That steak's been cooked, now for something else....
Well folks that's your lot from Well Done Fillet. I quit.
Like eating a well done fillet steak it may take moment to digest that news.
After 2 and a bit years and nearly 700 posts I have decided to call it a day. I know what you're thinking, "Why now? Why not last year?". Pfft, whatever. My reasons, like trophies at Manchester United, are multitude.
I have truly loved writing Well Done Fillet but bugger me it doesn't half take it out of you and really does leave you with no free time for anything else. Like a politician forced to step down in disgrace I too want to spend time with family. Not specifically my family. But I also want to write about other things, there is more to life than waiters and chums of waiters or so I'm told. In a world filled with sheep and crooked politicians and where Adam Sandler is regarded as a comedic genius it seems wasteful just to write about the infinite joy of waiting tables. There is also a book that needs to be finished, rejected and started again and despite my best efforts and fanciful dreams it wont write itself.
Like I say, I have absolutely loved sharing my woes and wonders, my thoughtless thoughts and my foul mouthed meanderings with you. Ach I'm welling up. I hope I have made you laugh and I hope you have learned to love the waiters in your life. We are a noble breed, filled with compassion and charisma and an overwhelming sense of......ha! I cant even write that with a straight face. Seriously if you have learned nothing from me, and I assume you have learned exactly that then please just follow this simple advice - eat, pay, tip, leave or the waiter is gonna write about you on their blog.
So whilst Well Done Fillet will no longer be serving you truths from the restaurant floor (what?) I will be returning soon, in a new format and with bigger fish to fry. Or maybe just with stories of rude guests and courageous waiters. Who's to say?
Stay tuned.
I shall leave you with my second favourite waiter quote, “It's a good thing that life is not as serious as it seems to a waiter”.
Pfft, it was always serious.
I have truly loved writing Well Done Fillet but bugger me it doesn't half take it out of you and really does leave you with no free time for anything else. Like a politician forced to step down in disgrace I too want to spend time with family. Not specifically my family. But I also want to write about other things, there is more to life than waiters and chums of waiters or so I'm told. In a world filled with sheep and crooked politicians and where Adam Sandler is regarded as a comedic genius it seems wasteful just to write about the infinite joy of waiting tables. There is also a book that needs to be finished, rejected and started again and despite my best efforts and fanciful dreams it wont write itself.
Like I say, I have absolutely loved sharing my woes and wonders, my thoughtless thoughts and my foul mouthed meanderings with you. Ach I'm welling up. I hope I have made you laugh and I hope you have learned to love the waiters in your life. We are a noble breed, filled with compassion and charisma and an overwhelming sense of......ha! I cant even write that with a straight face. Seriously if you have learned nothing from me, and I assume you have learned exactly that then please just follow this simple advice - eat, pay, tip, leave or the waiter is gonna write about you on their blog.
So whilst Well Done Fillet will no longer be serving you truths from the restaurant floor (what?) I will be returning soon, in a new format and with bigger fish to fry. Or maybe just with stories of rude guests and courageous waiters. Who's to say?
Stay tuned.
I shall leave you with my second favourite waiter quote, “It's a good thing that life is not as serious as it seems to a waiter”.
Pfft, it was always serious.
136 People trying to get Manuel's attention:
och now! i only found your blog about a month ago! good luck...and come back soon!
Noooooooooooooooooooooooo!
Manuel, you have broken my poor little heart :( All my favourite bloggers are no longer posting- who's gonna make me laugh now?!
anon: cheers...
sooz: will be back in a week or two with new venture.....fingers crossed etc
Nooooooooooooooo! Just NO!
ellie: stop it.......you'll set me off.....
I'm gutted, Manuel. I'm going to miss your waiterly meanderings, not to mention your visits to the butcher. Looking forward to your new incarnation. Hope I'll keep seeing you on Twitter. All the best.
Thanks for all the good reads Manuel! Very much looking forward to you new venture(s) whatever they may be!
