Do you like when a manager stops by your table while dining?

Do you like it when a manger/owner cruises by your table while/after dining?
I like that touch, especially when done in a non intrusive fashion, preferably just after the meal.
What about you?

During the meal, no.

After the meal, yes.

-Paul W.

It needs to be done quickly and very unobtrusively for me to like it. Often, it is not.

During the meal, no.

After the meal, yes.

-Paul W.

As a past owner and manager of restaurants I believe after the meal is too late for anything but complements. I have always taught and followed the policy that any problems or dissatisfactions should have been discovered and dealt with in the dining room before the meal is ended. It is also a great time to recommend a dessert!

[Jenise]

Bill, I rarely see that done out here in the wild wild west. Last time it happened would have been about ten years ago at a restaurant in Venice. We were celebrating an anniversary, something they only knew because it explained the wine that we brought, and the chef/owner came out to thank us for celebrating in his restaurant. Seemed very genuine and sincere, and we appreciated it.

I like it, especially since in those places where it happens, service is typically superior.

I know that it happens rarely now but I was taught and always taught that the manager/owner unless needed as a labor figure elsewhere should always be working the dining room. You will find that in multi-unit operations that the managers who always work the floor always run the best numbers and have the best trained staff.

I appreciate, and almost expect, a quick visit to make sure everything is OK. What I don't like is to be asked roughly once every five minutes which is much too common here in Florida.

I appreciate, and almost expect, a quick visit to make sure everything is OK. What I don't like is to be asked roughly once every five minutes which is much too common here in Florida.

That annoys me also. It comes across as contrived...I know most visits are contrived to some degree, but no need to be obvious about it.

Reminds me too much of Artie Bucco at Nuovo Vesuvio in 'The Sopranos'.

Often too intrusive, unless done very briefly and not in the middle of the meal.

During the meal, no.

After the meal, yes.

-Paul W.

As a past owner and manager of restaurants I believe after the meal is too late for anything but complements. I have always taught and followed the policy that any problems or dissatisfactions should have been discovered and dealt with in the dining room before the meal is ended. It is also a great time to recommend a dessert!

Point taken. But it has to be done unobtrusively. I've had cases where the waitstaff interrupted a conversation I was having with another diner to ask, "is everything OK?". One time I responded to that question by saying, "It was until just now when you interrupted our conversation." Another no-no, IMO, is to ask diners questions when you can see that they have their mouths full.

-Paul W.

Paul, vis a vis interruption by waiters (as opposed to managers or owners or chefs), I have often responded to the query "Is everything OK" by saying "You'll be the first to hear if it isn't, otherwise please leave us to our conversation in peace" Same really as your response. Why oh why do they train the waitstaff to be intrusive, masquerading as caring.

(All they need to do is phrase it "May I get you anything" and I'd let it slide and just say no thanks.)

During the meal, no.

After the meal, yes.

-Paul W.

As a past owner and manager of restaurants I believe after the meal is too late for anything but complements. I have always taught and followed the policy that any problems or dissatisfactions should have been discovered and dealt with in the dining room before the meal is ended. It is also a great time to recommend a dessert!

Point taken. But it has to be done unobtrusively. I've had cases where the waitstaff interrupted a conversation I was having with another diner to ask, "is everything OK?". One time I responded to that question by saying, "It was until just now when you interrupted our conversation." Another no-no, IMO, is to ask diners questions when you can see that they have their mouths full.

-Paul W.

I agree Paul. Wait staff should be trained to use their eyes not just their mouths. IMHO this can mean a big difference in the tip left.

I do, but I like to know who they are. If they are not wearing a uniform or a name/position badge then they should say who they are.

We were having dinner, not aware of anyone circulating the room, maybe we were first, but were interupted by a young person casually dressed, (waitstaff were in uniform) no indication of who they were. 'Are you enjoying your meal?'