Celebrating Customers

Another fine example of (dare I say it...) American agents of great service was experienced on my birthday last Saturday in Washington DC.

My best guess is that there's a school somewhere in the U.S. where the kindergartners are indoctrinated with an understanding of the joy found in offering great service, then the cleverest are chosen to take a path of doing this as a profession. Finding poor or mediocre service is, of course, possible in America, but sadly more challenging to discover and experience than in Canada.

Saturday night was my birthday, and my husband chose a resto that displayed good reviews on 'Tripadvisor'.
Firefly didn't disappoint. From the moment we arrived, the staff to a one displayed an interest in our experience as diners and customers. Our server waxed eloquently about every minute detail about the menu, by heart and with enthusiasm. You know, like reading 'Heat' or watching a passionate chef on television.

We started with sweet gem salad, and from their 'urban picnic' selection, a beet starter that tasted like regular beets infused with pure pow-taste. Wonderful. I'm no Joanne Kates or Ruth Reichl, as I've admitted before, so my food descriptors lack expertise, but the market fish (Hawaiian in origin) offered that night was 'other food world' fabulous. The accompaniments were outstanding, the sauce perfect, the fish done to a medium rare perfection as recommended by our warm and friendly waiter.

I DO know service. No hovering, no being ignored - achieving this delicate balance requires tapping into your customers, getting to know enough about them in short order so that the perfect balance is achieved from their perspective; truly the only perspective that matters. Firefly's team nailed it.

Their birthday surprise of a piece of cake with a candle in it was delivered right before our ordered desserts, and delivered with what seemed like a display of fun, authenticity, and enjoyment in our delight.

Firefly offers an outstanding menu and wine list, knowledgeable, friendly staff, and that magical 'wow' factor that we all seek whether we're lining up for a latte or celebrating our birthday - and they deliver the 'wow's' in spades.