8 replies to this topic

[cabrales]

fresh_a: When you make reservations on behalf of a hotel guest at a restaurant, what channels are available for you to receive feedback about (i) whether the guest was satisfied with the meal, (ii) whether the restaurant found the guest gracious and generous, and (iii) the specific nature of the dishes and wine ordered (including whether the restaurant conferred special treatment, such as extra dishes, to the guest)?

For instance, how detailed might a guest's comments about a restaurant be and do guests tend to comment with equal frequency after having received a good meal as a less satisfactory meal? Do you have a significant number of "regular" guests whom you know understand haute cuisine and are articulate about it? Do guests expect attention from the chef and the maitre d', or a good table, when you make the reservation, and complain when such attention is not forthcoming?

Do you tend to receive feedback the next time you call the restaurant for a reservation? Do you hear about any "no shows" on the part of one of your guests?

Thanks for your participation on the board.

[fresh_a]

Feedback is so important.

I normally don't bother a busy restaurant with too many questions, unless I feel it necessary, ie very difficult or VIP guest.

Most establishments know we have a good (and sometimes diffcult) clientelle and will keep us informed accordingly. In the case of negative feedback, most places will try to let us know before the clients returns, with as much detail as they can provide.

Our clients will generally give us both negative and positive feedback, and we, in general, have a very open forum with our guests concerning their evenings out.

Our guests normally get the best tables (as they are accustomed, for the most part being rich and influencial, and/or well-known), but rarely will an establishment give freebees.

[cabrales]

fresh_a: Hi, it's me again

Given your mention of the significance of listening to your guests, what respective verbal and non-verbal cues from a guest would cause you to direct that guest to each of the Paris three-stars (when the guest seeks your recommendation)?

Is age a significant determinant of your recommendations? How do you gauge dining experience on the part of a guest, and is such experience a determinant? How about nationality (e.g., Asian guests vs. American guests)? Is restaurant price level a factor you consider?

What rough percentage of your day do you spend obtaining feedback from, and making reservations at, restaurants?

[fresh_a]

As I said before, most guests at our hotel know what level and type of establishment they want...If a client seems very cost-conscious (rare) we do indicate the approximate price of meals...

Age,nationalitydon't really come into play much, as most of our guests are pretty cosmopolitan, knowledgable and have enough cash to pay for any meal in the city...

We try to get as many details as possible, type of restaurant, casual, trendy, elegant, type of cuisine wished, classic, contemporary, etc. Close to the hotel, far from the hotel, dress code sometimes comes into play... there are a lot of different factors that play in making a reccomendation....often, we get the "feel" as well.... meaning a client will come and say , "I want something like this, and this", and immediately, we know where to send him...

[cabrales]

fresh_a: How frequently do guests get sufficiently drunk during a three-star meal that they are unable to complete the meal? How frequently do you receive feedback regarding a guest's loss of control (e.g., intoxication, illness) during a meal?

[fresh_a]

Most of our clients appreciate fine wines, and although sometimes a bit tipsy, are rarely roaring drunk..

[cabrales]

Have you encountered situations where guests have claimed to have gotten ill as a result of a top restaurant's food? Is that kind of feedback shared with a restaurant?

What is the best medical facility for emergencies in Paris? Are there facilities that are open 24 hours?

On an unrelated note, what Internet cafes close to subways stations are there on the Right Bank (1st or 8th arrondisements) and Left Bank (6th or 7th arrondisements), apart from the large facility near Les Halles?

[fresh_a]

Illness is rare in quality establishments. Sometimes people get indigestion after especially rich or unfamiliar food, but that's about it.

The American Hospital in Neuilly sur Seine is excellent.

Otherwise SOS Medecins offers 24/7 emergency service, and even the paris firemen (pompiers) intervene in emergency situations

Try EasyEverything , rue de la Harpe or bd Sebastapol on the Left bank. In the 8th, there is the Vivendi Cafe near the Etoile

[Bux]

Rue de l'Harpe is just a block east of the St. Michel Metro station and just a block into the 5th arr. It's black full of inexpensive gyro joints and other places catering to students and student tourists. We've used EasyEverything in Brussels, Barcelona and Paris.