Rant: Splitting A Plate At Matadora

The restaurant industry is a competitive field, with far too many restaurants closing after only a short time in existence. There are a myriad of factors which can help a restaurant survive, and sometimes those factors are small, seemingly inconsequential, but which can have a great impact. Under the umbrella of "good service," there is much that can be done to make your guest's experience special, even if it is something minor. It can be those little things that resonate with your guest.

Over the weekend, I dined, with a friend, at Matadora, a Spanish tapas restaurant located in the Hilton Boston/Woburn. We enjoyed several tapas, from the Flaming Chorizo to the Basque Street Corn. Then, we decided to split the Matadora Burger, which is topped with Jamon Serrano, Queso de Bola, and Roasted Garlic Aioli. As we ordered that burger, our server made a simple offer which was a service win.

The server offered to split the burger for us, to cut it in half and serve it on separate plates for us. Very simple but also very meaningful. We would have split the burger on our own without complaint. I don't expect a restaurant to split such a dish, but when they offer, it elevates their level of service in my eyes. It is such little things that make a restaurant stand out from similar places. I've been to other restaurants which have made the same offer, to split an entree onto separate plates, and it always pleases me to see such a level of service.

I understand that though this seems like a minor thing, it involves the kitchen veering from their usual course of plating, to cater to a special order of sorts. However, that extra work should lead to a more satisfied guest, happy for receiving that special bit of service. When restaurants offer a menu of small plates, with a handful of larger entrees, it is common for guests to share a number of small plates and then split an entree. Thus, splitting that entree in the kitchen can be a great idea, making your guests more grateful.

This is but one example of a simple bit of good service which can benefit a restaurant. There are plenty more out there. What bit of service pleases you when dine out at a restaurant?