what's your opinion? ... when is it okay to leave a restaurant?

Over the weekend I met up with a dear old friend of mine back in town from Japan.  We decided to meet up at Tiger Sushi at the Mall of America for a late lunch.  We were seated at the bar and waited about 10 minutes for a server, hostess or anybody to see if we had questions or wanted to order.  My friend was craving Korean food and we were sick of waiting around, so we decided to just leave.

I have always had an internal conflict on the etiquette to leaving a restaurant in this fashion.  Was it warranted since we weren't offered any help?  I did take a sip from my water, am I morally bound to becoming a patron in the restaurant now?  What would make you leave a restaurant in a similar fashion? 

{cravingsushi}

winkMSP

nom nom: Northeast Social

Business:  Northeast Social
Location:  NE Minneapolis
Did they earn a wink?  YES

The Occasion:  Ladies night with my besties

The Food:  [apps] Calamari [entrees] braised pork shank with root vegetables, cranberry gnocchi, mahi mahi (market fish of the day) [dessert] chocolate cake a la mode, rosemary honey panna cotta (to die).

Image via Restaurant.com

Our Service:  There is nothing like having a co-owners wife come greet us at the table and strike up some conversation.  Not only was she super sweet, but she also sent over their signature rosemary honey panna cotta for us to try.  Having that personalized appreciation for our visit was so refreshing and it felt good to be eating local.  In addition to that, our server was extremely patient with us while we took our merry old time deciding which dishes (and lots of accompanying spirits) to order.  The restaurant wasn't overly crowded and I felt as though our personal table had plenty of space to spread ourselves out without feeling like we could easily eavesdrop on the conversation at the next table.


Extra love:  The furnishings, artwork and colors Northeast Social chose for their restaurant were perfectly fitting.  I almost drooled over their navy paint colors and the brilliant painting at the front of the restaurant.  I think it's safe to say that Northeast Social may be my new Nordeast fave.  LOVE!

Image via Restaurant.com

{foundmynewfave}

winkMSP

nom nom: The Sample Room

Business:  The Sample Room
Location:  NE Minneapolis
Did they earn a wink?  YES


Occasion:  Birthday celebration, party of two.

The Food:  Small plates.  Ordered a plethora of dishes:  roasted brussels sprouts and squash, pate, seared scallops, bison-pork-beef meatloaf, cheese plate, etc.

Image via The Sample Room

The Service:  Our server was a delight and strangely reminded me of Johnny Depp.  He was sweetly awkward and had a wealth of knowledge about everything The Sample Room had on their menu.  Throughout the evening, he made sure our water was always filled and that we were enjoying our food.  Because table space is limited for a party of two, he made sure that our empty plates were cleared promptly and made the overall dining experience much easier.  Though he wasn't much of a talker, he was able to keep the intimate space somewhat private without ignoring us and feeling as though we were neglected.  

I'm not a food critic, but:  A number of the plates were a tad too salty.  This was my 3rd visit to The Sample Room and don't remember having that complaint from previous experiences. Will I visit again?  For someone as indecisive as me, I love me some small plates!

Yummy scallops!

{winkMSP}

nom nom: Heidis 2.0

Business:  Heidi's 2.0
Location: Lyn-Lake
Did they earn a wink?  YES

The Occasion:  Girl-talk date with my former roomate

The Food: [apps] Beef tongue, beets & feta (love) [entrees] black truffle pappardelle, braised pork "steak" and seared duck breast [dessert] sweet potato beignets and nitro chocolate mousse [drinks] ginger smash and red wine

Heidi's 2.0

.
Our Service:  With the re-opening of Heidi's after their devastating fire in 2010, I knew that reservations would be difficult to come by.  We made a late reso for 8:45 on a Saturday night and upon arrival had to wait approximately 30 minutes before we were seated (among others in the same situation).  Though I was annoyed at first, Kyle the host was very gracious and friendly and gave us complimentary expresso's at the end of our delicious meal.  In the meantime, we bellied up to the bar and enjoyed delicious drinks mixed by the bartender who was very obviously backed up but still accommodating to all the patrons at the bar.

