9 Tricks for Getting a Table (and Being a VIP) at Hot Restaurants

re: 9 Tricks for Getting a Table (and Being a VIP) at Hot Restaurants

nommolucas — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 04:28:35 GMT

been in the restaurant business over ten years and am

currently buying wine for my restaurant. number 8 about

not buying the 2nd cheapest wine is ridiculous. get a feel

for the service staff and see if you can tell their expertise

to assist in ordering wine. if you can't rely on the waitstaff

only order something you know about or don't risk it.

but don't purposefully avoid the 2nd cheapest....that's just

silly

re: 9 Tricks for Getting a Table (and Being a VIP) at Hot Restaurants

evgrenamyer — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 17:26:23 GMT

THe restaurant we have in MEmphis is THE BLUE FISH IN COOPER YOUNG. This is the heart of Midtown Memphis.

Yes to restaurant workers are human beings. IVe seen customers treat some servers so rudely, its hard to take. Please know that when you generalize, whether its about the service or food source in a restaurant, that you are hurting the few who are trying to do their best. In this recent economic crisis, we havent downgraded any of our food products but have lowered some of our menu prices, because some business is better than none.

No place can do everything perfectly, and not just because of economics, but sometimes its availability. Yet few customers want to pay more for the top products available.

Say your prayers before you eat anywhere and talk to the proprietors about what is important to them, and listen to what they say. While not on the menu, we do offer vegan and vegetarian for those who do not eat seafood.

re: 9 Tricks for Getting a Table (and Being a VIP) at Hot Restaurants

mamadelala — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 18:30:13 GMT

OMG! I am trying to take calming breaths and not rant at most of you (trying not to name call here).

I have worked in the restaurant industry for over 20 years. There is only 1 other post from someone on the inside. How can any of you say you know ANYTHING about the industry if you havent worked in it. I have worked for National food chain restaurants to those receiving 4 star's. I can include mom and pop local and everything in between. First of all, I AM A HUMAN BEING not your slave, please treat me and all other people as such! I have feelings and I am NOT perfect, just like YOU. Eating out is a human experience. If you cannot understand that please DO NOT come out to eat. If you have special food needs find out BEFORE you make a reservation or show up if that restaurant can work with your requirements. If not, choose another place or eat at home. If you cannot afford to tip 20%, even if you dont in the end, DO NOT go out to eat! I work hard, I am the primary support for a young family of 4.I This industry allows me to be home with my children during the day and not have others raise them for me.

Okay, who really cares about what table you are at in a restaurant? If you have fabulous company and food you like. If you are out to impress someone by your ability to get a table at some 'sheshe' place, I dont really think you are here on Dr. Mercola's website, or at least I hope not. If you take a positive look at the experience instead of tainting your life with negativity, you will get more out of it. And so will I as your server.

As for wine...if you dont know what you are doing ASK! If you dont want to spend $150 for a bottle most of us will help you find something within your price point. We are here to help!

Anywho, a lot of us have college degrees and a lot of us dont. Be nice and ask for what you want except for vip status, thats cheezy, and be respectful where due and we will take care of you and do the best we can to make your night special at any price.

re: 9 Tricks for Getting a Table (and Being a VIP) at Hot Restaurants

Nanalovesryan — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 03:08:36 GMT

I don't think the comment is fair that if you can't afford to tip astronomically then choose another restaurant. It costs so much to eat out now as it is......why should we tip high just because the wait staff is doing their job well? I can see giving someone a decent tip for waiting on me for an hour.....but not outrageous. Remember, they have several tables at the same time. I think about what I make in an hour & tip accordingly. Of course if they're really horrible.....they might not get one at all.

re: 9 Tricks for Getting a Table (and Being a VIP) at Hot Restaurants

evgrenamyer — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 02:05:50 GMT

PS, AGAIN FROM MEMPHIS

WE WASH OUR LEMONS BEFORE CUTTING

WE WASH OUR HANDS, WE DONT USE FOOD THATS TOO OLD, AND HAVE HIGH STANDARDS. WE PAY TOP DOLLAR FOR GOOD MEATS AND FRESH SEAFOOD.

PEOPLE WHO ARE WORRIED ABOUT SUCH THINGS NEED TO ASK THE PLACES THEY GO TO WHAT THEIR HEALTH DEPARTMENT SCORES ARE. THESE THINGS ARE PUBLIC INFORMATION.

re: 9 Tricks for Getting a Table (and Being a VIP) at Hot Restaurants

Carol M — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 01:56:53 GMT

A vegetarian is a person who does not consume animal flesh.

re: 9 Tricks for Getting a Table (and Being a VIP) at Hot Restaurants

evgrenamyer — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 01:39:50 GMT

Im a Memphis Restauranteur, we use only quality products, we dont use anything "cheap" for our customers. Only the best and freshest, sometimes organic, we recycle and have a conscience. We do only freshest seafood, great steaks and even vegan entrees. You can get any sauce on the side and have your food prepared the way you like. We serve Lolonis Wines, as they use ladybugs instead of pesticides. We use green cleaners and try to do our best in every way. Its impossible to please everyone. Try that in your own business. It cant be done, but the goal is to try to please as many as we can.

