Madeleine
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I read that book 'Service Included' and wow what a difference in service if you're dining at a place like Per Se rather than Olive Garden!
We have open seating, come when you want. VERY often we only get part of the party seated (half of the couple, parents but not kids, 3 of a group of 4, that sort of thing) and wonder what to do. I ask if they are waiting or would they like to start now? If they want to wait I try to get a time out of them when they think the missing link will arrive, especially in the summer when we're packed to the gills and holding tables for an hour is frowned upon.
So, some questions...
We have open seating, come when you want. VERY often we only get part of the party seated (half of the couple, parents but not kids, 3 of a group of 4, that sort of thing) and wonder what to do. I ask if they are waiting or would they like to start now? If they want to wait I try to get a time out of them when they think the missing link will arrive, especially in the summer when we're packed to the gills and holding tables for an hour is frowned upon.
So, some questions...
- Do you wait until everyone in a party is seated before you approach the table
- Do you bring the first course right away and THEN ask when or if they expect the other people
- If the table is completely seated and you are about to serve the main course (or any hot course) and someone 'disappears' do you hot hold all the food, deliver all the food, deliver to those who are seated and hot hold the rest