The Restaurant

by Pamela M. Kelley

  “When was the last time the menu was updated?” she asked.

  Gary thought for a moment, then chuckled. “It’s been years. Paul and Jason do their daily specials, but this has been the menu pretty much the entire time I’ve worked here. The only thing that has changed every few years is the prices.”

  “That’s interesting.” She thought of some of the restaurants that she and Cory frequented, where the menus seemed to change with the seasons.

  “Why mess with success, I suppose?” Gary said with a smile as he reached to answer the phone. “Mimi’s Place, how may I help you?”

  “You may need to fire people,” Cory said as he buttered a piece of bread. He and Mandy had just sat down to dinner. The kids had eaten earlier and were now watching TV in the family room. Mandy had just finished telling Cory about her first day and how the menu was virtually untouched over the years.

  “That’s a bit unusual, don’t you think? Plus, we haven’t even heard from the consultant yet. He still has a few more visits before he’ll make any recommendations, right?” she asked.

  “Yes, but more than likely that will be one of his suggestions. It usually is. There are always ways to cut back and losing a few people makes a big impact quickly.”

  “I don’t like it. We don’t want to come in and ruffle feathers right off the bat. We need these people. Grams would not approve.” Mandy knew she’d hate it.

  “Just planting the seed, so you’re not shocked when it’s suggested as part of the recovery plan.”

  “Well, we’ll see what else he suggests. We don’t have to do everything he says, or not all at once, anyway.”

  “Of course not,” he agreed.

  “Plus, we don’t want to be short-handed for the wedding.” One of the highlights of her day had been when a young woman and her mother stopped in for lunch, and on the way out said they’d decided to book their wedding reception at Mimi’s Place.

  They were planning on around two hundred people, which would fill the entire restaurant when they opened the adjacent function room. It had an accordion-style folding door that could be opened to make for one giant room. Mimi’s Place did a good number of weddings, and Mandy listened intently as Gary walked the two women through all the different options. This kind of event was right up her alley and she felt confident that she could help make it a special day by making sure everything went smoothly.

  “I’m going to run back to the office for a bit,” Cory said as Mandy finished clearing the table and stacking the dishes in the dishwasher.

  “Now? Why not just work here?” It was almost eight, and she felt about ready to drop. She was looking forward to putting on her softest pajamas, getting the kids tucked into bed and curling up with a book for a bit before climbing into bed herself.

  “I left the papers I need at the office and I’ll be able to focus there and get things done more quickly.”

  “Okay. Don’t stay too late though.” She kissed him on the cheek and watched as he walked out the front door. He was obsessed with work and had been as long as Mandy had known him. She foolishly thought that when he opened his own business, he’d have more flexibility, and more time to relax, but it was exactly the opposite. He worked more hours now than he ever had before.

  Chapter 9

  Jill’s first shift at Mimi’s Place was on Friday night. They’d agreed that while they’d split shifts so that one of them was always there, Jill would only work nights and the occasional weekend lunch shift so that she could still focus on her real job during the day. When she arrived at four o’clock sharp, Emma was on her way out and Gary was finishing up as well, and filling Gina, the night manager, in on the reservations they’d taken earlier that day.

  Jill had met Gary previously, but not Gina. She was relatively new to Mimi’s Place.

  “It’ll be a year next month,” she said when Jill asked how long she’d been there.

  “Where did you work before this?” She was curious about Gina’s background. The girl was absolutely gorgeous with olive skin and wavy, almost black hair.

  “I was at Via Mollo for ten years,” she said proudly, and Jill was impressed. Via Mollo was one of the best Italian restaurants in Boston. Which made her wonder why Gina would leave there and come here. As much as they all loved Mimi’s Place, it seemed like a step down.

  “What made you decide to make the move? Via Mollo is a wonderful restaurant.” Via Mollo had great food, but their service was exceptional. You really felt pampered.

  “It was time. I wanted a change, a more relaxed environment. I fell in love with Nantucket, and I like the people here.” Jill was fascinated at the expressions that raced across Gina’s face as she spoke. Hesitation initially, and a hint of wariness in her eyes that gave Jill the sense that there was more there than Gina was willing to say. When she spoke of liking the environment and the people at Mimi’s Place, though, her smile reached her eyes and lit up even more when she winked at Jason as he walked by. His face flushed a deep crimson, and Jill chuckled. “I think you just made his night.”

  “Jason’s a doll. He brought me a sample of tonight’s special, the short ribs, before he left for the day, and I told him it brought tears to my eyes. We should run in the kitchen and get you a quick taste of the specials, too.” She twisted her hair into a loose knot as she spoke, secured it with a pen from her apron pocket, and then ran an earthy red lipstick across her lips. “Okay, let’s go.”

  Jill practically ran to keep up with Gina all night. Her style was very different from Gary’s—just as professional, but oozing charm. Jill realized as she watched Gina interact with the customers that she was a huge asset. Her training from Via Mollo gave her a sophistication that the customers responded to. It was something that she often saw in the best restaurants, a very subtle way of seeming to know and recognize every customer that walked through the door, even if it was their first time in the restaurant.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Dennison, we’re so happy to have you here tonight. We have a fantastic quiet table by the rear window for you that I think you’ll love. It will be ready in just a moment.”

