Shareen Campbell and Phil Saunter, owners of Los Gatos and Bistro Les Chats in Wood Street, talk about life in the restaurant business

The Grumpy Customer and the Restaurateur The other night a father arrived at Los Gatos, immediately complaining that there was no table.

“I thought there’d be no problem on a Wednesday. How long will it be?” he asks grumpily. “It’s very unpredictable,” I replied. “Sometimes people stay half an hour, sometimes three hours. Twenty minutes ago there were tables empty, now we’re full.”

“Grrrrrr... I would have been here 20 minutes ago if my son’s stupid car hadn’t broken down; then we couldn’t find a parking space…”

This was a man who needed a drink and some time to relax. It wasn’t our fault he’d had a bad day, but he was ready to let rip and blame us for being busy.

At this time of year we see a lot of new faces – groups of workmates celebrating Christmas together. Almost all are out to have a good time with their colleagues away from the office and to enjoy good food and drink.

But occasionally it seems that not everyone wants to be there. Maybe they’ve had a bad day. Maybe our place isn’t where they wanted to go. They usually demonstrate this by blaming the service, the food or both.

We have to remember that the really determined party pooper, who sticks to tap water, doesn’t like “foreign food”, and is just plain uncomfortable, might actually be worrying about a sick relative or other personal problems or might simply have found themselves, through peer pressure, eating out when they can’t afford it, with people they don’t know very well.

The word ‘restaurateur’ literally means ‘restorer’. Our aim is that you feel better when you leave than when you arrived – most restaurants try to do the same.

So we pay particular attention to these people and try to rise to the challenge of restoring their good humour with the food, drink, company and atmosphere we have to offer.

Wherever you go this Christmas, remember the staff are there to help you have a good time.

If you’re somewhere you don’t want to be, don’t blame the restaurant, forget your troubles and try to relax... It’s Christmas!

Los Gatos can be contacted in 01793 488450 or go to www.losgatos.co.uk.

Bistro Les Chats can be contacted on 01793 527082 or go to www.leschats.co.uk