Dining with Notebook #5 - Principle: Eat at the Bar
One of the best places to get great dining experiences and establish yourself quickly as a regular is the bar, especially if you can eat full meals at the bar. A few years back, it started becoming common for people to eat full meals at bars at higher end restaurants, rather than munching some nuts or pretzels with the cocktail while waiting for their table. However, even if the restaurant frowns on folks eating at the bar, it is a great place to establish oneself as someone worth paying attention to.
For this technique to work you need gregarious, knowledgeable bartenders – or better yet mixologists. Bartenders who take their cocktails very seriously and have some responsibility for the wine list are often the most clued in about the food. Many bartenders really appreciate when you engage them about the food and not just order a drink or cocktail. A great line of conversation is asking about the chef’s background and his or her food philosophy.
“Principle: Engage the Staff” and “Principle: Challenge the Staff” are the key operating techniques for bar eating. As you pull up a seat at the bar immediately introduce yourself and ask the bartender his or her name. Position yourself so that you can reach across the bar to shake hands if the bartender extends their hand. Ask if it is OK to eat a full meal at the bar, even if there are patrons already doing so – the bar is the bartender’s domain and it shows respect to ask permission. Push the bartender, ask questions about the drink, delve into why this or that has been recommended and dare them to come up with cool pairings.
Some of the best restaurants in the Silicon Valley to eat at the bar include Kingfish, La Bodeguita del Medio, Mango Caribbean, Mazeh, Naomi Sushi, Oak City Grill, Sundance the Steakhouse, Vino Locale, Zibibbo, and Zucca – with a nod to Universal Café in the City.
Bartenders just don’t serve drinks, they are often the nerve center for the entire restaurant. Cultivating their attention will often pay off with your reputation as a good guy to serve spreading throughout the establishment.
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The Dining with Notebook Manifesto and Principles are a way for every restaurant diner to get the best restaurant experience.
Food Notebook post by Carter Lusher