All the best!
tessa & rantaloti: thanks.....means a lot
So you're quitting but you're not quitting? Did I miss something?
I've enjoyed reading and commenting. The daily effort had to have been immense and extremely taxing. Good luck with whatever you plan to do. Seize the day, eh?
99 words: quitting wdf but not quitting blogging......dude it's the comments and banter that keep you going.....as some one said it's the fuel that powers a blog
cheers fella.....
You rock, stick around in some format. And stay on Twitter.
cheers Damien.....back soon I hope....
As much as I have enjoyed your stories from the restaurant floor, I think I would love to read your posts about most anything. You always make me laugh or think, or sometimes even cry. Though mostly I laugh...I've really loved Well Done Fillet. Found you thru Waiterrant, and really, he's not posting that much anymore so...looking forward to your new format, please don't make us wait too long!
Michelle: awh thanks for saying so.....means a lot
Me again. Jeeez, I didn't see that one coming! I have loved reading this blog. Thanks for the laughs. Shall go and pour a gin now and raise a glass to the future and your new venture.
Heroic. Job well done, well done fillet. It's like Paul Weller calling it quits on The Jam, or Brutus calling it quits on Julius Caesar.
Come back different. Come back the same. Come back better.
Aw bugger!
Whatever your new venture is.. start it soon. I needed my late night laugh to get me to sleep.
ellie: awh jeez ellie I'd love a gin right about now....
Eolai: ha! the same but better.....I like that
grandad: I probably will continue to post late at night when I do start again......whenever that is
Absolutely gutted. A tragic loss to local blogging - who the hell are we going to put up for blog awards now?
Best of luck, buddy!
Sharon can carry all our hopes and dreams now...! cheers Andy....
Well just, fuck. I've been reading you well over a year now Manuel. You were such a comfort and comrade and outright belly laugh to me after a crap shift. You have a great gift of seeing through the superficial bullshit and exposing the pompous. I am truly going to miss this blog. Good luck in whatever you do next.
Well that's being selfish, sort of, ish.
How about a grand finale blog, one last rave about the stupidity, greediness, rudeness of that great unwashed class - the dining public?
Kept that quiet.......kinell.
Aw, shit.
I know that the blogging thing can be time consuming, hell I've ditched a blog in the past in an attempt to get my own life back (it didn't work as now I just write for multiple outlets instead) so I know what its like.
I promise I won't bitch and moan (much)about your leaving, I wish you the very best for the future Manuel and thanks for being such a highlight!
OH NO! So so loved your blog...but I can understand why you'd want to gravitate to something else. Though wish you woulnd't! Oh MANUEL!!!!!!
Come back after a break and change your mind. :)
We love you!
xx
Ah for funks snakes!!
I only found this recently. That's it I'm gonna burn the internet down.
Good Luck and all that balls you kill the craic hallion.
It's been a pure delight reading this I only hope I'm lucky enough to be at one of your tables one night so I can buy you a drink to say thanks for the laughs and I promise all the waiters in all the restaurants will benefit from the manners I learnt here.
Cheers
Adam
OMG- please don't be serious. You can post once a week or something. Ack.
i now pattern all restaurant behaviour after the Teachings of Manuel. you have done well... (see what i did there?) i'm not sure i could be any kinder to waiters now - unless i simply sign over my paychecks, which ain't happening anytime soon.
looking forward to your new venture! your writing is exceptional - and makes me laugh raucously! (no, i don't "LOL" either). i've learned much from your political excursions, and hope that your next venture will build on that and more!
I leave the country for a week and look what happens!
Seriously, though, tell me this is au revoir and not goodbye. I know how a blog can be all consuming so if you're doing the right thing for yourself then that's the most important thing you can do. I will meanwhile be expectantly waiting to sample the bigger fish that you have in the pan and I also want to hear about the progress of your taters! Take care.
Farewell Manuel, thanks for writing one of the best and funniest blogs I've followed. Was always great to see something new pop up, and wish you all the best with whatever you move on to.
