I've Never Had an Enteprenual Spirit, But...

[chubbyalaskagriz]

...if I won the lottery and could have a hobby restaurant that I could just enjoy, pay others to run, and that wouldn't necessarily need to turn a profit, I'd have a cool, artsy, rustic place that I would call "The Tundra".

It would obviously be Alaska themed, and would have an upscale menu w/ items ranging from rustic/steakhouse to foo-foo/fancy but served in casual comfort. I'd serve items like salmon/halibut/crab and beef/game/lamb/poultry. There'd be both eclectic trendy menu-items as well as traditional fare. We'd be known for breads & desserts, and we'd also have a upscale take-out pastry shop w/ rounded glass-domed chill cases where one could purchase whole desserts to-go. Our primo tableside dessert that we'd be best known for would be meringue-encrusted Baked Alaskas decorated in garden blooms and ignited into firey flames as the lights were dimmed. There'd be flaming coffees, Alaskan/Pacific Northwest micro-brews and wines, and a theme bar w/ a classy but rustic atmosphere decorated w/ extra-large vintage burlesque painted ladies reclining onto fainting chaises like the frontier male-populated saloons of the 19th century had. The music would be light, light native drums, soft chanting vocals and guitar strumming...

We'd draw the special occasion crowd plus be known as a unique artisan destination for folks seeking both finest fare- as well as those w/ a bend toward frontier and ecological tourism, and those interested in unique art.

The structure would be log w/ lots of windows all w/ incredible views, and the decor would be an odd mix of rustic and modern/contemporary. All around the perimter of the place there'd be multi-leveled decking and growing beds of herbs and flowers everywhere.

The interior would not be dark- rather light/blonde in color and filled w/ knotty pine knot-holed paneling, whole logs, and cozy light that would highlight lots of native and frontier art. There'd be paintings, sculpture and totems everywhere the eye looked. There'd also be sparsely placed Alaskan objects of interest spaced around like a snow shoe here and there- a dog sled, game hides, carved native masks, fossilized ivory tusks, seal-skin anoraks and samples of native stitchings and basket weavings, a walrus-skin kayak, and other various artifacts- but not in stale/dark/cluttered/kitchy format- rather, illuminated and fresh, sparsely placed and minimalist in feel. There'd be lots of copper, jade and ivory. The furnishings would be earth-toned pieces of minimalist Scandinavian design, yet soft and comfy to encourage lengthy sitting and prolonged relaxation.

And of course there'd be a massive stone hearth w/ a moosehead!

The staff would be perfectly warm- but not overly familair. They'd be knowledgable about both the food served and all aspects of Alaska. One would feel their server could be a chef themselves- and also a travel tour guide- full of knowledge! They'd wear simple faded blue-jeans w/ white ruffled poet shirts w/ ankle-length white aprons, and any jewlery or hair adornments would be hand-crafted of items native to The Last Frontier.

What kind of restaurant would YOU like to have?

[FranciesFlops]

Sounds delightfull Kev !

[Cook Chatty Cathy]

Well Kev...come to think of it I too have a dream or two up my sleeve! My establishment would be artsy as well, only more along the lines of a Coffee Shop/Bookstore/Deli we would serve an array of coffees & teas and serve only breakfast & lunch. My specialty would be foods that would run along the lines of health foods only super tasting and full of fresh produce. All breads would be homemade loaves, danishes and pastries would be completely from scratch and we would offer wraps/salads/and sandwiches for lunch. My specialty would be a grilled swordfish sandwich with a dill sauce! I would have couches, easy chairs, and little cafe tables spread throughout, bookcase would line an entire wall. There would be local art gracing the walls everything from Folk Art to Cathy S. watercolors I would play really upbeat music in the mornings the kind of cheerful stuff that lifts your spirits, puts a smile on your face and wakes you up with a smile on your face! I'd greet each customer personally with a warm & friendly "HELLO, how are you taday!?! My job would be overseeing kitchen staff, greeting and seating...I'd just love it!!! I was a hostess with Longhorn Steakhouse for 2 years and I thoroughly LOVED my customers, it was the best job ever! I couldn't believe I made money doing it I know so-o-o many people and all the regulars became like family! That is how it would be in my Coffee Shop/Diner it would be a place people would feel at home at and couldn't wait to get back to each time they possibly could, heck every day even, and I would make something on the mennu so cheap that it would only be $2.00 a serving and would fill you up...like a big bowl of my famous Black Beans over Yellow Rice with a nice warm freshly baked dinner roll. I would not want lack of funds to keep anyone from eating so I would have to do that to keep it affordable for those less fortunate, or just frugal I would not consider it work, but a love, I would even stick up my easel in a corner and keep whatever watercolor I am working on displayed until it was through, heck I may even make a few extra bucks selling my Art work HOW GOOD IT IS TO DREAM!!!!

[shipscook]

I used to think of a wine shop with a side line of gourmet goodies.
A few years back a new guy in town opened a great wine shop and has become a good friend. He hosts great seasonal tastings and the selection is amazing
Like my plan, he offers flights for tasting. Has cheese and nibbles for happy hour. He also has some locally brewed beers and a specialty martinis.

There is a kitchen wares store that has a fine line of great condiments and other gourmet goodies, so guess those fields are covered.

But boy am I a good customer!
Nan

[chubbyalaskagriz]

Great ideas Cathy & Nan! I know i sure would hang-out at your places!

[Cook Chatty Cathy]

Great ideas Cathy & Nan! I know i sure would hang-out at your places!

And I would get all gussied up and most def. make many dates to eat at your restaurant! I'd bring the whole family so it would be reservations for 10 please!

[ricksrealpitbbq]

First I'd open a restaurant where I could serve food that barely meets federal standards, be obscure about ingredients, push people in and out as quickly as possible, and nothing gets added to the menu unless it improves the bottom line

Oh wait that was Ray Kroc's dream.............


Ok now to be serious............I am basing this in part on the very reasons I don't go out to eat.

My dream gig would have to be a smokehouse restaurant. I'm not talking the garbage that mainstream restaurants call BBQ. I'm talking real honest to goodness smoked meats. Ribs, Chicken, Brisket, Pulled Pork and probably some wild game too . And of course a good grill menu as well. All the grilled foods would be on a real wood fire. Everything would be made on site, no pre-packaged nonsense. I'd arrange it so people could watch and see how their meals are prepared. I would make myself available for anyone who wanted to meet me. The seating would be casual and the servings would be huge. I hate skimpy servings. No rushing people out the door. If people wanted to relax and talk after eating, that would be fine. Probably have outdoor seating as well. It would also have a take-out section for people wanting to bring food to a party etc... And no TVs anywhere. I hate TV with a passion. I'd probably have the blues for background music, maybe even a live band on weekends.

[spfadmin]

Rick - I think you're looking to run a place like this:


The folks that run this place bought a commercial smoker for home use and made such good food they thought they'd open a restaurant and cook on the weekends. Ended you being full time because of the quality of the food and all the recipes are homemade they attract a crowd. An awesome place to eat. Smokers Pit, West Ocean City, Md.

Matt

[ricksrealpitbbq]

Yes that's what I have in mind Matt. I've been looking for a bigger pit on a trailer and it could easily work for that too. Have you eaten there ?

[spfadmin]

Yes, I've eaten there Many, Many, Many times.

It's this sweet little small owner operated place with home made meals that found it's niche. It's a lot of work for them too. They serve breakfast starting at 6am because that's when they start prep'ing for lunch and dinner and they're open until late.

What's really nice about the place is they're friendly folks that get to know you. They're aren't too many places like that nowadays.

Matt