Chapter 4: In Between Shifts

I am in the beginning of my summer internship course and the journal prompts that follow along with it. For this assignment it deals with revamping my portfolio, and completing things such as updates on LinkedIn, updating my resume, and working on the page through our school known as Handshake where employers are able to figure out more about us students. So I have decided to create some posts to update you guys and track my own progress so I know what to work on and what went well.

With that, a new hike....

My first official week at City Park Grill is coming to a close, this just means I'm advancing, not stepping back. As one of the two management interns at City Park Grill the trainings are a tad bit different, we are stepping on the floor for management at the same time, however there are two weeks of training between serving and bartending in order to get this jist of it. I started with server training and this does not mean I serve in small sections on my own like other waitstaff but I shadow and train with our current servers. Between the greeting, introducing out features for lunch/dinner, and creating the guest connection, it is similar to my last internship serving at the Country Club of Boyne in Harbor Springs. I realized I made that connection however, there is almost always something that sets each restaurant apart from each other and in that case it is the history of this building. As part of the guest experience this fits into point 11 in the 10 points of service which I will get to in a little bit. Part of the guest connection is being able to meet the guests expectations and take it a step further and knowing the small facts such as the history of when that building was built and what the significance of it is, makes the guests experience that much more entertaining. Then you have successfully built that connection and you have questions and prompts to talk about once you make the checkback or run to fill their low glasses.

The History

I mentioned how City Park has some history, it is always fun learning about something new in your own state so here is a little lesson....

The building was built in 1875, it was one of three connected buildings with their dining area (400's) that once use to be outside as a palm garden. You would never be able to tell that the building had not originally had that ceiling over the dining area in that spot. There are original pieces in the building that are unique to it and what makes CPG, well... CPG. THe mirrors behind the bar are original, as well as the 32-foot mahogany bar from Brunswick in Chicago as well. Ernest Hemingway was a frequent diner and sat second seat from the end on the bar, there is a cigarette burn into the bar where he had sat which is pretty neat. The tin ceiling is original as well, that is in the main dining area around the bar just to give you a visual. So I mentioned how there is original pieces to the restaurant but why is this building so significant?! Let me tell you that you will be able to tour the building and when you go downstairs you have entered the speakeasy in Petoskey, MI. You can see the original door with the cut out, the tunnels that are unfortunately filled in due to city things, but you also learn about the hotel that was pushed up against our left side and so on. There is an IPA from SHort's Brewery that is brewed for City Park especially called Hangin' Frank, thats its own story for sure! But we can keep that a secret for now.

Aside from the history, knowing the features, and learning the entertainment for the week whether it is Karaoke at 10P on fridays, and Gasoline Gypsies from Detroit performing on saturdays (well tonight anyways...) I am just glad to be back in the environment I am myself in as well as an environment that allows pups in the café's. With this being said, I am excited to update you on the bartending side of things. I am in between shifts right now though so that will have to wait! Keep an eye out for the next adventure! You never know where the next trail leads....