Farewell from Down Under
If you truly promise to return, I'm ok. I've been here from the start and it's been a place I've looked forward to visiting each day. I can honestly say I look at waiters differently and I think you are a talented writer. So. Please. Come back.
How will we find you?
xoxoxxo - you are a gem.
Well fuckity fuck fuck, to quote my favorite waiter. Let me know when you've decided to make your triumphant comeback.
Well, I guess this is good bye then...
...i think.
scratches head
Oh dear god no!!!!! Manuel please don't do it! I thought I had found a little (rare) slice of belfast heaven to know us Norn Irn waiting staff were not alone!
Can't you take a break and come back? We love you to BITS man, don't leave us!
WDF is what keeps me sane, it's the highlight of my life....god damn it's first on my safari beta favs tabs!
Will you think about it?
Dear Manuel;
Thank you for your efforts to entertain and educate us.
I'll keep you and your father close in my prayers.
It's too much stress to lose both parents in such a short time. Keep us in mind as I speak for the entire world wide web when I say we'll miss you.
Who will want to hear about the crazy things we have eaten or tell us of their trips to the butcher shop now?
xoxo
Manuel, you're fucking aces.
Can't wait for the next project or the book.
Thanks very much for over two years of golden posts.
You rock!
I shall miss WDF, but look forward to your new ventures.
Nothing but success to you, Manuel!
Yours is the one of the few blogs I check everyday. WDF has been the best-Im so appreciative. Only wish I had found you sooner, but life is all about timing, innit?
Im glad you're going to get your life back. Now Ive done gone and set myself off...
Wish I could just quit like that.
Best of luck in your new endeavours, whatever they may be(hopefully not related to Fianna Fail or RTE).
I was going to call it quits and start up as something else but then I thought no I can wait that waiting bastard out. so I guess I win so get the the ketchup for this steak NOW!
You'll be back I can smell an addict.
leaving is pretty handy for losing a big chunk of yer readers but it shows you who yer real readers are.
Not me by the way.
Its like Boy George leaving Wham not paul (pass out on the street drunk )weller.
Just tell us you got fired and soon it will be Well done Mc Fillet'o'fish.
Strength to you and yers and may the road rise somewhere over the rainbow.
Oy. I have enjoyed your rants and raves so very much, but you need to do what's best for you and whatever sanity remains.
I'll miss your blog, but if there is more Manuel to come, I'll muddle through.
Er....so who gets your tips then?
I'm in Belfast in August and I'm sure I'll be hungry.
I'm going to miss you something fierce, Manuel. All the best to you in your new venture. (sigh)
Well, do have fun channelling your passion, creativity and inner angst into future projects! Looking forward ...
Manuel let me know where you turn up again and all the best. I have really enjoyed your posts!
Gosh darn it... I go away for a bit and come back to hear the news about your father and now this. It's like a double blow to the gut, for even though I don't know you personally I've grown fond of your persona and dilemmas.
And I just about read all your backlog posts too! Great fun it's been.
Can't blame you at all for pursuing other interests, good luck with that. Thanks for the laughs and the tears and training me to always tip 20%... unless the service is shocking!!! ;-)
So now spill... my partner thinks you work at either The Merchant or Nick's Warehouse :-)
but... but.. how will we know??? how will we know what your next venture is?? HOW WILL WE KNOW WHERE TO FIND YOU????!!!!
it's half six in the morning and you've made me have a panic attack.
well not quite but, you know.
all the best manuel, looking forward very much to your next endeavour xx
Wowsers and other cartoon words. This is a shock.
I have loved reading Well Done Fillet and am very excited to see what you come up with next. Your merry band of fans will follow you to the new blog and the joy will start again.
Good luck Manuel!
(You'd better really start a new blog or I'll tell all the good butchers to ban you.)
***tips hat and winks***
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! *falls to knees*
Come back Manuel!
VICTORY!