Chi, our server was also a delight.  We asked her questions about almost every item on the menu and she patiently answered all of them while also giving us the "people's" favorites as well as her personal loves.  Though the resto was extremely busy, she paid careful attention to make sure that we were enjoying her suggested meals and checked in with us on a regular basis in case we needed anything else.  Her patience and willingness to accommodate made the experience that much more fun.

Loves:  Heidi's had beautiful decor and I instantly fell in love with their red chandeliers and the beautiful white branch tree in the middle of the space.  LOVE!

{oldiebutagoodie}

winkMSP

Image via Mecca Bos

 

nom nom: Key's Cafe @ Foshay Tower

Business:  Key's Cafe
Location:  Downtown Minneapolis (Foshay Tower)
Did they earn a wink?  YES

Occasion:  My lovely friend Abby had a craving for the Key's Chocolate House Cake and convinced me to make a late night run downtown with her.

The Food:  Abby ordered the special of the day, The Cowboy Burger.  I ordered the classic grilled cheese.  We shared 2 pieces of Chocolate House Cake and Almond Sliver Cake for dessert. 

Our service:  Our server Karen was very helpful.  She was the first person to greet us at the door and show us a table.  She was prompt, friendly (but not overly so), and completely honest.  I asked her for suggestions on which soup to order and she was quite frank on what soups looked like they had run their course for the day and which soups were her favorite.  I ended up with the turkey wild rice and was pretty darn satisfied with the whole meal.

My only gripe?  I could see dirt underneath Karen's finger nails!  Does the fact that she was a nice person make up for this?  Totally.

{stuffed}

winkMSP

How can one resist dessert?

nothing in the bag: bluepeg mens

Business:  Bluepeg Mens
Location:  50th & France
Did they earn a wink?  NO

What is Bluepeg Mens?  A clothing and accessories store geared towards the stylish and savvy man.  The owner is the beau of fellow 50th & France co-owner of BlueBird Boutique and Ladyslipper.  Brands you can find at the store include:  Postage, life/after/denim, Luke Simon, alternative, Nixon and etc.

Why I stopped in:  I was looking forward to visiting the new menswear only store to look for some great duds. 


Why didn't they earn a wink?  If you saw my post on the "art of hello," then please read it now.  Upon entry into the store, I spotted the owner talking to the only other customer in the store.  I began walking around the store looking at the different brands and styles they had to offer thinking that he would eventually say hello, hi or something to acknowledge me in the store.  I waited about 10 minutes hoping to be asked if I needed any help or even just a simple greeting but I received nothing.  Barely even a glance in my direction.

What was missing?  A simple greeting.  A "hello" or offering of help makes me feel welcome in any store and would definitely make me more apt to spend my hard earned dollars.  I was in the mood to shop and I left with nothing all due to the fact that I felt I wasn't appreciated for visiting the store.  I felt ignored and even disrespected.

Moral of the story:  The owner may need to take some classes in store etiquette.  Always greet your customers and always offer them help.  I love supporting local businesses and I also love that menswear stores are making their entry and a big impact in the Minneapolis boutique scene.  I am a believer in 2nd chances so I will be visiting again, just to see how things have changed.  3 strikes and Bluepeg Mens is off of my list...

image via Trnds

{winkMSP}

a preview

Some things I'm working on for the next few weeks:

- "Sweets Week":  I will be reviewing some local cupcake shops, just in time for Valentines Day
- A few photographers will be reviewed
- Meet my personal trainer
- Makeup artist makeover!
- Reviews on some locally owned boutiques
- Changes in the "wink" grading system

Hope you stay tuned!  Keep warm...

{stayinbusy}

winkMSP

my 2 cents: hello?

First, let me thank my readers who gave me their opinion on Friday's post.  I love the feedback and I couldn't agree more with what these lovelies had to say.  Thanks WiseHer Up! and PaperDollMN  {hearts}


And now, I ask a question:  Really?  Really.  It boggles my mind and completely infuriates me when I walk into a place of business in which I am not greeted.  My experience in the retail industry spans almost 12 years now and even at the ripe young age of 16, I knew how important the initial greeting was.  Whether I was selling a 12" Subway sandwich versus a 6" or a $100 blouse versus a $35 blouse, I was guaranteed that there wouldn't be a sale if I had not paid my patron a proper greeting.  Stay tuned for my experience at a local business in which I did not receive a greeting.....

