Here are a few updates ya'll. I have them in list form as it's just how I'm thinking at the moment.
1. I have completed the review and editing for Jonathan's. It will be posted 1.1.11 as planned.
2. I haven't determined the exact date I'll be going to my next hot spot, but that blog will be posted 2.1.11
3. If you have any ideas on other locations you'd like me to visit, please post those under the second-most-recent blog titled "Ideas."
4. Thank you again for being my blog. Feel free to "subscribe" too!
Nick
About Me
- Nick & Team
- Oregon & Arizona, United States
- A restaurant blog focusing on the customer service angle of the dining experience.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Ideas!
Hey readers!
I am excited to launch the first review on 1.1.11 BUT in the mean time I want your ideas. I have the next few months planned out, but in the long run I want ideas for locations throughout Oregon you'd want me to review. Feel free to post those in "comments" or email them my way.
Are you interested in doing a review with me? Well, you'll have your chance! In a few months, I'll post a note asking for those interested to reach out to me at that time. I am excited for your ideas on eateries now though!
Keep in mind I won't do reviews/evaluations on Chain Locations. Post in 3, 2, 1... NOW! :)
Nick
I am excited to launch the first review on 1.1.11 BUT in the mean time I want your ideas. I have the next few months planned out, but in the long run I want ideas for locations throughout Oregon you'd want me to review. Feel free to post those in "comments" or email them my way.
Are you interested in doing a review with me? Well, you'll have your chance! In a few months, I'll post a note asking for those interested to reach out to me at that time. I am excited for your ideas on eateries now though!
Keep in mind I won't do reviews/evaluations on Chain Locations. Post in 3, 2, 1... NOW! :)
Nick
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Review in process
I went to Jonathan's in Salem, Oregon today. The evaluation has been completed. The review is being proof-read/edited and will be uploaded the first week in January. I am very excited to see your comments and ideas!!
Nick
Nick
Thursday, December 2, 2010
What you'll see
As the reader of this, you are going to want to know what type of perspective I will have and the format of the reviews. I need to be unbiased and fair. As any writer will tell you, that’s not easy. Here’s how it’ll go down.
At first, I will have a monthly review. In the long run this will most likely increase. From time to time there will be other blog postings about ideas, feedback, and a time for open comments. (Comments of course are always welcome on any posting.) I feel that blogs shouldn’t just be HERE IS MY OPINION. The author’s views are important; after all it is their blog. That said, these outlets should be a place for the author’s opinions and feedback along with a back and forth with the readers. These random blogings will be casual and written as such. The formal reviews of eateries though will be reviewed, edited, and re formatted by an Author/Retired Instructor I admire to ensure they’re at the professional level they should be!
To re-iterate the first “Coming Soon” post: I am not a chef or cook. While I have enjoyed over three years of culinary arts classes, I am not in the food service industry and have never been a server. The reason why this blog is important to me and is an excellent read, is that I am a customer service expert. Born into a service-oriented family, I’ve been working in the service industry for a combination of nine years between my work in retail and telecommunications. During that timeframe, receiving many awards and additional recognition for excellent customer service. Combine that status with earned promotions, leadership experience, trainings, and countless meetings--- you are reading the perspective of a leader in client service. Now that you know where I come from and why this is an exciting venture, it would be best to know what I am looking for when I sit down at the table.
Going forward, I will be taking one (random) person with me; at times going with larger groups to put customer service to an even more challenging test. Bringing another individual with me will allow me to get the perspective of another person, especially as we all think a little differently. This allows me to impartial to any one idea or concept while dining.
There are two main categories of what we will be looking at: Food and Service.
Food
Presentation- Does the food look delicious?
Menu Match- Does the food match the menu description?
Taste/Temperature- Does the food taste edible and is it the correct temperature?
Description- A detailed description of the food’s texture, flavours, and my likes & dislikes.
Service
Greeting- Were we greeted with a friendly tone and promptly?
Wait time- Was their a significant delay in being seated?
Ambience- Is the dining room clean, presentable, and enjoyable?
Professionalism- Was the server professional and friendly?
Menu Expert- Was the server knowledgeable about the menu or recommended pairing items?
Drinks- Was this done without asking and on time?
Check-back- Was the server attentive once food has been served? Did they correct any errors?
Loyalty- Did the server “check us out” with the correct bill and thank us for our business?