Fucking hell - manuel i have no idea how you kept this up, i remember the start i remember the flurry of updates and new posts, and i think i even commented that i was expecting this to die down, but no, quality post after quality post - great swearage, great rants and sometimes absoultely heartbreaking - this has been a fucking great blog manuel.
But in many ways i'm happy - you're wasted giving this stuff away for free, get it into a book put half as much energy into that as you have with this blog and you'll be on a winner - keep in touch, let us know what you are doing and anything at all i can do to help, it would be a pleasure.
So long, and thanks for all the pish.
t.
..never expected it would be a waiter doing the runner....
Good luck, come back soon (in whatever guise)
sigh another one bites the dust. Another good waiter is now going up to the big resturant in the sky. Thank you for the wonderful stories and the great advcie that you have given me. I wish you the best of luck in your new venture.
it's been a pleasure, good luck in your fun, new adventures!!!! xxxxxx
Awh!
Ah, dearest Manuel, it's the end of an era. Thank you so much for WDF, it brought smiles during many a tedious day for this office-bound marsupial.
Wish you all the very best Waiter Number One!
Oi, you're not done here, get me the manager.....
ah jaysus......was gonna try and reply to all the comments today but.......seriously......will pick some at random later......
Sorry to see ya go! Look forward to your reincarnation!
Dude, you'll be missed. Take the break for sure but don't be gone too long! This is one of the few blogs I save to read all in one delicious go - you'll be missed!
Dammit Manuel!
Good luck with the other project and I look forward to getting stuck into it when the time comes.
Hope you get back to blogging too, and has been mentioned, do stick around on twitter, yer always a good laugh.
Will have to pester you sometime in that "restaurant" :)
damn. As a chef I have so enjoyed reading about the front of the house antics. Which being the reason I left the front of the house, my ability to hold my tongue not quite as refined as yours...
best of luck in whatever comes next.
Manuel, all the best for your endeavours.
I only just found your blog about 3 weeks ago. Having recently been given the ol' 4-weeks-and-you're-out elbow, reading the site has been my days' work for the last fortnight.
Thank you!
Holy fuckarama, I wasn't expecting THIS.
Well, after all you and your sugarloaf have done for me, it, I mean you, deserve some time off.
Baby Bear forbids this!
Shock horror etc. The only blog I ever read daily, going going gone...fair play for keeping it real for so long, compadre, and best wishes for new ventures... if only it'd stop pishing down I'd wish you a nice sunset to stroll off into. Eagerly awaiting the next incarnation... take it easy!
Good luck in your new venture.
Don't tell me....you've a new job in the civil service or something like that.
And for the man who has never seen The Goonies.....this coming saturday on channel 5. Enjoy.
booooo. Breakfast times will never be the same... as I sat there bleary eyed and grumpily bemoaning my lack of sleep, you cheered me up no end with your little microcosms of Belfast night life....
don't blame you for wanting a break though, it must be so bloody hard to consistently come out with funny stories, even if you're knackered or busy or had a bad day. Off you go and have a nice brew now. And then go and get a dog or something. :)
thanks for all the ace stories and all the very best of luck for the future fella xx
All good things eh? I know where you're coming from. See you on twitter still?
I commend you on your decision. You lasted a long time (longer than most...) and there's only so much waitering you can do after a day of waitering, after all. I'll be following what you're up to next with interest.
I've enjoyed reading you very much. You're a great writer - I hope you find the Promised Land of paid, published authorship in whatever you pursue next because you deserve it.
You will be missed, good luck and god bless.
> <
Manuel:
Have enjoyed reading your waiter wisdom, though I commented very rarely.
I do understand about the time commitment of this blogging thing. I'm a rank amateur and I find the time required to crank out a blog post now and then quite daunting, when compared to everything else.
Good luck with your other writing projects, and trust your new blog announcement will be made on this site?
Take care.
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.
I know that it is not your job to be chained to your desk to entertain us. But goldangit! It should be.
Now what am I going to read at 3am? Who will tell me it is tomorrow in Belfast when it is still today here, warning me of another day ahead? I just started tipping, do I have to stop in protest?
