What is the best practice for maintaining cleanliness on the table?

Maintaining cleanliness on the table is integral to providing a pleasant dining experience and ensuring hygiene standards are met. Removing dishes immediately after guests are finished is the best practice in this scenario because it prevents clutter, allows for a more organized dining environment, and helps facilitate a smoother flow of service.

When dishes are removed promptly, it not only enhances the overall aesthetics of the table but also showcases attentiveness from the server, making guests feel more appreciated and well taken care of. This practice also minimizes the risk of spills or accidents that can occur when dishes are left unattended.

Regularly refilling drinks is important for guest satisfaction but does not directly contribute to the cleanliness of the table. Wiping down after every guest can be beneficial, but it may not be practical in situations where servers are managing multiple tables or if guests are still in the process of dining. Waiting until the meal is over is counterproductive to maintaining cleanliness throughout the dining experience.