Top Ten Tuesday: good first impressions
I'm still sulking about how that hiatu's joke laid such a big salmonella-infected egg -- and my first post, too!
It didn't make a very good first impression -- which is funny, because I had been thinking that my first Top Ten list should be about first impressions and how a restaurant can make a good one.
It's easier to come up with negative examples, maybe -- that dead-eyed hostess, those greasy menus -- but there are some signs I always receive as good omens. I would love to hear about a recent restaurant experience of yours that started off on the right foot and kept its stride -- or one that didn't, or one where just the opposite happened.
Top Ten Good First Impressions after the jump
- The web site provides its address, phone number, and hours of operation on the homepage (and on every page).
- The person answering the phone (or promptly confirming your reservation) tells you his or her name.
- A valet greets you politely even when you arrive on foot.
- When you walk in, the place smells good, like fresh bread, rosemary, or money.
- At the entrance, an employee without direct responsibility for waiting customers makes eye contact with you.
- Someone has set the lights below "ice-cream parlor" level.
- The bartender exchanges pleasantries with you before demanding your order. (Depending on the place, this greeting could be "Good Evening, Sir," or "sup.")
- The other diners and the cuisine appear to share the same country of origin.
- You see an employee stop to pick a bit of debris off the floor.
- Relish Tray!
Baltimore Sun Staff/Karl Merton Ferron
Comments
I am so happy to read this post. I can tell this blog is on the right track again! Yay!
Posted by: me | September 28, 2010 12:41 PM
You had me at your picture =). love that place
welcome RG!
Posted by: Matt K | September 28, 2010 12:59 PM
Yes-let's pay attention to the lighting!
Welcome, Richard!
Posted by: Dahlink | September 28, 2010 2:28 PM
Yes to the smell of warm bread. Yes to wonderful olives! Yes to a glass of water, please! Welcome, Richard!
Posted by: MJZ | September 28, 2010 2:32 PM
the "ice-cream parlor" level one is hilarious (and true).
Posted by: Gravid | September 28, 2010 2:32 PM
love it!!! You keep up the good work Richard! Excited to read more.
Posted by: Elizabeth | September 28, 2010 3:47 PM
The restrooms are spotless.
Posted by: Michelle Brown | September 28, 2010 3:56 PM
Excellent start RG!
How about server is appropriate, timely, and doesn't try to be your best friend (i.e.: doesn't sit down in an open chair at the table to exchange pleasantries and take your order)
@ Michelle Brown - ditto!
Posted by: allison | September 28, 2010 5:03 PM
I would add to number 1 that the website is up to date. This goes double for places that have a beer and/or wine list on line. If you don't plan to keep it up to date then don't put it on the site. Barley and Hops is a good example.
The only problem with number 8 is that unless the place is American as soon as I sit down it is no longer applicable.
I lived the first 50 years of my life in the shadows of the 4th largest refinery in the USA and we always referred to the combined smell of sulfur dioxide and benzene as the smell of money. Therefore number 4 has a different meaning for me.
I think I may need to revive the "comment of the week" post :)
Posted by: Elite Elephant Lover | September 28, 2010 5:05 PM
Sascha's for Dine Out for Life..we were greeted at door, seated promptly, served delicious breadsticks and olives, Sascha came by to check on our dinner and thanked us for choosing her restaurant. Food, service was very good from start to finish.
Posted by: Diane | September 28, 2010 5:28 PM
Perfect subject matter for a kick-off top ten. As for #1, the website, I think a restaurant should invariably print its prices alongside its menu. When I'm tempted to try a new restaurant, I'd like to know not only what I might order -- but what I can expect to pay when I order it. And if the prices are discreetly omitted, I'm apt to take a pass. As I suspect are other potential new customers. Unless a restaurant is jammed with reservations, it's simply doing itself a disservice.
Posted by: Michael A. Gray | September 28, 2010 5:51 PM
Welcome RG and great first Top Ten Tuesday.
Your owning up to the hiatu's egg rather than excusing it as the typo I'd have taken it for made a really good first impression.
Echoing Diane: early and reasonably enthusiastic attention to the customers is usually a good sign.
Posted by: jl | September 28, 2010 6:12 PM
The music isn't rock bar or stadium loud.
Welcome RG, may your stay be long and storied.
Posted by: Meekrat | September 28, 2010 6:25 PM
Best sign: when I ask for a water without lemon, I get a glass of water with no lemon. If they can't get that right, it's generally a sign that they won't get much else right either.
Posted by: Emily | September 28, 2010 6:32 PM
A conspicuous absence of owls, meat and gravy works for me.
;-)
Posted by: Ironic Vegan | September 28, 2010 7:13 PM
The other diners and the cuisine appear to share the same country of origin.
When someone walks into a restaurant he is unfamilar with and sees me sitting at a table, I'm not sure what he would think about the food. Probably that Chicken a la King, ham salad and creamed spinach are on the menu.
Posted by: Robert of Cross Keys | September 28, 2010 8:16 PM
Welcome Mr Gorelick!
I agree with Meekrat about the noise level, as I enjoy being able to carry on a conversation without yelling.
Posted by: Billzappa | September 28, 2010 10:07 PM
FWIW, *I* got the misplaced apostrophe joke. The apostrophe in Tangier's drives me nuts.
I'm once again looking forward to reading this blog.
Posted by: theminx | September 29, 2010 9:36 AM
Hi Richard, welcome aboard!
Regarding the Top Ten, a locally famous downtown steak place moved several years ago to right outside of OC. It was a rainy fall night and my mom and I were at the beach Xmas shopping and decided to grab a bite in the bar area (which is set up like a restaurant, only with the addition of a bar and a dance floor). We walked in and stood there, and the bar patrons and the bartender just stared at us; we didn't know if we should seat ourselves or if there was a host to seat us, and it was too loud to yell to ask. Crickets chirped. We stood there for what felt like an eternity while music played, people were walking around, and no one said a word to us while the bar patrons kept turning around to look at us and the bartender kept glancing at us. We finally turned around and walked out, deciding to patronize BJ's on the Water instead (a great place, my sister used to work there). We have never gone back,despite the fact that it is is one of my dad's favorite places to go down there (when he goes on his own).
Posted by: Ruby | September 30, 2010 9:29 AM