| Author |
Message |
    
cody
Citizen
Username: Cody
Post Number: 960
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 6:46 pm: | 
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We've always enjoyed Cent'anni, but when we went this past Saturday, service was inattentive (one waiter took the wine order, never brought it, a second finally came over and brought the bottle, no bread brought over until we asked three times, maitre d' (owner?) managed never to make eye contact as he went by our table all evening, so I couldn't speak with him.)
Our waiter seemed as if he was spread way too thin - I hope it was just an off night. But I don't know if I'd rush to go back on a Saturday night. Maybe a weekday night, when things aren't as hectic.
Anyone else notice service wasn't what it usually is? |
drewdix
Citizen
Username: Drewdix
Post Number: 1146
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 9:18 pm: |
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sounds like an off night.
This place is consistently very good. Ask for Jay. |
Innisowen
Citizen
Username: Innisowen
Post Number: 1666
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 10:49 pm: |
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Frankly, we were disappointed in Village Cellar this past Saturday evening, so the former Cent'Anni owners weren't doing any better in downtown South Orange than the new owner in Maplewood.
Village Cellar service was extremely slow. Apparently only one chef or sous-chef was on duty, and that slowed service a lot (We waited 25 minutes for our main course, and our salads did not come all that quickly).
Wine service was spotty, as our server couldn't seem to serve from the right but, instead, reached across each one of us to pick up the glass and pour into it from off the table. That's a pure issue of proper table training about wine serving.
Since Cellar is always good, we intend to overlook Saturday, but I will speak to Franco about it next time I pass by. |
Chris Farrow
Citizen
Username: Evrtnjrsy
Post Number: 63
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 8:08 am: |
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Cody,
I'm sorry you were disappointed in the service at Cent'Anni last Saturday - granted it was very busy but there's no excuse for a lack of service. I was the maitre d' (owner ) that night, and make it a point to go through the room as often as possible checking on the tables, so I'm a little surprised you weren't able to get my attention - could you tell me where you were sitting in the restaurant, that will help me pinpoint any problem areas? |
homeowner
Citizen
Username: Nancys60
Post Number: 65
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 10:08 am: |
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I've had that same issue at Cent'Anni. Love the palce, the owner, the food but the service remains as issue. On three occasions (two when the place was nearly empty, the third when it was 3/4 full), we had very haphazard service.
What seems to be the "system" (several folks with different tasks--wine, bread, taking orders, bringing food) doesn't work. We wish they'd get with the more traditional system of one waiter (with a bus person) assigned to each table. Otherwise, they don't know what's up.
We won't go back to eat till we hear that service has improved. Just too annoying. Hope things change. Chris? |
Chris Farrow
Citizen
Username: Evrtnjrsy
Post Number: 64
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 11:02 am: |
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Yikes - just goes to show, just when you think you know what's going on....thank you for your feedback homeowner - FWIW the system you describe is not what we (should) have in place - each waiter is assigned a section of the restaurant and is responsible for taking orders, bringing wine and generally being responsible for the wellbeing and satisfaction of the table. Bread, water and complimentaries are brought by the busboy assigned to that section, and food is brought by the kitchen waiter. At least that's what's supposed to be happening....I will be speaking to my staff about these issues, and hope we will be able to welcome you back soon. |
homeowner
Citizen
Username: Nancys60
Post Number: 67
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 11:14 am: |
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Keep me posted Chris. Can't wait to return. BTW, is the kitchen waiter the samae person as our waiter.
Specific glitch--last time we ordered dessert, waited 20 minutes (trying to catch the eye of many of the service folks), finally flagged down our wait person who was aghast that we hadn't received our desserts (the kitchen hadn't let her know they were done). When she checked, the items we had ordered were all out. We got replacements, on the house, but it was dissapointing.
Thanks Chris. |
Chris Farrow
Citizen
Username: Evrtnjrsy
Post Number: 65
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 11:24 am: |
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No, the kitchen waiter is not the same person as the table waiter..sorry about the desserts, sounds like a royal cock-up! I will add it to my list for the staff. BTW I always welcome feedback when people leave the restaurant, if I don't know about it I can't fix it. |
shestheone
Citizen
Username: Shestheone
Post Number: 251
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 11:30 am: |
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Chris,
A quick thread drift...I am really impressed by your presence and approach on this board. It makes me want to visit Cent'Anni. |
Chris Farrow
Citizen
Username: Evrtnjrsy
Post Number: 66
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 11:34 am: |
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Shestheone - thank you...please do. |
bookgal
Citizen
Username: Bookgal
Post Number: 707
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 11:46 am: |
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We ate at Cent'Anni on Friday night. It was mobbed but we got served very quickly, our food came promptly and was delicious, the staff was attentive and tolerant of our mostly well behaved small person. |
Thenewguy
Citizen
Username: Thenewguy
Post Number: 104
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 11:53 am: |
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FWIW, on Friday our waiter went MIA on us, but one of the other guys picked up the slack. It happened after a large party came in. |
Chris Farrow
Citizen
Username: Evrtnjrsy
Post Number: 67
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 12:44 pm: |
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bookgal - thanks, good to hear it's not all bad ;-) |
mickey
Citizen
Username: Mickey
Post Number: 415
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 1:14 pm: |
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Chris,
I agree with shestheone. I like how you get involved. You don't get defensive, either. You seem to appreciate all kinds of feedback (positive and negative) and try to implement improvements when possible.
The last time I was in I had a wonderful evening. Food and company was great. It was on a weekend and it was really busy. We too had to ask twice for bread. I was also a little disappointed not to have a waitperson who seemed to be my main go-to person (different waitstaff reciting specials, taking orders, bringing wine, bringing food...etc) Each server was very good, but I'd feel more "taken care of" if I just had one. Less diffusion of responsibility.
But to end on a good note, thanks again for your presence here on MOL. I think it benefits both you and your customers. |
Chris Farrow
Citizen
Username: Evrtnjrsy
Post Number: 68
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 1:44 pm: |
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Thanks Mickey - it's a work in progress I'll admit, but I'm trying to make it a great local place (check out the website and MOL calendar for some phenomenal upcoming music on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and even the odd Wednesday...) - I have taken onboard the comments re service and will continue to fine-tune |
bak
Supporter
Username: Bak
Post Number: 801
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 1:59 pm: |
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Once I worked in a restaurant with a similar set-up. On the busy nights, they would staff and extra "floater" whose responsibility was somewhere between a busboy and a waiter. The main function was customer satisfaction, and the wait staff usually tipped him a percentage of their total tips and appreciated the extra help for those "in the weeds" times of the night. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12925
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 2:02 pm: |
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Chris: 
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cody
Citizen
Username: Cody
Post Number: 961
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 5:59 pm: |
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Chris, thanks for the response. I was at work and am only seeing this now. We were sitting in the first sitting area, past the bar and before the back room. It was by that great brick wall with the terra cotta heads in it. Middle row. You were very busy, but I was surprised, because nothing like this had happened before.
But, as always, the food was good. |
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