The bestselling business book from award-winning restauranteur Danny Meyer, of Union Square Cafe, Gramercy Tavern, and Shake Shack
Seventy-five percent of all new restaurant ventures fail, and of those that do stick around, only a few become icons. Danny Meyer started Union Square Cafe when he was 27, with a good idea and hopeful investors. He is now the co-owner of a restaurant empire. How did he do it? How did he beat the odds in one of the toughest trades around? In this landmark book, Danny shares the lessons he learned developing the dynamic philosophy he calls Enlightened Hospitality. The tenets of that philosophy, which emphasize strong in-house relationships as well as customer satisfaction, are applicable to anyone who works in any business. Whether you are a manager, an executive, or a waiter, Danny’s story and philosophy will help you become more effective and productive, while deepening your understanding and appreciation of a job well done.
Setting the Table is landmark a motivational work from one of our era’s most gifted and insightful business leaders.
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"Danny Meyer tells the story of his desire to make a perfect NYC restaurant (and then another, and another) given his values of hospitality, caring for staff, sharing a joy of great food at a reasonable price. Yes, profits came last as he took his lumps in the blood sport of idealistic restauranteering, but he has thrived in the long run because his staff are loyal and the customers more so. Reads easily as either great anecdotes from the restaurant world or as a primer on small business management--in any field."
— Jack (4 out of 5 stars)
“Anyone in the hospitality industry would do well to consult Setting the Table.”
— Wall Street Journal“Restaurateur Danny Meyer offers a rich menu of business tips.”
— Time“Danny Meyer, restaurateur nonpareil, shares his never-fail recipe for business success.”
— Vanity Fair“Meyer is the best salesman for his own words, and, one suspects, for his restaurants as well.”
— AudioFile" Im in Leadership class for my AAS Culinary Arts &Restaurant Management degree. I chose this book to read. it is amazing! enlightened hospitality "
— Tiller, 10/22/2017" Interesting read- good for those interested in the restaurant business, little light though "
— Christopher, 1/29/2014" My boss bought this book for me and all my co-workers. I found it surprisingly engaging. While Meyer's personal background was lengthy, it was interesting and very readable. It helped me to really understand Mr. Meyer and his theories of enlightened hospitality from the core, and made me yearn to work for someone who cares as deeply about providing a memorable experience as he does. "
— Jennifer, 1/28/2014" He calls it the final chapter or what you do to make up for a mistake. He says to do something creative after a goof, so that the client telling about how you screwed up will have to include how you rectified the situation. "
— Pat, 1/27/2014" I'm not sure that everyone would find this book to be interesting. But I've never worked in the restaurant industry, so I found it rather fascinating. In fact, this book made me want to drop everything to become a waiter at a Danny Meyer restaurant! "
— Chad, 1/22/2014" great read if you are at all interested in hospitality! i am surprised they haven't had us read it for class "
— Stephanie, 1/6/2014" I work for OpenTable and this guy is on our board so it was a must read. I have a few of these that i give to my restaurateurs if anyone needs one... "
— Stacey, 1/6/2014" I enjoyed reading how a great restaurateur began. Very interesting. His insightful management style appeared so compelling that I want him to be my boss. "
— Joanne, 12/23/2013" After spending many years in hospitality I appreciate Meyer's insights about taking care of your staff. I have given this book to many on my staff as it is an easy read and some great information on how to care for guests. "
— Lisa, 12/1/2013" Wow. Danny, thanks for sharing your wisdom. This guy does more than manage restaruants, what a wonderful insight to good hospitality thus good relationships....thus good business. "
— Garrett, 11/2/2013" I had to read this book for a conference, and while I usually dislike business books, I really enjoyed this one. It was a health mix of biography, New York restaurant scene, and some helpful leadership tidbits. "
— Joe, 10/27/2013" Give a great recount of Danny's life and of his thinking on hospitality. Very good if you are in the hospitality business to gain a new perspective. "
— Michelle, 10/26/2013" Little slow at the start, but quickly picks up. If you're in the restaurant business or any business that is intensley face-to-face with your clientele, this is a great book to read. "
