June 22, 2007, Newsletter Issue #82: Serving & Clearing

Tip of the Week

At first and foremost allow the customer to be comfortable!" I never ask a guest to move out of my way so I can get - in the perfect correct manner - to his empty glass or plate. I work around the customers' needs.
The basic rule for glasses is that they are placed from the right to the right of a customer and they are removed in the same way. I do not reach over the table or in front of the guest to get to a glass if I can help it.
The basic rule for plates: I set the plate down in front of the guest from the left if possible and clear them from the left if there are tall stemglasses on the right. The logic behind it: This way the glassware - often there are tall stemware, or bottles to the guest´s right - will not get into the path of the plate.
However if the customer is sitting in a booth or close to some obstacle like a wall, I do not make these guest move, just so I can serve his plate in what I consider the correct way. I serve the food as I can and allow my guest to be comfortable.
If there are no tall glasses in the way, I may serve and clear all plates from the right.

Always remember there may be standards set by the individual restaurant-owner, if so, one should follow these standards.

helmut schonwalder 12-14-2002

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