Here's a great blog post from the New York Times -- rules of the road for people who stick their necks out to own and run a restaurant. My favorites from the list so far...they'll publish the other half of the list later.

1. Do not let anyone enter the restaurant without a warm greeting.

4. If a table is not ready within a reasonable length of time, offer a free drink and/or amuse-bouche. The guests may be tired and hungry and thirsty, and they did everything right.

Could have used some pampering of this type at a Rochester restaurant Weds. night...

7. Do not announce your name. No jokes, no flirting, no cuteness.

21. Never serve anything that looks creepy or runny or wrong.

31. Never remove a plate full of food without asking what went wrong. Obviously, something went wrong.

32. Never touch a customer. No excuses. Do not do it. Do not brush them, move them, wipe them or dust them.

40. Never say, “Good choice,” implying that other choices are bad.

41. Saying, “No problem” is a problem. It has a tone of insincerity or sarcasm. “My pleasure” or “You’re welcome” will do.    

44. Do not discuss your own eating habits, be you vegan or lactose intolerant or diabetic.

Pass along some of your personal favorites, or items they missed.

JF