Want To Become A Restaurant VIP? Bring The Kitchen A Gift

Whether you dine out frequently or have a spot you go to for special occasions, you're probably familiar with the warm, fuzzy feeling that comes with having somewhere you consider "your place." Maybe you look forward to the owner giving you a friendly hello, walking over to "your" table, or getting greeted by your favorite waiters or waitresses. If you're a long-term guest, the restaurant's owner may even provide you with a few extra perks like a drink or dessert on the house.

If you haven't established this type of relationship with a restaurant yet, but would love to become a restaurant VIP, then you may be wondering where to begin. Luckily, some chefs have dished on tips they wish they could pass on to diners, but typically aren't allowed to. If you're ready to level up and become a favorite restaurant regular, there are several ways you can enter the spotlight. 

If you're ready to become a more memorable restaurant guest, one chef told Insider that he recommends bringing a gift to the cooks to show them you're appreciative of their hard work. Cesar Nuñez, executive chef of Longway Tavern in New Orleans, Louisiana said to INSIDER, "[My] number-one secret is to bring a gift for the kitchen. They work super hard under extreme pressure. The kitchen loves when you bring a gift. Alcohol is always appreciated, but [any] token of appreciation is always nice. Donuts, ice cream, your favorite tacos." He added, "Know your audience, but a little bit goes a long way." This act will not only help you establish a good relationship with a restaurant's staff, but may provide you with advantages such as avoiding a long wait time. 

While a gift may help you become a restaurant VIP, it's important to remain humble. Avoid requesting special privileges, or mentioning that you know the owner. One restaurant manager told The Washingtonian, "I knew that somebody wasn't that big of a deal if they called and said, 'I'm friends with so and so.' But if my bosses called me and said, 'Hey, make a reservation for this person, and they're a big deal,' then they're really a big deal." As The Washingtonian points out, lines like "Do you know who I am?" are more likely to get you blacklisted, rather than on the VIP list. 

Kindness goes a long way in any interaction. If you're trying to think of other gift ideas to bring to a restaurant, The Business Journals recommend that if you enjoy traveling, you can bring something back from one of your adventures, whether it's alcohol or a menu from a well-known restaurant in that destination. The report adds that as you begin establishing a nice rapport with the owner, they're essentially becoming a friend and that maybe, you'll find yourself on the guest list of an event the owner creates for his favorite customers.

Restaurant staff have said that it often doesn't take too many visits to start becoming a restaurant VIP. The Washingtonian reports that maitre d' Billy Carter of Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab said, "After a while, we get to know you and we start a relationship—you're a regular. It could take a week. It doesn't take years, it really doesn't." At this point, the restaurant may start noting what types of food or drinks you enjoy so they can provide you with recommendations.  

Whether it's a local restaurant or a spot you'd like to go to more frequently on vacation, showing staff that their service is appreciated is important. Even if you haven't signed a record deal or written a best seller yet, that doesn't mean you can't feel as if you're already a celebrity.