Monday, March 20, 2006
Is Spyglass Entertaining?
Never thought I would write two entries about the Westport based Spyglass but here it goes..I couldn't help myself.So, took the kids and the parents to Spyglass at the Westport Inn. They push the fact that while they are cool and a lounge, they are also focused on the family and so off I went to try it out seeing that my first experience was so great.
Well the food was good but there were some other issues. A lighter problem was the fact that all of the dishes are like big bowls and each time you put your fork on the edge, it falls in. This is small but a pain nonetheless. It is the little things that get people (especially my mother).
On a bigger note was the service. We had a lovely looking waitress but what happened to her common sense, her ability to handle a customer request, or frankly the ability to wait on a table? When asked for some basics, it was as if she couldn't understand english: "My son would like a cheeseburger," I said. She said, "it comes with cheese would he like more on top," I said "no, just a regular cheeseburger." After all that talk about how much cheese to put on the burger (I have never had this kind of conversation about a cheeseburger, have you?), it then comes out of the kitchen with no cheese and it had to be sent back.
And that brings me back to a very big point about service and well life in general. I hate the word "no." I hate hearing it and I never say it to my clients (Ok, i do say no to my kids often). Well, my son asked for a plate of iceberg lettuce. We made this clear to this "lovely" waitress that it was plain iceberg lettuce, no dressing, no tomatoes, no nothing. She nodded and went on. When the plate came out, it was a mound of lettuce with all sorts of things on it plus a big wallop of dressing. I asked her for a simple plate of lettuce like before and she said, "no!" "No?" I said ask the kitchen, I am sure they can handle it. She said, "no!" I said ask the kitchen...you get the point. Finally she asked the kitchen and out she came with the lettuce...oh my do things have to be so hard.
If I were to train any staff, the first thing I would teach would be to say, "certainly, let me check into that for you!"
Wouldn't it be great if everyone had that attitude?
I will try Spyglass Restaurant again and hope that my next experience will be like my first, entertaining, fullfilling, and fun!
If you would like tips on events or full event management or you just want to chat, call Valorie Luther, 203.254.4490 or email info@whitelinen-events.com or go to the site, www.whitelinen-events.com.
Have a nice day!
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Friday, March 10, 2006
Goody bags are Easy and Entertaining!
I was down in Norwalk doing errands when I ran into Sweet Rexie's http://sweetrexies.com, a candy store on Washington. If you have kids, you need to go here. They have cool toys, some clothes, and of course a ton of candy. Lots of fun for visiting or for having a bday party for your child (we saw one in progress and the kids looked like they were having fun).The most important part for me was the service. The owner, Nanci Lewis, put some goody bags together. She wasn't going to be ready in time for me to leave so I came back and she ran the bags out to the car! Love that..the goody bags are awesome.
For more tips on cool places and fun entertaining, call Valorie Luther, 203 254 4490, or email info@whitelinen-events.com or go to the site, www.whitelinen-events.com
Have a great weekend!
Monday, March 06, 2006
Entertaining Oscars
I don't normally talk about the Oscars because there is usually nothing to talk about. In my mind, it is a big celebration of ego vs. honoring a superior product but this time it was different. The production was polished, professional with top notch designs. From the set, to the visuals, to the film clips, it actually seemed like someone spent time thinking out of the box.On top of that one of my favorite films won: Crash!
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Spyglass is Entertaining
Went out with some friends, Rick and Lori, on Saturday night. It was great to see them. No matter where we would have gone, it would have been fun because they are great to be with (especially when Rick tells us stories of lampshades on his head in college days), but an added bonus that night was going to a kickin new restaurant that has atmosphere, fun and wonderful food, great service, and it is close by for those living in Westport/Fairfield, CT.Check out the Spyglass Restaurant http://spyglassrestaurant.com located at the Westport Inn. Yes, I know what the locals are saying..bad restaurants are always at the Westport Inn...who wants to go to a hotel to have a great night out? Well, David, the owner, has made this place the hotspot of Westport, CT.
When I talked with David before I went for dinner, I was struck by his mellow down to earth demeanor. I was told prior to meeting him that he owned a couple of nightclubs in NYC. I expected a slick, fast talking guy who wants to make it big with CT money via a nightclub or restaurant. Well, when I met David before I became a customer, he was so low-key that I wondered if the food and service were going to make it (I already knew the place looked great). David said they weren't trying to compete with anyone with the food. He said that they had a simple evening menu and a kids menu. He said that he chose to come up to Westport because he lives locally with his wife and 2 kids and wanted to be closer to them..aaaah that's nice, but I thought, Uh Oh, another restaurant may bite the dust.
Well lucky for us that he is a CT resident and a guy with vision. Nothing casual about the menu...smoked chicken and lettuce wraps, steak with a pesto and parseley sauce, chocolate fondue with fruit and marshmellows (and there is a ton more, I just can't remember)...oh my gosh, it was so good that I wanted to stay until breakfast. Ever since last Saturday night I have been thinking about how quickly I can get back there! Can I bring my kids? How about my parents? Will my neighbors go next weekend?
Go with the kids and actually have a great meal, go with friends and enjoy the unrushed cool environment, go with friends and sit at the bar and check out a street in NYC where you see everyday life pass by (hence spyglass..they have video cameras in NYC so we can check out the scene from our nice warm cozy seats in Westport). Just go before the word gets out and you can't get in the door for a month.
Have fun!!
Call Valorie Luther for more entertaining hints or check out the website, www.whitelinen-events.com
