husband.

Let me start off by saying, ummmm, There is NO excuse. None. Nada. Zilch. Zero. NOOOOO. Why? What would make a husband do this? Unhappy? Sad? Trying to show off to his wife and friends? Believe me, buddy, this is NOT impressive! To say the least. I have had this happen to me a few times over the years, not that many, but when it does...oh boy, it is embarrassing for all involved. The last time I remember it happening was Halloween. I dressed up like Velma. You know, the cartoon character on Scooby Doo. Not the hot one...The dorky one. I went up to a four-top of two couples. As I proceeded to go over the specials and ask for their drink orders, one of the men sighed and said," oh no!! I forgot to wear my special shoes today." His wife said, "honey, what shoes?" He stated rather calmly, "The ones with the mirrors on them"... and placed his foot directly between my legs. HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAhaaaaa, NOT. Not funny. That wouldn't be funny if a hot, 23 year old guy said it, much less a 50-something balding man with no soul. His wife laughed uncomfortably. He chuckled. I rolled my eyes and said, "Maybe I should give you more time. A LOT more time..." Like, an entire decade to grow up....

Compliments and smiles...

hmmmm, who pays rent and electric with these things? Who? Raise your hand high! Thats what I thought...anyone who comes out to dinner should be prepared to part with some of your money. It was YOUR decision. No one forced you to have a night on the town. I know the economy is suffering right now. I KNOW> I rely on the public's money for my life. It drives me batty that people think smiles and compliments suffice for tips. They don't. In fact, they never have. Not even in the olden days. When I get a table that piles on the compliments, I know my tip is in trouble. Over compensation is a bitch in any circumstance. Especially this one. It has been my strong belief that people should work in the restaurant industry for one day. They should do it before they can graduate. It would show them how difficult it is to manage a large section...how much multi tasking and organizing have to take place. How time management is a must. If everyone did this for one day, stood on their feet, catered to the public, handled snooty guests, dodged unmanaged children, carried heavy trays, worked through holidays and headaches and sore feet and destroyed backs, they would NOT try and tip you with a smile. Or a compliment...

Day F-O-U-R; the Regulars; good and bad.

For as long as I have worked in the biz, I have seen my fair share of regulars. People who have bounced around from restaurant to restaurant until they find a place that suits their needs; whether it be cheap alcohol or ultra-cheesy Mac and cheese, or hot girls in short shorts or whatever. They attach themselves to the establishment and come in everyday. Some of them are a relief to see. You know that you don't have to worry about pissing them off or meeting their needs...They know you on a personal level and treat you as such. You can talk to them when you are bored and they fill up your day. They usually tip well and you are usually always glad to see them. But there is also the annoying regular. or regulars. The ones that are too loud, think they own the place, and the waitresses or waiters to boot. The ones that have one to many before they even grace the door with their presence. The couple that always has too many drinks, tell too many stories, and doesn't suffice the miserable experience with a good tip. The ones that you have to cut off almost every single time because the husband, at one point during the dining excursion, can't seem to form a single sentence. Not to make you self-conscience, but we talk about you. We talk about how bad you tip, how unhappy you must be, or, on the flip side, what a happy, wonderful family. I wouldn't go so far as to say we mess with your food or drinks, because honestly, you aren't worth our job, but karma is around. It floats in the air and bounces back on the deserved. People get what is coming to them...whether it is a hug, a miracle, or a hocked luigi in your spaghetti...

Day 3- The Guest that WON'T leave!

I think this is my pet peeve...more than a %15 tip, which, by the way, is unacceptable this day and age and if you don't know that, you should remove the rock from off your back where you have been hiding under and get a freaking clue. Let me revise this: it's unacceptable to tip %15 for decent service. I agree that when you go out to dinner, you should expect and tip adequately for the service quality...I work hard for my money and expect people to know the difference between this and a lazy server. But some people, no matter how much you try and wow them, will leave %15 no matter what. No matter if you bust your tail...no matter if you compliment the hell out of them, no matter if you make them laugh at every appearance at their table, no matter if you tap dance on the very top of their table...NO MATTER WHAT.
These people are lost causes in my book. Regardless of that, they receive the same type of service from me because some business is better than no business. But let me get to my point...The last table of the evening...The final call....You can almost see the silver lining of a warm bath at the end of a long work day or cold beer...All your other tables are gone. You have cleaned and stocked and washed things until your very heart is content. You drop the check for the last table...and they just ignore it. No, its not because they want more coffee or some dessert...you have already offered these things. No, it is not because they are still eating their meal, the busser cleared those dishes long ago...Its because they quite simply think the world revolves around them. They have nothing better to do...They will go on their own time schedule...no matter if all the other tables are gone, no matter if the busser is setting up for the next day, no matter what. I hate this. No, that word isn't too strong. I HATE IT! All you have to do is pay...Put your card or money down and you release the server from their work, from their day, from their employed life! Its that freaking simple. Pay and sit there until your heart is content...or until they kick you out.

Day 2- Drunken guy

We have all had this guy at one point or another. The bar fly. The guy that has had one to many by the time he gets to the table. I don't know about male servers, but this is the WORST for female servers. It almost always seems like an invitation for an inappropriate comment. Or grab. And then you are caught by what to do? Say something and usually your tip goes down. Don't say anything and risk the chance of it happening again. I had this guy last night. Not only was he obnoxious without alcohol, he was raging beyond belief with every shot of Jamison he took. He was slurring and swaying, he was yelling out obsencities, punching random guests, shrieking. You name it, he was probably doing it. For a long time now, I have believed that everyone should have to take a test before they venture out in public. Not a long test, just a couple questions.
1) Can you go into a public establishment without pissing someone off?
2) If you have alcohol, can you moderately control it to where it doesn't get out of hand.
3) If you have children, can you control them without infliciting child abuse?
4) Can you treat the female server or cashier, respectably, as you would treat your mother?
5) If you answered no to any of these questions, can you sit in silence for the entire night?

For the most part, I found my guest to be funny above all else. He wasn't harmful, well, except maybe for the dragon breathe. But if you consume alcohol in public places, be moderate and be kind. It helps all those who surround you.

day one

I actually watched the corny movie, Julie and Julia, and got the idea for this blog from that. I want to give people an inside look into the restaurant business.... what all is entailed behind the scenes...what the average customer doesn't see...how hard we work...how positive most of us all are....how we get treated like crap sometimes just because " Mr. I need diet coke to solve my martial problems and I don't have any so I will take it out on the poor waitress/waiter" is having a bad day and we are the first person he can actually scream at with few reprecussions. Its grueling, its tiring, its aging, its work few people could do, all for that one big tip or that person that you can make happy simply by good service. Let me set the record straight. I love the work. I love working hard for tips. I love cash in hand. I love the fast pace of it, which few jobs have. I also love all the people I have met throughout the years in this business. Most of them are the same type of personality...that is extrovert times 1,000,000. They all seem to have big hearts, passion, fire, and energy that you wouldn't find in any other business( maybe entertainment) and I love that. So starts the restaurant blog...
Questions are welcomed.
Comments are appreciated.
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