Negative Comments...

Ok, I'm a weeny. Received a couple of negative comments and after leaving them on and mulling them over for a couple of days, I deleted them. Then I was sorry I did so and could not directly respond to those offended, but I can't get them back. I was told I was bitching too much, shouldn't air my dirty laundry on this blog, that I had a bad attitude. Well except for my husband hearing about the problems, this is my forum. This is a very hard, tedious business and so far removed from the celebrity status that people hear about, that I want to share what a restaurant owner deals with every day.

But perhaps I do take the time to write more when I am ticked off.

I should write more about our regulars who are the bread and butter of any restaurant and how nice they are to my staff and myself. I should write more often about how I actually do love going to work, every day. I love the pace, the hard work and my staff. I do love taking care of my guests, old and new:  serving them food, suggesting wine pairings, tiding their table, following up with special requests. I love being able to support my servers when they are slammed. I love the jazzy feel of the restaurant  when we are in full swing, even on a quieter night. I get true pleasures when the line cooks get in the weeds and I get behind the line to work with them. 

Showtime is fun, exciting and rewarding. Getting to showtime is hard.

Comments

[Coldnosedave]

Rose and Thorn.

Try to limit your complaints to the number of positive posts you have. For every thorn, there must be at least one rose. I use this in other industries and it seems to work well and keep meetings from dragging on too long.

Just a thought.

[Michael Garbutt]

Marla,
There are thorns in every rose. As someone who has enjoyed your hospitality at both Ciao Bella as well as your signature home now, please don't let ANY naysayers upset you. If there is any issue, remember: everyone has a bad day and that's more directed toward your customers than your establishment. Any 'long timer' can certainly work out issues with you. Plus we all cherish you for the superb job you do...
Smile....

[Corinne Taylor]

Marla:
I opened a new business this summer in an historic building with a skeleton crew of young staff. Your blog was my life line to sanity. Water leaks, failing appliances,no shows, all put in perspective. If you had painted a rosy picture I would not have been able to laugh it off and keep mopping.