No food or establishment photos this time around, folks. And since this blog falls under the "hospitality" umbrella, all that will suffice for now.
My late editor and publisher, Ed Hitzel, used to say that the restaurant business isn't about the food; it's about the people. Well, perhaps his statement is arguable, but hearing him often say that always made me think that, if you didn't have good, kind, efficient and professional people working for you, your business might suffer. To this I can attest. Quite a few times I have refused to revisit an eatery due to a surly staff member. Last night, following a writing stint at Barnes & Noble in Livingston, New Jersey, I did what a lot of people sometimes do: I stopped at a pizzeria, Frank's Pizza & Italian Restaurant (14 Eisenhower Parkway, Roseland, 973-403-8070/8071, www.FranksPizzaRoseland.com) for a few slices of pizza (and man do I hope my health coach isn't reading this). I ordered one each of a combo pepperoni and sausage slice and buffalo chicken slice, downing both quickly with a bottle of cold water. Now, here's comes the "people" part. A pregnant young woman entered, and was greeted by the counterperson, Renato, as I was - as if he had known her for years. He may have, for he asked how she was feeling, and how "her boy" was. "Okay," she said, "better than me." Then she laughed, looking down at her stomach. The she ordered. "Just two plain slices, please." "When are you due, miss?" I asked her. "Two months." "Oh, that's nice, "I said. "But I bet you can't wait for it (the pregnancy) to be over with." She nodded her head with a smile. When my pizza was ready I took it to a side table and enjoyed it. The slices were well done, just the way I like it. As I ate them, the young woman continued to talk with Renato, and other customers entered and were afforded nice conversation as well. This post may seem simple and, to most, maybe even useless or a wasted read, but it's in the simple things that most pleasure is often found. Case in point. Back in 1998, with the New York Yankees involved in the American League Championship Series, our family was on vacation and stopped for pizza at a shore pizzeria. As I entered, the owner was not in the best of moods. I told him I wanted six slices, plain, for our family. He looked at me and asked, "Why don't you just order a whole pie?" I hadn't thought of going that route, and he said, "Here, this is a pie I just took out for slices a little while ago. I'll warm it up and give it to you for..." (I forget the amount). I agreed and, as the pizza was being warmed, I felt like I had disappeared. The man watched the Yankee game as he worked and, when one of the Yanks made an error, he said loudly, "F&*%!" Eventually, the pizza was removed from the oven, boxed, and placed on the counter for me. I then gave the man the amount he mentioned, and he looked at the money in disgust. I mentioned to my wife and daughter in the car that he was not the friendliest eatery person I'd encountered and, when we started eating the pizza back at the motel, it was barely warm. *Note: our motel was a short jog away from the pizzeria, so time was not a factor with the food temperature. It had not been warmed in the oven long enough, probably due to the man's lack of interest in my order and almost total attention to the game, and the fact that he figured I was getting it at a discount. My point? When someone enters your restaurant, candy shop, deli...whatever, they are (should be) the most important person to enter that day, and should be treated as such -- especially if they are friendly. Yes, occasionally you get moody customers; I hear the complaints often. However, as the "face(s)" of that restaurant, your job is to cordially greet someone who is about to pay, no matter the amount, for what you're preparing. If a customer drives you to the tipping point, notify management; don't handle it yourself. Then, carry on. You can do it. Thank you, Renato. You did well! Steve
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The Tuscan Table (28 Diamond Spring Road, Denville, 862-209-4295) has, since August 2016, been my go-to restaurant. The above being said, I have to state the following. The Tuscan Table is one my favorite eateries. I have many "favorites" that I, in the past, wrote about in my old blog (2009-2015) and this current one. I intend to slight no chef or eatery who in the past have delivered (and still do deliver) quality cuisine and service. I will, however, confirm that I have many times made the 25 or so mile drive to The Tuscan Table because the crew within the walls have always been 100% professional and the food hitting the spot. And in addition to their Denville venture, this restaurant family also owns and operates four other restaurants: Il Vilaggio in Morris Plains, and three Delizia Pizza Kitchen locations (Dover, Flemington, and Ledgewood). For purposes of this blog post, we'll remain, of course, in the lovely Denville locale. We recently visited the eatery for their Monday evening offering of Ladies' Night, which features a 5-course meal (salad, soup, appetizer, entrée, and dessert) to celebrate our daughter Stefanie's recently completed performance in a stage play. *Note: Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, the entire menu can be found on The Tuscan Table Facebook page. Consider these three menu items: the giant meatball and broccoli rabe & sausage appetizers, and pappardelle bolognese entrée. For me, can Heaven on earth cuisine-wise be any closer? For $10, the first is a filling sphere of ground beef topped with tomato sauce, and ricotta and parmigiano cheese. The broccoli rabe and sausage appetizer ($11) is perfectly cooked greenery and generous slices of Italian sausage sautéed in garlic and extra virgin olive oil, topped with shavings of aged cheese. Now let's "picture" the pappardelle Bolognese entrée ($16). I have recently been disappointed at other eatery versions of this meal. At The Tuscan Table, the meat sauce -- and boy is there meat therein -- beautifully fills the nooks and crannies of the pasta highway. Certainly not a lightweight in size or quality. Great stuff. The broccoli rabe and sausage appetizer is excellent. Pair this with a calamari fritti (fried calamari) appetizer side-by-side and you'll want to eat slow. Savor both. Quick eating and an empty plate will cause melancholy. Noelle served us and, as always, exercised her great personality and skill. Lily, owner and overseer of this fine operation, stationed herself near the line and directed meals prepared by chef Jose and his team to their proper spot via the serving team.
The Tuscan Table is a BYOB, always (in my opinion) the best type of restaurant. Thank you, Lily and crew. Always a wonderful dining experience. Steve I had planned, when visiting Tiff's Grill & Ale House (231 Speedwell Avenue, Morris Plains, NJ, 973-290-9777, http://www.tiffsmorrisplains.com/welcome-to-tiffs#the-kitchen), on having something simple, like a burger or chicken fingers platter, fries complementing either. Instead, I opted for a pasta dish, a rare order for me when I visit a pub. At Tiff's, you choose a type of pasta with your choice of sauce, three additional items to support the entrée, and a pairing with grilled chicken, meatballs, or sausage if you so choose. My daughter Stefanie selected penne with vodka sauce (below right), while I chose rigatoni pasta with alfredo sauce (below left), adding broccoli and roasted tomatoes. I then asked Kelly, our very personable server, what she'd recommend as a third addition. She pondered, then said, "Do you like onions?" A ha, that was it. My mistake? I opted not to include chicken. Still, the meal was excellent, portion generous, and, on a follow up visit, I did include the chicken. The entrée was even better. When preparing to leave after my first visit, I learned that Head Chef Roel De Villa had worked hard during the week perfecting this entree.
His efforts succeeded. Steve |
AuthorAppetizers, hospitality, small plates - the best in dining! Archives
January 2023
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