Frothygirlz.com

Thanks for visiting me here, but I am now only going to update my "In The Weeds" column on Frothygirlz.com.

It's too tough to make sure the links to older stories stay correct when they get archived, etc. I don't want anybody running into that annoying Internal Server Error. That ISE really pisses people off like nothing else.

I get published every Tuesday, so I hope to see you over there.

The KC Steinbrenner

Most restaurant manager offices are exactly alike. They are super tiny (think 6x12 prison cell), crammed with stuff and usually outfitted with one big window that overlooks the kitchen or service area. The door is always locked so if you need something, you must tap on the glass, but do so carefully or the managers could strike and injure themselves... more

In The Weeds: Special Edition

For the last three years, I have worked at a job that I love. Quite unexpectedly, I was hired to work at one of the best restaurants in Kansas City without much serving experience. I convinced a skeptical manager that my background as a concierge and my passion for service and high-end hospitality would fit right in with what he was looking for in a team member. They took a chance on me and over the next three years, I built a good following of regulars, routinely did well on secret shopper reports, and was asked to be a trainer. But the two best things about my job were bonding with the guests that I served and the amazing friends that I made.

Okay (insert needle scratching a record sound here) that’s enough of that hazy “Dreamweaver” moment. I was fired on Wednesday for writing my weekly column... more

Cast of Characters - Part II

Not too much fallout from last week’s staff introductions, but there was a lot of speculation as to who would be next. Maybe I didn’t get the knife close enough to the bone. Let’s try again.

The 80s Hostess on Blow - This hostess comes to work in bright red tapered-leg suits complete with shoulder pads and a shiny gold belt. The faraway look in her eyes and her slightly behind the beat reaction when speaking to someone actually makes her perfect for our front door, because to the untrained guest it seems as if the restaurant is too busy for her to concentrate on them. People like to eat at busy places. Her hair is long, big, and fried. It completely surrounds her black Ray Bans as she whizzes about town in her 1991 Capri convertible with the vanity plate “ASEXY1.” . . . more

Cast of Characters - Part 1

In my first column, I said that the most interesting people I meet in the restaurant biz are not sitting at the tables but are working on the floor with me, and occasionally flashing their balls in the pantry. So I’m going to introduce you to this cast of characters over the next few weeks. That way, we can talk about them when they’re not here. Oh wait, they are my largest following. Well, here goes suicide by blog. Stay tuned for the fallout. . . more

Where the F is my black card?

Reservoir Dogs - Tipping Scene. Check it out.

This is one of my favorite scenes from an all-time favorite movie. In Quentin Tarantino’s “Reservoir Dogs,” this early scene sets the pace for Tarantino’s dialogue-heavy trademark style. Mr. Pink refuses to tip and his rationale is at once riveting and revolting. I first saw this movie before becoming a server, and I must say I agreed with Steve Buscemi by the end of his diatribe. But looking at it now, I’m amazed by the lack of research. . . more

Spring Fever

“It’s spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you’ve got it, you want - oh, you don’t quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!” ~Mark Twain

Ah spring, fair spring. What’s not to love? Well, I can think of a few things. Spring in our restaurant starts with a small dip in business as people seek out al fresco dining. Our restaurant does best in snow, ice and driving rain. Dark mahogany walls, red leather booths and lights so dim that every server carries a flashlight does not bring out that giddy April afternoon hopefulness. . . more