Archive - Notes on a Napkin

The Quiet Nights That Count

What a slow service taught me about success, connection, and why we stand there smiling.

Jun 27 •

The Cost of Applause

What awards, packed dining rooms, and glossy headlines don’t tell you about surviving in restaurants

Jun 24 •

How We Really Eat After Service

What the team eats once you’ve gone home.

Jun 15 •

The Invisible Class Divide on Every Menu

Menus, meaning, and the fear of getting it wrong.

Jun 13 •

The Next Table is Waiting

On timing, turnarounds, and the choreography of a night out

Jun 11 •

After the Guests Go

From duck crowns to half-empty cans — a night at Lapin after hours.

Jun 9 •

Service Charge Shenanigans

Why it feels sneaky, works unfairly, and still might be the best option we've got.

Jun 7 •

A Letter from Ducasse

On the power of small gestures, ridiculous generosity, and the anniversary dinner that ruined all others

Jun 4 •

The Truth About Restaurant Wine Pricing

What really happens to your money when you buy a bottle in a restaurant.

Jun 2 •

May 2025

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