Server, Rioja
What she wears: Tailored, slate-gray button- down shirt; full length, two-pocket bistro apron and slacks in black; black leather Dansko clogs and a conservative dress belt.
What she carries: Server book, pens, crumber, wine key, lighter, flashlight and lip gloss.
Q: What do you think about your server outfit?
A: Our uniform is a button-up shirt. We have a ladies’ style and a men’s style now. It’s nice to have it tailored for the girls. It’s a slate blue-gray color. We recently changed it. We were wearing green for quite a few years. The consensus is that we like the new color.
Q: The Kitchen and Palettes shirts are also gray, as are the pants and soon-to-be aprons at Twelve. Is this a trend? Why did Rioja pick gray?
A: We voted. It was between that and another green.
Q: What about the rest of your outfit?
A: Black slacks, black shoes and long black bistro aprons.
Q: Does an apron that goes to your ankles take some getting used to?
A: In terms of how mobile we are, bending down, it would be an adjustment for someone not used to it.
Q: What do you do for shoes?
A: I forfeit fashion for comfort and I wear Dansko clogs.
Q: Does Rioja have any rules about how you wear your hair? Earrings? Tattoos?
A: We are expected to look professional and clean and well-groomed, so a woman with long hair would have to put it up. We wear jewelry, but not excessive; no facial piercings. We’re asked to have a more conservative dress belt. Our shirts are long-sleeved, so tattoos are a non-issue. It is requested that we have only one button undone.
Q: You have a one-button rule?
A: Yeah, and every time I come up the stairs, Beth (Grutich, the co-owner) is like, “ah-ah-ah . . .”
Q: In what ways have you brought your own personality into your look?
A: My eyeglasses are one of my distinguishing features. They are thick, black-rimmed, (by) Vera Wang.
Q: Where do you put your stuff?
A: We have two large pockets, so typically one side is our server book, the other side is the requisite pens, crumber, wine key, lighter and flashlight. Lip gloss is a very important part of my uniform.
Q: What is the flashlight for?
A: We keep our restaurant relatively dim, so when people who don’t see well need a little assistance, we can help them.
Q: When it comes to functionality, how does your Rioja outfit compare to previous uniforms you’ve worn?
A: I would say it’s better. I had to wear an awful butcher jacket at a previous place. It hindered movement and was bulky. It was hard to reach across the table and pour wine. This is conducive to being active — and it’s comfortable.
Q: If you could change one thing about your uniform, what would it be?
A: Maybe a lighter-weight shirt. This will be our first summer in this one, and it’s going to be toasty. It’s a cotton-poly blend.
Q: What are some server tricks when you are overheated?
A: Short socks.
