chubbyalaskagriz
New member
...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?
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?
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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
HOW GOOD IT IS TO DREAM!!!!