*sniff*
Can I have your blog because my blog is giving me jip
NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
I want to be all gracious and thank you for being part of my life for Damn Near a year now and wish you well, but I can't! I want you to stay! I want you to reconsider!
Even if you posted once a week, hmmm? Hmmmm??
That said, I DO wish you every possible success. You're a talented, witty guy and your nasty, uncouth guests were DAMN lucky to have you.
Going for a little cry now. Haven't the heart to take you off my list. (#2 under English Mum)
Loves ya!
Jenny XXX
Stunned......and just when it looked like life couldn't get any worse. Just remember to tell us when you start up again.
I understand why you have to take a step back- but can I just say that your funny, sensitive writing has brought a spot of levity to every day I've had since I subscribed...
Please let us know what else you go on to do- I'm looking forward to reading more!
P.S- why aren't you in print yet?
All the best- and thank you.
Laura S
Wow... I can't quite believe it. I hope to come bak here and say something more worthy later. But for now, awwwww, I can't belive it! Enjoy your life.
Also, i'm looking forward to what's next.
Now I'm very sad :(
Thank you so much for a wonderful read. Your words're always witty and charming and frequently much more.
The pressures of daily blog posting are, well, I really don't know how you've managed it. I don't know how anyone does. I certainly can't, so hats off for doing it successfully for so long.
Lastly, pleaseohplease consider making Well Done Fillet available to buy in print via Lulu or similar. Twould be a many wonderful thing.
Dang! Your's was the one restaurant blog that I read FAITHFULLY!! I wish you the best of luck in your next venture, and until then, I'll just stalk (I mean follow surreptiously) on Twitter and Facebook! Hahaha! Thanks for all the laughs and the tears. Best wishes to you and yours!
(I'm going to go read all of your old posts, again. Just to take the edge off!)
I know the strain of writing so regularly on a fairly narrow subject.
You've done a great job, and should actually be very proud of what you've done here.
Stepping out while you're at the top, I hope you find somewhere/something/someone else to write about with the same conviction soon enough.
All the best.
Ok, that was unexpected on a Monday morning - you drama queen you!
Seriously though, you were the envy of many with your all-too-rare ability to not only blog prolifically but also to consistently reach high standards.
Thanks!
[Leaves 15% in cash]
Pretty please, and a huge tip?
Will be thinking of you and looking forward to the next incarnation.
i shall miss this very much! good luck and i look forward to your return
cat from nova scotia canada
You cant do this!!!
Well obviously you can and will but you get what I mean....
WDF made me laugh through "work" placements and redundency, where will I go now to read exceptional funny rants?!
Let us know when you pop up again.
"
"
I'm speechless! I loved reading Well Done Fillet and will really miss you :(
Good luck with your life and your new project (where do we find it?). I will definitely be buying your book (and copies for most of my relatives) when it comes out! :)
There are no words. Fair fucks to ya sir.
What I meant to say,
I look forward to your return.
in whatever form it may take..
I just had to come back to make sure you hadn't changed your mind.
Midnight won't be the same without you........
*sniff*
*sigh*
are you back yet?
xoxoxo
vw: poiseman
here's one more for you, comment whore.
(xoxox)
Pity to see the blog going, only just started to read it in the past few weeks. Mind if I try to divert a few of your readers to my blog! http://trickaduu.com
Savannah sent me...
Hello...? Please come back...
Sx
Looking forward to your next incarnation.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
You can´t just leave us - now that we all know how to behave properly..!! We need you!! How are we going to survive? What am I going to do first thing in the morning..
Fucking hope you're coming back Manuel. I love reading welldonefillet. Looking forward to whatever you do next mate.
Keep in touch and good luck.
Well if I don't make my first comment here I will never make it... well done Manuel, your blog has given me a laugh since I came across it months ago, it's been one of the first things I check on the internet daily. Best of luck to you in the future, sincerely.
Eh?
Would like to see you back. Until then enjoy whatever you are doing.
