6 Places for a Great Holiday in Turkey

By Morten Elm

Turkey is a great place to go in the summer. The holiday destinations have everything you need for a great vacation. The weather is almost always perfect with sun the whole day. The beaches are great and the parties are going on all night. Finally the Turkeys kitchen is very good.

If you are the relaxing type, you can spend the whole day at one of the many great beaches. Here you can play beach volleyball or try one of the many water activities like: parasailing, jet skiing or the banana boat.

You can also have an active holiday with trekking in the mountains. Ravine climbing and mountain climbing are also getting very popular. If you like the water more, you can try rafting or sea kayaking. Diving is also a possibility.

The most popular holiday destination right now is without doubt Alanya. About 10 % of all tourists in Turkey are on vacation in Alanya. The reason is probably the combination of two great beaches and the interesting sights. The best of them is the castle hill that divides the two beaches. From the top 250 meter (820 feet) above the sea there is a great view of Alanya and the surrounding country.

The Water Planet Aquapark is one of Turkeys largest water parks; and a great place for kids. Here they can try everything from water slides and rafting to bungee jumping and crazy golf. After some branded goods shopping (both real and fake) in Alanya, you can finish your day in the many discos and bars.

Antalya is not like the other holiday destinations, which has developed from a small fisher village to a holiday destination. With its 500,000 residents you will see more locals than tourists. So a visit to Antalya will give you a better look at the real Turkey.

As a large city Alanya has a lot of bazaars, shopping centers and shopping streets. But there are also many interesting sights from the Roman Empire in the city. Many of them are in the old part of the city called Kaleici. Here you can also see old men playing dominoes while the women preparing the dinner.

Belek is the number one golf destination in Turkey. In the area around the city there are eight golf courses; and many more are being built. It has been so popular to play golf in Belek that it can be necessary to book months ahead in the high season.

Belek is also a great destination even though you not play golf. The nature is fantastic and silence is incredible compared to the lively destinations like Side and Alanya. If you love bird, Belek will also seem like a paradise to you. And you can still find both shopping and water parks.

Kemer is a nice, little holiday village surrounded by the Taurus Mountains and the Mediterranean. The city has a unique mix of the original Turkey and a modern holiday destination. Here are lively pedestrian streets, an elegant marina and beautiful beach promenades.

Close to the city is the ruins of Phaselis, where Alexander the Great spent his winters; an obvious excursion. In the middle of Kemer is the Moonlight Park; a 55,000 m2 park area with playground and dolphinarium. In the same area there are a lot of restaurants, bars and discos.

Like many other holiday destinations Kusadasi was originally a small fisher village. Today you find great Turkey food and a quieter nightlife with only a small bar street.

There is an international feeling in the city because of the many cruise ships; most of them come to see the famous sight Efesos (also called Efesus) near Kusadasi. So if you like smart cafes and international clothing brands, Kusadasi is the city for you.

The most romantic holiday destination in Turkey might be Side. You will find a lot of old Roman buildings in the old town. It is also possible to take a walk away from the main street, where you can see well-preserved wood and stone houses. Another interesting attraction is the city theater; originally used for gladiator fights, but today you can watch concerts and theater.

Combine culture with pleasure by visiting one of Sides most popular bars; located among the ruins of two temples from the 2nd century. And spend the day at the beach; either the quit eastern beach or the lively and kid friendly western beach. - 30543

About the Author:

Novelty Restaurants Must Stand the Test of Time

By Jose L Riesco

In business, you always have to be looking for something to set yourself apart. This is called achieving a unique sales proposition and your definition can often mean the difference between just getting by and really making it. Many have tried to come up with ideas for novelty restaurants and some well-publicized chains have done particularly well.

Remember that you want your business to be around for a long time and whatever ideas you come up with must be able to stand this test. How often have we seen novelty restaurants fail after a short period of time, while others that are based on a more solid foundation have no doubt benefited from a good thought process.

Experts advise that you try and look at every aspect of your operation before deciding upon a theme for your novelty restaurant. You will need to look at location, architecture, theme, menu options, atmosphere, entertainment, decor and staffing.

Aim to try and tie together all the different elements of your business operation and see if your novelty restaurant idea can be integrated. You have to be careful and stand back from time to time, asking yourself whether this whole idea has become too "cheesy" instead of being on point.

Remember that the food and drink industry is all about people. As such, your staff are a very important element when it comes to theming. For example, you may need them to be able to sing as part of an entertainment-based approach to your novelty restaurant. You might require them to have a particularly extrovert character and really get into their particular role.

Adapting your staff to fill a particular role to make your novelty restaurant work may be particularly difficult and if so why not consider working on something more static which may be easier to manipulate. How about looking at atmospherics, decor or your seating theme instead.

Use the power of the Internet and do a lot of research to see what has worked and what hasn't. There's nothing to say that you cannot copy a successful idea from somewhere else.

