This is an efficient, seamless way to check in with guests after serving entrees.

So after I drop the entrees, I take a beat and wait for the table to either acknowledge approval or make a request. Any request that a guest needs to have or enjoy their meal (a fork, ketchup, cook the steak longer, etc) is a guest request. I handle this immediately.

I don't really need to tell the guest that I'll go get them ketchup. That's "echoing" and unnecessary. They know that what I'm going to do.

After I drop the plates and see if there are any immediate issues, I go do something else and check back with them after just a few minutes. Long enough for them to start.

Now when I approach the table, I don't ask, "Is there anything wrong, is everything okay, can I get you something else, do you like it, etc." I ask an open-ended question that allows for an open-ended response. "How is everything?" This gives them the opportunity to answer however they please with whatever requests they may have.

The main thing to keep in mind with checking on the table and good service in general...is that I simply make myself available to serve the guests.

Have you ever been in a restaurant and haven’t seen your server in like 30 minutes? They’re just absent, and you keep waiting for them to come by so you can let them know you would like some ketchup? But they never come by?

Don’t be that guy.