ImStillMags wrote:
>
> I have a question for this group.
>
> I'm asking because I have three separate business plans and three
> separate concepts done for restaurants. Most of you know I've been a
> restaurant owner. The food business is my first love.
>
> I'm interested to hear from you, fellow foodies, about your thoughts
> on what constitutes 'your favorite place'.
>
> What makes a restaurant most appealing to you.

The food.

> What is it that keeps you going back.

The food. The price.

> What about the selection of dishes.

Keep it simple, seasonal and freshly-cooked. No frozen or microwaved
food. Hire someone who actually can cook.

> Breakfast

We don't go out for breakfast. You could do a Sunday brunch though if
the cuisine permits.

> Lunch
> Dinner

Similar menus.
A bit more elaborate for dinner, but still seasonal.

> Bar

Not why we go to any restaurant. A large bar and bad food doesn't work
for us.

> Staff.....talk about the ideal restaurant staff, servers, bartenders,
> hostesses, etc.


Clean, well-trained, knowledgeable, polite/civilised, competent and I
*never ever* want to know their first names. No long recitations of
'specials' which are rarely all that special. Chalkboard at the entrance
is enough info. Menu/prices posted in the window, as in done in many
parts of the world. None of this 'no one can ever get a reservation'
there; that's just dumb.

> Decor

Simple, clean and well-lit. Good carpeting on the floor to minimise
echos. Don't distract from the food.

> Ambiance

No loud music. Absolutely no smoking. Family-friendly unless you are
choosing to go very high end.

> Location

That's going to depend on where you live and what you plan to serve.
Some restaurants do very well at strip malls. In other locations it
would spell death for that business.

> Surroundings

Safe and friendly. Adequate parking if not in an urban location. Keep it
clean; maybe a little landscaping if the property owner allows.

> Is it one particular cuisine or a selection of dishes?

Keep it simple, freshly-cooked and seasonal. No cook is good at
everything. Pick a theme (eg seafood or vegetarian) and stick to that.
Otherwise you end up like so many places: there is a lot on the menu but
most of it isn't available anyway. Or else it is all the same colour and
tastes the same.

>
> Really think about why you like a particular place and consider it
> your go-to place when you want to go out to eat.

Good food. Good value for the price. Good service.
>
> Any thoughts you have are most appreciated.

In the end it needs to be what you want to do most. If there's no
passion, the rest won't matter anyway. Don't skimp on the quality of
ingredients.