How to be a Pimp; Skip the lines, and eat like a king.

Now, we'll discuss the best ways to increase the chances of getting treated well when going out to a fancy restaurant. So, you want to know how to be a pimp? It's easier than you think.

Too often, for what is supposed to be a special meal, you end up waiting an hour for your table, which is right next to the bathroom. Then, the service is slow, and your steak comes out cold.

Of course, there always seems to be that one table that gets treated like they own the place. The servers are attentive. The chef may come out and say hi, or send out special appetizers or desserts.

You, too, can get the VIP treatment...

Become a regular at some nice, romantic spots.

In the restaurant world, nobody gets treated better than the regular. Management knows that regulars are the lifeblood of a successful restaurant. If you treat the restaurant well, they will treat you (and your date) well.

So, how do you become a regular without breaking the bank?

You don't need to eat at the same restaurant twice a week for a year just to get VIP service when you take a date there. You become a regular the moment management gets a cemented, positive impression of you. There are a few ways to go about this.

Go to lunch: A lot of restaurants that are packed at night do lackluster business for lunch. Your patronage will be appreciated that much more. Better yet, the menu will be cheaper, and you will be more visible to the staff.

Be friendly: Strike a friendly tone from the get go. If the waiter thinks there's a chance you'll tip well, you'll get more attention and better service. You'll enjoy the meal more, and it will seem more plausible when you...

Ask the waiter to send your complements to the management: Say that you really enjoyed the meal, and that the service was great. The manager or owner (if around), may approach you and thank you for the complement. Tip well, and be on your way.

Go back a couple more times in the following week: Repetition is key. This will let the staff know that you truly enjoy the restaurant, and plan on returning whenever possible.

The next time you take a date on a busy Friday night, you'll wait less, get better service, and may even get some freebies from the kitchen.

A Few More Tips

#1. Ask Your Waiter Questions

Don't hesitate to ask the waiter for recommendations. Waiters usually love to be helpful. Don't know a lot about wine? Ask the waiter what he think is the best wine for the value. It's unlikely that he'll choose an expensive bottle just to inflate the bill. With the server's recommendations on the line, he'll pay more attention to your table as not to disappoint.

#2. Chef Knows Best

Not sure what to order? Tell the waiter to ask the chef, "what is the most popular dish, and, also, what dish is great, but nobody orders." Then, order them both. Or, if you know you want the ribeye, when the waiter asks how you'd like it cooked, say, "chef's choice".

By putting your order in the chef's hands, he'll pay extra attention to your ticket. Your food will most likely come out quickly, and cooked to perfection.

There have been times I've done this in the past, and the chef has actually come out from the kitchen and asked how we thought the meal was. Now, that's how to be a pimp.

#3. It Never Hurts to Ask

If you're planning on taking a date to a nice restaurant, and you really want to impress her, consider stopping by earlier that evening (around 5:00pm is a good time for restaurants) and have a talk with the host or Maitre d'.

Just let him or her know that you have a really important date that night, and anything they could do to help make the night special would be much appreciated. You may come off as a little annoying, but hey, if you want the nice corner table by the window, distinguishing yourself from the other customers is a sure way to get it.

Of course, if you do end up getting exceptional service, tip the waiter at least 25% of the bill. And, if he comes through, consider tipping the Maitre d' as well.

After all, if you're gonna be a pimp, you need at least a little cash to throw around.

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