| Anticipation and Reaction is a crucial concept in | | | | serving the baby immediately, is usually a sigh of |
| delivering and maintaining excellent restaurant | | | | relief -- "yes!" |
| dining room service. It is very important that all | | | | It is also very important for the host to read the |
| staff and management read the customers | | | | customers as soon as they walk through the |
| individually and the table as a whole -- ahead of | | | | front door to help provide the best table that fits |
| time. | | | | the party. For example, if a couple walks into the |
| For example, a good waiter can often anticipate | | | | restaurant locked in each other's arms, then a |
| when a table will be ordering heavily off the menu. | | | | nice quiet table with some privacy would surely |
| The waiter should react by spending some extra | | | | be the perfect fit. |
| time at this table because, most likely, this table | | | | Another situation is if a party of ten arrives |
| will order even more menu items -- if given that | | | | looking to indulge in many cocktails while making |
| extra time. It makes for a more enjoyable party | | | | quite a bit of noise in the process. With anticipation |
| while boosting up the check total in the process. | | | | and reaction, the host should seat this party as |
| Then, there are times when serious business | | | | close to the bar as possible. The bar patrons |
| people come in for lunch, order lightly, and pretty | | | | probably won't mind the extra noise, and it will be |
| much want to be left alone to discuss business. | | | | much easier for the waiter to give better service. |
| With anticipation of the customer's needs, and | | | | Running heavy trays of cocktails back and forth |
| reaction, the waiter should know to give efficient, | | | | from the bar to ten thirsty patrons will not be as |
| unobtrusive service, yet not ignoring the table. | | | | tedious because the large party was sat in close |
| Then, there is the situation of the crying baby at | | | | proximity to the bar. |
| the table. The smartest thing a waiter can do is | | | | This mindfulness by the host also saves the |
| to get some food out right away to distract and | | | | waiter time and effort which can be afforded to |
| calm the baby. Often times, an order will be given | | | | other diners in the restaurant. And, most likely, |
| consisting of appetizers and entrees, along with | | | | there will be a higher beverage total generated by |
| the baby's one small dinner order. With anticipation | | | | this large party because of the reduced travel |
| and reaction, the waiter should ask "Would you | | | | time from the bar to the table. |
| like me to put in the baby's dinner order along | | | | Yes, anticipation and reaction by the staff and |
| with the appetizer order?" The response by the | | | | management will improve restaurant dining room |
| parents, as they understand the purpose of | | | | service and increase profits! |