Our Cafe's first review

[fairfieldchef]

After 10 years Fairfield Grocery and Market moved into new digs this past October and became Fairfield Grocery and Market Café. It was the owners first foray into the restaurant/café business. We have a busy catering and ready-to-eat take home food business but the owner wanted to add a 15 table café to the new location. While our catering and take home food business continues to grow, our café has had its struggles. Lunch crowds, especially weekends, have been quite busy but night time business is almost zero. The owner insist on closing at 7:00 p.m. which I think accounts for the lower than expected evening turnout.

Our local paper wrote our first review this past week and unfortunately we received negative marks. The "Dinner Date" review is online at: http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/...602080345/1014

I feel like some valid points were made. Little did the reviewer know that we don't even have waitstaff on the floor after 3:00 p.m. Customers are waited on by either the cashier or the 2 guys that work behind the deli count, one of which makes sandwiches and does some line cooking. If it's busy your server might be the dishwasher! On several occasion I have even had to go out and wait tables.

My boss wasn't happy about the review. In the past I have expressed my concerns to the owner about some of these issues but they seem to fall on deaf ears.

I need a way to express to her the importance of having wait staff in the evening and improving our overall quality of service.

Any suggestion's, especially the one that make money sense, would be greatly appreciated.

[blueschef]

The review was not terrible, but not glowing. I would say to the owner S*** or get off the pot. If she wants the cafe to work then do it right. I dont think the dishwasher should be waiting tables unless they are at least somewhat trained on customer service and the menu, ditto for the other guys. Don't get me wrong, if they can look presentable and do it go for it (the team effort could really help the place!). Furthermore, perhaps some advertising / press releasees with the paper about some kind of shake up in the cafe and a discount to "come on down and try it again". These little places are done best when people are paying attention to the customers and the regulars, make them feel at home.

[deltadoc]

I agree, the review wasn't all that bad. At least, for the most part, the food was praiseworthy! Actually, that really is the main reason to go to a restaurant is good tasting food. And pricewise, sure everyone wants a "deal", but good food doesn't come cheap!

Service didn't seem to be knocked all that badly either. The reviewer kind of seemed to understand that the waitress was overwhelmed a bit. And any reviewer knows a newer eating establishment has bugs to work out.

I got the feeling she was trying to convey constructive criticism, rather than busting your business.

As a former published food critic, that is how I "read" the article anyways, fwiw.

doc