When you are portraying a novelty restaurant concept, you had better be sure that the quality of the food is exceptional. People may have a certain amount of skepticism when they see your theme and before they try your food, so you should aim to make sure that they are raving enthusiasts when they leave. - 30543

About the Author:

St Pete Beach and Pass-A-Grille Vacation

By John DeLellis

Situated on the southern tip of Pinellas County, Pass-a-Grille is home to the famous "Hurricane" restaurant which overlooks the sparkling waters of the Gulf of Mexico. A little history: According to legend, it is thought that Pass-a-Grille derives its name from the French Passe aux Grilleurs, which means "the passageway of the grillers" in honor of the fisherman who used to grill their catch of the day on the shore when the island was still a post for pirates. Pass-a-Grille Beach, the Southernmost of Pinellas County's barrier beaches, was the first beach community on the Gulf of Mexico to develop as a weekend residential spot for successful Tampa and St. Pete Beach, Pass-a-Grille Beach has long been considered the jewel in the crown of west coast beaches.

St Pete Beach is just minutes away, and the area is renowned for spectacular rivers, nature preserves, state forests, world-class fishing and championship golf. St Pete Beach ranks as one of the best beaches in Florida, especially on the West Coast of Florida. St Pete Beach, on the central gulf coast of Florida, has a small town atmosphere with plenty of vacation amenities within walking distance. St Pete Beach vacation rentals are just a few miles from St Petersburg, FL, and about 35 miles from Tampa, FL.

St Pete Beach is not as populated with tourists as Clearwater Beach but still offers beautiful sunsets, popular nightlife, great restaurants & plenty of St Pete Beach Wave runners offer a riding experience unlike any in the Tampa Bay Area. The Gulf beaches are known for warm, white sands, pristine waters, palm trees, and dolphins.day and night activities. St Pete Beach Hotels and St Pete Beach Resorts offer accommodations on some of the best beaches directly on the Gulf of Mexico.

The Tadewinds Hotel/Resort is a tropical haven where guests can find peace and relaxation in style and comfort with superior service reflecting the spirit of American Samoa. Tradewinds Hotel offers a range of business and recreational facilities including a restaurant, bar, internet caf, conference facilities, gymnasium. St Pete Beach Florida has a great assortment of hotels and resorts. Don Cesar Is the hotel resort known as Florida's Legendary Pink Palace since 1928, the luxury resort is revered internationally for its sprawling, sugar-white beach, unparalleled dining, rejuvenating Beach Club & Spa, fabulous fishing, children's program, nearby tennis and golf. The Don Cesar has a long list of famous guests and has hosted every president since Gerald Ford (excluding Ronald Reagan) and also Franklin D. St Pete Beach is also know for hotels and resorts like the Tradewinds Hotel/Resort.

Another Place that is a great party hot spot restaurant on St Pete Beach is Jimmy B's. Jimmy B's Beach Bar caters to the upscale crowd so you better make sure you're ready to roll. If you are looking for good food and good times on the water n St Pete beach you may consider the Sloppy Pelican. The Sloppy Pelican is one of St. Pete Beach's newest waterfront bar & grill. A favorite for locals and visitors alike, our menu offers a wide variety that everyone is going to enjoy; from fresh seafood and pasta prepared from scratch, to the biggest burgers and tastiest nachos on the beach. Out of all the restaurants in St Pete Beach the Hurricane restaurant is one of the most popular. The Hurricane Restaurant: a landmark multi-storied restaurant/bar/entertainment complex is situated across the street from the beach right in the middle of Pass a Grille and keeps the hungry and thirsty beachgoers happy late into the evening. - 30543

About the Author:

St Pete Beach and Disney World Vacation

By John DeLellis

Orlando, Florida, vacations are practically synonymous with Disney vacations, and first-time Orlando visitors and veterans alike will agree - the attractions at the Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida are a must-see. If you are planning to spend a vacation or holiday in Orlando or at Disney World, then one of the first things you need to do is to figure out what kind of accommodations are best for you. Disney World is of course a good choice for the younger crowd as the park features a fun atmosphere featuring the many Disney characters. Choose summer for the warmest days at water parks; winter holidays including Christmas and New Year's Eve feature special events at Disney parks; and fall and spring are great times to find vacation values and smaller crowds at Orlando's popular attractions.

St Pete Beach is just minutes away, and the area is renowned for spectacular rivers, nature preserves, state forests, world-class fishing and championship golf. St Pete Beach ranks as one of the best beaches in Florida, especially on the West Coast of Florida. St Pete Beach, on the central gulf coast of Florida, has a small town atmosphere with plenty of vacation amenities within walking distance. St Pete Beach vacation rentals are just a few miles from St Petersburg, FL, and about 35 miles from Tampa, FL.

St Pete Beach Hotels and St Pete Beach Resorts offer accommodations on some of the best beaches directly on the Gulf of Mexico. St Pete Beach is not as populated with tourists as Clearwater Beach but still offers beautiful sunsets, popular nightlife, great restaurants & plenty of day and night activities. St Pete Beach Wave runners offer a riding experience unlike any in the Tampa Bay Area. The Gulf beaches are known for warm, white sands, pristine waters, palm trees, and dolphins.

St Pete Beach Florida has a great assortment of hotels and resorts. Don Cesar Is the hotel resort known as Florida's Legendary Pink Palace since 1928, the luxury resort is revered internationally for its sprawling, sugar-white beach, unparalleled dining, rejuvenating Beach Club & Spa, fabulous fishing, children's program, nearby tennis and golf. The Don Cesar has a long list of famous guests and has hosted every president since Gerald Ford (excluding Ronald Reagan) and also Franklin D. St Pete Beach is also know for hotels and resorts like the Tradewinds Hotel/Resort. The Tradewinds Hotel/Resort is a tropical haven where guests can find peace and relaxation in style and comfort with superior service reflecting the spirit of American Samoa. Tradewinds Hotel offers a range of business and recreational facilities including a restaurant, bar, internet caf, conference facilities, gymnasium.