— Johno, 9/9/2013" 1/2 memoir and 1/2 concepts. I enjoyed chapters 4,5,7,9,10 and 12 the most. "
— Jim, 8/24/2013" Great hybrid food/business book. It's nice to know that such a successful person has a business model that's essentially based on being a decent human. Mostly, it made me want to visit all of Meyer's restaurants in NYC. "
— Brooke, 7/21/2013" The best hospitality book I've ever read. Great details of how Danny started and grew his highly successful restaurant organization, and truly inspiring to read. "
— Dan, 7/7/2013" Danny Meyer's achievements are fantastic and his book provides a glimpse of the planning and execution behind his enlightened hospitality. I thought the book should have been edited more to retain an active and energetic tone. It was repetitive in places so I skimmed. "
— Cathy, 6/8/2013" an uplifting and enlightening guide to the pleasures of hospitality. "
— taylor, 4/2/2013" Interesting life. Written as a story, with great advice, and funny anidotes. very enjoyable. A Great read for managers, and how to manager other people with success in mind. "
— Frankiejohnny, 1/15/2013" Very cool inspiring book about how important it is to be kind in business and make people feel good through their experience with you and follow your vision and your gut and be authentic and all that. :) "
— Shannon, 9/23/2012" An autobiography by Danny Myers about his restaurants and the importance of customer service. "
— Katieprinsen, 6/21/2012" The book anyone and everyone working in hospitality should read. "
— Nik, 2/27/2012" Provided a vicarious insider experience in the world of New York culinary competition and illustrated the importance of standards and attention to detail. "
— Ted, 12/8/2011" If you work in the restaurant businees, or maybe even just the hospitality business, then this book has to be read. Danny Meyer is like my idle! The work he does is amazing and his book portrays it all. "
— Austin, 10/21/2011" I'm almost finished with this book. Danny Meyer is a true restaurant visionary! An amazing journey about his career and business! "
— Monika, 9/18/2011" Great book - lots to learn about how to make people feel special and important. And much to learn from Meyer about what it means to lead well and humbly. "
— Jen, 9/6/2011" great insight on the difference between customer service and hospitality "
— Kent, 8/18/2011" the book show how employees are managed by a restaurant owner. alot to be learned by others "
— Mohammed, 8/2/2011" I enjoyed reading how a great restaurateur began. Very interesting. His insightful management style appeared so compelling that I want him to be my boss. "
— Joanne, 5/31/2011" Very cool inspiring book about how important it is to be kind in business and make people feel good through their experience with you and follow your vision and your gut and be authentic and all that. :) "
— Shannon, 3/3/2011" the book show how employees are managed by a restaurant owner. alot to be learned by others "
— Mohammed, 3/3/2011" Now MUST go to New York for a food trip! "
— Lauren, 2/16/2011" Danny Meyers writes a good story of his developing his excellent restaurant business in NYC. Clearly committed to excellence. That comes through on every page. I enjoyed it. "
— David, 8/18/2010" After spending many years in hospitality I appreciate Meyer's insights about taking care of your staff. I have given this book to many on my staff as it is an easy read and some great information on how to care for guests. "
— Lisa, 8/13/2010" 1/2 memoir and 1/2 concepts. I enjoyed chapters 4,5,7,9,10 and 12 the most. "
— Jim, 8/7/2010" Another great business book. If you have any desire to learn more about what makes great restaurants great, Danny Meyer has a lot to contribute.<br/><br/>Full of practical examples, highs, lows, worries and solutions from 25 years of creating and running some of the best restaurants in New York. "
— Magnus, 6/5/2010" I believe the lessons in hospitality discussed in this book are relevant for anyone regardless of their career path. I'm probably biased because I also believe that everyone should hold a job as a waiter at some point in their life. "
— Chris, 4/14/2010" The book was generally a good business and autobiography book. Some great statements are made that seem obvious once read but might not have been realized until reading them. <br/> <br/>I enjoyed reading it ... although it was not amazing. "
— Robert, 4/7/2010Danny Meyer is the CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group. His restaurants and their chefs have earned an unprecedented twenty-one James Beard Awards and perennially rank among New York City’s favorite restaurants in the Zagat survey. He lives in New York City.