When we were laying out our dining room, trying desperately to get the much needed "at least 50" seats, we placed one table in a spot we realized would most likely be totally unacceptable to our customers, but we also knew was space that had to be used. We figured it would be one of the last tables we would seat on a busy night, but that is when we would need it most. After all, who would want to sit at a table that is right by the entrance to the bathrooms, within shouting distance of the constantly opening and closing kitchen door, and practically attached to the service end of the bar?
Well, we sure miscalculated that! Apparently everyone wants to sit right next to the bar, near the kitchen and in the path of the restrooms - especially when it is a comfy booth, set apart from the rest of the dining room, with a large window and a view to the rest of the dining room. Table One quickly became the number one choice for many of our regulars and the number two choice (after their personal favorite, Table 21) for many more. Who knew?
This situation caused me to get into trouble on Tuesday night... Now many of you might be saying to yourselves right now, "What? Barbara? Get into trouble? I don't believe that! Barbara could just never get herself into trouble!" And others of you are saying "Uh oh...what has she done now?!" Yes, once again I put my size 7 shoes right into my mouth, both of them at the same time I think, by not allowing a bar customer to move to Table One at 5PM on Tuesday. And it gets worse - before that I refused to allow a regular Table One customer access to their favorite table, forcing them to sit at their second choice! Yes, I was rude and arrogant, again.
It all started when a Table One regular called to say she was coming in at 5:15 with her daughter. I knew that meant that she was "hoping" to sit at her favorite table. I also knew that if she didn't get it, it wouldn't be the end of the world, unlike some of our regulars who shall be dissed later in this post. But I wanted to make it happen for her, since she rarely gets in to dinner with us much, and because I figured at 5:15, what could be the competition for the table, eh? Well, sure enough, Jan and Gill show up first. I tell them that they are just not good enough for their regular table tonight and they would just have to deal. Immediately after their arrival, a single diner comes in, deciding she would like to eat at the bar. This is fine, she gets a glass of wine and contemplates the menu. Meanwhile, I am making derogatory comments to Jan and Gill about why they are just not at the top of the list for Table One. I return to my bar customer and she has decided she wants to move to a table.
Not just any table, however. Of course it had to be Table One.
Uh Oh.
It's one thing to joke around with friendly regulars about the "reserved" status of their favorite seat in the house. It's another to try to explain it to an "outsider". Let's just put it this way - I failed. Miserably. I won't be surprised to see my patronizing behavior once again aired on Trip Advisor. I will never learn. My explanation as to why she could not sit at her choice of tables was not accepted and neither were my apologies; she ate hurriedly and left angrily.
So. Here's the deal people. From now on, Table One is reserved for one party and one party only. That would be Gerry. Gerry and Marie. They will be paying a regular fee to guarantee exclusive use of Table One, whether they are here or not. They have seniority and "most regular" status above everyone else. Except maybe for one or two others. However when Jan and Gill come in, they will be allowed to sit there, unless Gerry and Marie are there. Same goes for Binnie. And Joyce can have it at any lunch that she wants, as long as Gerry and Marie aren't there. Everyone one else can sit there when no one else wants to. And that is my final ruling.
Signed,
Miss Rule
Well, we sure miscalculated that! Apparently everyone wants to sit right next to the bar, near the kitchen and in the path of the restrooms - especially when it is a comfy booth, set apart from the rest of the dining room, with a large window and a view to the rest of the dining room. Table One quickly became the number one choice for many of our regulars and the number two choice (after their personal favorite, Table 21) for many more. Who knew?
This situation caused me to get into trouble on Tuesday night... Now many of you might be saying to yourselves right now, "What? Barbara? Get into trouble? I don't believe that! Barbara could just never get herself into trouble!" And others of you are saying "Uh oh...what has she done now?!" Yes, once again I put my size 7 shoes right into my mouth, both of them at the same time I think, by not allowing a bar customer to move to Table One at 5PM on Tuesday. And it gets worse - before that I refused to allow a regular Table One customer access to their favorite table, forcing them to sit at their second choice! Yes, I was rude and arrogant, again.
It all started when a Table One regular called to say she was coming in at 5:15 with her daughter. I knew that meant that she was "hoping" to sit at her favorite table. I also knew that if she didn't get it, it wouldn't be the end of the world, unlike some of our regulars who shall be dissed later in this post. But I wanted to make it happen for her, since she rarely gets in to dinner with us much, and because I figured at 5:15, what could be the competition for the table, eh? Well, sure enough, Jan and Gill show up first. I tell them that they are just not good enough for their regular table tonight and they would just have to deal. Immediately after their arrival, a single diner comes in, deciding she would like to eat at the bar. This is fine, she gets a glass of wine and contemplates the menu. Meanwhile, I am making derogatory comments to Jan and Gill about why they are just not at the top of the list for Table One. I return to my bar customer and she has decided she wants to move to a table.
Not just any table, however. Of course it had to be Table One.
Uh Oh.
It's one thing to joke around with friendly regulars about the "reserved" status of their favorite seat in the house. It's another to try to explain it to an "outsider". Let's just put it this way - I failed. Miserably. I won't be surprised to see my patronizing behavior once again aired on Trip Advisor. I will never learn. My explanation as to why she could not sit at her choice of tables was not accepted and neither were my apologies; she ate hurriedly and left angrily.
So. Here's the deal people. From now on, Table One is reserved for one party and one party only. That would be Gerry. Gerry and Marie. They will be paying a regular fee to guarantee exclusive use of Table One, whether they are here or not. They have seniority and "most regular" status above everyone else. Except maybe for one or two others. However when Jan and Gill come in, they will be allowed to sit there, unless Gerry and Marie are there. Same goes for Binnie. And Joyce can have it at any lunch that she wants, as long as Gerry and Marie aren't there. Everyone one else can sit there when no one else wants to. And that is my final ruling.
Signed,
Miss Rule
Who would have figured that this table by the bar would have become the "best" table in Brooks Tavern's dining room. Restaurant Designers, pay attention here!
And here are Gerry and Marie, lording over all the rest of the clientele while they relish their position of power. They rule too.And for anyone who reads this and takes it seriously, my sincerest apologies. Please forgive my arrogance. And enjoy the food, even if you can't enjoy my humor. You won't be alone.
We are so honored!!
ReplyDeleteWe'll be in New York all week, so we trust you will seat only the "worthy" at Table One during our absence. Just remember, we're always watching.......our eyes and ears are everywhere.