This is how to approach your guests after they're finished with entrees.

A note on Unobtrusive Service:

I'm limiting the amount of interaction that I have with any given table.
I'm limiting the number of times I approach it.
I'm limiting the amount of time I spend at the table when I do approach it.

So if I'm pre-busing it, I may go ahead and take that opportunity to check in with them. If I don't, no problem. I approach after the meal and almost always say,

"Alright, how we doing over here?"

This gives them the opportunity to let me know how it was, what they need, what they want to do now, etc.

If they say they’re good, I'll typically follow that with ”Did everyone get enough to eat?”

"Yeah, it was great."

“Anything else I can get y'all?"

"I think we're good."

"Alright, I'll grab your check."

If they have full drinks and are clearly engaged in conversation, I may not even approach. If I do, it'll just be to confirm everyone's content for now, and will typically sound something like this,"Anything I can get you for now or would y'all just like to hang out for a bit?"

"Oh we're just going to enjoy drinks and chat."

"Cool, y'all hang out, I'll check back in a bit."

My personal, general policy is that I don’t try to up-sell after the meal.

I never, ever deny or discourage anyone from ordering something else, but I don't encourage it.

One drink for one guest, a dessert... doesn't really do much to increase the tab, but it does increase the table time.

It's not that I'm sooo eager to get people out, but as long as the table is in play ie not cashed out, I'll have to keep them in mind along with the other 50 things I have going on.

I much, much prefer to cash them out, enjoy the slight satisfaction of completing that table, close the loop, and focus exclusively on everything else going on.

With that being said, I never want to rush a table. So if they want to hang out longer, but I have too many other things going on to keep an eye on them, I may say, "I'm going to go ahead and grab your check in a bit if that’s okay, but y'all take your time and hang out. If there’s anything you’d like, please let me know."

Once I’ve processed the payment, drop the check, and say thanks/ farewell, I don’t need to worry about this table again.