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When the President Comes to Dinner: Restaurateurs Dish the Details

Nevin Martell October 28, 2016 Leave a Comment

Since the 2008 election, the Obamas have made dining in D.C. one of their top recreational priorities. Though the First Lady has a chance to eat out more often, POTUS has been spotted supping everywhere from José Andrés’ Oyamel and Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak to Blue Duck Tavern and Smith Commons.

Obviously, it’s not an average evening in the dining room when the Leader of the Free World is in the house. The Secret Service’s exact methods for selecting, screening, and securing a restaurant are closely guarded procedures, which the agency doesn’t reveal. Luckily, a pair of restaurateurs was willing to discuss their experiences.

Vetting the establishment begins well before the Leader of the Free World sits down, according to Ashok Bajaj, who has hosted three presidents – the Obamas dined at Rasika West End, George H. W. Bush ate at both the Bombay Club and the Oval Room, and Bill Clinton has visited a number of Bajaj’s restaurants, including Rasika and 701. The day before a presidential visit, Secret Service do a thorough examination of the property. “They want to see everything from the air ducts to how they can get the President out in the case of an emergency and where they’re going to seat him,” says Bajaj.

Numerous high-profile dignitaries require such precautions, so the restaurant still doesn’t know just who is coming to dinner. Key restaurant staff will be officially notified the day of the event, though the visit may be canceled at the last minute due to pressing affairs of state. “You don’t know it’s the President for sure until all of his armor shows up out front,” says Ellen Gray of Equinox, which Barack and Michelle visited while he was President-elect. “You could launch a world war from the artillery he drives around with. Plus, there’s always an ambulance following the motorcade.”

Throughout the meal, Secret Service agents are stationed around and throughout the restaurant. “The kitchen staff loves it,” says Gray. “It’s great for morale. If the agents they get in the way, we just politely ask them to move.”Continue Reading

It’s the Little Things: 10 Thoughtful Restaurant Amenities #hackdining

Nevin Martell September 19, 2016 1 Comment

Michelin-level food, stellar service, or awe-inspiring settings can go a long way to creating a memorable meal. However, sometimes it’s the littlest touches that make the biggest impact. Here are 10 thoughtful restaurant amenities that help diners enjoy a next level experience.

Madison, San Diego, California
Situated in the trendy University Height’s neighborhood, the sleek Mediterranean eatery boasts a gorgeous cedar-lined patio. On evenings when the temperatures dip, guests dining al fresco can request one of the monogrammed fleece blankets. As they snuggle up, we recommend ordering another round of well-executed cocktails – such as the View From Above with rye and ancho chili liqueur – to help ward off the chill. Make a reservation at Madison.

La Mar Cebicheria Peruana, San Francisco, California
A lot of restaurants have valet parking. But this waterfront eatery is one of the few to offer free valet parking — for diners’ boats. The dock and dine perk allows waterborne guests to enjoy a seamless experience from the decks of their yachts to the restaurant’s patio. Make a reservation at La Mar Cebicheria Peruana.

Besito, Burlington, Massachusetts
There are amenities galore at this Mexican restaurant. Little diners are given complimentary banana and avocado when they arrive, giving them something to nosh on while their parents peruse the menus. During the summer months, outdoor tables are stocked with sunglass cleaning wipes and treat/water bowls for dogs. And guests are sent home with still warm, freshly made churros at the end of their meal. The only perk we can’t guarantee is a besito (little kiss). Make a reservation at Besito.

Stars, Chatham, Massachusetts
Forgot your glasses at home, so now you can’t read the menu? Never fear, there’s an array of Moscot glasses on hand in a variety of prescriptions and styles. Once the menu is in focus, we recommend the butter poached lobster and the oyster stew topped with pork belly and caviar. Make a reservation at Stars.

Swift & Sons, Chicago, Illinois
Want tickets to the sold out Kanye West concert happening that night? Forget to bring flowers to your anniversary dinner? Looking to get into an exclusive speakeasy for post-dinner drinks? The in-house concierge can help with all these problems and more. Frankly, we wish they were available to tag along with us on all our nights out on the town. Make a reservation at Swift & Sons.

You Got (Dis)Served: 7 Signs You’re Receiving Bad Restaurant Service #hackdining

Nevin Martell August 29, 2016 54 Comments

Alton Brown once said, “Good service can save a bad meal, but there is no level of food that can save bad service.” Oftentimes the errors can be glaring, but sometimes the slights to the guest are more subtle. So what are the signs you’re receiving bad restaurant service?

To find out, we spoke to front-of-house all-star William Washington. A managing partner at Farmers Fishers Bakers in Washington, D.C., he’s a veteran of The Source by Wolfgang Puck, Blue Duck Tavern, and the Inn at Little Washington. He clued us into seven common service slip-ups that can turn what should have been a great meal into an unforgettable disaster.

You’re not seated at the time of your reservation.

“After five minutes of waiting for your table, it’s okay to check in with the host to make sure you’re on their radar, but this doesn’t mean you should be complaining. If they’re 15 minutes behind schedule, it’s more than reasonable to ask for a manager. They should do something for you at that point – at the very least an apology, but maybe a drink, too. At 30 minutes you have a right to be infuriated and the restaurant should definitely do something for you.”

A staff member doesn’t acknowledge you when you’re seated.

“Someone should greet you within two to three minutes of you arriving at your table. Within five minutes, you should have a server getting your drink order and addressing any issues with the table or the experience. You don’t have the right to ask them to change the music necessarily, but if it’s a hot summer night and you’re sweating, you can ask them to check to see if air conditioning is working.”

You don’t have a drink in hand within 10 minutes.

“And it should only take that long for craft cocktails. Also, the sommelier should visit the table while you still have the wine list open – not after you’ve ordered.”

You’re not noshing on appetizers within 15 minutes.

“Unless it’s something convoluted. In that case, a server should tell you up front, ‘The shrimp soufflé takes extra time, so please be aware.’ If you only order mains, they should be to you within 20 minutes.”Continue Reading

Dining Room, Oyster Bar + Institution: Inside Shaw’s Crab House

Olivia Terenzio August 25, 2016 Leave a Comment

“Either you’re an oyster bar guest or a dining room guest,” says John Gurgone, General Manager at Shaw’s Crab House.

Shaw’s is the 31-year-old Chicago institution known for its simply steamed seafood, and as John points out, the restaurant offers two distinctive but equally iconic experiences. On one hand, there’s the dining room: 330 seats, white tablecloths, 17 servers at a given time, reservations strongly recommended. This is where tourists come in after architectural tours and where locals gather for business lunches or to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries.

The oyster bar is a separate room entirely, with around 95 seats available exclusively for walk-ins — a mix of bar seats, high-tops, and casual wood tables. Oysters, predictably, are the main event: the centerpiece of the room is an oyster shucking station, where at any given time 12 varieties are served (six East Coast, six West Coast).

Otherwise, the menus are largely the same, but it’s the vibrant atmosphere that sets it apart: a live band plays jazz and blues music every Sunday through Thursday. Here’s how the two spaces work together. Continue Reading

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