Recent News on Federal Overtime Regulation

Recent News on Federal Overtime Regulation

by | Dec 5, 2016 | IndiNews, Management

U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant in Texas has placed a temporary injunction on the Department of Labor’s new federal overtime rule postponing its implementation until a ruling is made or the federal government appeals the injunction. This is welcome news for thousands of business owners across the country and unwelcome news for millions of salaried workers. 

New rule and injunction

In short, the new overtime regulations set to go into effect December 1, 2016, would have raised the threshold for overtime pay from $23,660 per year to $47,476 per year, requiring employers to pay overtime wages (40+ hours) to salaried employees who made less than the new threshold. There were about 12 million salaried employees who would have benefited from this regulation.

It gave the employer three options:

  • Raise minimum salary threshold above $47,436
  • Or pay overtime when a salaried employee worked over 40 hours per week
  • Or limit salaried employees’ work hours to 40 hours per week or less

In addition, the rule also provided for triennial adjustments based on the 40th percentile of weekly earnings of full-time salaried workers in the lowest-wage Census region. A few days after consolidating two lawsuits challenging the rule, Judge Mazzant granted the request for the injunction to halt implementation. Click here for more information about the lawsuits.

What now FAQ

Do I as a business owner need to do anything come December 1st?

No, it is business as usual and no payroll needs to be adjusted at this time.

What should I do if I have already made payroll changes to accommodate the new rule?

If you have already reclassified employees to nonexempt status or increased employee salaries in order to maintain their exempt status, experts advise keeping this in place as it would be difficult to take back.

Can the Department of Labor challenge the injunction?

Yes. The department said in a statement that it is currently considering all of its legal options.

Is there still a chance that the new rule will go into effect down the road?

As this is a temporary hold, the same rule or a revised rule could still be implemented. Things are a bit unpredictable with a new administration set to take office January 20th, 2017.

We suggest that you stay up-to-date on any new developments and to make sure you have a plan of action coordinated with your payroll department, be that in-house or contracted. To gain a full understanding of the overtime regulation, click here. As always, we here at Sirvo are dedicated to keeping our users informed about all things hospitality.

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Sirvo Says: 5 Denver Restaurant “Hidden Gems”

Sirvo Says: 5 Denver Restaurant “Hidden Gems”

by | Nov 21, 2016 | IndiNews

Whether you’ve just arrived in Denver or have been here for some time, there are a few spots in town that only a few of us know about. Most of these places have been around the Denver scene for some time and if they haven’t, they sure feel like they have. We have compiled a short list of establishments that would be great for entertaining friends from out of town, taking your S.O. to or checking out alone on those days you are feeling adventurous. We present for you, Sirvo Says: 5 Hidden Denver Restaurant “Hidden Gems”.  

1. Potager

Potager is the creation of Chef Teri Rippeto and her father Tom. This lovely establishment has been one of the best restaurants in Denver since 1997. Long before the farm to table trends that have hit the local (or even national) scene, this garden-inspired menu changes with the seasons and utilizes those fresh seasonal ingredients in an awe inspiring and delectable way. Part of their vision states, “It is crucially important that we do something we feel good about, everyday”. This bodes true for rest of us when trying to find that perfect place to dine. Potager is located in the Cap Hill neighborhood at 1109 Ogden, Denver CO 80218.

2. Devil’s Food

Devil’s Food, what a name! There is nothing evil about this lovely Wash Park establishment, it is more heavenly and charming than anything else. While the neighborhood may be a bit “upscale”, the interior of Devil’s Food is everything but. They first opened their doors in 1999 and it is definitely the type of restaurant one seeks out when they are looking for a place that has a little character. They recently just added onto their location at 1020 South Gaylord, Denver CO 80209, where they will be one part bakery and one part restaurant. Keep in mind, there may be a line if you choose to go there for brunch. So worth it…

3. Ernie’s Bar & Pizza

Established in 1948, Ernie’s Bar & Pizza is a throwback with a contemporary twist. This pizza establishment features fresh made dough and mozzarella that add a unique flavor to their delicious pizza. Selected by the Westword in 2015 as Denver’s Best NY Style Pizza, Ernie’s does not disappoint. Not only do they have 30 beers on tap, but they also infuse their own whiskey. Located in the Sunnyside neighborhood at 2915 W 44th Ave. Denver, CO 80211, Ernie’s is worth the visit for pizza lovers and is a great place to entertain friends or family. 

