Marla's Restaurant Blog

oops

I just realized that I have forgotten ....since SATURDAY to change the restaurant's answering machine which still states that we are booked for Valentine's Day.  I just hate it when that happens on someone else's business machine.  But I'm at home.  It's 11:30 pm.  It will have to wait until tomorrow afternoon.  Damn!

Slow night?.....not for me.

We had a record Valentine's Day.  The weather was nice and I was able to open up the back deck.  Sunday brunch was packed and Sunday night saw a steady stream at the door.  It was wonderful, but I was so tired I couldn't speak.  I kept finishing the food with the wrong sauces and garnishes.  I went home and went to bed for two days, complete with a bit of the flu.

Back at work on Wednesday I wasn't expecting much business to I tried to get some things done.  I arrived at 11:00am.

• Did the kitchen prep list for my tournant to take care of.
• Did Payroll - ran reports, corrected screwed up computer time clock issues, filled out papers and faxed to payroll company.  Payroll comes tomorrow.
• Inventoried Liquor and placed order (manager is on vacation)
• Ordered two new wines for the wine list
• Stripped one of the bar coolers, replaced the liner. restocked
• Cleaned all the glass shelves
• Discarded extra wine boxes that had accumulated at bar.
• Met with liquor distributor who brought in a delicious new bottle of liquor.  Added to order.  Added Pear vodka to another order for a new cocktail.
• Called contractor about awning curtains not being finished.
• Called another contractor about tile problem in kitchen. ...big problem
• Ordered supplies from Staples
• Checked in Linen
• Paid many invoices:  muzak, gas, electric, paper goods supplies, dish machine company, dumpster company, web design guys, china company.
• Recalculated wine prices for updated wine list on Thursday
• Set up bar (manager on vacation)
• Had a tete a tete with dishwasher about which mop to use where and how much water and soap in bucket for recently waxed dining room floors.
• Put together clean menus
• Called valet company about valet throwing cigarette butts into the flower bed that he smokes and onto the curb.  They sent someone to clean it up.  I got tired of talking to the valet.
• Directed waitstaff on clearing out the wait station of all supplies so it could be cleaned and chemically treated to prevent you know what from moving in.
• Opened for business. Worked bar, which on a slower night means:  host, tend bar, bus tables, run food, expedite,help in kitchen.
• Entered all customer info and comment cards into computer system.
• Cleaned bar
• Cashed out waiters.
• Closed out paperwork.
• Iced the fish which my saute cook failed to do
• Put down bug chemicals, monthly treatment
• Locked up.

Went home at 11:05 pm.

Valentine's Day

It's 53 hours and counting till we open for Valentine's Day.  We are completely booked and have been for a few weeks now.  We have extended our menu to other days of the week and Friday is booked as well and the other nights are strong.  My walk-in coolers are full, my wine cage is full, my linen racks are bulging, my printer is tired from printing menu sheets.  The message on our answering machine states that we are booked and will take their name for our wait list.  A final floor repair is taking place right now in the dining room.  Our storage room is stocked with extra plates, candles, wineglasses, silverware.  The special menu items are in the computer.  The espresso machine repair people have just brought back machine that went on the fritz this weekend.  I think we're ready.

The Internet

Valentine's Day 2008 - last year.  Around January 1st each year I come up with my Valentine's Day Specials.  I try to get them posted on my website by the middle of January.  I had a hankering for a Warm Strawberry Soup so I put it on the menu and then on my website.  About a week before Valentine's Day I thought I better work up a test batch.  I got on the Internet to research other takes on the soup and the only clear search result was....a link to my own website.

It was delicious.