People who are friendly and appreciative become our VIPs. Of course, the servers love the over 20 percent tippers, but treat all of them like VIPs. A 15 percent tip says to them that they are just average. You dont tip on how good the food is, the tip is about service. All our patrons are valuable to us, and we have several menus to choose from to appeal to a variety of incomes. So many of you make general comments. The truth is that very few restauranteurs are getting rich in this business. Most of us Mom and Pops work very hard for very little, trying to do a good service for our communities. Those who appreciate us become our favorite VIPs. Thats all it takes.

re: 9 Tricks for Getting a Table (and Being a VIP) at Hot Restaurants

dpg921 — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:34:39 GMT

Since I have a severe allergy to soy, eating out at restaurants is extremely limited for me. I'm lucky if I eat out two times a year! And, even then, if I'm not sure about the facility, I'll just order a salad (no croutons)and bring my own salad dressing. What baffles me is that chef's don't even know that there is soy in vegetable oil, or the cooking spray! As you are all well aware of the health problems the western version of soy creates please help me spread the word The Hidden Dangers of Soy. Thanks. You will also see Dr. Mercola listed on the reference page.

http://www.hiddensoy.com

re: 9 Tricks for Getting a Table (and Being a VIP) at Hot Restaurants

webwitch6 — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:18:16 GMT

I don't care to be treated like a VIP because I do not eat out. I cant stand the fact that even in the finest of places, mistakes and icky things happen! Restaurants also do not use the best foods, they use the best PRICED foods. So you could be eating crap that you would never ordinarily eat.

I only drink water too. That always got people p--ed off at me. I cant eat the fat, cholesterol and even more hideous-the SUGAR-HFCS laden desserts in restaurants, and I am a vegetarian of 20 plus years. Doesnt seem to be much of a point in eating out anymore. Besides, with today's economy and wages going downhill, where are you going to go to eat anyway? The buffets. Aint no VIP's at buffets, LOL!

re: 9 Tricks for Getting a Table (and Being a VIP) at Hot Restaurants

mad.maeve — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:27:13 GMT

#7 - I'd ammend this one: tipping 20% is perfectly fine, you don't need to go over; tip 25 - 30% only when you get really gret service.

#9 - absolutely drop this one - there's nothing worse than asking to be treated like a vip - also, never EVER state that your ARE a vip OR that you're "friends with the owner" - bad move.

re: 9 Tricks for Getting a Table (and Being a VIP) at Hot Restaurants

mike4 — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 18:25:39 GMT

problem is, once you tip 25%, you'll always have to tip 25% or look like a cheapskate.

Most of the rec. are baloney. You can circumvent all those moves by just taking care on the maitre d' and tip the staff fairly

re: 9 Tricks for Getting a Table (and Being a VIP) at Hot Restaurants

KikiKalena — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:42:43 GMT

I thought turkeys had faces........Am I missing something? Is your statement about not eating anything with a face truth or a lie?

re: 9 Tricks for Getting a Table (and Being a VIP) at Hot Restaurants

Wheelz — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:21:10 GMT

I have yet to eat at "any" restaurant that deserves a 25% tip. Fifteen % if it's really good. Ten % of it's just ok.

re: 9 Tricks for Getting a Table (and Being a VIP) at Hot Restaurants

Docathelake — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 09:13:19 GMT

Good ideas but if eating at a restaurant twice a week and heavy tipping doesn't lead to great service, well they can just not have my business, after all they are in business to please you and serve you food. If anyone knows of a restaurant that is so good that it's worth sucking up to the staff and paying extra to be treated well, please list it here so if I'm every in that town I can give it a try, to this date I've never had food this good so it would be nice to try it out. Ohh and to the vegetarian above, plants are living breathing life forms and they absorb their nutrients in through the soil, and yes part of their food comes from decaying animals. I mean do we really know if the protein originated in the plant or the animal, they both have it thus everyone eats animals or their byproducts either directly or indirectly or we would all die.

re: 9 Tricks for Getting a Table (and Being a VIP) at Hot Restaurants

gsmith_3 — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 08:23:32 GMT

Hmmmm.... I don't drink anything but water, very little organic apple juice or carrot juice. I do not eat anything that had a face. However, I have found that the Chef is very helpful in pleasing my food choices. He says he loves a good challenge especially because I am a vegetarian. I do eat the best turkey on thanksgiving but just a small piece. Just need to stay away from the stuffing! Hmmmm....