Holiday gifts

[Kim WB]

We just rec'd four beautiful plate liners from one of our favorite restaurants. Another sent over a half case of a favorite wine...and a third usually sends us a wreath or Christmassy flower thing...I think its a wonderful touch, and while we tend to get overwhelmed with business related gifts at this time of the year, I really can't remember what our accountant sent us last year , but I can always recall the restaurant gifts! ( That is actually not accurate..our accountant sent us this really cool barrell shaped beach cooler with little compartments and flip out bottle holders. But usually I can't remember! Just that the cooler was somewhat food oriented! )

Edited December 17, 2003 by Kim WB (log)

[bilrus]

Are these gifts going to where you work? And if so, what type of place is it?

If not you must be REALLY good customers.

[Rosie]

Which restaurants?

Nice touch for special customers.

[Kim WB]

Sent to the home: Rat's , Marsilio's, and Big Fish. Yes, either my husband or myself are frequent customers to all three.

Edited December 17, 2003 by Kim WB (log)

[Rosie]

I'm impressed.

[Kim WB]

I'm impressed.

But isn't it more common? I remember when I worke at the River Cafe,we sent gifts out to a number of people. I would think lots of NYC places would send a token to their regulars.

[Rosie]

I write about many NJ restaurants and I don't even get holiday cards. Like I said. I'm impressed. Does anyone else get a gift or card from a restaurant where they are a regular?

[glenn]

The restaurants I'm a regular at probably have trouble paying the rent, let alone sending out gifts. Seriously, I never heard of restaurants sending gifts. Certainly none of the places I've worked for ever did so. Maybe that's why most of them are out of business. :-)) But then again, I was never a regular patron of or worked for a **** restaurant.

On the other side of the coin, I haven't gotten one gift this year from vendors except for a friggin' diary from the insurance agent. Just lots of generic cards. In the past, I used to get a bunch of fruit baskets, candy and other stuff. And the chef hasn't gotten a dime from anyone. In the past, some of the more unscrupulous vendors would give the chef a substantial amount of cash ($500) to ostensibly bribe him and win his loyalty. This must be the year of the scrooge.

[bilrus]

I got a Christmas Card from the Inn at Little Washington - but that's just because I am on the mailing list there from my one visit this year.

This thread makes me feel much less special. Although my wife and I are too busy going to new/different places to regulars anywhere except our local Chinese place.

[Kim WB]

This thread makes me feel much less special.  Although my wife and I are too busy going to new/different places to regulars anywhere except our local Chinese place.

Please, that was not my intent. I was actually thinking that some of the Bergen Cty or more NY oriented restaurants must send out some great gifts, and I know this board is a bit NONJ centric, so I figured it would fit.

We entertain on business a lot, often groups of 6-10, so perhaps that's the key. I had my 40th b-day at Rats, for 20ppl, so that might be why too.

In the day and age of computers, where even a small establishment can track usage and visits and spending habits, I am suprised that its not more prevelant.

Edited December 17, 2003 by Kim WB (log)

[Carolyn Tillie]

My weekday winery job got a card from Thomas Keller and staff at FL... (the owners eat there frequently).

[bilrus]

This thread makes me feel much less special.  Although my wife and I are too busy going to new/different places to regulars anywhere except our local Chinese place.

Pleae, that was not my intent. I was actually thinking that some of the Bergen Cty more NY oriented restaurants must send out some great gifts, and I know this board is a bit NONJ centric, so I figured it would fit.

WE entertain on business a lot, often groups of 6-10, so perhaps that's the key. I had my 40th b-day at Rats, for 20ppl, so that might be why too.

I was just joking.

Its a very nice move on the restaurant's part. I would think that keeping good customers is more that worth the cost of the gifts. You could probably spend enough to cover it in one meal - much less over the course of a year.