  “Oh, that sounds wonderful,” Mrs. Dennison said and then turned to her husband. “I’m so glad we finally made it here. The Kelleys have been raving about this place recently.”

  Gina led the Dennisons to their table moments later and Jill complimented her once she returned to the front desk.

  “I love how you make everyone feel special when they get here, even if it’s their first time. People seem to really respond to that.”

  “Thanks. It’s something I learned at Via Mollo.” She smiled and looked around the dining room. They had a moment of calm before the wave of people were due to arrive.

  It lasted all of about a minute before the first disaster of the night happened. Tina, the bartender on duty who had been with the restaurant for years, hurt herself cutting fruit garnishes. The sharp paring knife slipped and went into the soft skin at the v at the base of her thumb. It went through almost to the bone and she must have nicked a vein because the gushing wouldn’t stop and Tina nearly passed out at the sight of all the blood. Gina took charge immediately and called a cab to take her to the emergency room at the Nantucket Hospital to get it stitched up.

  “Great, now I need to call Stacy in and she worked a double yesterday. I hate to do that to her.”

  “I can do it,” Jill said.

  Gina raised her eyebrows, but looked hopeful. “When was the last time you tended bar?”

  “A number of years ago, but I was good, and fast, and I doubt it’s changed very much.”

  Gina glanced at the reservations book. It wasn’t full by any means, and she’d mentioned earlier that Wednesdays tended to be one of their slower nights.

  “Okay. Let’s give it a shot. If you need help though, just give me a shout and I’ll figure something out.” She spent the next ten minutes showing Jill the layout of the bar and how to work the register. It was a fairly small bar, with twelve stools
and a service area. Jill studied the different wines and descriptions from the bar menu and then poured herself a shot of coke. A bit of sugar and caffeine was definitely in order.

  Any nervousness she felt quickly melted away once the customers started coming in and the waitresses lined up at the service bar. Jill stumbled a little at first until she got her bearings and remembered the location of the various liquors and wines, and then she was in the zone where you don’t think about things, you just react and produce. She’d always been good at multi-tasking, juggling customers and multiple orders at once. These were the skills of a good bartender, someone who had a feel for when a customer was ready for a refill or in the mood for a bit of chit chat.

  Bartenders and waiters tended to do well in the world of head-hunting, where multi-tasking was a given and people skills a must. Gina stopped by an hour into dinner service to give her a compliment. “You’re really good.” She sounded so surprised that Jill couldn’t help but laugh. “I used to have a blast bartending in college. I really missed it for a while.”

  “Well, you’re a natural. We can use you behind the bar any time you’re willing.” And then she was off, back to new arrivals coming through the door.

  Most of Jill’s business came from the service bar. Only half of the bar stools were full, and they were mostly just people waiting for a table to open up for dinner. But a new arrival settled in while she was making a tray of martinis for one of the waitresses. A single guy about her age, if she had to guess, and quite good looking with dark wavy hair and a square jaw.

  He had a notebook in front of him and was flipping through the pages as she walked towards him. He looked up and smiled, and Jill caught her breath for a moment. He was seriously hot. Dark brown eyes that were almost black, a strong nose that looked as though it had been broken at least once and those tiny laugh lines around the eyes that looked so much better on men.

  “Hi, there. What can I get for you?”

  “A Harpoon IPA please, and a dinner menu.” Jill handed him a menu and poured his draft beer, taking care to have just the right amount of creamy foam on top.

  “Here you go. We have a few specials tonight, as well. Lobster ravioli and braised short ribs. Soup is a butternut squash bisque with asiago croutons.”

  “How do the short ribs look?” he asked casually, and Jill’s stomach growled thinking of the ribs, which were amazing. She’d had a small taste of them earlier.

  “They’re great. Meaty and tender in a silky reduction sauce that has incredible flavor. It’s served on creamy polenta.”

  “I’ll have that, the lobster ravioli, a side of broccoli rabe and the soup to start. Oh, and an order of the antipasto misto.”

  “I’ll put that right in for you.” Jill punched the order into the computer, then set silverware, a napkin, a placemat, and a bread plate in front of the relatively thin man who’d just ordered a massive quantity of food. She waved at Gina to meet her in the kitchen.

  “What is it? Is everything all right?” Gina looked puzzled as the rush was pretty much over and the bar practically empty.

  “Just a heads up. That guy at the bar just ordered a lot of food. Two meals, two appetizers and a side dish. Mandy said the same thing happened the other day and Gary emphasized that you’d want to know in case he’s a food critic or something.”

  “Doesn’t look like one to me, though you never know. I’ll tell Paul, so he can make sure everything looks perfect.”

  Jill poured a cup of the soup, topped it with the croutons, and dropped two hot rolls into a small basket, along with a few pats of butter. She returned to the bar and set everything down in front of her very interesting customer, who was busy jotting something in his notebook.

  “Here you go, enjoy.”

  “Thanks.” He smiled briefly and continued to write. Jill wandered off to the other end of the bar where two older gentlemen looked ready for a bit of conversation and another cocktail.

