Sunday, December 19, 2010

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

We'll be back in 2011.

Yvonne and Yvette

Monday, December 13, 2010

HOLIDAY TIPPING POINTS:WHEN DOORMEN BECOME DOORMEN

It's time to peel off crisp bills and give them to those whom we believe have gone beyond their duty to make our living where we live more pleasant during the year. We also tip these people because they tend to make less than the tippers - not so these days with many tippers out of work and doormen know that. They know everything. They know that you're spending more time at home and you've traded in your smart wardrobe for jeans and sweaters. They know that you're receiving fewer packages and your dry cleaning pick-ups and deliveries are down. These are difficult times indeed and you don't have to apologize for them if you're not tipping this year. In many cases economics have nothing to do with it, tenants who tip all year round don't find it necessary to tip when the holidays roll around.

We notice that the day after Thanksgiving, doormen become more like doormen. In some buildings where they're not expected to open the door all the time, they can't get there fast enough. They ask if they can carry your packages for you. Instead of a pleasant nod, they open their mouthes and greet you by name. These actions are followed by a card or a sheet listing all the names of the staff. It's usually a simple card wishing you peace and joy and of course wishing for a tip. Yvette's building doesn't bother with a card, they slip a list under each tenant's door. Only one doorman sends personal thank you notes, the others sign a thank you sheet.

The building card or sheet can be helpful. It helps you see the spelling of names so that you can address their card by name and make it more personal and genuine. And it also gives you an idea of how much money you'll need on your next visit to the bank. If you've had a difficult year, this could be the last card you'll want to open.

You may be tempted to make some cookies to give in lieu of money or give a bottle of wine. We have mixed feelings about that. Yvette thinks cookies are fine if that's the best you can do. But if you calculate the ingredients and the time it takes to make cookies, you probably could afford to put ten bucks in an envelope. Which would you prefer? A cookie? A bottle of wine? Or money?

Here's our tip - if you can do it, do it, if you can't, don't. And if you don't want to, you don't have to.


Saturday, December 4, 2010

ELAINE KAUFMAN OF ELAINE’S ON DINING, WINING AND WHINING

Asked if she ever goes gaga over the famous people who come to her restaurant known for it’s famous clientele that includes prolific writers, filmmakers, actors and other consummate New Yorkers, Elaine Kaufman, owner of the famous Elaine’s on New York's Upper Eastside thinks for a moment, looks at Diane Becker, the restaurant’s superb, no nonsense manager and responds, “Sidney Poitier was awesome.

“And remember Harry Belafonte?” Diane reminds her. “Yeah, but,” adds Elaine, “When Fellini and his wife came in with Marcello Mastroianni…” her voice trails off as if she’s reliving that amazing moment.

“We have some funny people coming here, most of them are fine and then there are those whose demands aren’t consistent with manners,” Elaine points out.

Here are some of Elaine’s dos and don’ts when you're on her turf.

DON’T WALK UP TO A TABLE AND GUSH AS SOMEONE’S ABOUT TO TAKE A BITE, NO MATTER HOW FABULOUS THEY ARE OR HOW DRUNK YOU ARE

“They’re about to eat and someone actually is coming up to them to tap them to get their attention, " said Elaine shaking her head in disbelief.

DON’T EVEN TRY DROPPING ELAINE’S NAME IN YOUR QUEST FOR WHAT YOU THINK IS A BETTER TABLE

“You get what you get. Any table you’re sitting at should be a good table and if you’re that insecure, no table is going to be right.” Diane adds, "Saying you know Elaine won't do anything for you."

DON’T COME IN WITH YOUR OWN BOTTLE OF WINE

“We tell them that we sell wine and food.”

DON’T SEND BACK A BOTTLE AND ASK FOR ANOTHER OF THE SAME

“We won’t do it. We tell them they won’t be happy, try something else.”

DON’T TAKE YOUR DRINK TO THE BATHROOM

Asked why this happens, Elaine responded, “Because they’re stupid.”

DON’T EVER PUT YOUR FEET ON THE CHAIR

“We’ll yell, “Take your feet off the chair.”

DO DRESS PROPERLY, NO SHORTS PLEASE

“There’s not much to do about it once they get in."

DO BE KIND TO THE STAFF

“One guy, a writer, used to be very rude. He changed his ways when he married, his wife would threaten to walk out.”

DO FEEL FREE TO ASK IF YOU CAN ORDER OFF THE MENU

“Doesn’t mean you’re going to get it.”

THINGS ELAINE CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT

Doggie bags - “They’re a given, it’s okay but I can’t believe that people would take such a small amount of food home and actually eat it.”

Sharing meals – “I don’t like it. It’s not like they can’t afford it.”

Yvette and I have been to Elaine’s a couple of times. It is impressive and as much as we covet a table along the wall, we know wherever we are, like Elaine said, “It’s a good table.”

*Elaine and Diane sent me away after the interview with a container of soup not surprisingly for a friend who's a filmmaker and not feeling well. "He's family," Diane said. "We take care of family."