Marla's Blog

Marla's schedule for this week

Must finish the database for the new system.

Must send out recipes that have been requested from guests - ten in all.

Must renew contract with the Concierge book and send out 80 copies of the menu page.  This is a master book that is located at the concierge desk in 70 hotels in Atlanta.

Must check on a Washington Post travel listing that had incorrect information about the restaurant.  I emailed the corrections but haven't seem them change yet.

Must update allergy chart for new menu.

Must develop a new dessert since the peaches have faded.

Must send out donated gift certificates for fundraisers.

Must send photographs to Morgan Chase Publishers which is writing a page about Babette's in an upcoming Atlanta book.

Must contact security company about double billing on the contact on the back door which took three trips to fix.

Must fit in being a wife and mom.

Oh my goodness, where have I been?

Time certainly marches away from me. 

I went camping with my daughter and some great friends over Labor Day weekend.

I came back to a very nice review in the AJC.  Brought lots of new customers but even more importantly brought back some old customers who hadn't visited us in a while.

I hired a professional photographer to take pictures of the restaurant, our wine tastings and formal food portraits.  It took two afternoons of plating food, inviting guests in to be photographed and setting and resetting tables.

My husband was out of town on business for two weeks, so I was left running home from work to drop my daughter off at different dance classes.  I even had some good friends do the afterschool homework, dinner and dance run one afternoon.  Thanks Deedee and Lou!  Mona's loves you.  She stayed with friends on the weekend evenings.  It sure does take a village.....

I had the flu.

I ordered a new point of sales system for the restaurant.  The manufacturers of the system I bought 12 years ago has just informed me that it will not be able to become compliant with the new credit card security measures.  This is a $12,000.00 investment.  Ugh.  Today, I am working on finishing the database and ordering the remote printers since my old ones don't work with the new system.  The new system is being installed on Monday, October 1st.

I took the National Restaurant Association's Safe Serve course to renew my certification in food safety.  My Chef de Cuisine is certified as well.  You will be happy to know I passed with flying colors.

I implemented a fall menu.

I updated my workman's comp and liability insurance policies for the restaurant.  I have to prepare the paperwork for the annual audits coming due the first week of October.  Since the policies are based on estimated payroll and sales, I have to send the companies the actual figures and will have to pay for any difference.

I added a 2nd Wednesday per month for wine tastings so have worked on sheduling those for the rest of the fall.

I booked seven parties, designing menus for each.  We're having the Navel Academy Alumni join us for the third time, another college for the second, a group of doctors for the second, a travel group for the second, two wedding rehearsal dinners and father's birthday party.  I have two holiday luncheons to finalize.

Did I mention I had the flu?????

Just another week....

Monday:  Pressure washed and resealed the deck.

Tuesday:  Kitchen Air Conditioning fixed, just a bad breaker this time.

Wednesday.  Met with a Point of Sale (POS) sales person and signed the papers for a new system.  It seems my old system cannot be brought into compliance with the new VISA Security measures despite the manufacturer's promises.

Thursday:  Trained my tournant in his new position on Thursdays which is to prep, expedite and help me mise specials for the weekend. 

Friday:  Changed front of house managers.  I finally got my senior server to accept the position.  Have been trying to talk her into it for YEARS.  I am very excited.  I got tears in my eyes when she accepted.

Saturday:  Hosted.  Busy!

Sunday:  left Brunch early due to illness.  I think it's stress.  Came back at night for a couple hours to see what goes on when I'm not usually there.

Monday:  Slept!