by waiter | Sep 27, 2005 | Uncategorized
I’m waiting in line at the bank to deposit my paycheck. Normally I handle my finances online but, since the Bistro doesn’t offer direct deposit, I have to make this trip at least once a week. As usual there’s only one teller working the floor. The line inches forward...
by waiter | Sep 23, 2005 | Uncategorized
The night’s over. I limp out of the Bistro and start walking towards my car. It was a brutal shift. I must’ve served over fifty people. My feet ache and my right knee hurts whenever I put pressure on it. Maybe I need new shoes. Maybe I need a new job. Maybe I’m just...
by waiter | Sep 22, 2005 | Uncategorized
I’ve been gone a few days getting some R&R. I’ll post a new story tomorrow. Many readers have written to inform me that the story Aaron Broussard told Tim Russert on Meet the Press, which was the catalyst for my story “The God Who Drowns,” is false. It certainly...
by waiter | Sep 20, 2005 | Uncategorized
It’s a miserable summer day. The mercury’s hovering around 96 degrees and the humidity’s making it feel like 106. Our customers aren’t gonna cook in this heat so the Bistro’s packed. All the warm bodies, combining with equatorial temps and the kitchen’s blast furnace...
by waiter | Aug 31, 2005 | Uncategorized
I’m driving into work listening to 1010 WINS. The news coming out of the Gulf Coast is nothing less than horrific. Pulling into the parking lot I listen to a man describe how his boss listened helplessly as his elderly mother, trapped in the rising floodwaters at her...
by waiter | Aug 10, 2005 | Uncategorized
n an Op-Ed Piece in today’s NY Times author Steven Shaw argues that restaurants should abolish tipping and adopt a European style “service charge” much like Thomas Keller, the celebrity chef, is doing at his deservedly world famous establishment Per Se. “…Mr. Keller...
by waiter | Aug 5, 2005 | Uncategorized
The door chimes. Three young twentysomething men walk through the door. “Good afternoon gentleman,” I say greeting them cheerfully, “How many in your party? The guys don’t acknowledge my presence and walk towards the middle of the restaurant. Annoyed, I follow behind...
by waiter | Aug 5, 2005 | Uncategorized
It’s a slow lunch shift. I’m busy at the front window comparing the hemlines of various female pedestrians when the phone interrupts my studies. “Good afternoon The Bistro,” I say, filtering the annoyance out of my voice, “how may I help you?” “I want to speak to a...
by waiter | Aug 5, 2005 | Uncategorized
“Table 17’s pissed,” Beth informs me. “Why?” I ask warily. “They thought the special salad was too expensive.” Ah, the Caprese Salad – arugula, roasted red peppers, ripe tomatoes, and buffalo mozzarella dressed with out famous parmesan pesto sauce. Delicious and...
by waiter | Aug 4, 2005 | Uncategorized
I’m staying at my parent’s house in the bucolic Pennsylvania countryside. Exhausted from the previous 110 work week I’m enjoying some recuperative the peace and quiet. Since I was working on Mother and Father’s Day I offer to take my parents out to dinner. “Let’s go...
