I’ve been obsessed with the book “Unreasonable Hospitality” for a while. It was written by Will Guidara, former owner of Eleven Madison Park, voted Best Restaurant in the World in 2017. Will’s wisdom on exceptional food and extraordinary service—what he terms “Hospitality”—struck a chord. It’s about going the extra mile, paying attention, and making people feel seen and heard. This is deeply connected with my work in corporate events, where we create curated environments for people to connect and share their passions. Like a fine restaurant, our events are designed for meaningful interactions, reflecting the essence of Hospitality that Will champions.

Naturally, I gifted copies of the book to my staff, hoping they’d share my obsession. While not everyone hopped on the self-help book bandwagon, it sparked a fantastic idea. I asked our team in our Slack Channel if anyone wanted to start a book club. To my sad surprise, only three responded. But, this small group was ideal for an intimate dinner, so I took everyone to Canlis.

Canlis, Seattle’s iconic restaurant mentioned in the book, was the perfect backdrop. I wanted my team to experience the hospitality I’d been raving about, and what better way than to show them?

I made a reservation for four without revealing our destination, only mentioning it was for a book club. Kelsey, Head of Guest Relations at Canlis, responded excitedly, having read the book and worked at Eleven Madison Park. We piled into my car on the big day, anticipating the surprise. It wasn’t until we pulled into the valet parking lot at Canlis that gasps filled the air. The moment we stepped inside, we were met with warmth and recognition. Everyone knew about our book club. Mark Canlis himself greeted us, led us to our table, and chatted about the book, the restaurant, and more.

The dinner was a truly immersive experience. We noticed every detail, from the way they placed coasters to ensure the logo faced the right way to the welcoming atmosphere that felt like home. Mark and Brian’s grandparents even lived upstairs above the restaurant. The food was delectable, and the service was impeccable.

After dessert, Kelsey appeared and led us on an adventure. We ventured backstage, through the kitchen, and up to a small door about 3 feet up on a wall. We climbed a small ladder and emerged into the crisp outside air. There, we found a campfire surrounded by Adirondack chairs, offering a breathtaking view of Lake Union. It was jaw-dropping. And we enjoyed a heartfelt discussion about hospitality, sharing our perspectives and insights.

What struck me most about the evening was the intentionality in every detail. If they paid such attention to coasters, one could only imagine the meticulous care they put into everything else. Canlis had set a new standard for us that perfectly embodied the essence of “Unreasonable Hospitality.”