Saved by the Black Napkin — July 9 and 12, 2022

ULC Logbook, Saturday, July 9th, 2022:

We started with 122 covers (79 inside, 43 outside — the total does not include the 40 guests from the Ballroom party). Twelve parties cancelled, for a total of 29 covers. We were joined by the following walk-in parties: 4 at 5:40PM (a couple who is getting married at ULC came with their parents for drinks and appetizers); 1 at 6:30PM; 2 at 7PM (who joined us because Zinc was closed tonight); 2 at 7:45PM (French regulars for desserts only); 2 at 7:50PM (patio); 2 at 8:10PM (patio); 3 at 8:15PM (patio). We finished with 141 guests (97 inside, 44 outside — the total does not include the 40 guests from the Ballroom party).

We had two orders for takeout: a single order for BA Mr. B., placed by phone after he cancelled his solo patio reservation (Mr. B. was working on a Saturday!); a larger 10PM pick-up order, also placed by phone for regular guests, the S.’s.

For BA’s, we were joined by: Beth M. (party of 2, tbl. 64); Kristen C. (party of 5, tbl. 76); The G.’s (party of 2, tbl. 63); The L.’s — who left VERY happy judging by the hug Mrs. L. gave R. after dinner — and my MVP award goes to C. for providing the last black napkin in the restaurant for the L.’s (party of 4, tbl. 13); Henry C. (party of 2, tbl. 61); Richard N. (party of 2, tbl. 16); W.G. S., celebrating father’s 80th birthday (party of 7, tbl. 18+); Linda V. (party of 2, tbl. 78+); Al B. (party of 2, tbl. 66); Dr. Sadri G. (party of 2, tbl. 2); The K.’s (party of 2, tbl. 61); Lauren P. (party of 2, tbl. 81); Robert H. (party of 2, tbl. 73).

In the Ballroom, we were joined by 40 guests for the wedding of Christopher R. and Caitlyn D..

C. received some fantastic feedback from the wedding guests: “the food was absolutely over the top;” “our compliments to the servers for their unflagging attentiveness;” “thank you for making our wedding feel perfect.” One element of tonight’s festivities which reflects very well on Union League Cafe — fortunately captured for all time by the videographer — was when bride C. and groom C. fed each another the first bites of Chef T.’s wedding cake. When C. took her first bite, she suddenly looked right at the camera and exclaimed, “This… is… AMAZING!” Bravo to Chef T., C., S., D., P. G., E., Chef G., and the entire team!

The forecast for both Sunday and Monday is sunny; highs in the low 80’s F; 0% chance of rain. Happy Sunday / Monday!

ULC Logbook, Tuesday, July 12th, 2022:

We started with 50 covers (the total includes the 12 guests from the Sherman Room party — the patio was closed due to the forecast for thunderstorms at 7PM). No parties cancelled. We were joined by the following walk-in parties: a solo diner at 6:45PM; 2 at 6:55PM; 3 at 7:30PM. We finished with 63 guests (the total includes the 12 guests who joined us in the Sherman Room.)

For BA’s, we were joined by: The D.’s, celebrating their anniversary (party of 2, tbl. 17); the L.’s, celebrating both of their birthdays (party of 2, tbl. 2); Susan and Dr. G. (party of 6, tbl. 33+) — in the late 1980’s, the G.’s and their business partners dined at Robert Henry’s to celebrate the founding of Dr. G.’s medical practice; coincidentally, that same night, Julia Child and Jacques Pepin were dining at RH’s! — David L. (party of 5, tbl. 30); Thomas N. (party of 5, tbl. 5).

In the Sherman Room, we were joined by 12 guests from Yale Dermatology and Galderma.

The husband of Julie G. (party of 2, tbl. 2, served by R. I.) was very appreciative of Chef T.’s beautiful handwriting on their dessert plate with, “Happy anniversary,” written in chocolate. The G.’s celebrated their 30th anniversary, and Mr. G. said this unexpected surprise made their dinner that much more special. Bravo to Chef T., special dessert touches, R. I., and team!

J. trained with S. and M. as a busser on the floor.

R. I. did not read the, “Send starters,” reservation note for table 30; thankfully, Chef G. realized this was David L.’s table and sent starters.

D. forgot to give A. S. (party of 2, tbl. 6) their salmon entree leftovers. We reached out to the guests, and held the leftovers at the front desk, but we did not hear back from the S.’s.

All of the frayed edges and loose strings from the wine books and tall drink menus have been beautified.

New check presenters (softer leatherettes) have been rolled out: we have an additional box of the new check presenters in C.’s office. The previous check presenters are in a box in the accounting office.

Wednesday: partly cloudy; high of 89F; 20 percent chance of precipitation. Thursday: partly cloudy; high of 86F; 20 percent chance of precipitation.