There is one very simple way you can impress me when I visit your restaurant.
And it's not just me, either.
We have lots of restaurants locally; extremely good ones too. The problem is that 'imself has his own particular favorite. And I can' t stand the place. The food is excellent. The specialty drinks are marvelous. The staff are just great; no matter how long it is since we were last there, we are genuinely greeted as friends and valued customers. Service is friendly and timed to perfection. The atmosphere is lively without being loud or intrusive. At some point during our meal, the manager will invariably come over for a chat. The check is never a surprise; the cost is always very reasonable.
But I can't stand the bloody bathrooms.
The sink surround is always soaking wet. Scraps of paper towel litter the floor. The trash can overflows with used paper towel. You can hardly see yourself in the mirrors. The cubicle doors don't close properly and, once you are in there, it's a good idea if you roll your trouser legs up a little if you are in a sitting position to avoid them coming into contact with the dirty - and often wet - floor. Actually, you're better wearing jeans because despite the paper towel on the floor and in the trash, it's likely that there are no fresh supplies, so you try to shake your hands dry and finish them off on your jeans.
I find this inexcusable. And I wonder - if this public area is so bad, what the hell is the kitchen like? It's a natural progression of thought.
In the words of Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson, how hard can it be?
It's not a cost issue, it's attention to detail, that's all. Having a place clean and tidy costs nothing. You have cleaners don't you? Why aren't members of the staff detailed to check the bathrooms every half hour, have a quick clean & tidy up and replenish any dwindling supplies?
What about those little touches that cost next to nothing? A box of tissues, a bowl of pot pourri, a single fresh flower at the side of the sink. How about really splashing out and putting a hand cream dispenser there too? (I would really appreciate that). A clean full length mirror? (We really like to assure ourselves that we have 'adjusted our dress' before returning to the dining room.)
But apart from that, your bathrooms really give you a chance to create a wow factor. "Hey, that ladies' room is really terrific".
If a cross-promotion we are currently designing between a restaurant and a local 'grooming for men' establishment is anything to go by, it's even easier to create a wow factor in the men's room....
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