A few interesting and relevant things happened today.
Firstly, apparently I arrived at Gilt this morning about 2 minutes after a couple left, who had told the owner they'd come on Rita's recommendation - which I was most impressed with. Whoever you were, I hope it matched up to my glowing recommendations. My breakfast companion who had arrived earlier than I, and had been smoking outside, commented that an older couple had just left so maybe it was them. I got quite excited because I instantly leapt to the conclusion (on all these variables) that if it was an older couple, it MUST have been the mythical Sir Grumpy and his good lady.
I said to my friend, "Which way did they go?" She thought towards Coles Sandy Bay, to which I then instantly assumed (see, I'm a true Aries!), ah-ha it WAS Sir Grumpy because he has mentioned shopping at Wings, and that's in the right direction!
Well - assuming I followed this mythical couple in the mythical direction and went into Wings, what would I look for then? So - I had to let it go! But if it really WAS you Sir Grumpy - know I'm on your trail!
The next interesting thing was the owner of Gilt, during our conversation, confessed to a few things:
he'd taken note of my diatribe about employing Gen Y's etc, noted that a lot of his student customers were on the Facebook site at his cafe, so he has now mastered this himself and got a Facebook place for his customers to find out the Gilt doings. Well done!
and he also admitted to being really nervous round me now, while he waited for me to tire of the food there, and one day eventually can it.
That's probably another reason to prefer anonymity. I waver between the desire to be honest and upfront with the fact that I'm going to publicly write about a restaurant or cafe, and the feeling that the owner or manager should at least have a right of reply if they dispute anything that has been said about them, or just wanting to go there quietly and anonymously, write my blog in the privacy of my own living room, and no one knows any different than that it's someone called Rita, which obviously I'm not really named.
Not quite sure which is the better way to go, but being a more honest soul at heart, tend to disclose in preference to hiding.
Comments?
Saturday, 17 November 2007
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10 comments:
oh Rita, I was only teasing you. You aren't scary at all. But I was serious about getting you to sing at open mic night!
Scoddy@Gilt
Yay - look out world - here comes Rita, chanteuse extraordinaire!
It's OK Scott - I wanted to air the issue of anonymous or not anonymous anyway!
Am interested in what people have to say about it.
Rita,
I think you're doing the right thing disclosing your identity.
Anyone who is a regular visitor to your blog is probably well aware of your honesty,fairness,and the care with which you write about the places you dine at.
You've made it clear that you know what damage a harmful comment can do to a business, so I think in turn you are very tactful with what you publish.
I know I trust your opinions and your unbiased judgement. This is because, after visiting your blog on a regular basis for the last 12 months or so,I feel I can now recognise what a caring type of person you are. Anyone who takes offence at anything should do their homework. Then they too will realise that you do not set out to hurt ever, but to share your experiences with others so that we too can see for ourselves.Mostly I'll still check something out for myself as there are always different perspectives. This is the perfect forum for that.
It gives everyone a chance to put their opinions across, from diners, workers, chefs, owners etc.
If it was myself, I would love to hear your comments on my particular establishment, take on board any constructive advice, and soldier on.
Keep up the great work!!
By an incredible coincidence I happened to be at Gilt on Saturday morning and I believe I saw the couple who went there on your recommendation.
The male certainly met my mental image of Sir Grumpy. Rugged good looks, strong yet vulnerable, masculine but still tender, plus all the other great qualities he projects through his posts.
I really believe it was him and what a tragedy to think you missed him by just a couple of minutes. But there is still hope Rita and when you do finally meet up with him it will be one of the great encounters.
Ginger
Rita, you have told me in the past that that wasn't your real name. However, it IS my name, so I am now a bit cautions about using when I go out to eat :)
Hi Rita,
Again - you missed our Friday nights by a mere twelve hours or so! :)
I have always found that Gilt is a really different place in that you're face to face with the owner, who in turn preps your food, makes your coffee and pours your drink.
This makes for impeccable service because (thankfully, many owner/operators don't) the owner realises that the buck stops with him. And that's an amazing thing, which always makes for amazing service. (And although I have a stake there, customer service is my on-call rant at all times.)
I had a dinner at a high-profile restaurant in July for my anniversary with Boy, and the entire experience left us completely cold (not quite as cold as the room we were in, but fairy chilly). I sat on it until now, but I rang the manager and voiced my concerns. He was, thankfully, very concerned, and has offered to reimburse us for our meal, or to comp us for another meal down there, which we accepted. Hopefully it's better, I'll let you know. (I have friends that hate going out with me, because I will ask 'Can I see your manager please?' if something's not right.)
With all of the places that have awful service and bad experiences, Gilt is a nice oasis in the desert.
Amy
Christina - thanks for those words. I believe my kids think I penned that comment myself! But, yes, I DO try to be fair but honest - a hard ask, really. I don't want to be responsible for people NOT going to a particular place just because I said it was awful, but then again, if I didn't like it, or an aspect of the place (ie service) I feel honour-bound to SAY it. After all, that's what the blog's about.
BTW - If you enjoy the blog, wait till you read the website. I've got some great 'chats' with people lined up and on the drawing board already.
So thanks for your kind comments.
Ginger - nice words about our Sir Grumpy. As he hasn't yet added his wisdom to this particular post, I presume he hasn't been round lately, so hasn't seen this yet. He'll be chuffed when he reads it!
Rita - I'm really sorry that Rita is your real name, and I can see how that could make it a problem for you now! I definitely don't book in anywhere under the name of Rita, so you WILL cop any fallout!
Amy - thanks for your words. Scott spoke very highly of you and your work on Saturday, so I gather both of you are happy working with each other!
Interesting your restaurant experience in July, and good that the Manager had the opinion he obviously did of your feedback. I find there are quite a few who will leap in and defend their business rather than take the (implied) criticism on board and look at for what it might be (a chance for them to actually get it right, or a chance to look at something that might not be working as it should).
Anyway - you guys have scared me off now, from Open Mike night at Gilt! But I'd loveto hear you, so WILL pop in there one Fri night. What time do you play?
Actually, Rita, I have a confession to make.
My real name isn't Sir grumpy, it's........Huge Grant.
Alack and alas, 'twas not I at Gilt that morning. It would have been good to bump into you (meteorologically speaking).
I was at the local tip dumping stuff. Like, my missus said, it was time I got rid of my bad attitude, so out it went, along with lots of empty beer bottles and other exotica.
I did keep my Belgian Chimay stubby (empty, of course) because it set me back $8 but was great.
(8% alcohol by volume, triple brewed...sigh).
I also got dragged around the tip shop but didn't find any decent waiscots or cravats.
No green wellies either and the herring-bone jackets were all bone and no herring. Not a bloody deerstalker anywhere, you just can't get decent stuff these days.
The staff were helpful, as ever, and found time to munch their egg sandwiches with coffee as me and herself browsed.
Ah, country life.
PS I did pass Gilt on Sunday but and after your comments will give it a go if I can.
Hi Rita,
The next Gilt I'll be at will be 7th December. The support act starts about 8.30 and I'll kick off closer to 9.45pm.
Look forward to seeing you. :)
A
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