Thank God that's over.
Same here.
This year, I did not have the foresight to dread the fact that Valentine's Day would combine with President's Day to spawn an unholy 3-day love extravaganza. Every server usually sees Valentine's Day coming about a month away, and we can steel ourselves for a night of a million couples, champagne out the wazoo, and "His & Hers" dinner specials.
But this year, man. This year was special. Valentine's Day fell on a Sunday, and President's Day meant everyone had Monday off. Couples FLOCKED TO MY RESTAURANT LIKE LEMMINGS FOR THREE NIGHTS IN A ROW. I am used to spending holidays at work and can normally handle a little bump in business. But popping corks and handing out roses for three consecutive nights got real old, real fast.
I normally looooooove when the restaurant is slammed. It keeps me on my toes and makes me a better server. But may I suggest you stay home next Valentine's Day? Trust me, it will benefit you more than it benefits me. Restaurants just aren't their best on the day of love, and quite frankly, neither is the dining public.
To begin with, on a normal day, most restaurants are expecting to handle parties of various sizes. Some are 2-tops, some are 4's, and occasionally you'll get larger parties that require the big tables. Floor plans are designed with this in mind...and Valentine's Day takes all of that forethought and throws it in the garbage. Everyone comes in as a couple. There aren't enough tables to accommodate all these deuces, so the waitstaff has to come in early and use their imagination to cram you in like sardines. Restaurants look like hell on Valentine's Day because we are creating a table out of anything and placing it about 6" away from its neighbor, which is very likely a TV tray with a tablecloth on it.
Turn this on its side, drape it with a linen and add a candle. Voila, table for 2. Happy Valentine's Day, suckas.
Here's another reason to stay home on Valentine's Day: the kitchen isn't up to caliber. Boring "His & Hers" specials tend to be offered and cranked out in factory-line fashion. It's never the chef's best work, because he's pandering to the masses. Sexism prevails, with the "His" feature involving some cut of meat, and the "Hers" special highlighting fish. You know, because women are dainty and can't eat steak.
"Just this sardine for me, I'm watching my figure."
It's not all the kitchen's fault, either. The front-of-the-house is probably understaffed and overworked on Valentine's Day, and you'd get better treatment if you went out in the days or weeks following the holiday. On February 14th, you are just another couple they want to get in and out as quickly as possible. The following night, when the restaurant is empty, you are a shining jewel basking in the glow of their attention.
Finally, after observing my tables for three days this weekend (and many years prior to that), I must insist that you remove the expectation of having an incredibly romantic Valentine's Day. I hate to say it, but it's a lot of pressure and it seems like it's just too much for some couples. Time is spent dressing up and driving to the restaurant, and a huge amount of money is spent on the meal itself. What follows is a lot of fighting. I stopped by one table to take their order and through a forced smile and gritted teeth the wife told me, "We're going to need a few minutes." They didn't need time to decide -- but to get through their argument. My fellow server heard one man say to his wife, "You're not in charge, I AM," to which she replied, "You didn't deserve me then, and you don't deserve me now." Ouch. Presenting two miserable people with a check for hundreds of dollars and a dinky rose feels like adding insult to injury. And it happens a lot on V-Day.
So let's all take a breather and reflect on this past weekend. Is spending Valentine's Day outside of the house really what's best for all of us?
A cost-effective alternative to eating out. Pun intended.
Believe it or not, for all the exhaustion it gives restaurant staff, Valentine's Day really doesn't generate that much more money. And for you -- is the expensive meal and crammed-in dining worth the final bill? I'm not telling you not to go to restaurants, I'm just asking you to consider not breaking the door down two-by-two on one particular night. If you can hold off and come to my restaurant next year on February 15, I will have stars in my eyes for you. And it will be true love.