In article >,
Ed Pawlowski > wrote:
>> Really think about why you like a particular place and consider it
>> your go-to place when you want to go out to eat.
>
>If you take the menu at something like Applebees, cut choices by 30% and
>make it from scratch, you'd have a winner.

I like this idea. Lose the gimmicks and I think it will go. From what
I've seen of Applebee's, you could reduce the portions from "ginormous" to
"generous" and everyone comes out ahead.

>Give me a beef, chicken, seafood option. If they are regular items, give me
>a special or two for a change. I don't want the same thing every week, but
>I don't need 50 items to choose from.

My favorite casual restaurant in Berkeley is Fatapple's. It's American
food with some "alternate" variations (e.g. the cole slaw is
Asian-style). The cuisine is not what I would call innovative but it is
made with first-rate ingredients and executed well. The baked goods
(available seperately on the bakery counter) are outstanding (from the
burger buns up through the awesome pie), the coffee is from a local
roastery, the salads have produce that passes Miss Picky here's test,
the burgers are fresh ground chuck and they have real sliced roast turkey
in their turkey sandwiches. (I have the number in my speed dial for
take-out in case the turkey urge strikes.) You can get a heavy
meal or a light one. Vegetarians have several menu options, and the
staff will accommodate reasonable "special requests". It has a beer and
wine license so grownups may enjoy some local products with their dinner
. Prices are very fair and it is loved by locals of all ages. It is
also a great place to take visiting relatives whose food tastes may be
a bit conservative.

It's pleasantly decorated (both it and its sister restaurant have a theme
with murals on the walls) but not kitschy. Mostly it is clean,
well-lit, and quiet unless a child is vocalizing (no music!).

The core menu is one large laminated sheet (front and back) and they have
rotating daily specials on the board. The dessert menu is seperate
because they do more seasonal produce on it.

Charlotte
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