When the phone rang, I would answer and say, “Please hold we are very busy.” Then, I would come back and say, “Sorry you were on hold so long… Five people at 7:30? We will see you then.”
When we opened, I had to make sure that the tables were in order. Maroon tablecloths and a small vase filled with flowers. I learned how to fold napkins and how to perfectly place the silverware on the table.
Before any food was served, Derrick made a basket full of French fried zucchini strips with grated cheese. After dinner, the busboy removed all the dishes and then it was time for dessert. Two blocks away there was a small pastry shop. I would buy some fruit tarts. Derrick would also make Sabayon. This is a sweet sauce made with egg yolks sugar wine and it is beaten until it is thick It was served in a large martini glass with a long spoon.
When the customers left, they would shake my hand and transfer money from their hand to mine. One evening, a lady came in with some friends. I recited the menu and this lady was just laughing at everything I said. When they left, the lady said, “Be sure to read the food section of the LATimes.” Her name was Ruth Reichl. Now I was nervous. Maybe she didn’t like the food, or maybe she did not like me. I got up early and rushed to the newsstand. I nervously opened the food section. She said the food was excellent but they have to come to see Richard. Judy and Derrick were so happy with their review. And Judy said, “I hope a lot of people come.”…..and they did.
Some evenings, there was a two hour wait to get in. They would sit on the benches outside and I would go outside and give them a basket of zucchini and they would wait patiently to get in. I would send the bartender outside to see if they wanted something to drink.
I don’t know why, but all the women wore fur coats. I would help them take off their coats. We did not have a coat rack so I just threw them in the corner of the restaurant. I mean there was a pile of mink coats. The ladies thought it was funny.
Then I would go from table to table to recite the menu. I would go into the kitchen to pick up their plates of food. Derrick would peek out once in a while to see all the tables were full then he would go outside and say hello to all the people.
With the money that I made, I would tip the busboy who was named Manuel. He did not speak English very well. But I would see his eyes open wide when I gave him his money.
Celebrities started to come in. I got a little nervous serving some of them. In walked Karen Carpenter her brother and their parents. When their dinner arrived Karen took a few bites then pushed around the rest of her food on her plate. “Did you not like this dish? I can bring you something else.” Then she just smiled at me. Later on she passed away from anorexia. My heart skipped a beat. I was anorexic at one time. I hated food and didn’t want to eat for fear of gaining weight.
Ed McMahon was a regular client. I would sit and talk with him. He had a warm and fun laugh. One night he stayed very late. He said, “Come with me.” We took his limo to downtown LA and went to a sushi bar.
We sat at the counter and Mr McMahon ordered a large raw piece of ahi tuna. It looked a little strange. I had not seen anything like that before. He cut a piece and put it on my plate. Just the smell of it turned me off and I did not taste it. Mr M said to me… “Do you know how much this piece of tuna costs? $400.00.” To be continued…
