The Restaurant Doctor - Electronic House Call

ELECTRONIC HOUSE CALL - February 4, 2000

ATTENTION TO DETAIL
I was just on the east coast for a week and was reminded again how ours is a business of details, particularly when it comes to food. For some reason I got in a Chicken Caesar Salad groove and found amazing variations in the product. How hard is it to find quality romaine and serve it cool and crisp? How much extra effort is really required to find a great crouton or, better yet, toast up your own? Certainly with an operating kitchen, it will not slow down the ticket times to cook the chicken to order (or at least finish it to order) so it arrives hot and juicy on the cool greens. Dressings varied from heavy, mayonnaise-like concoctions to little more than vinaigrette, but few with the unique Caesar flavor. Add a touch of freshly shredded Parmesan, serve in an interesting, chilled bowl and you could really have something special. I won't bother describing the worst of what I found -- I am sure you can relate.

My point is that everything coming out of your kitchen should represent your very best effort or there is no reason for people to beat a path to your door. If we are professionals, let's leave no room for doubt in our guests' minds. They can get unimaginative products at home. Time to get serious about your products and address the details that your competitors do not (or will not.)

SERVICE STYLES
I had so many responses to Reggie Frederick's comment about service styles at Outback in my EHC of January 21 (www.restaurantdoctor.com/ehc/ehc103.html) that I couldn't even get them into my Home Remedies (snail mail) newsletter. Accordingly, I have compiled them at www.restaurantdoctor.com/ehc/outback.html.

STAFF MEAL POLICIES
Last week (www.restaurantdoctor.com/ehc/ehc104.html) Jerry Mistretta asked how people were handling employee meals. The responses that I was copied on are compiled at www.restaurantdoctor.com/ehc/stafmeal.html.

MIS UPDATE
We are getting the database set up now, but for those of you who signed up for the Management Insight Series, my new subscription audio tape series, the first tape will go out in March. Janet Lagergren, who directs the fulfillment part of things, will be sending you a note to verify your contact information and send you the list of freebie premium tapes. The copies of Home Remedies (the book) will go out with the first tapes. For those not familiar with the series, you can find information (and a sign-up incentive) on my website at www.restaurantdoctor.com. Just click on the Management Insight Series logo.

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