So here are my 2 cents.  Target:  You can't enter or leave the place without a red & khaki asking if you would like any help finding something.  Actually, yes I would, where the heck is the super glue?  And Wal-Mart believes in the "hello" so much that they pay a person to stand at the front of the store to greet people as they walk in.  All employees and businesses, big or small, need to pay attention to what the successful box-stores are doing and take heed, the art of "hello" is simple and needs to be executed each and every time.

Who doesn't like a friendly door greeter?

What does a "hello" and a "goodbye" do for a business?  It shows that you value a customers patronage, acknowledges presence, conveys a feeling of respect and ultimately values their willingness to spend their money in your store.  Making a customer feel welcomed and appreciated creates a feeling of security which are all conducive in the ultimate goal of  completing a sale.  It can be a segue into learning about your customer, their likes and dislikes, lifestyle, socioeconomic demographic and etc, which can all lead to better sales tactics and techniques.  This information better informs you to properly select what your store carries or offers and can result in obtaining a loyal base of customers who shop at your store because they know you have what they want.

The moral of the story:  Didn't your mom teach you good manners?  Say hello.  Just do it.

{untilnexttime}

winkMSP

P.S.

Found:  Super Glue
Located at Target in aisle D17

what's your opinion? ... the art of "hello"

I need your opinion ...  email me

I don't know about you, but I love a 'welcome' greeting when I walk into a store, a place of business or even somebody's house.  How weird would it feel to be invited to a strangers house and upon entrance, you weren't even greeted?  As customers, stepping into a business is like stepping into a strangers home.  Nobody wants to stick around long when they don't feel welcomed.

When two strangers meet, social norms usually dictate that the proper greeting is to include a "hello" or a "hi" within the first few seconds of meeting.  In the sales field, a simple welcome greeting can be the hook, line and sinker needed to complete a sale.

So this brings me to a question that I would like to pose to you.  How important is a welcome greeting to you when you are shopping, purchasing services or in a place of business?  Would the presence or absence of a greeting make or break your experience?  Leave a comment or shoot me an email (winkMSP@gmail.com) to discuss.  I would love to hear your opinion...

{talktome}

winkMSP

at your service: Isaac Bruder Painting, LLC

Business:  Isaac Bruder Painting, LLC
Expertise:  Interior & exterior painting/staining, walls and wood working 
Contact:  IsaacBruder@yahoo.com or 612-532-7954

Wink Criteria:  professionalism, timeliness, courtesy, expertise and personability
Winks awarded:  5 out of 5 winks!

Being the apartment dweller that I am, I needed to spruce up the interior of a rather boring bedroom in my new apartment.  My inspiration?  None other than Carrie Bradshaw of Sex and the City.  Please tell me you watched SATC - The Movie?

My inspiration
image via Bandelle Blog

Since I am particularly unskilled in the home renovation area, I hired Isaac to help me paint an accent wall in my bedroom.  I first met Isaac through other neighbors in my previous neighborhood who gushed about his work in their own homes.  You know how every neighborhood has the resident handyman?  Isaac was that guy.  With over 12 years of experience, he has owned his own business since 2000 and has also worked with Stovern Ent. on Steiner & Koppelman homes for the past 6 years.  In short, the man knows what he's doing.  Period.

Paint color:  Electric Blue by Benjamin Moore
image via:  Bandelle Blog

To my surprise, I was unable to find my Electric Blue at Home Depot or the like anywhere near me, so Isaac went to an industry supply store and purchase the paint color for me.  The actual painting process only took about 30 minutes and he made sure that he did everything he could to protect my furniture, carpet and etc.  Though the job was tiny in comparison to the other projects he has worked on, he made sure to treat me like he would any other client.  I appreciated that he was able to accommodate my requests and did so with great professionalism.  Not only is he a seasoned expert, he's a pretty nice guy too.  Can't wait to hire him again when I finally purchase my big girl home!

ok so it's not Carrie Bradshaw's apartment but a girl can dream right?

