NYC Hosts/Hostesses: Eater.com GATEKEEPERS series

[harlanturk]

I am currently photographing the GATEKEEPERS series for EATER.COM, and was wondering what the viewing public thought, and whom they would like to see.

[tommy]

don't miss john from babbo, who is likely one of the more, um, notorious gatekeepers in the city, and for quite some time now.

[BryanZ]

I liked the Le Bernardin one. Cool image, good questions. Loved his commentary on dealing with the customers himself rather than letting it get to Chef Ripert.

[harlanturk]

Bryan,

I think you mean NY MAG's "Grub Street" section called, Ask A Waiter, which is similar to EATER.COM's Gatekeepers series. I work on the later.

[BryanZ]

Well I feel like a dumbass. I swear, I read the Gatekeepers, too. My apologies.

Edited December 13, 2006 by BryanZ (log)

[docsconz]

This is a cool series covering an area that in today's restaurant marketplace gets very little consideration - maybe because they tend to not wear tuxedos or other formal attire. It is a fascinating view behind those seldom noticed scenes. What was your inspiration for undertaking this series?

[harlanturk]

It was partially commissioned from the guys over at Eater.com, but as you know of my work, I priorly looked to illuminate the people behind the scenes in the "BACK OF THE HOUSE" project, and in this case, we see that the "front of the house" is just as often over-looked.

[harlanturk]

What other kitchen positions, employees of restaurant establishments, do you think are unseen, and are deemed important enough to be profiled?

[shengcai]

How about Keith Fergel of per se? As for other positions in restaurant establishments, I'd be particularly interested in seeing profiles of specialty purveyors and how they interface with the restaurants they serve. I would expect, however, that it would be difficult for these purveyors to be completely candid and dish the dirt on their famous clientele.

[harlanturk]

Wasn't he sommelier at French Laundry. Is he the maitre 'd or GM? What do you see as the biggest difference between a maitre 'd and host/hostess?

[rich]

Wasn't he sommelier at French Laundry. Is he the maitre 'd or GM? What do you see as the biggest difference between a maitre 'd and host/hostess?

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MD gets tipped, hostess/host does not.

[docsconz]

Wasn't he sommelier at French Laundry. Is he the maitre 'd or GM? What do you see as the biggest difference between a maitre 'd and host/hostess?

←

MD gets tipped, hostess/host does not.

←

I almost never get tipped Seriously, what is the difference functionally or is there one? If there isn't why does a maitre 'd get tipped and a host/hostess not?

[rich]

Wasn't he sommelier at French Laundry. Is he the maitre 'd or GM? What do you see as the biggest difference between a maitre 'd and host/hostess?

←

MD gets tipped, hostess/host does not.

←

I almost never get tipped Seriously, what is the difference functionally or is there one? If there isn't why does a maitre 'd get tipped and a host/hostess not?

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Never got tipped Doc? Wow, if there's any group I want to keep happy it's my doctors. I always tip them - of course some of the horses don't win.

A MD is dressed in a suit and tie or tux (I love women in tuxes.) The MD shows you to your table, makes sure your drink order is taken (perhaps by them) and comes back from time to time to check on things.

A host/hostess is really an actor/actress between jobs, is wearing jeans and a jacket from from the local thrift shop that doesn't fit (definitely no socks or stockings), gets someone else to take you to your table and spends the rest of the night on his/her cell phone.

Edited December 19, 2006 by rich (log)

[H. du Bois]

I think you should feature Rich's maitre d' at Gallaghers.

[rich]

I think you should feature Rich's maitre d' at Gallaghers. 

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Yeah, and don't forget the bouncer - they would mage a great tag-team entry.

[RobinsonCuisine]

I havn't paid much attention to Gatekeepers. I consider the manager the real power in FOH.