Family style dining, where dishes are placed in the center of the table for everyone to share, offers a unique and convivial experience. It fosters a sense of community and sharing, making it a popular choice for many diners. However, this dining style also presents specific challenges for restaurants. Understanding and addressing these potential pitfalls is crucial to creating a positive and efficient family style restaurant experience.
One of the primary concerns in family style service is portion control. Guests, especially children or those who are particularly fond of a specific dish, might serve themselves overly large portions initially. This can lead to some diners getting less than they would like, particularly those who are slower eaters or hesitant to ask for more. This imbalance can lead to guest dissatisfaction and potentially negative perceptions of the restaurant’s generosity.
Solution: Proactive and attentive wait staff are key to managing this issue. Train your team to consistently monitor serving dishes and promptly inquire if guests would like refills. Consider offering a reduced price for refills on the same dish to incentivize this. Transparency is also important; clearly communicate portion expectations to guests when they order, setting realistic expectations from the outset.
Another common challenge is the increased potential for messiness. Passing dishes around the table and self-serving naturally increases the likelihood of spills and accidents. This can be a concern for both guests and restaurant staff.
Solution: Create a relaxed and forgiving atmosphere. Reassure guests at the beginning of their meal that minor spills are perfectly acceptable. Equip staff to be ready to quickly and efficiently clean up any messes. Provide user-friendly serving utensils that minimize spillage. Crucially, always verbally warn guests if a dish is hot to prevent accidents.
Happy family enjoying a meal at a family style restaurant, emphasizing the joy of communal dining.
Sanitation is also a significant consideration in family style dining. With multiple people handling serving dishes and utensils, the risk of accidental food contamination increases. Maintaining high hygiene standards is paramount to ensure guest safety and confidence.
Solution: Stay updated on and strictly adhere to current sanitary guidelines and regulations. Provide hand sanitizer readily accessible at the restaurant entrance. Implement a strict protocol of providing dedicated serving cutlery for each dish, ensuring that diners do not use their personal cutlery to serve themselves after they have eaten with it.
To truly excel in family style dining, consider these additional tips to enhance the guest experience and operational efficiency:
Staff Training is Essential: Invest in comprehensive staff training to ensure your team can confidently and positively explain the concept of family style dining to guests. Staff should have in-depth menu knowledge to answer questions about dishes and portion sizes accurately and offer helpful recommendations.
Offer Varied Portion Sizes: Provide different size options for dishes to cater to varying group sizes and appetites. Clearly indicate options for two, four, six, or more people on your menu. This allows for greater flexibility and reduces food waste.
Design Shareable Dishes: Carefully design your menu to feature dishes that are inherently easy to share. Ensure that meals are arranged and composed so that each diner can readily access and sample all components and ingredients.
Invest in Attractive and Functional Serving Ware: Select a wide range of serving dishes, platters, and utensils that are both visually appealing and practical for family style service. Presentation remains important, even in a communal setting. Attractive serving ware enhances the dining experience and showcases your dishes effectively.
A beautifully set table at a family style restaurant, showcasing a variety of dishes perfect for sharing and communal dining.
Maintain Attentive Service: While family style dining empowers guests with self-service, it does not diminish the need for attentive staff. Encourage your team to remain engaged with diners even after dishes are served. Regularly check in for feedback, inquire about refills, and address any questions guests may have. Train staff to guide guests in selecting complementary dishes to create a well-rounded and enjoyable meal.
In conclusion, while Family Style Restaurants present unique operational and service considerations, by proactively addressing potential challenges and implementing these solutions and tips, restaurants can create a thriving and enjoyable communal dining experience. Remember that alongside delicious food, exceptional service remains the cornerstone of any successful restaurant, regardless of its serving style.