Delurking to inform you that a Manuel-sized hole has been burnt into my heart...Yours is my favorite blog, a comfort and a place to laugh at and wonder about those strangest of creatures(no, not waiters) - the human race.
May you find what you seek, may your journey be interesting, fruitful and blessed and may love
be always a presence in your life...
Thanks for the memories,Manuel!
WHA? But...noooooo! Who will make me laugh over my morning coffee now? (I know Maxi does, but he also makes me want to vomit). If you ever get the urge to post and want a guest slot the offer is well and truly out there. Big huge, bloggy kisses xxxxx
Looking forward to when you resurface - you were one of the first blogs I ever read
Ah man, I canna believe it!!
WDF will be sorely missed, but I know where you live and know where you hang out...being in all that we are siblings!!
T'was the funniest blog I ever did read, you rock!
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Manuel, good luck with your new adventures and, please, pretty please let us eaves-drop...
Well damn. Come back soon, you are a very good writer. Plus you swear brilliantly.
You'll be missed Manuel. Looking forward to your return!
i'm breaking my lurker status to say that i have truly enjoyed reading your blog, from beginning to end, after all those horrid shifts waiting tables. thank you for your humor! hope to see another site up soon.
Fare well Manuel, you'll be much missed. Drop by anytime!
Are you back yet?
fuckity fuck fuck
really? Not back?
can we start ransacking the place?
Boxer, Im taking these potato plants. You can have the Santa Clause suit.
For real, I really miss your blog. Especially in this shit hole, it was such a great laugh and great for reminding me that we all have our own personal crazyness.
And I didn't say it before, but hope all is ok with you re. you Dad. Thoughts with you there still. xx
Good luck in whatever it is that you may or may not be doing. Whether it's another blog, the book or just being a normal person!! Enjoyed every minute spent reading the blog and I will miss my fix. xxxx
Waiter!
i miss you, sugar! we all miss you! *sigh* BUT, i'm keeping good thoughts for you and yours and will wait for your return! xoxoxoxo
(this is too good: vw buggy)
bugger. fair enough though. it was ace reading your stuff.
I've been a quiet reader for the last year, and would like to say thank you for your humor, insight, and honesty. I'm going to miss your wit and occasional snark. Best of luck in your future endeavors and be well.
am throwing meself out of the nearest window as i type...
Hey, what do I have to do to get some service around here?
Please come back :(
It's not about winning awards you know. :-0
G'luck with whatever you choose to do.
all i ask is that you don't delete the blog.
i'm sure i'm not the only one who would enjoy stopping in now and again to reread what you've written.
I've been too pissed off with you to post, but something else much more pressing has taken my mind off your desertion for the time being (read my excuse of a blog & it might make sense...)
Look, between you & Pat Kenny the Plank, you have my eheart broken this week and I'll miss you far more than him.
Love always, you old reprobate
Axxx
What. The Fuck.
Where's the new blog?!
Sometimes you gotta know when to step out of the ring. It's been fun.
Aww. Manual!
I've been checking your site out for a few years, you can't leave me now!! I'll miss your quick wit with guest and their retarted requests. I wish you all the luck but you will be sorely missed. It seems all the good waiters/writers have decided to quit blogging, if not leave the table.. And the restaurants I work at don't give me the a chance to talk to the "old time" pros who have a clue about the big picture. I'm one of the oldest waitresses at the ripe age of 27 down here in San Diego, no wonder there is no food culture here!
anyways.
If you provide a shipping address, I'll provide the bottle to get you typing. So Bourbon or Gin?
Um, see you later? I hope.
Bon voyage! Your wit and sarcasm were a delight. I can only wait to see them surface in other topics.
I wish you well. I and a lot of others will miss this blog. Please let us know if you open another.
Take care and be Easy..
Lucy
Call it a blogger's bungee jump; go out smiling and full of good wishes...come back, well, alive and a bit dizzy?
Good luck Manuel - loved your blog.
Good luck!
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