The Sloppy Pelican is one of St. Pete Beach's newest waterfront bar & grill. A favorite for locals and visitors alike, our menu offers a wide variety that everyone is going to enjoy; from fresh seafood and pasta prepared from scratch, to the biggest burgers and tastiest nachos on the beach. Out of all the restaurants in St Pete Beach the Hurricane restaurant is one of the most popular. The Hurricane Restaurant: a landmark multi-storied restaurant/bar/entertainment complex is situated across the street from the beach right in the middle of Pass a Grille and keeps the hungry and thirsty beachgoers happy late into the evening. Another Place that is a great party hot spot restaurant on St Pete Beach is Jimmy B's. Jimmy B's Beach Bar caters to the upscale crowd so you better make sure you're ready to roll. If you are looking for good food and good times on the water n St Pete beach you may consider the Sloppy Pelican. - 30543

About the Author:

How to Attract Customers with the Right Restaurant Promotions

By Adriana Noton

In order for a restaurant to be a success, it must have a great marketing plan. Part of marketing a restaurant includes creating the right promotions. Restaurant promotions are a great way to attract and retain customers. There are many different types of promotions a restaurant can use to market their restaurant. The key is to pick the right promotion that reflects the quality of your restaurant.

The following are a number of tips to attracting customers with the right restaurant promotions:

1. Everyone loves to get free stuff. Give out such promotional items as mugs, T-shirts, key chains, baseball caps, and other inexpensive products to give out to your customers. Make sure your restaurant name and logo is on each item. This will give your restaurant free publicity.

2. Create an online presence. Build a website that educates and informs people. Link your website to social sites such as Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace. You can keep people up-to-date about what is taking place at your restaurant such as when you have specials and events taking place. You can also provide discounts to people who sign up for a newsletter. The newsletter is an effective tool to promoting specials.

3. Every month hold a sampling social. You can provide a buffet style luncheon with samples of the foods that you serve. You can provide this free or charge a small fee to cover the costs of setting up the buffet. People will get to try all of your food, find food they love, and will want to return for a regular meal on another day.

4. Everyone loves to dine out on their birthdays. Offer a free meal for customers on their birthday. They will bring others to dine with them. You can also have special birthday promotions where if the customer calls ahead to book their birthday, you can give them a small birthday cake at the end of their meal. If you gather customer information through your website, you can send an email to a customer a few days before their birthday to remind them of their free meal.

5. Create a special menu for inexpensive meals. Some Montreal restaurants have referred to this type of menu as a 'recession' menu. You can offer one meal each day that is quite cheap.

6. During your slow periods, create a special where discounts are offered on certain dishes to draw in customers during off-peak times of the day. Offer coupons to give discounts on food during the slow time.

7. Support community events. This can include sponsoring sporting events, youth events, and charity events. This will help spread the word about your restaurant and that you are a strong supporter of the community. Make sure you have adequate displays of your restaurant name and logo at these events.

8. On a slow day, have a promotion where customers pay for their bill and then have a chance to win a discount on their meal or even a free meal. You can have bowl where a customer pulls out a ticket which states what discount they receive or if they get their meal for free. You can have a certain number of tickets with various discounts, and one ticket that states 'free meal.'

9. Make the most out of spreading the name of your restaurant. Advertise your restaurant's specials and events using text messaging, local newspaper, business flyers and other low cost methods of marketing.

Because the restaurant industry is becoming more competitive, restaurants have to implement creative and innovative promotions to attract and retain customers. One can promote their business professionally and successfully by adopting campaigns that target their customers in a way that differentiates the restaurant from the others in a positive way. - 30543

About the Author:

Party Entrees for Different Types of Parties

By Adriana Noton

When planning a party, one big plan that has to be made is the type of food you will be serving. When holding a party, most people will serve an entre before the main meal. There are many different types of parties where people can serve different type of entrees. One has to decide what type of entre to serve at their particular party.

Whether you hold a Halloween, Christmas, birthday, or other type of party, there is an entre that will complement any occasion. It is recommended that you find out from your guests what foods they like and dislike so everyone will enjoy the food. Having a variety of foods will help ensure everyone is happy and enjoys the food.

1. Serving meat kebabs will make for a delicious entre. You can use any type of meat such as chicken, pork, or steak and cook them on skewers. There are a variety of sauces you can use to coat the meat and add a variety of vegetables such as red and green peppers on the skewers.

2. Meatballs are another popular entre. You can also make them to suit the theme of a party. You can add various spices and serve them on a bed of rice. There are a number of different styles and flavors of rice to choose from. As well, you can add a deliciously flavored sauce to the meat balls mixed with a soup such as mushroom soup. It is easy and quick to make.