4. Solitaire

Say it’s your anniversary and you are trying to find the perfect place to go that has great food and a romantic atmosphere, Solitaire is the place you are looking for. Nestled in the Highlands neighborhood at 927 W 32nd Ave, Denver, CO 80212, this wonderful restaurant has only graced our presence since 2015. The service is hospitable and the Charred Spanish Octopus is almost reason enough to go. Chef/Owner Mark Ferguson overtook the space when a former Denver restaurant hidden gem, Highland’s Garden Cafe, closed its doors after 20 years.

5. Adrift Tiki Bar

Recently purchased by the owners of Little Man Ice Cream (a not so hidden gem), Adrift Tiki Bar residing at 218 S Broadway, Denver, CO 80209, is quite the restaurant for those looking for a unique experience within the Denver dining scene. With an exotic ambiance and a cache of rum based cocktails, Adrift is one of a kind. It’s dark, it’s got an island vibe and the Polynesian/Hawaiian themed menu is to die for. Adrift reminds us of how lucky we are to live in such a wonderful city, with an eclectic and thriving food culture. 

We here at Sirvo are in love with Denver and enjoy exploring all of the different places there are to eat and drink in town. The hospitality scene (especially locally) is growing fast and is a great industry for those seeking a job that supports a work/life balance. Head to our job board to see all of our open listings and then set a date to visit all of these hidden gems!

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What to Know When You Date Someone in the Restaurant Industry

What to Know When You Date Someone in the Restaurant Industry

by | Nov 9, 2016 | IndiNews

Dating can be challenging, no matter what industries you both work in. The restaurant industry in particular can have specific challenges that can make it difficult to maintain a long-term relationship unless you know what you’re getting into. If you’re dating somebody who works in the restaurant industry, here are some things you should know.

Weekends aren’t weekends

When you work a normal 9-5 job, Friday night marks the beginning of your weekend. Saturdays and Sundays are lazy days, sometimes spent catching up on Netflix, shopping or just lounging around the house. Friday nights and Saturday nights are dedicated to going out.

In the restaurant industry, though, things get switched. Friday and Saturday nights are busy nights, and your partner probably prefers to work these nights since they tend to lead to bigger tips than, say, a Wednesday night orThursday afternoon.

In the restaurant industry, though, things get switched.

When dating someone in the industry, prepare yourself for going out during the week and not seeing your partner on weekends. This is just part of the deal. But, as an added bonus, you won’t be dealing with crowds when you go out on a Monday!

How you treat restaurant workers matters

When you do go out to eat, your partner is going to pay attention to how you treat the staff at the restaurant you are in, no matter what type of place it is.

Are you polite to the hostess, even if she doesn’t greet you right away? Are you patient with the waiter, who is clearly new at his job? How do you talk about the food? Perhaps most importantly, how do you tip?

If you tend to fall on the low end of the tipping scale, now’s the time to up the ante or think about whether you really want to date someone in the restaurant industry after all.

If you tend to fall on the low end of the tipping scale, now’s the time to up the ante.

Feet are the way to his/her heart

Nope, it’s not the stomach but the feet that can unlock the key to your partner’s heart. No matter what role they have in a restaurant, they are on their feet pretty much all day long.

Treating your partner to a nice long foot massage at the end of a hard day is pretty much the nicest thing you can do for him or her.

Going out to eat might not be fun anymore

But not for the reason you might think. This one depends on your partner, their role in the restaurant and how seriously they take their job. Some people are able to remove themselves from their work environment and enjoy dining at another restaurant whole heartedly.

Others may find themselves criticizing anything at the restaurant that is out of place.

Others, though, may find themselves criticizing anything at the restaurant that is out of place or not done to perfection. Know this going in. It might simplify your life to perfect your cooking skills and eat in most nights.

Get used to really late nights

Getting back to the whole working on Friday and Saturday nights deal, it’s good to know that restaurant workers’ evenings don’t usually end as soon as their shift does. Many workers head straight from the restaurant to the late night bar down the street to blow off steam and unwind after a grueling shift.

You’re going to need to be able to stay up late and meet them at their favorite late night bar.

If you want to see your beau, you’re going to need to be able to stay up late and meet them at their favorite late night bar. Bonus: this is a great way to get to know their friends, many of whom they probably work with.

Every industry arguably has quirks, but dating someone in the restaurant industry has special considerations. Knowing what you are getting yourself into can help you understand your partner and be supportive. 

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Seelbach Cocktail Known as “Rescued Classic” is Anything But Classic

Seelbach Cocktail Known as “Rescued Classic” is Anything But Classic

by | Nov 7, 2016 | IndiNews

For the last 20 years, if you were in the bar business and knew one thing about the bartender Adam Seger, it was that he was the man behind the Seelbach cocktail.

