C

and the appearance and quality of
food.
Some people say, "You can't eat
C atmosphere." But you'll go back to a
restaurant where the personnel are
attentive, courteous and service orient-
ed even though the food isn't the most
outstanding. The atmosphere of con-
cern and hospitality begins the minute
the customer walks in the door. The
hostess or maitre d' should develop
the faculty of recognizing repeat cus-
tomers and welcoming them by name.
That makes you feel important.
Disliked restaurants stack up
patrons in a line while groups of four
are seated in order to make maximum
use of all chairs. Larger groups may
also be kept waiting. It's most impor-
tant that customers be seated quickly
in the order in which they come into a
restaurant.
On a light night, it's more consider-
c ate to put a couple at a four-chair
table than to insist upon their sitting
at a "deuce." Customers like a little
more elbow room and a feeling of
space and comfort.
It's also better to seat a young cou-
ple on a date or a husband and wife
on a special night out in an area where
there's privacy. Seating a couple next
to a group of four or six young men
cr out for a night of fun doesn't show
good judgment. A little attentiveness
on the part of a hostess or maitre d' in
helping a party to get settled will go a
long way toward making patrons feel
at home.
The hostess or host can suggest the
specials of the day as they distribute
menus. And customers should receive
attentive service after they have a
minute or two to look at the menu.
When customers complain about
the food, it's a great approach for the
manager to come to the table and ask
what the problem is. This happened
to us recently at a well-known restau-
rant where the lobster was lacking a
claw.
The person who ordered the whole
lobster complained that it had a part
missing and the manager substituted
the crippled lobster with an even larg-
er one. He apologized, took our din-
ners back to heat while waiting for the
new lobster and he sent a complimen-
tary bottle of wine to our table. That
made the difference in our returning
to the restaurant. Any place can have a
bad night.
Sincerity in the sales appeal of a
restaurant is most effective and costs
nothing. Here's a little test. Does the
server tally up the check and place it

Enjoy Our Award-Winning Tommy Salad .. .
Michigan's Finest Lamb Chops . . And Other
Favorite Greek Specialties That Are So
Widely Acclaimed.

Tommy Peristeris and Rick Rogow Invite You
To Join Us For Lunch or Dinner 7 Days A Week

Now Appearing Thursday and Friday Evenings
Live Music By

TAYLOR MADE

Complete Carry-Out Service Available

Banquet Room For All Occasions . . . 220 People

Our Catering Coordinators Are At Your
Service To Help You Plan Your
Perfect Affair

• Weddings • Showers • Bar/Bat Mitzvahs
• Anniversaries • Reunions
• Birthdays • Etc. • Etc.

pc/J- TheNoN

6199 Orchard Lake Rd., N. of Maple • West Bloomfield

(248) 737-8600

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10/31

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