3. Chicken always makes for a delicious entre. The great thing about chicken is that there are so many ways to prepare it. You can fry it, cook it in a sauce, baste, glaze, or marinades such as barbecue, honey mustard, Dijon mustard, lemon, and much more. You can serve it on a bed of rice, pasta, or noodles. It can also be made with a variety of vegetables such as onions, green pepper, red pepper, and mushrooms. Grilled Chicken Nachos and Caesar Chicken Salad makes for a scrumptious entre.

4. Gumbo makes for a mouth watering entre. Warm rolls or French bread will go great with the gumbo. There are a variety of different types of gumbo that can be made such as seafood and chicken gumbo.

5. Smaller entrees are very popular at parties. This can include: shrimp cocktail, bruschetta, bacon wrapped in a shrimp, extravagant nachos with lots of vegetables and cheese, cocktail wienies, steamed oysters, Caesar salad, cheese fingers, brochette, potato skins, deviled eggs, Mozza soup, chicken wings, Quesadillas, and much more.

6. Rack of lamb is also a popular entre. You can use a variety of sauces, bastes, glazes, and marinades to coat it such as honey, fancy mustard, pesto sauce...etc. There are a variety of sauce recipes that will go great over the rack of lamb.

7. There are a number of delicious fish entrees that can be served to your guests. They can include: grilled swordfish with tomato salsa, mustard grilled salmon salad, grilled fish with a delicious sauce such as barbecue, mix grill of a variety of different types of fish, and even seafood chowder.

Because there are so many different types of lip smacking entrees that can be made, there is an entre for any type of occasion. Your guests won't stop talking about the great food they had at your party. - 30543

About the Author:

St Pete Beach Today Don Cesar Beach Resort

By John DeLellis

The Don CeSar is a beach front luxury hotel with full-service spa and 24-hour fitness center. Also called "the Pink Castle", the Don Cesar is known for its rich history and famous clientele. In addition to being on the National Register of Historic Places, the Don Cesar is the type of place where the person lounging next to you on the beach could be a famous celebrity. The internationally-known Don CeSar is perfect for romantic getaways, including romantic weddings and luxury honeymoons. One of the not-to-be-missed dining experiences at the Don CeSar is the Sunday morning King Charles Brunch featuring nearly 200 choices from appetizers to decadent desserts.

Florida vacations are fairly common among Americans from all states, partly because of the irresistible attractions in the area and partly because it is one of the cheapest destinations from within the United States. Florida vacations are full of fun, from the many great beaches, water sports and attractions to the diverse dining and shopping opportunities, Florida has it all. To most people, Florida vacations are synonymous with sun, sea, sand and Mickey Mouse, the ultimate family vacation destination. Perhaps the most obvious Florida vacations are trips to the many theme parks that the city of Orlando has to offer.

St Pete Beach, on the central gulf coast of Florida, has a small town atmosphere with plenty of vacation amenities within walking distance. St Pete Beach vacation rentals are just a few miles from St Petersburg, FL, and about 35 miles from Tampa, FL. St Pete Beach is just minutes away, and the area is renowned for spectacular rivers, nature preserves, state forests, world-class fishing and championship golf. St Pete Beach ranks as one of the best beaches in Florida, especially on the West Coast of Florida.

The Gulf beaches are known for warm, white sands, pristine waters, palm trees, and dolphins. St Pete Beach Hotels and St Pete Beach Resorts offer accommodations on some of the best beaches directly on the Gulf of Mexico. St Pete Beach is not as populated with tourists as Clearwater Beach but still offers beautiful sunsets, popular nightlife, great restaurants & plenty of day and night activities. St Pete Beach Wave runners offer a riding experience unlike any in the Tampa Bay Area.

Out of all the restaurants in St Pete Beach the Hurricane restaurant is one of the most popular. The Hurricane Restaurant: a landmark multi-storied restaurant/bar/entertainment complex is situated across the street from the beach right in the middle of Pass a Grille and keeps the hungry and thirsty beachgoers happy late into the evening. Another Place that is a great party hot spot restaurant on St Pete Beach is Jimmy B's. Jimmy B's Beach Bar caters to the upscale crowd so you better make sure you're ready to roll. If you are looing for good food and good times on the water n St Pete beach you may consider the Sloppy Pelican. The Sloppy Pelican is one of St. Pete Beach's newest waterfront bar & grill. A favorite for locals and visitors alike, our menu offers a wide variety that everyone is going to enjoy; from fresh seafood and pasta prepared from scratch, to the biggest burgers and tastiest nachos on the beach. - 30543

About the Author:

The Secrets for Effective Restaurant Management

By Adriana Noton

Managing a restaurant is one of the most multi-faceted undertakings in the realm of work. One must track costs and expenses, market and advertise the restaurant, hire and develop staff, manage schedules...the list goes on and on. With so much on one's plate (so to speak), it can become easy to get caught up in the minutiae and lose track of the big picture. It's a good idea to periodically take a step back, evaluate what you're doing, and seek out ways to improve. Following are some secrets for effective restaurant management that will help you gain perspective and improve.

Secret #1: The Bottom Line The ultimate goal for an effective restaurant manager is to increase sustainable profits. One of the best ways to achieve this goal is to systematically reduce costs. The two cost areas that provide the greatest cost savings potential are food costs and labor costs. Each is addressed below.