{daydreamin}

winkMSP

in the bag: Anthropologie, Shops @ West End

Business:  Anthropologie
Location:  St. Louis Park (The Shops @ West End)

Wink Criteria:  Welcoming, friendliness, helpfulness, timeliness, courtesy (italicized indicates missing criteria)
Winks Awarded:  2.5 out of 5 winks

Christmas shopping.  The word/expression 'ugh' comes to my mind when I think of this daunting task.  This year though, I had a plan.  Earlier in the summer, I spotted Anthropologie's initial mugs and knew they would make perfect presents for co-workers, friends and family.

Where's your nearest Anthropologie?

 A week before Christmas however, their usually helpful nature wasn't so helpful the morning I came in with a mission to purchase my 10+ mugs.  Since Anthro didn't provide shopping baskets, I wanted to make sure I didn't break any of the mugs by setting them down on a cleared spot at the cash-wrap.  I made sure I asked permission of the sales associate and she responded in a very short manner, giving me the feeling that perhaps I shouldn't be asking such a huge favor.

Anthropologie "Mr." mug
Bought quite a few of these for the men in my life...

I finished my shopping and hopped in line behind 2 other shoppers.  There were 3 different sales associates standing behind the cash wrap, but only 1 was assisting in checking out the customers.  The other 2 associates (including the snooty associate) appeared to be "busy" with organizing or retrieving go-backs.  As the line continued to grow (9 people in line total), it was apparent that the lone sales associate who was actually checking out the customers was beginning to feel stressed.  After a few minutes, you could begin to hear the other customers in line vocalizing their frustration.  She asked for help both on her walkie and of the other sales associates who then disappeared from the cash-wrap.

Anthropologie "Mrs." mug
...and a few of these for the ladies in my life...

I felt the attitudes and the lack of help from the other 2 associates was completely unprofessional and rude, not only to the customers in line, but also to the sales associate who clearly needed their assistance.  Their disregard for those who were waiting in line almost made me want to leave the store and go to the nearby Edina Anthropologie location to receive better service.  The only bright point to this particular shopping experience was that the lone associate was was helping check us out was absolutely friendly and adorable and even apologized for having had to keep me waiting.  I told her she didn't need to apologize and that she was doing a great job.

Anthropologie 'Oversized zinc letters'
...and a little something extra for myself, in my own initial.

Despite this disappointing visit, I continue to shop at one of my favorite shops in their newest and convenient location.  Let's just hope that poor sales girl isn't a lone-ranger any longer!

{happy the holidays are over}

winkMSP

at your service: Kelley of The Paper Doll

Business:  Kelley of The Paper Doll
Winks:  5 out of 5 winks!

Wink voting criteria:  professionalism, timeliness, courtesy, expertise and personability

As an admitted “blog stalker,” I knew that if I wanted to venture into the blogging community, I was going to need a memorable header.  Enter The Paper Doll.  I first learned of Kelley through a couple girlfriends of mine who collaborated with her on their wedding programs, day-of paper goods, etc.  She created designs that complimented each bride perfectly, showcasing their individual style.  Perfect for someone like me who was looking for  designs that were a reflection of my personality.

A sample of work from The Paper Doll
*invitation via Paper Source

When I first contacted Kelley, I was indecisive about everything from my blog title to my color palate.  If it had been me, I would have been leery to agree to take on this task but Kelley quickly jumped on board and encouraged me to generate ideas and focus on my vision.  In the meantime, she designed some headers (17 different revisions) using bits and pieces of our conversation which eventually led to the winkMSP header you see today.

winkMSP Rev. 1

Throughout our partnership, Kelley maintained a courteous level of professionalism, carefully listened to my design ideas and turned them into reality.  I am so grateful that I was able to work with such a professional, artistic and friendly woman on a project that was so important to me.  Check out The Paper Doll and see what she can do for you.

