Order, sit, eat. That’s our sign at the door. And, it’s the service model that I decided on months ago. We don’t do full table service. We do partial table service.

Why?

Three big reasons –

First, I don’t know what I am doing and I thought it would be easier, for me, to operate this service model.

Second, value to the customer. My goal is to deliver a small menu of remarkable offerings at a very affordable price. To keep my prices as low as I can manage, I need some engagement from the customers.

Third, I think customers will like it. I am finding that as long as we explain things to the customers as they enter, they understand how we do it and they are happy with it.

Now… what if someone wants a second glass of wine. They question is, “Do I have to go back to the cashier?” I have struggled with this. My managers and staff have struggled with this. I have settled on an answer, at least for now.

Yes, you do.

If there is a line we will let seated customers slip in with a drink order. And, we hand you your drink right there on the spot. It takes about one minute for you to get another glass of wine (beer or whatever). The truth is, you will have your drink much faster this way than you would if you wait for a server who then has to take an order, ring it in, get the machine, bring your drink, and have you pay. I think that once this system is working well that the customers will like it. At every turn I am trying to make our service fast. And, the fastest way for you to get a second drink is to get up and get it.

We are not the sort of place that people will linger in for hours. We are fast, funky, fun, and affordable. There will be some who want a second glass of wine and I am thrilled to serve it. But, for now, it’s all counter service.

Dave