Food Costs The first step in reducing food costs is by gaining and keeping tight control of the food itself. This can be a time-consuming process, but it will invariably lead to savings and efficiency. You must regularly watch to see how much food is being used, how much is being wasted, and how much is simply "disappearing." Take inventory on a regular basis, as often as possible. Use white boards or "par sheets" to estimate and plan how much of each key item to prepare for the day. This will help prevent ordering in excess of what you need. Also, institute an airtight security system for your storerooms and walk-ins.

Labor Costs The best way to control labor costs is to recognize the traffic patterns of your restaurant. When is it busiest? When is it generally slow? An efficient restaurant will have only as many people working as are required to operate the restaurant while maintaining top customer service standards. Having staff members standing around when there are no customers to serve eats up profits quickly. Knowing the traffic patterns of your establishment helps you schedule accordingly and minimize waste.

Secret #2: It's All About Customer Service The most successful restaurant managers are ones that realize customer service is why they are in business. Without customers, there is no restaurant. You must communicate the importance of this aspect of the business to all of your staff. It is important, however, that you are a champion for customer service by consistently providing examples. Interact with customers as often as possible and encourage your staff to discreetly witness your interactions. Modeling hospitable behavior is a great way to lead by example. Also, keep an eye on servers and bussers and provide constructive criticism, but only in private. Recognize instances of outstanding customer service and reward the employees that display it.

Secret #3: Quality Staff Loyal and efficient staff can make or break a restaurant. It is important to maintain a positive work environment and motivate employees. Address any issues or problems immediately in a constructive manner. Also, it is very important to have incentive programs in place to keep the best people working for you. - 30543

About the Author:

Location is the Heart of a Successful Restaurant

By Adriana Noton

A restaurant can have the most beautiful lounge, the most ambient dining room, the freshest and most delectable menu items and the highest standard of customer service, yet still fail. If customers cannot easily reach your restaurant's location (or find it) then all your efforts will be for naught. The most successful restaurants and eateries are those that have succeeded in their site selection process. Knowing what to look for in terms of location can help you pave the way toward a successful restaurant and avoid some common pitfalls.

Visibility and Accessibility (Foot Traffic)

In order to go eat at a restaurant, people have to know the restaurant is there. Your marketing efforts will work toward this end, but location visibility is also crucial. This is why property prices in downtown districts and developed strips are higher than other areas. They offer a level of visibility that can bring in a great deal of walk-in business, also commonly referred to as "foot traffic."

Accessibility is also very important. The reason major restaurant chains are often located near highways and freeway exits is that such locations allow for greater accessibility for customers. Motorists can get to the restaurant without fighting traffic or driving out of their way. Most successful restaurant locations (but not all) are easy to find and reach.

Another important accessibility factor is parking. In order for your restaurant location to be truly accessible, it must have adequate parking. If a location you are considering does not have its own parking lot, it must be near public parking.

Detailed Local Knowledge

Local knowledge is very important in identifying appropriate potential restaurant locations within your chosen trade area. At a minimum, the area must have a significant and financially viable residential base, include a daytime population source, such as a considerable office concentration, and also traffic generators such as a retail shopping centers, tourist attractions or entertainment venues such as multiplex movie theaters. Detailed local knowledge of the surrounding area includes factors such as demographics, population density, and income. Daytime population numbers will indicate if an area can support lunch activity; likewise, nighttime population will support dinner activity. For these reasons it is important to include the type of retail and offices located near the site and the area's overall employment figures.

Urban Trends

The faces of cities and towns as we know them are changing, offering new and useful information for restaurateurs looking for a new restaurant location. Downtown areas of second-tier cities such as Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Detroit and San Diego are shifting toward the big-city 24-hour model set by cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City, Toronto, and restaurants Quebec. The good news is that as business and residential populations head back downtown from the suburbs, office and other workers populate these once-barren central business districts during the day. Likewise, in the evening, residents and tourists descend, attracted by retail entertainment venues. Of course, everyone needs a good place to eat, helping you as you choose the best location for your restaurant. - 30543

About the Author:

How to Eat Safely During Travels

By Adriana Noton

Much planning and coordination surrounds taking a trip. Whether you're going to a neighboring country or halfway across the world, you must decide when to go, where to stay, what to pack, what to do, and so on. Depending on where you are going, you may even be required to have certain immunizations before you travel. One very important thing you must do to prepare for your travels is to consider how you will eat safely in a foreign country. People who are not careful about this often spend half of their trip or more suffering from upset stomach, diarrhea, dehydration or worse. In some instances, carelessness can lead to diseases such as typhoid, cholera or hepatitis A. The following guidelines can help you learn how to eat safely during travels and avoid some common pitfalls.

Good Habits

Some of the guidelines for safe eating abroad are just commonsense habits that we take for granted. Take hand washing, for example. At home, we know that it is generally a good idea to wash our hands before a meal. However, if we fail to wash up before eating the results are typically not catastrophic. In other countries, however, strains of bacteria that our bodies are not accustomed to may be present. Exposure to these bacteria can cause problems.

At home, we know that we should wash any raw fruits or vegetables that we plan to consume. When travelling, make sure to avoid any such foods unless you are able to wash them (scrubbing vigorously) yourself.

The point is that when it comes to healthy and hygienic eating habits, it is important to be extra vigilant and fastidious when travelling than when at home.

