restaurants, television, kittens (the usual)

[reserve]

You probably didn't know this about me, but I have a new job. I just started working at Del Posto as a reservationist/occasional host. Today is my  fourth day, and my first day not in training. Del Posto is part of B&B Hospitality Group, and it's heavily corporate and structured -- we'll see, maybe I'll eat my words on this account, but I was happy to receive a training manual and a dress code when I got here. Mario Batali is one of the owners, and although I never expect to meet him, I love when customers put down in their reservation notes that they would like to.

Basically, this is an entry level hospitality job, but it's good experience and I make nearly the same hourly rate that I did at my old job, plus, they actually pay you your overtime here, which is a plus. So far it seems to be an easy-going, and generally friendly atmosphere and the majority of my job is answering phones and then questions while I surf the internet (I was actually told to bring my laptop or a book for my long Suday shift [11 hours]). Anyway, that's what I'm doing right now! Might start writing more fanfiction, considering how much time I have. We're also allowed to watch internet TV, so you should rec me stuff to download and get started on. I am seriously looking for a good torrent of Inception, too, if you have one.

Poll tv for work tiemsNew job aside, I've been thinking a lot about restaurants lately. My boyfriend is a line cook, and I'm addicted to restaurants. He's not big on eating out because it can be a stressful experience for him, and I'm not even in it for the food most of the time; I am absolutely in it for the service. I hate an unmemorable dining experience. When I go out to eat somewhere relatively expensive I want to feel bathed in the warm glow of the restaurant. I want servers who smile, doors held open, bathrooms with nice soap. Dining out is like going to a hotel for only an evening, it should be a clean, friendly, transportive experience. Otherwise, what's the point? Del Posto absolutely provides the kind of atmosphere that I expect from a fine-dining establishment. Some of my major dining pluses are:

1. Fresh flowers. 
2. Clean, well-mannered staff and servers.
3. Warm, inviting dining space.
4. Amuse-bouche.
5. Nicely curated wine list.
6. Tidy, stocked restrooms with cloth or cloth-like towels.
7. Unobtrusive background music.
8. Relatively low noise level.

Maybe this makes me sound like a picky bitch, but these things really matter. Even when you go out and only drop $50, someone should at least be asking if you'd like another drink or refilling your water glass. Living in the part of Brooklyn that I do, I am frequently incredibly frustrated by the utter lack of hospitality in my neighborhood restaurants. The food can be incredible, but the service often sucks. Here are things that trouble me:

1. When nothing distinguishes the servers from the customers (at least wear solid colors or an apron, jeez). 
2. Your water glass is never refilled.
3. No one takes your order at the bar.
4. Your meal comes out at an uneven clip.
5. It takes forever for the check to arrive (YOU BEGIN TO LANGUISH, UGH).
6. No one asks after your meal.
7. Unsmiling service.
8. Cramped, uncomfortable seating.

When you have a bad meal, and you paid for it, does it annoy you for days? I've had some pretty HORRENDOUS dining experiences. Some of the worst were at Blackbird Parlour, Manhattan Inn, Highland Kitchen, and Fiore (so sad, because we'd gone there once before and it was lovely) among others. I generally won't complain about dinners that were on the go, or rushed, or desperate because we had to be somewhere and were starving (although those can be the most disappointing, and often the most expensive). What really troubles me is when I put thought into where I'd like to dine and then find myself sorely displeased with the whole thing. For something that ought to be extremely pleasurable, even hedonistic, dining out has the very distinctive ability to leave you in a sour mood, with food on your shirt, and less cash in your wallet. This brings me to the conclusion that:

1. Diners should do their research. 
2. Plan ahead, rushing your meal will be needlessly frustrating.
3. Know how much money you intend to spend ahead of time (give or take).
4. Dine in small groups. I cannot stress this enough. Unless you are going to an above average restaurant, do yourself a favor and dine with four or less. Everyone (you, the servers, your friends) will stay saner and have a better time.
5. Just because a restaurant gets good Yelp reviews doesn't mean it's actually good. Yelp reviews are biased, and more often than not, unhelpful. Only Yelp can diners give a restaurant "1 star" because someone dumped them there.
6. Avoid tourist traps; you will always pay more than you should, you will always want to hit someone in the face afterward.
7. Fresh fish.
8. Don't underestimate the power of a good burger, at a crappy-looking roadside joint. You'll thank me (most of the time
   ).

Now I'm really tired. The porters here are listening to Tejano and it's super cheerful and full of accordions, but just not waking me up the way it should. I'm here all alone for a while longer, so I suppose I should try and pull it together. I've gotten maybe... 5 phone calls since I got in at 10:00? You should probably entertain me. I'm going to research graduate schools online.

Blah.