I have learned one simple thing. Ready? Here it comes… absolutely earth shattering advice, I know. Raise revenue and reduce cost. Ta dah! Truthfully, I am often amazed at how often I forget this simple fact. And, if it were only that easy. The…

This is a bad sign. I have dreamed up a new restaurant concept. I can’t imagine pursuing it anytime soon but, nonetheless, I think it has appeal. (1) We make our own cheese. Daily, fresh cheese. And, on a longer cycle a small variety…

Although the sign says, “Order, Sit, Eat” I pretty much encourage customers to sit first, if they like. And, if they do, I give them a small version of the menu which they can study if they like. It is not infrequent that customers…

Chef Nico introduced a new product yesterday… The Thirsty Banzini – fruit and vegetable infused water. There are two flavours presently: Cucumber basil & Strawberry mint. The kitchen makes a limited number prior to lunch so that the flavour will infuse the water. And,…

After a careful review of my cash flow since January 1, food cost for each menu item, and labour cost in preparation of our menu, the following price changes will take effect as soon as I am able to get the menu boards changed,…

Let me start by saying that for some people – sufferers of Celiac Disease – gluten is a very serious issue. This sub-set, though, is not the bulk of people who order gluten free buns and pizza dough. Celiac sufferers cannot eat at The…

Today’s blog rated R for adult content. Fun moment in the restaurant this weekend. Group of three are getting ready to order – two are regular customers, the third (their friend) is new. The newcomer points into the cheesecake cabinet and says: “I want…

Yesterday was a pretty busy lunch hour. We were short one staff person for compassionate reasons but we made it through. And, overall, we did all right. My fear, though, is always with take out orders as that is the one place where we…

The picture above is a couple of customers (well… four customers actually) who were in for lunch yesterday. I asked if I could take their picture because this little scene just made me so darn happy. Having two moms choose my restaurant to linger…

I have a substance abuse problem related to potato chips. I like ‘em. A lot. I eat ‘em. A lot. I am helpless when it comes to potato chips. They are the Devil’s crowbar. My Achilles heel. Etc… So when I find new chips…