The Paper Doll

{lovesit}

winkMSP

nom nom: Sen Yai Sen Lek

Business:  Sen Yai Sen Lek, (Big Noodle, Little Noodle), a Thai restaurant
Location:  Northeast Minneapolis
Address:  2422 Central Ave NE; Phone:  612-781-3046
Hours of Operation:  11am-9pm Mon-Thurs; 11am-10pm Fri/Sat; Closed-Sun

Winks:   5 out of 5 winks!

If I could use one word to describe Sen Yai Sen Lek ("Sen Yai" for short) it would be friendly.  The next word would have to be awesome.

Mike-the-host may have been the friendliest man who ever lived.  He greeted us at the host stand right as we walked in and luckily we were seated immediately, without a reservation.  Things were off to a great start.

http://www.senyai-senlek.com/

You know the Cheers theme song, "Where Everybody Knows Your Name?"  I'm pretty sure that song was written for our delightful server, Nicole.  Almost everyone dining in the restaurant knew her name and she definitely knew all of theirs.  Her positive, friendly and honest attitude is one of the reasons why I would dine at Sen Yai again.  Since some of us were first time diners, she made sure she knew of any of our diet limitations and explained all of the daily specials as well as what was in the most popular dishes.  She let us in on her menu favorites and also advised us on what we might want to avoid based on our likes/dislikes.  How can you not love that?

Laab Gai

On top of the great service we received from our host and server, the owner of the restaurant (Joe) came to greet us at our table and personally thanked us for dining in his restaurant.  Not only did we feel we were welcomed, and that we received great service, but the food was pretty great too. 


Support your local businesses!

{sa-thai-fied}
winkMSP

an introduction

Alright, I'll admit it.  I am a blog stalker.  I follow numerous blogs almost daily and even have them bookmarked into separate categories such as:  "Style Blogs," "Wedding Blogs," "Photography Blogs," among others.  My first memories of blogging include websites like Xanga or Perezhilton.com and the blogging community has exploded since. 

My biggest attraction to blogging is that it helps its readers become connected to a plethora of information from style notes to political issues.  Blogging opens the eyes of its readers to a different insight on topics that are important to its readers and also helps us become aware of ideas or issues that may be of interest. 

Economically, times are tough for a lot of us.  Even though it seems as though there is less money flowing from customers, people are still shopping, purchasing services and spending money.  Now is a time when keeping business good is a matter of survival.  One of the things that I believe any successful company needs is not only good, but exceptional customer service....

....so, welcome to my blog.  This is a place where I talk about my customer service experiences with (mainly) local businesses and other institutions around Minneapolis & St. Paul.

{heart}

winkMSP

product purchase: Tres Jolie Salon

Business:  Tres Jolie Salon
Location:  Uptown
Address:  2214 Hennepin Ave. S

Winks:  4 out of 5 winks

As a female with long coarse hair, I am always looking for the next best product to nurture my sometimes hard to manage locks.  I walked into Tres Jolie Salon with an extremely important mission, purchase new shampoo and conditioner specific for my hairs needs.

Mark Debolt, color specialist at Tres Jolie salon, was immediately available to answer any questions I had on any of the products in the store.  The first thing he asked me was if he could touch my hair.  Though I originally found this unusual, it made sense that it would be a necessary request in order to sell me the right products.

After briefly playing with my hair, he immediately walked me over to the Bumble and Bumble section and recommended a couple products that would work for me depending on my desires for my hair.  It wasn’t the most expensive brand in the store and there were plenty of other more expensive options, but he was excellent at explaining why I didn’t necessarily need a more expensive product and that what I did need could come from less expensive brands.  I truly appreciated that.

Bumble and Bumble

The kicker came when I asked a random question on dry shampoo’s.  The salon carried some pricey ones in store but he immediately said the best dry shampoo was a brand called “Pssst!” which I could get for less than $6 at the local Walgreens.  You know you are getting an honest opinion when someone doesn’t try to sell you a product they even carry in store!

Pssssst! Dry Shampoo

 I was so impressed with the friendly and honest help I received at Tres Jolie Salon.  I bought lots of shampoo and conditioner and will be recommending it to friends looking for a change in salons.  Every girl could use a stylist they can trust, and I believe Tres Jolie Salon can be the haven your hair was looking for.

{perfectly coiffed}

winkMSP