Food

Part of the excitement and adventure of visiting a foreign country is sampling the local flavor. You should not be afraid to try foods that are new to you, so long as you keep some safety guidelines in mind. First, try to dine only in eating establishments that appear to be clean and orderly. This may be difficult in places where street vendors are the order of the day. In general, trust your instincts and use common sense.

Eat only food that appears to be fresh, just-cooked food that is very hot on the restaurant. Food that has been kept warm for any amount of time should be avoided at all costs. Avoid food that has been exposed to flies or other insects. Dairy products such as milk, cream, and cheese should be avoided unless they are pasteurized and refrigerated. Before consuming any seafood, shellfish, meat or poultry, make sure you can confirm that it is cooked thoroughly. If you cannot, - don't touch it!

Water

When travelling abroad, it is generally a good idea to stick to bottled water. Water quality levels can vary greatly from area to area and it's better to be safe than sorry. If you do not have access to bottled water, you can boil water to purify it. Unless you are sure it's made from purified water, it is also a good idea to avoid ice in drinks. - 30543

About the Author:

What are the Liquor Laws regarding Restaurants in Canada?

By Adriana Noton

In Canada, when one has a restaurant that serves liquor, they are required to have a liquor license. Issuing a liquor license is the responsibility of provincial governments. The guidelines for obtaining a liquor license in Canada can vary, but there are general laws that restaurants must abide by in order to receive and maintain a liquor license.

Each province will categorize liquor licenses into specific licenses or classes. Generally speaking, this can include: special event licenses, licenses for restaurants, lounges... etc., licenses for recreational facilities, canteens...etc, licenses for private clubs, licenses for retail liquor stores, hotels...etc, and licenses for making liquor. How the various establishments are classified will depend on the province.

The purpose of these licenses is to ensure that liquor is being managed in a responsible manner. In each province's plan, "liquor" refers to all categories of beverage alcohol including beer, wine, spirits, liqueurs, and coolers. The regulations serve as direction on how to sell, serve, manage, and purchase alcohol.

In general, liquor laws in Canada can include: how and where one can drink alcohol such as not permitting customers to leave the restaurant with the alcohol, the age of which one can be served alcohol, how to sell the alcohol such as by traditional payment or by another method such as using tickets, and how to store the alcohol. A specific license is normally issued for the sale and consumption of liquor in establishments where food is served.

There are also regulations regarding minors in a restaurant that serves alcohol. As well, there are other regulations such as a food menu that must be available to customers during the hours that liquor service is available. Also, a properly equipped liquor service bar is required. The liquor service area should normally include the following: backup stock and empty container storage area, appropriate refrigeration, an area for beverage preparation, and an accurate measuring device for making and serving alcohol spirits. The restaurant should also have the appropriate security to prevent theft of their alcohol.

In most provinces, members of the Canadian Restaurant and Food Services Association require restaurant owners to complete a liquor service training regulations program. The test is normally taken by alcohol retailers, restaurant owners, licensees, servers, and people providing alcohol under a special occasion license.

Provincial governments mandate that establishments that serve alcohol encourage their customers to drink alcoholic beverages moderately and avoid drinking and driving. Every operator of a licensed establishment should provide a policy on responsible alcohol service. The best way to ensure that you and your staff understand the responsibilities of selling alcohol is through a training program.

When applying for a liquor license, restaurants owners have to jump through a few hoops to obtain the permit. Although, it may seem annoying, liquor license regulations are designed to protect the consumer and the restaurant. It is important to check with your local government agency to get a list of all their rules and regulations so the process of getting the license will be much easier. - 30543

About the Author:

The 5 Key Secrets Why You Need to Use Copycat Recipes at Home

By Bill Lane

Can you picture the last time you were going to your favorite restaurant? Did you wait in line? Once seated did you have to wait for your food? After it arrived, did you get that finally feeling when the waitress set it down on the table. You gazed at it and everything was perfect? Or was it? Was it cooked just right? Was it warm enough? Did they forget to put a topping on? How was the feeling when you got the bill? Were you as happy as when you got there? Well I am going to reveal to you how these annoyances associated with going out to eat can be avoided. It's all done by using reliabe and tested copycat recipes. Do you know the 5 main reasons to cook your favorite foods at home?

Cost How much money will you save with copycat recipes? You and your special person head to your favorite eating place. There you order an appetizer, 2 entrees and some dessert. Throw in a few beers and a tip and now you have spent anywhere from $60-$85. If you would have created the same fantastic meal at home you would have only spent 1/3 to 1/2 of that much money. And you would have still had the same great flavor. People can use those kinds of savings right now in these times. You are probably wondering how many recipes we are dealing with?

Variety Almost all popular restaurants have copycat recipes for their famous dishes. I am not talking about just one or two copycat recipes, I am talking about upwards of 30 for the larger establishments. They are well known restaurant too like O' Charleys, Olive Garden, Applebees, Starbucks, McDonalds just to name a few. But are any of the copycat recipes able to offer options for healthier eating or weight loss?

Health This is the great thing about using copycat recipes in your home. The exact recipe is provided but you can switch up any ingredients you like. If you are trying to give the food a distinct flavor or you are wanting to add some of your own vegetables you are in total control. You can even add lite or fat free ingredients if you are watching your weight or have allergies. You are given the precise steps but can definitely change it up at your convenience. How do we know these recipes actually taste like the real thing?