The Seelbach is named after the Seelbach Hotel (today the Seelbach Hilton), a storied century-old lodging in downtown Louisville, Ky., that is mentioned briefly in “The Great Gatsby.” Shortly after being put in charge of the hotel’s bar and restaurant operations in 1995, Mr. Seger declared that he had discovered a recipe for a pre-Prohibition cocktail that was once the hotel’s signature drink. He tested it, liked it and put it back on the menu.

The news media soon picked up on the tale, and within a few years, the Seelbach cocktail was regarded as a rescued classic. It’s a tantalizing back story, one that has charmed cocktail writers and aficionados for years, and there’s only one thing wrong with it: None of it is true.

There’s only one thing wrong with it: None of it is true.

After two decades of yarn-spinning, Mr. Seger, 47, who left the hotel in 2001 and recently helped open the Tuck Room in downtown Manhattan, has decided to come clean that he concocted not only the drink but also the story behind it.

“I was nobody,” Mr. Seger said of his standing as a bartender then. “I had no previous accolades in the bar world. I knew I could make a great drink. I wanted it to be this promotion for the hotel, and I felt the hotel needed a signature cocktail. How could you have a place that F. Scott Fitzgerald hung out in that doesn’t have a damn cocktail?”

Mr. Seger’s sin is hardly an original one; bartenders have been telling self-aggrandizing tales since there have been bars to tend. It is, however, an unusual instance of old-school legerdemain in an era when mixologists have made an effort to be more scrupulous about cocktail history.

“How could you have a place that F. Scott Fitzgerald hung out in that doesn’t have a damn cocktail?”

The Seelbach cocktail story began when Mr. Seger started digging into the hotel’s history. “We found old menus,” he said. “I was convinced there had to be a Seelbach cocktail.”

Except there wasn’t. So he created one, mixing bourbon, triple sec and Angostura and Peychaud’s bitters, and topping it all with sparkling white wine.

He then came up with an elaborate origin story involving a couple from New Orleans who had honeymooned at the hotel in 1912. The man ordered a manhattan, the woman a Champagne cocktail. The clumsy bartender, spilling the bubbly into the manhattan, set the mess aside and made the drinks anew. But the accidental mélange got the barman thinking. Soon, the Seelbach cocktail was born.

Soon, the Seelbach cocktail was born.

The Louisville Courier-Journal was the first to write about the new/old drink. Soon, it was included in “New Classic Cocktails,” a 1997 book by Gaz Regan and Mardee Haidin Regan. Later, it found its way into “Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails,” an influential book by the drinks historian Ted Haigh, known as Dr. Cocktail.

To Mr. Seger’s amazement, no one ever asked him to produce an old menu with the drink on it. “When Ted’s book came out, I thought, ‘Oh, now this is getting too serious, because this is a history book,'” Mr. Seger said.

Mr. Seger, who talked of how he had “carried this around” for years, recently confessed his transgression to Mr. Regan. “To be honest,” Mr. Regan said, “I always suspected that Adam had created the drink, but I really, really loved it, his story was almost plausible, and I needed recipes for ‘New Classic Cocktails.'”

“I always suspected that Adam had created the drink, but I really, really loved it.”

When informed by a reporter of the cocktail’s new birth date, Matthew Willinger, the hotel’s director of public relations, replied that the cocktail “has certainly been a tradition of the hotel and will remain part of its future.”

Originally published on The New York Times

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Sirvo Says: Let’s Get Pizza!

Sirvo Says: Let’s Get Pizza!

by | Oct 17, 2016 | IndiNews

Colorado isn’t exactly known for its pizza, but the pies in Mile High definitely pass the test. Many newcomers who come into town often ask, “Where is the best pizza?”. Well…

1. Bar Dough

People often wonder, what makes a good pizza? Well it often has to do with the oven it is prepared in. Chef Max Mackissock has that essential tool in an Italian imported Mario Acunto oven. This place isn’t just about pizza, there are a variety of amazing Italian dishes to choose from, like their “to die for” Tagliarini. As for the pizza, we suggest the I’anatra: a pea purée, duck conserva with mortadella, pecorino, fresh mozzarella and sorrel. You will fall in love with this amazing establishment.

2. Kaos Pizzeria

If you’re on South Pearl and wanting a slice, this is the place you should find yourself at. Staying true to Southern Naples style is essential to the quality of pizza you will experience at Kaos. One doesn’t need to get too exotic when choosing which pizza to get, but if you’re looking for the best then look no further than the Cappocolo: Evoo with roasted garlic, cappocolo, oven roasted tomatoes, fresh arugula and goat cheese. Our mouths are watering just writing about it (seriously). You can also check out Mas Kaos, located in the Berkeley Neighborhood that combines owner Patrick Mangold-White’s Uno Mas Taqueria y Cantina and Kaos Pizzeria. Divertiti!

