Well, it was certainly an interesting weekend to work in a Boston restaurant. We found out at about 4:30, right before dinner service, that we weren’t allowed to serve water to anyone. Not only that but we couldn’t serve any sodas or cocktails made with ice. Going into a busy Saturday night, we were wondering how exactly this was going to work.
It also happened to be the first night that our patio was open this season. The first table that I had out there had not heard about the water problem, so I tried to explain it to them.
So, you can’t serve us water?
No, I’m sorry, we just found out. One of the managers is going to the store to get bottled water and soda, but we can’t serve you anything from the tap.
Well, you have refrigeration?
Yes.. ?
The refrigeration lines require water -
Yeah, but we’re not drinking the water from the refrigeration lines. Look, this is happening all over the city, it’s not like we’re the only jerks here that can’t give you water.
I can’t do this!
The grown man threw up his arms in frustration and lifted out of his seat, his wife apologizing for him. He walked across the street to the 7-11 and grabbed himself a Perrier. I have to say, though, aside from this one dude, people were surprisingly understanding.
From a service point of view, the water problem actually made our jobs so much easier by eliminating a waiter's worst enemies: coffees, hot teas, and cappuccinos. This was especially clutch at brunch.
Speaking of brunch, it was the Walk For Hunger this past Sunday. My restaurant is on the route, so we got to watch the endless parade of people shuffling by. Two observations:
1. There was a sign on Beacon Street that said “Be Sure to Drink a Lot of Water!,” which was awesome. I blew it by not taking a picture.
2. The two ladies who couldn’t make it through the entire Walk for “Hunger” without stopping in for some french toast and bacon. Really, ladies? Really?
We also saw some excitement this weekend with a pretty major shake-up in management. “Alfredo,” our assistant manager who started maybe two weeks ago, got fired. This is unfortunate because he was a good source of comedy and now we won’t have any new Alfredo stories.
Before becoming our assistant manager, he was brought aboard to teach a weekly wine class with the front of house staff. Well, one Thursday, he pulled a no-call-no-show, which is one of the worst things you can do in the restaurant industry (or any other one for that matter). How was he rewarded for this awesome display of unreliability? With a job in management!
Needless to say, his short stint as a manager quite literally got off to a “shaky” start: he passed out twice during his first three shifts. Another red fleg, perhaps? His behavior always became increasingly erratic towards the end of any night he worked. We’re talking heavy sweats, long trips to the bathroom, chugging suspiciously large amounts of water, discombobulation, confusion, etc. We all knew there was something shady going on with him.
He closed the restaurant by himself for the first time on Thursday and for the last time on Saturday. Over the course of these three shifts where he was left alone without supervision, he was spotted doing a number of weird things:
He was seen bringing two pieces of bread into the bathroom, where he remained for fifteen minutes. The bread in the bathroom story became an instant hit and will not soon be forgotten. I personally watched him stumble out to his car, where he sat for a moment before he proceeded to walk up the little hill in our parking lot and disappear into the bushes. Six or seven bottles of white wine were found open in the walk-in downstairs. He was also known to pour himself “diesel” glasses of wine during service. On Saturday night, he walked around the restaurant asking where Holly was...
You guys, where’s Holly? Where’s Holly, you guys? Has anybody seen Holly? I don’t know if I have enough money to pay Holly.
Um, Holly left three and a half hours ago.
The best was on Saturday when he was explaining his position at the restaurant..
The restaurant is a pool and you’re all swimming in it. I’m the lifeguard, you guys, and I need to know that everyone in the pool is safe at all times.
All things considered, I’m not so sure I’d want to be swimming in any pool that he’s in charge of watching.
After firing him, our owner had this to say:
I thought he was a little goofy.