Quality These recipes are perfected by masterchefs. They are tested and tried and tested some more to make sure you are receiving the precise ingredients and directions to create these favorite dishes. If you wanted to, you could go on the internet and located several recipes that claim to be true copycats. They would even be free. And that is because they are not the real copycat recipes. Not even close. In the beginning I tried several and they didn't even taste that good. I will show you how to regain your freedom using the real copycat recipes.

Freedom Any idea how many hours you spend eating out? Do you realize how bound you are being forced to eat only when "they" are open? Can you eat at your favorite restaurant at 2am? Can you eat there and watch your favorite show? You have to drive to the restaurant, wait for a table, wait for an appetizer, wait for food, wait for dessert and then wait to pay. Care to add up how much waiting you have done? I'm guessing like 2-4 hours total. Live free, make your own favorite meals at 2am. Fix a classy copycat recipe at home and watch your favorite show. You decide when you eat your favorite copycat recipe dish, not the restaurant. - 30543

About the Author:

Restaurant Design-Which Design Elements To Pick For The Restaurant

By John Tan

People love to eat in restaurants. They get to enjoy a meal that they didn't have to prepare themselves while getting a bit of entertainment at the same time.

While some restaurants are often more successful than others for many reasons, there are some things that can easily be done to ensure the overall success of a dining establishment.

In order to succeed in the industry, it is a good idea to hire an experienced interior designer to determine the best restaurant design elements to use for continued success.

Before choosing the different design elements that are to be used in a restaurant, it would be a good idea to spend a little time researching the different options.

Research can be done in a number of different ways. Look into the restaurant design of other establishments in the area to see what would work well for you and what wouldn't. You can also do a survey, either formal or informal, of customers or potential customers to see what they like and don't like about different restaurant designs.

If you do not want to have to come up with a new design in just a few years, it is best to stay away from what is trendy. Sticking with a classic design will mean that updates to your design will not be required as often.

Choosing the appropriate dinnerware and silverware is also an important aspect of restaurant design. Dining establishments that serve international delicacies, such as Oriental, Mexican, and Italian foods, will find that using colorful dinnerware that complements the food enhances the dining experience.

Whatever choice is made for these elements, make sure they are durable and strong to hold up to extended use. This also goes with the tables, chairs and other decor within the restaurant.

The most important thing when it comes to restaurant decor is that it feel welcoming to anyone who comes in. Make sure that seating is comfortable and lighting is not too dim or too bright.

To create the perfect restaurant design you need to consider a lot of different elements, both in the exterior design and the interior design, so that customers will want to come in and stay a while. - 30543

About the Author:

Making Sushi is simple

By Ingrid Preube

If you are fascinated in Asian cuisine and are seeking a healthy, yet filling food, making sushi may be the solution to your problem. With so many foods in North American containing high levels of fat, it can be tricky to find flavorful food that is healthy for you.

Sushi, with its highly nutritious contents, may become a healthy part of your daily food. If you master the art of making sushi, it can be prepared in minutes, giving you lots of free time for other significant things rather involving yourself with kitchen errands.

The key to making good sushi is the rice. You cannot use standard rice as sushi rice. Instead, you must make a sticky rice that holds its shape well when molded. For beginners to making sushi, this is often the hardest part.

The primary component of sushi is rice. Sushi rice are very dissimilar from normal rice. To make sushi your rice should stick enough to hold their usual appearance while molding. That's why learners may find it extremely tricky to make such rice.

%p51%

It makes sushi tasteful and mouth-watering food. While opting Noori be vigilant and pick up only high grade Nori without any tastes. It can be put inside the sushi as well as it can also become an exterior surface of the sushi. conservatively it has been used as an outer layer of the sushi.

At the end you have to make a decision choose come to a decision what you should put in your sushi roll. There is almost no limit to the number of items which you can apply in your sushi. Lots of flavors and colors have been used by the professional sushi makers to make its presentation pleasant and its taste mouth-watering. If you are a beginner in sushi making, first focus on the taste and later on when you get skill you can always work on its appearance.

Once you have mastered making basic sushi, you can begin to learn about the dissimilar types of fish and shrimp and how they need to be handled and prepared in order to make sashimizushi and nigirizushi. - 30543

About the Author:

What are the Health Regulations and Codes for Canadian Restaurants?

By Amy Nutt

When one owns a restaurant in Canada, they have to follow strict health regulations. In Canada, each province is responsible for implementing health codes and regulations for restaurants. The purpose of these health regulations is to ensure cleanliness and prevent illness, especially preventing diseases and illnesses that can be dangerous to one's health.

Across Canada, restaurant and food service inspection is performed by provincial governments, municipalities, or regional health authorities. As well, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is involved with protecting people from unsanitary food and restaurant practices.

Although Canadian provinces implement their own health codes and practices, the following are common general health safety requirements for running a clean and healthy restaurant:

There should be a minimal risk of food contamination.

Restaurant operations are conducted in a sanitary way. Restaurant supplies and surfaces are non-toxic and cleaned and sanitized properly.

The restaurant will practice appropriate cleaning practices, including washrooms.

