People just love complaining about rushed restaurant service. In our user reviews it is always a top gripe. Our Sibling publication, Grub Street, recently generated a bevvy of comments with a post on an impatient Minetta Tavern host. Now Michael Bauer has opened that pandora’s box in his blog today, running a letter accusing the city’s dining culture in general of being rushed.
The Chronicle critic advocates communication among staff, and waiters doing a better job of reading tables. Comments ranged from the completely offended to the completely sympathetic, but most agreed that while they don’t like to be overtly shooed out, they understand the restaurant needs their table to make money. This is because most diners are reasonable people who understand how tricky running a restaurant can be.
With that in mind, we’d suggest that a bit of communication between staff and patrons could go a long way. Personally, if a server explains their situation and offers a solution, we’re inclined to work with them so that everybody gets what they want. Saying to a table of coffee-lingerers, “excuse me, but I have a party of four waiting. Can I offer you a refill on coffee and a seat in our lounge?” will sit better with most than a curt, “please finish up. I need this table.”
But then, based on the feedback we’ve seen on this issue, we’re only one in a chorus of millions, with as many differing opinions. What’s yours?
[Photo: Via Wootang01/flickr]
