Following are a few tips/observations on New Year's Eve dining that I thought I'd share with the general public. Several years of working 12/31/xx have brought some wisdom (hopefully)...
1. Please remember that, at many restaurants on New Year's Eve, you are not the only person
dining there and that you've (hopefully) reserved a specific time/seating for a reason. Show
up on time, and don't act like you're the only guest front of the house staff has to serve. If
you lose your reservation because you're late (likely after 15 minutes from the agreed upon
time have elapsed), don't complain to us. If you do us the courtesy (like any thinking person
would) of calling ahead to say that you'll likely be x minutes late, most restaurants willl gladly
hold your reservation out of the grasp of those who just walked in looking for an open table.
2. Please do not extend your stay at a restaurant longer than it needs to be, especially on New
Year's Eve. You need to realize that many restaurants book their guests on this night in
seatings that begin at a set time. We exist to serve our guests, but we really need you to leave
at least 15 minutes prior to the next seating.
3. If the restaurantn is offering a set menu (often with several options for you to choose from),
please do not go overboard with no butter this, or hold the mushrooms that. Better yet, just
order your dining choices without trying to make any modifications. If you've made
reservations, you'v elikely been informed of our offerings for the evening. Front of the house
staff is always told by the chef not to suggest modifications to New Year's Eve dinners for a
reason: volume (and on the server side, to avoid dirty l;ooks and muttered curses by the
kitchen staff).
These are but a few of the many suggestions that I could make. See the waiter's post for more great tips.
Happy New Year! Hope it's a great 2006 for y'uns.