Restaurant Owners Beware!

AVOID US Foods New Mexico, especially those out of the El Paso office- particularly the rep named Jeremy Wolff- my whole experience has been my being ripped off! Call the restaurant for details.

Special Event Planning

Today we put together the menu for our "Oktoberfest in August" on Friday the 31st. Most people don't seem to know the the Germans' actually celebrate it in September so we'll be a day early this year.

We also scheduled a North African Tasting Dinner featuring wines from the Mediterranean region to match each dish. This will be on September 21st instead of our usual last Friday in the month since we will be closed that week to have water damage in the bathroom and the alcove outside it repaired. We are hoping the contractors succeed in their one week estimate to complete the job.

Finally, we will be posting for those who like us on Facebook only a special event on the exact date of our Lucky 11th Anniversary- which is Saturday September 8th. Join us for complimentary wine and appetizers. That day we will not only have something special for those folks but we will be drawing a Facebook only gift certificate for Cooking Classes, as well as a drawing for all guests who are submitted in the drawing for a Complete Dinner for 2 minus gratuity.

With all that- Be well and Dine well.

New Menu and Other Musings

Friday 8/10 is the beginning of a new menu. I've added 7 new items as well as brought back summer favorites. It takes us about five days to get the new menu in place- between prep and computer work. Its a process, but we have it down to a science as long as I don't make too many last minute changes. This cycle it was three minor ones, two of which was only an elaborated description for the menu. The last was a change in a cheese which means a scramble to change the prep only slightly.

Business has begun to pick back up again- between the national news scaring people about NM's biggest fire ever by Silver City- when it was the next county over- and the normal drop of spending the summer before a presidential election and the temporary loss of local business as 3 new places opened or were under new ownership and everyone had to check them out. The recession is far from over in Silver City. Historically they linger much longer in small towns and at 11,000 pop. we ARE small, though not tiny. We are also 45 minutes to an hour of of Interstate 10 which makes us a distinctive destination. Personally I'm very tired of it and being broke due to lack of business. We are surviving, but at 58 I no longer want to be just getting by- I'd like to be making it and this depression/recession is keeping that from happening. Next week I will share my plans here on how we are going to try to change that. It's very big news and I know we can make it happen. So until then- be well and dine well.

A Common Complaint

The most common complaint those of us in the restaurant business have is simple- guests who have a reservation, don't show and don't call to let you know. Last night's no show was hostile when called if they planned on arriving. Yes, it's one reason why we get a phone number.

Several businesses work on appointments/reservations. A hairdresser who has a client who doesn't show might not be able to fill that time slot and losses financially. A restaurant is the same. And unlike your doctor or dentist who will charge you or your insurance for a no show restaurants, hairdressers, massage therapists and many others have just got to hope that someone last minute calls or shows up to fill the gap.

PLEASE- if you are not going to make it, call and cancel as soon as you know. We all thank you for doing so. Be well and dine well.