Top restaurants trawl social media to please guests
Eleven Madison Park, a prestigious three Michelin-star restaurant in New York City, has become known for its unparalleled hospitality under the leadership of co-owner Will Guidara. Guidara’s commitment to personalized service was even featured in an episode of the hit culinary dramedy “The Bear,” where a server races across Chicago to secure a deep dish pizza for a customer’s daughter. This dedication to tailoring dining experiences extends to the real world, where restaurateurs and hospitality professionals have been utilizing social media and other tools to provide personalized touches for their guests.
Guidara’s story of rushing to a hot dog stand to fulfill a customer’s craving is just one example of the extraordinary lengths that Eleven Madison Park goes to please its clientele. In this particular instance, Guidara made a mad dash for a cart in Madison Square Park and served the $2 hot dog alongside the restaurant’s high-end dishes. The simple hot dog had a greater impact than any expensive delicacy because it was unique to the customers.
Restaurants like Eleven Madison Park and Dowling’s at the Carlyle have embraced the practice of using social media to gain insight into their guests’ preferences, dietary restrictions, and special occasions. By scanning a guest’s Instagram or conducting a quick Google search, these establishments are able to surprise their customers with personalized touches. For example, Dowling’s pastry chef prepared a vegan birthday cake for a guest who had been posting about vegan meals on social media. Similarly, Rosewood Mayakoba in Mexico welcomed a fashion blogger with photos from her Instagram arranged in edible chocolate frames.
In addition to social media research, restaurants also keep track of customers’ favorite dishes and cater to their preferences even when these items are no longer on the menu. Whether it’s serving a discontinued dish or keeping a stash of coconut sorbet behind the counter for a special guest, these establishments go the extra mile to make their customers feel valued and appreciated.
Overall, these personalized touches create a magical dining experience for guests and demonstrate the dedication of restaurateurs and hospitality professionals to their craft. Whether it’s a customized dish, surprise gift, or an unforgettable gesture like arranging a Central Park adventure for a family who had never seen snow, these acts of personalized hospitality leave a lasting impression on the guests and make them feel seen and valued.
FAQs:
1. How do restaurants customize dining experiences for their guests?
Restaurants use various methods to customize dining experiences for their guests. This may include scanning social media to learn about their preferences, dietary restrictions, and special occasions. They may also keep track of guests’ favorite dishes and serve them even when they are no longer on the menu.
2. How do restaurants surprise their guests with personalized touches?
Restaurants surprise their guests with personalized touches by providing unexpected treats or experiences based on their preferences. This may include preparing a customized dish, creating a special cake for a birthday, or arranging a surprise gift based on the guest’s social media posts.
3. Why do restaurants go to such lengths to personalize dining experiences?
Restaurants go to such lengths to personalize dining experiences because it makes their guests feel valued and appreciated. It enhances the overall dining experience and creates a lasting impression that guests are likely to share with others.
4. How do restaurants use social media to tailor dining experiences?
Restaurants utilize social media platforms like Instagram to gain insights into their guests’ preferences. By scanning their posts, restaurants can learn about their favorite foods, dietary restrictions, and special occasions. This information allows them to surprise guests with personalized touches.
5. What impact do personalized touches have on guests?
Personalized touches have a significant impact on guests as they make them feel seen and valued. It enhances their dining experience and creates a memorable and enjoyable atmosphere. These gestures demonstrate the dedication of the restaurant to providing exceptional service.
Social Media Sought Out by Leading Restaurants to Delight Guests
In a true display of personalized hospitality, Will Guidara, co-owner of Eleven Madison Park, sprang into action when he overheard a group of tourists longing for a New York hot dog to complete their trip to the city. In the midst of a busy lunch rush at the prestigious three Michelin-star restaurant, Guidara raced to a hot dog cart in Madison Square Park to procure the $2 staple. The kitchen then plated the hot dog as part of the restaurant’s three-figure tasting menu, delighting the table.
This incident served as inspiration for a scene in an episode of season two of the FX culinary dramedy “The Bear,” created by Christopher Storer. In the show, a server named Richie, played by Ebon Moss-Bachrach, races across Chicago to secure a deep dish pizza for a table that includes a daughter leaving town who wanted to try the city’s signature dish. The kitchen transforms the pizza into a work of art, reflecting the personalized approach to dining experiences portrayed on the show.
In reality, Guidara’s dash to a hot dog stand may have been short in distance, but it had a significant impact. The humble $2 hot dog became haute cuisine when it was served to the Eleven Madison Park table, plated with the restaurant’s own mustard and sauerkraut. Guidara wanted to ensure the guests left with no culinary regrets, and the hot dog, unique to them, left a lasting impression.
This commitment to personalization extends beyond Eleven Madison Park and “The Bear.” Restaurateurs and hospitality veterans have been utilizing social media and online research to enhance dining experiences for their guests. By scanning guests’ social media profiles, restaurants can gather information about dietary preferences, special occasions, and favorite foods. This knowledge allows them to surprise guests with personalized touches, such as preparing a vegan birthday cake or serving a favorite dish that is no longer on the menu.
The practice of customizing dining experiences through social media research is not limited to high-end establishments. Even midtown establishments like Fresco By Scotto use breadcrumbs left by diners to bring back favorite off-menu items upon their return. These personalized touches make guests feel special and valued.
The impact of these personalized experiences can be profound. Guests are often surprised and touched by the thought and effort put into making their meal unique. When Sai De Silva, a fashion blogger and content creator, stayed at the Rosewood Mayakoba resort in Mexico, she was greeted with edible chocolate frames displaying photos from her Instagram page. De Silva shared her delight with her 400,000 followers, showcasing the hotel’s attention to detail.
It is these little gestures that restaurateurs like Guidara believe make a significant difference. Customizing a dish to reflect a guest’s love for bacon or arranging for a family to go sledding in Central Park bring a sense of joy and create lasting memories. The rush of happiness experienced by both guests and staff is akin to a dopamine rush, reinforcing the importance of personalization in the hospitality industry.