Sunday, June 3, 2012

A Table for Two Is NOT Table Six





The Sandbox, which is a cute, quaint and kitchy restaurant on the island,  is open for the season.   It is an outdoor breakfast/lunch cafe with limited seating.  There is always a line and a wait.
This morning we were up and out early.  When we got to the cafe there was no wait and we were seated right away.
Ross is particular about where he sits in a restaurant.  He is even particular about which chair he sits in at the table.  I can never remember, but I think it's that he doesn't like to sit with his back to the front door or something like that.  It is pretty typical for him to ask to be seated somewhere other than where the host/hostess wants to seat us.
Today was no exception.  The hostess showed us to what I thought was a nice cozy table off to the side.  Ross, on the other hand, viewed it as being shoved in a corner.  So, true to form,  Ross asked the hostess if we could sit "at that table, over there" instead.
One of the owners of the cafe is Vinnie.  Vinnie is very serious and walks around with a clipboard studying his table chart.   He overhead the conversation and said, "Sorry, but that table over there is for four people.  We can't possibly seat two at a table meant for four.  We can sit you here instead at this table for two."
As I said the cafe is small with a limited number of tables.  This "table for two" should have really been a table for one.  It was one of those tiny round Pier One iron tables.  But it was smack dab in the middle of the restaurant with a clear view of everything and everyone.    Perfect for Ross.
The co-owner of the Sandbox is Sandy.  She is married to Vinnie.  Sandy is warm, friendly and outgoing.  She is the type of person who makes you feel as if you have known her forever.   She visits each table to make sure everyone is satisfied.  She came by our table and was very concerned that we did not look comfortable sitting at such a tiny table.  She told us that as soon as "that table over there" was available, she would move us, which was fine with me.  So, Sandy moved us from table 6 to table 7.   She told us that she couldn't understand why Vinnie insists on sitting two people at table 6.  She said that Vinnie would probably be upset about her moving us to table 7.  And he was.
As we were eating our breakfast, I noticed Vinnie showing another couple to...yep table 6.
A few minutes later,  Sandy was moving the couple from table 6 to table 4.
Vinnie, sighed and shook his head.  Sandy smiled, winked at Vinnie and sat down for a chat with the party of four at table 8.











I have created a page for Anna's Diary.  It can be found under the Tab titled Anna's Diary.
I have posted all of the entries to date there, starting with January 1, 1929.

Here is today's entry from Anna's diary:
Mon. June 3, 1929
Still at Hackettstown.  Went to town shopping with Flo.  Then after lunch for a tromp in the woods. Left about four to pick Ann J. in Dover where she teaches and home.


3 comments:

  1. She sounds like she is a good customer service person.  That is an art that is on the way out in a lot of places.  I get the importance of putting the correct number of people at a table so large parties can have a table when necessary, but that table sounds like it should be for a solo dinner.  Glad you had a lovely meal.   I stopped going to a local Italian place as they would take me DIRECTLY to a table in the corner by the bathroom/kitchen when I came in alone.  TONS of tables and me by the toilet.   Some would move me, others told me it was a "fine" seat.  

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  2. Ha!  I am like Ross.  I will ask to be seated at an alternative table if I think the one they gave me is unacceptable.  I won't sit right by the kitchen or the bathrooms - too much noise and sometimes too much smell.  I also strongly prefer to sit where I can see the door too!  Hey, I am paying good money for this meal so I want the details to be comfortable.  I frequently also ask for the music to be turned down - I generally prefer NO music to be played but if it is soft in the background, well, that is okay.  I want to be able to hear what my dinner companion is saying.  

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  3. I'm with Ross. I don't like to be too close to the front door, or have my back to the door. I like to be able to see what's going on around me. But I don't always ask to be moved. We usually go out to eat with a crowd of 6-8 people, so we usually take what we can get. The waffles and strawberries look terrific!

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