Mixed results. When I see someone smiling and admiring the place and then diving into a panini, I get goosebumps. On the other hand, when I am refunding someone’s order because they have waited too long and they are justifiably angry it’s a crushing blow. Mostly, though, far more happy happy customers than dissappointed ones so, overall, I am feeling good about what we have built and the direction we are heading.

One of my great fears was opening and not being able to deliver the food an expereince that I can see in my mind. Right now we are failing some of the time. But, mostly, we have it right.

I am very proud of my place, my managers, and my staff. Everyone is working hard (some a little too hard…) to get The Flying Banzini up to altitude. As noted (daily) in this blog we are not there yet. But, we are on the way and climb a little higher every day.

The two things which I am happiest about are the honesty and courtesy shown by my staff. And, the quality of our offerings.

The staff are treating the customers with genuine courtesy and respect. This is great. This is the most important thing and people will forgive a lot of small failings as long as we are nice.

Every day I eat one or two menu items without telling the kitchen that it is my order. I have never been disappointed. The flavors are rich and layered and the price is, I think, very reasonable.

What problems we are having mostly come from me. I have a saying, “If someone is not doing what they should be doing, this is a management problem.” A lot of the glitches we are having are the results of a lack of training or a lack of a system.

My goal by the end of this week is to have a firm schedule in place so that managers in particular can get some time off and know when that time will be. Personally, I am getting too tired to function properly. As my lovely wife notes, “As soon as Dave loses his sense of humor you know he is way too tired.”

Dave