Congratulations to the front of house team at One MICHELIN Star Restaurant 20 Victoria and the 2023 MICHELIN Guide Toronto Service Award Winner! Although their approach to service is relaxed, their attention to detail is anything but. From hits by D'Angelo to doing laundry, the team shares how they create a high spirited environment and remaining consistent.
What is a typical night at the restaurant?
We do our best to go with the flow. We serve a very similar number of guests every night, but we try hard to pay attention to their natural energy. At some point of the night, you will probably hear D'Angelo play.
What goes into preparing each night?
Declan, Oscar and I spend the afternoon doing laundry, cleaning, answering voicemails, emails and discussing potential wine pairings. Then at 4:00 p.m., our whole team sits down for a staff meal and we discuss the menus and guests of the evening. Most importantly, the first person in puts coffee on.
What's your favorite part of the guest experience?
We are very blessed to maintain strong relationships with regular guests through multiple locations, pandemics, experiments, marriages, divorces, and births. For us, it's more than just dining.
What does "really good service" mean to you?
Grace, timing, humor, excitement, titillation, anticipation and authenticity.
How are you able to keep the team calm?
We do things as a group. We are 8 professionals all here with the same goal. We either succeed together or we fail together.
What is the biggest misconception about your role?
I am not the chef! Depending on my mood, I am either a host or a maître d'. I am a waiter who happens to own his own restaurant.
Hero image: Virginie Gosselin/Restaurant 20 Victoria
