Saturday, December 12, 2009

A time to reflect

As the new year approaches, it is generally a good time for me to reflect on life in general and the path I have travelled up to this point.

The year 2010 will mark my 30th year in the restaurant and bar business. I started as a bartender when I was in my early 20's (you do the math) but I did take a couple of years off from the business to regain my sanity.

During that time, I have had some remarkable experiences, met some incredible people, some celebrities (well known and not so well known) as well as, worked side by side with some outstanding people and unique individuals.

I tended bar through the rock era, the disco period, and the techno period. Managed restaurants through casual dining, fine dining and ultimately "Wining and Dining."

Nearly every New Year's eve for the past 30 odd years has found me at work while my family and friends celebrated the New Year's festivities without me. Often I received a phone call or more recently, "a text message", New Year's wish while I was feverishly serving a guest.

As we bring year 2009 to a close, it dawned on me that it was 10 years ago that we rang in a new millennium amidst (the unrealized) panic and fears of computer failures or electrical system malfunctions.

The 1999-2000 new year celebration was the only period that I did not have to work at the midnight hour. As luck would have it, I had worked the daytime shift so I stayed home to watch the New Year festivities traverse the globe via satellite TV news coverage.

As in past, Mercy Restaurant and Wine Bar will be accepting New Year's Eve dining reservations. We will offer a three course dining selection priced at $59.95 per person that will allow you to select your choices of appetizer or salad, entree and dessert.

I mentioned earlier that I have worked with some incredible people before. None of my past experiences can top the talented, passionate, cast of individuals that are at Mercy right now to: greet you, serve you, suggest to you, cook for you and share their experiences with you.

I love what I do, as do our people. To all of you, from all of us at Mercy, have a great, safe, and prosperous New Year !

Mike Castagne
Operations Manager