On Retreat: Amazing Customer Service

As I mentioned, I'm up here in Traverse City on a self-directed business retreat. My goal is just to relax and think about my business. I've got a list of several items that I can work on, but really, they are just the filler -- something solid that I can get my hands on while I let my brain consider more esoteric things. Basically, I don't need to walk away from here with all the answers, but as I drive away tomorrow, I do want to have a good list of questions in hand.

That all being said, the location I'm using has been perfect for my needs. I'm staying at Pinestead Reef, a timeshare resort which also has nightly rentals. My room looks out on Grand Traverse Bay and, it still being during the school year, my fellow residents are a pretty quiet bunch.

The stand-out star of this peaceful oasis has been a young woman by the name of Kim Kroupa. She's been working at the front desk since I drove in on Tuesday and has been a font of great advice from the first day. One of my practices when away on a business trip is, on the first night, to order a pizza from a local pizza place. I always ask the front desk their recommendation. Most of the time, I get a half-hearted listing of the pizza shops in the area -- often including such "local" fare as Pizza Hut and Domino's. Not so with Kim. She spoke right up and pointed me to "That's a Pizza!", then provided me with a menu and her recommendations for a vegetarian like me.

Great Pizza!

Nor was her behavior just a one-time thing. She had a willing smile and a helpful attitude for anyone who wandered in. Moreover, she really knew her stuff, including the history of the area and the current events of the town. I wish more front-line staff were just like Kim.

For dinner last night I asked Kim for recommendations on a restaurant within walking distance and she pointed me to the Red Mesa Grill. I've got to say that this was a real find. Tim Middaugh, the general manager was the one who answered the phone and later greeted me at the door. He assured me that they could take care of a vegetarian like me and, boy, was he right. The had a variety of southwestern and Latin dishes that tempted me. I ended up with a plate called the "Vegetarian Fiesta". It included a burrito, an enchilada, and a Cuban black bean cake. All three were quite delicious, though the latter was definitely the tastiest.

I think my biggest problem with the meal was just that. It was huge! By the time my server, Bert, brought the fried ice cream (with habenaro hot fudge sauce) I could only finish half of it (and that with almost half of my dinner in a box waiting to be heated up for lunch today)!

So, if you are going to be up in the area, you might want to drop by to say hello to Kim. You might even see if there are any vacancies! And, if you are really hungry for some great food (or don't mind some leftovers), you should stop by and have lunch or dinner at the Red Mesa Grill.

So, have you ever been up to Traverse City?