3. Cart Driver

Located behind Work & Class (one of our favorites) is another one of our favorites, Cart Driver. The building itself is a 640 sq ft shipping container and inside is an absolute wonderful place to be with friends enjoying wine, some oysters and of course-the pizza. The Four Season is exquisite, potato, squash, asian pear, ham, arugula pesto and burrata. This RiNo establishment is here to stay and should be on the list of places to dine at if you have not already. 

4. Pizzeria Locale

Created by restaurateur Bobby Stuckey and Chef Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson, Pizzeria Locale is one of Colorado’s best restaurants. Obviously it starts with excellent cuisine, but it’s solidified with an elevated level of hospitality. Seriously, there may not be a better experience unless you were to visit neighboring Frasca Food & Wine (Stuckey’s other exceptional establishment). We won’t make a specific suggestion as to which pizza to choose, literally you can take your pick here and be well satisfied. In 2014, Pizzeria Locale teamed up with Chipotle to create a fast-casual version of it’s more upscale version in Boulder, different experience-same result.

5. Osteria Marco

Chef Frank Bonnano’s downtown Denver Italian eatery exceeds the expectations one expects when they go out to eat. Named after his youngest son, Osteria Marco will be celebrating its tenth anniversary next year. We recommend the Short Rib: Fontina Fonduta, Spinach & Roasted Red Pepper. Located in Denver’s famed Larimer Square, it will be no surprise to see this fine concept around for a lot longer than just a single decade.

6. Hops & Pie

Denver’s Berkeley neighborhood hosts some of the best cuisine you will find in this rapidly expanding Denver food scene and Hops & Pie represents a great option to choose when visiting Tennyson street. An excellent selection of hand tossed pies with a wide choice of toppings and beers to pair. Within the crust is a 50/50 mixture of water and house IPA that gives this pizza joint its unique flavor. We realize that almost every place in town has some form of Mac & Cheese, but we suggest ordering Hops and Pie’s version as well because it is what dreams are made of.

7. Racca’s Pizzeria Napoletana

Yass! This list is compiled of a lot of great pizzerias and we could reshuffle the order a thousand times and still get it right. Racca’s (formerly Marco’s Coal Fired Pizza) is just one of those places that can be very easily at the top of this list and has been at the top of many others. Being certified by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, Racca’s is the only certified Neapolitan pizzeria located in Colorado. Yet another establishment that one would be satisfied with any selection. Pick any of it’s three Colorado locations, request an Uber and then go, like tonight. Oh yeah, and if you’re looking for a job, check out their Sirvo page for open jobs!

8. Fat Sully’s

This is one of the most amazing pizza places in town and is a fan favorite. It doesn’t hurt that you can get a slice at their walk-up window till 2 AM, which we suggest when you are wondering what is the best place to eat quickly after you’ve left the bar a little early. This is Denver’s best version of a New York slice of pizza. Residing within the Atomic Cowboy, owners Drew and Ashley Shader seem to understand perfectly what this town craves.

9. Lucky Pie

There are two locations to choose from, one in downtown Denver near Union Station and also in Louisville, Colorado. Their slogan is simple. Pizza. Beer. Love. We agree with all three options. Twenty seven beers on tap, a hand-built brick oven and some of the best pizza in the state! Go against the grain a little and get the Cornball Wallace: creamed greens, Benton’s ham, mozzarella, fontina, roasted corn & organic arugula in a cider vinaigrette. Eat. Drink. Fall in Love.

10. Under the Sun

Start with the Maine Mussels, select one of their twenty-seven Mountain Sun Ales, split the Gnocchi and the wood fired Bianca Pizza: charred onion ricotta cheese, organic baby kale, chili flake, house-made sausage & Grana Pada. This is the second Boulder establishment to make the list and if Boulder isn’t on your list of places to eat pizza, it should be there now.

Now, time to enjoy! ??

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How Well Do You Know Your Cocktails?

How Well Do You Know Your Cocktails?

by | Oct 3, 2016 | IndiNews

Which are you: Cocktail Connoisseur or Boozy Beverage Beginner?

Time to find out!

[os-widget path=”/sirvo/how-well-do-you-know-your-cocktails” of=”sirvo” comments=”false” width=”600″]

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Sirvo Says: The 6 Most Unique Things To Do In Denver

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