Eyespy Critiquing & Consulting

06/15/2026

Omotenashi is the Japanese art of hospitality. Its guiding philosophy is anticipating needs before guests have to ask. This week’s shift huddle topic gives you the tools to help your team cultivate this approach.

06/12/2026

Your top seller may not actually be your best employee. Read the blog here https://eyespycc.com/your-best-employee-isnt-always-your-top-seller/

06/12/2026

We’re pleased to be working with our new client Flamingo Lazeaway by Palm House Hospitality, which blends bold design, playful cocktails, strong atmosphere, and polished service into a guest experience that feels transportive from the moment you arrive. https://lazeawayclub.com/

06/10/2026

There’s something timeless about restaurants that make guests feel immediately comfortable. Our new client Bubby's has built a brand around warmth, and genuine hospitality. The experience feels familiar in the best possible way, which is exactly why guests continue coming back. We’re so pleased to be working with them! https://www.bubbys.com/

06/09/2026

Mistie & Miyuki were truly inspired last week at Rewiring Hospitality with Tyler Florence , Will Guidara , JT Reed, and The 30% Rule By Preston Lee. They wanted to share a few key takeaways that will help restaurant owners keep things fresh and inspired.

-JT Reed made some great points, like there is no such thing as failure ( just success or learning opportunities); and the best way of losing great employees is negotiating with bad ones.

-Preston Lee reminded us that service is based on the order of our actions, but hospitality is how we have our guests feel about their experience. He encouraged us to keep ‘start stopping’ in order to develop and improve your team every day. I also loved this tip: Train your servers to add “you are in for a treat” if they confirm it’s their first time at the restaurant.

-Will Guidara had some profound insights into maintaining a positive culture of growth and learning. First of all, shower praise. Good work is inspired by acknowledgement. This is much more powerful than creating a culture of fear. Create a culture of inspiration instead. When one of your team members speaks up with an idea, put the world on pause and give them your attention. You never know where a game-changing breakthrough will come from, and if you don’t give them your attention when they muster the courage to share, they may never share again. Also, remember and remind your team that no one is ever too young to be an excellent leader and no one is too old to have one.

Here are some of our general takeaways as well:
-Creativity belongs everywhere. On the plate, in the dining room, in the P&L review, in the memo, in the pre-shift. The “mundane” pieces of the business still deserve energy.
-Say exactly what correct looks like. Stay focused on the standard and consistently hold people to it.
-Protect your best people. A high-selling server who is always late, complaining, or dragging down culture may be a C player in disguise. When we coddle that behavior, our A players pay the price.
-Listen to your team’s ideas. Every idea may lack timing, budget, or scale, but the courage to share it deserves attention.
-Rethink guest language. Instead of asking, “Is this your first time dining with us?” try, “When was the last time you dined with us?” Then tailor the experience.
-Great leaders stay curious. Even after 30 years in this industry, there is always something to question or rethink.
-Whether you are serving tacos from a cart or dinner at a $500,000-per-member club, guests want to feel cared for and valued.
-Hospitality is emotional intelligence in motion. build the systems into your hiring and training that help it show up every day.

We hope you found these tips as helpful as we did!

06/08/2026

This week’s pre-shift huddle is about how to take care of your regulars. Review with the team how to make these incredibly valuable guests feel how appreciative you all are of their patronage. If you need support with team training check out our service options here

Team Training & Retention Program Overhaul Our comprehensive training tools go beyond traditional manuals, offering a step-by-step program that includes role play, menu concept guides, food tastings, and quizzes to ensure your staff understands not just how to perform tasks, but why these standards....

05/29/2026

When teams feel supported by leadership, service sharpens, standards hold, and the guest experience becomes next-level. Read our post about how to cultivate this style of leadership on our blog https://eyespycc.com/what-does-real-leadership-look-like/

05/27/2026

We are honored to be working with The Historic Madrona Hotel in Healdsburg. It’s the ultimate escape with the charms of history, natural beauty and excellent dining. The Madrona

05/25/2026

This week’s pre-shift huddle covers one of the most important parts of service: taking the order with confidence, clarity, and precision.

05/24/2026

Want free food and drinks at world renowned restaurants and bars? As an EyeSpy mystery shopper, you can dine at delicious restaurants, experience the most prestigious cocktail lounges and even receive spa treatments and hotel stays, all in exchange for your discerning opinion. Your keen eye for detail and an assessment form to complete will guide you in evaluating elements like service efficiency, food presentation, and ambiance. With access to our innovative dashboard, you’ll select assignments that fit your lifestyle and submit your insights through a streamlined digital platform and unlock higher end experiences as you progress! Join us to turn your observations into actionable changes and enjoy a variety of experiences on us. Sign up here https://eyespycc.com/become-a-mystery-shopper/