  An hour later, she cleared away the last dinner plate from the mystery man. He ate silently and sparingly, eating maybe half of everything on his plate. “Can I pack any of this up for you?” It seemed a shame to throw so much food out. He hesitated for a moment before saying, “Sure, pack it up.”

  “Dessert?” she asked, assuming he’d say no, but again he surprised her.

  “Yeah, I’ll have a cannoli and a slice of the tiramisu. And an espresso please.”

  “Sure thing.” Jill carefully made the espresso for him, adding a sliver of lemon rind as garnish, then went into the kitchen to pick up his desserts.

  “Two desserts, huh?” Paul said. “Did he seem to like his meals?”

  “I think so. He’s taking the leftovers with him.”

  She wasn’t surprised to see that once again just a few bites were taken out of each dessert.

  “I hope you enjoyed everything?” Jill was curious for any information she could get. So far, he hadn’t given anything away.

  “The food was very good. Portions a little big though, but no one ever complains about that, I’m sure.” That was the most he’d said all night. Jill was about to get the conversation rolling when he nipped it in the bud. “I’ll take a check please.”

  “Of course.” She turned to the computer, pulled up his check and printed it out. Out of the corner of her eye she saw him hold a slim cell phone up. He was taking pictures of the carpet. That’s when it clicked, and she knew that he wasn’t a food critic.

  “Do you know Cory Lawson by any chance?” she asked as she put the check into a soft leather folder and placed it in front of him.

  He seemed surprised by the question. “I do know Cory, but I’m sure I’d remember meeting you.”

  “No, we haven’t met. I’m his wife’s sister. She was telling us about you the other night. That Cory had hired a restaurant consultant.”

  He grinned and held out his hand. “Macaulay Connor. My friends call me Mac. Nice to meet you.”

  “Jill O’Toole.” She shook his hand and enjoyed the feel of his warmth against hers. He had a firm handshake, very much in control.

  “I’ll call next week to set up another visit. I like to do the first few sort of incognito, to get a true sense of the food and the restaurant’s rhythm on a given night. Next time I come in, I’d like to meet your staff, and get a good look at the kitchen.”

  “Great, I look forward to it,” Jill said brightly, though inwardly she had mixed feelings. She was looking forward to seeing Mac again, but worried about what he might find, and what he might want them to do at Mimi’s Place. Though she wasn’t as financially astute as Cory, she knew enough about running her own business to know that sometimes you had to make difficult choices.

  Chapter 10

  By the following week, they had settled into a regular schedule of sorts. Mandy worked the lunch shifts, so her hours were mostly when the kids were in school. If she knew ahead of time that she was going to need to stay longer, she could always put them into extended day session or in a pinch, call one of her sisters to pick them up. Jill worked mostly evenings and usually helped out at the bar. She liked the way the night flew by, especially when they were busy.

  Emma was still trying to figure out where she fit best in the restaurant. Because she’d previously worked both as a server and behind the bar, she was able to jump in wherever they had a hole that needed to be plugged, even in the kitchen where she manned the salad and dessert stations, plated cheesecakes and chopped vegetables for the salad. Her schedule varied depending on what was going on each day and was mostly nights with a few days here and there.

  She was starting to enjoy having her days free and spending time wandering around Nantucket. It was both familiar and new and different at the same time as it had been so long since she’d lived there. One of her favorite discoveries was a tiny coffee shop just off Main Street. She’d stumbled into ‘My Favorite Cup’ when walking around one day.

  Although the coffee was excellent, what Emma really liked was the feel of
the place. It was very cozy and artsy, with original art work and photographs on the walls, posters for creative events, and eclectic furniture, none of it matching. She settled into a worn and buttery soft leather chair, set down her steaming coffee and toasted bagel and plugged in her laptop. All around her people were tapping away on keyboards or chatting into cell phones. There was an interesting assortment of people—several power suit types, checking email on their phones, while the rest of the clientele seemed to be a mix of tourists, moms with small children, and more creative types, the group that Emma felt a part of.

  She ate most of her bagel while her laptop was booting up and thought about the project she was embarking on. She’d decided to start a blog of sorts to go with her website. She had a very basic website that one of Peter’s friends designed for her about a year ago. It had some of her best pictures along with a bio and contact information. When she was in Arizona, almost all of her work came through word of mouth, so the website was just a formality, a place people could go to easily get her contact information by simply googling her name. She worked on that for a while and once she had everything looking the way she’d envisioned it, she turned her attention to her next project.

  Her other idea was for another blog, a food/photo blog, that would feature her recipes and photos of dishes she tried to create and possibly pictures and features on Mimi’s Place. She hadn’t run that idea by the others yet, though. They were due to catch up Sunday afternoon for brunch. Mandy had suggested they get together, to go over the consultant’s preliminary suggestions and to compare notes on how the first full week had gone.

  Emma figured the blog would be a no-brainer, especially as the website for Mimi’s Place, like its menu, hadn’t been updated in several years. She wrote a couple of sample posts and was deliberating which font to go with when a sudden bump of her chair caused her coffee to spill a bit.