Dear Rotolo's Team,…read more
I wanted to take a moment to share an experience I had recently at your restaurant because I believe people who go above and beyond deserve to be recognized.
During my visit, I had the pleasure of being served by Elyssia F., a young woman who is working as a waitress while attending college with the dream of becoming a psychiatrist. What really touched me is that she said, "her goal in life is to help others in everything that she does".
Elyssia is working hard toward her future, and like many college students, she has concerns about money and the financial weight of pursuing her education. But despite that, she showed me what it looks like when someone refuses to let their circumstances determine the kind of person they are going to be.
My meal actually arrived without any noodles in my pasta.
But somehow, that mistake became one of the best parts of the experience.
The manager personally came over and made sure my meal was corrected. The team didn't simply replace the dish--they went above and beyond and even created a flatbread for my pasta toppings so that nothing went to waste and I could still enjoy everything that came with my meal.
And while all of that was happening, Elyssia used her compassion, humor, and personality to turn what could have easily been an irritating situation into something I genuinely enjoyed.
Then she did something I wasn't expecting.
She got the entire team to sing me Happy Birthday.
At that point, it wasn't just about the food anymore.
It was about the people.
Every person I interacted with was warm, welcoming, and genuinely kind. There was a sense of hospitality that felt different from simply being "good at customer service." It felt personal. It felt like the people there actually cared about making sure I had a great experience.
I walked in expecting to have dinner.
I walked out with a story I'm going to remember.
And that's why I'm writing this.
Elyssia deserves to be recognized.
Here is a young woman working hard to put herself through college because she wants to spend her life helping other people. She is serving tables today while preparing herself for a career where she hopes to help people tomorrow.
I would love to see Rotolo's consider whether there is a way to sponsor, contribute toward, or otherwise help with Elyssia's college tuition.
I realize that may not be something a company can simply do for every employee. But sometimes you come across someone who makes you stop and think, "This is someone worth investing in."
Elyssia made me feel welcomed, valued, and cared for on a day when she could have simply done her job and sent me on my way.
Instead, she helped create an experience I'll remember.
And I believe investing in her education could eventually allow her to do for countless other people what she did for me: make someone feel like they matter.
Thank you to Elyssia, the manager, and the entire Rotolo's team for an incredible experience.
The food was great.
The service was exceptional.
But most importantly, the people were unforgettable.
Please recognize this team--and especially Elyssia--for what they are doing.
Sometimes the greatest impact a company can make isn't measured by another sale.
Sometimes it's measured by investing in a person who wants to spend her life investing in others.
Thank you, Rotolo's, for an experience I'll genuinely remember.