Evaluation and a snap shot will also be crucial for the reader’s easy quick reference. In the restaurant’s review, before the detailed section, there will be a “Lemon Squeeze” portion. This will not only include a brief summary of the location and a quick profile of the establishment, but it will also include the final evaluation. What do I mean? Well, most of us are used to a “Star” format “*** stars for Acme Café” OR a “Grade” format “Suzie’s Place gets a B+”. These are all fine and dandy, but here’s something even easier (and more enjoyable) to see: Lemon Twists.
0 Lemon Twists: Avoid the location
1 Lemon Twists: Go whilst drunk as you won’t want to remember your visit there
2 Lemon Twists: The location would be great to visit overall.
3 Lemon Twists: AMAZING location; highly recommended.
If a location is terrible, obviously they would receive zero lemon twists. For the Food section, if the food meets or exceeds expectations it will be receive one lemon twist. For the Service section, if the location has fair customer service they’ll receive one more twist for a total of two. If they have AMAZING customer service, they would receive two lemon twists for this section for a grand total of 3.
Hopefully the above ideas, descriptions, and templates gives you an excellent idea of the format for “DINING WITH A (SERVICE) TWIST”. I appreciate you reading and enjoy your dining experience!!!
Nick
At first, I will have a monthly review. In the long run this will most likely increase. From time to time there will be other blog postings about ideas, feedback, and a time for open comments. (Comments of course are always welcome on any posting.) I feel that blogs shouldn’t just be HERE IS MY OPINION. The author’s views are important; after all it is their blog. That said, these outlets should be a place for the author’s opinions and feedback along with a back and forth with the readers. These random blogings will be casual and written as such. The formal reviews of eateries though will be reviewed, edited, and re formatted by an Author/Retired Instructor I admire to ensure they’re at the professional level they should be!
To re-iterate the first “Coming Soon” post: I am not a chef or cook. While I have enjoyed over three years of culinary arts classes, I am not in the food service industry and have never been a server. The reason why this blog is important to me and is an excellent read, is that I am a customer service expert. Born into a service-oriented family, I’ve been working in the service industry for a combination of nine years between my work in retail and telecommunications. During that timeframe, receiving many awards and additional recognition for excellent customer service. Combine that status with earned promotions, leadership experience, trainings, and countless meetings--- you are reading the perspective of a leader in client service. Now that you know where I come from and why this is an exciting venture, it would be best to know what I am looking for when I sit down at the table.
Going forward, I will be taking one (random) person with me; at times going with larger groups to put customer service to an even more challenging test. Bringing another individual with me will allow me to get the perspective of another person, especially as we all think a little differently. This allows me to impartial to any one idea or concept while dining.
There are two main categories of what we will be looking at: Food and Service.
Food
Presentation- Does the food look delicious?
Menu Match- Does the food match the menu description?
Taste/Temperature- Does the food taste edible and is it the correct temperature?
Description- A detailed description of the food’s texture, flavours, and my likes & dislikes.
Service
Greeting- Were we greeted with a friendly tone and promptly?
Wait time- Was their a significant delay in being seated?
Ambience- Is the dining room clean, presentable, and enjoyable?
Professionalism- Was the server professional and friendly?
Menu Expert- Was the server knowledgeable about the menu or recommended pairing items?
Drinks- Was this done without asking and on time?
Check-back- Was the server attentive once food has been served? Did they correct any errors?
Loyalty- Did the server “check us out” with the correct bill and thank us for our business?
Evaluation and a snap shot will also be crucial for the reader’s easy quick reference. In the restaurant’s review, before the detailed section, there will be a “Lemon Squeeze” portion. This will not only include a brief summary of the location and a quick profile of the establishment, but it will also include the final evaluation. What do I mean? Well, most of us are used to a “Star” format “*** stars for Acme Café” OR a “Grade” format “Suzie’s Place gets a B+”. These are all fine and dandy, but here’s something even easier (and more enjoyable) to see: Lemon Twists.
0 Lemon Twists: Avoid the location
1 Lemon Twists: Go whilst drunk as you won’t want to remember your visit there
2 Lemon Twists: The location would be great to visit overall.
3 Lemon Twists: AMAZING location; highly recommended.
If a location is terrible, obviously they would receive zero lemon twists. For the Food section, if the food meets or exceeds expectations it will be receive one lemon twist. For the Service section, if the location has fair customer service they’ll receive one more twist for a total of two. If they have AMAZING customer service, they would receive two lemon twists for this section for a grand total of 3.
Hopefully the above ideas, descriptions, and templates gives you an excellent idea of the format for “DINING WITH A (SERVICE) TWIST”. I appreciate you reading and enjoy your dining experience!!!
Nick
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