Staff must practice proper sanitation methods. There should be suitably located hand-washing facilities

Restaurant should not be an environment that breeds insects, rodents and other pests.

Dishware and other cookware are cleaned properly using the appropriate dish detergent and water pressure, temperature, and volume.

There should be an appropriate drainage and waste disposal systems.

Adequate sanitary storage facilities should be available for foods, supplies, cleaning supplies and chemicals...etc.

There must be appropriate refrigeration.

After handling raw meat, poultry and seafood, one must wash their hands.

There should be proper cleaning and disinfection of cutting boards and cutting/slicing machines.

Food should be free of mold, spoilage, and bacteria.

Staff should be working in a non-toxic environment.

Food storage areas should be clean, neat, and dry.

There should be separate washrooms for staff and customers unless an inspector gives approval.

Garbage cans should be emptied regularly.

A restaurant should have the appropriate fire safety devices such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.

According to CRFA's Food Safety Code of Practice, "over 8.5 million Canadians develop food borne illness each year, of which 39,000 end up in the hospital and as many as 600 die." It is vital and the law in Canada that a restaurant meet and exceed the health codes and regulations. It is important to contact your local government to find out the specific regulations. One will need to pass a health inspection before receiving a license to open and run a restaurant.

As well as being the law, the cleanliness of a restaurant is a key component of making a restaurant a success. A poorly kept restaurant can result in a bad reputation and even food poisoning. As well, a health inspector can shut a restaurant down for not following the mandated health codes and regulations. Fortunately, it is easy to establish a health plan that all staff can follow in order to avoid any problems. All restaurant managers and their staff should be familiar with the contents of their province's health regulations and codes. - 30543

About the Author:

The 5 Key Secrets Why You Need to Use Copycat Recipes at Home

By Bill Lane

Can you picture the last time you were going to your favorite restaurant? Did you wait in line? Once seated did you have to wait for your food? After it arrived, did you get that finally feeling when the waitress set it down on the table. You gazed at it and everything was perfect? Or was it? Was it cooked just right? Was it warm enough? Did they forget to put a topping on? How was the feeling when you got the bill? Were you as happy as when you got there? Well I am going to reveal to you how these annoyances associated with going out to eat can be avoided. It's all done by using reliabe and tested copycat recipes. Do you know the 5 main reasons to cook your favorite foods at home?

Cost How much will it really save you to use copycat recipes? Let's say you and your significant other head out to eat. You get an appetizer, 2 entrees and maybe split a dessert. Now let's addon a tip and some drinks. You have easily spent anywhere in the neighborhood of $60-$80. You could have made this same meal at home for $25-$30, less than half of the price of eating out! And not sacrificed any flavor in the process. In these economic times, that is a huge savings. That sounds great but how many recipes are we talking about?

Variety There are copycat recipes for just about every popular restaurant out there. And I don't mean just one or two per restaurant. I am talking about 25-30 per restaurant of their famous dishes. Here are some of the restaurants just to give you an idea: Outback Steakhouse, Applebees, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Chilis, Starbucks, PF Changs, KFC, Wendys and the list goes on and on. Do any of these recipes offer low fat or organic options?

Health This is the great thing about using copycat recipes in your home. The exact recipe is provided but you can switch up any ingredients you like. If you are trying to give the food a distinct flavor or you are wanting to add some of your own vegetables you are in total control. You can even add lite or fat free ingredients if you are watching your weight or have allergies. You are given the precise steps but can definitely change it up at your convenience. How do we know these recipes actually taste like the real thing?

Quality Several food scientists collaborate to bring these exact copycat recipes to you. They are tested over and over to be positive you are receiving the exact ingredients and cooking instructions. If you went online I'm sure you could find several recipes claiming to be copycats of many popular restaurants. And they are probably free. That is because they are not the true copycat recipes. They're not tested, not developed by professional chefs and are not that good. I will show you how to obtain the true copycat recipes and gain back your freedom using them.

Freedom Do you realize how much of your time and freedom is spent eating out. Can you get your favorite meal at midnight? Can you eat your favorite meal while watching your favorite show? For example, you drive to the restaurant, wait to be seated, wait to get your appetizer, wait to get your meal, wait to get your dessert and you guessed it, wait to pay your bill. So how much waiting have you done? 2 hours, 3 hours, more? Take back your freedom and your time and fix your favorite meals at home. Use these copycat recipes to make your favorite meal when you want it and how you want it. - 30543

About the Author:

Jupiter Florida Happy Hour - Have fun While Visting Restaurants

By Ben Pate

Right on the beach in gorgeous south Florida resides the lovely town of Jupiter. Since it is located right one beach along the Atlantic Jupiter is one of the best kept secrets of south Florida. You will get the character of a small home town mixed perfectly with the class of a big city when you visit the town of Jupiter. The popularity of this small town is no mystery to anyone that visits it. You'll also want to check out Happy Hour Florida.

Jupiter has quite a few famous residents as well. Some of the more common names are Celine Dion and Burt Reynolds who both own homes in Jupiter. Jupiter is easily one of the most desirable places to live due to combinations of the atmosphere and location.

Jupiter is well known for its atmosphere and beauty. The evergreen trees that dot the town and make up much of the aesthetic gardening featured along roads and mixed among buildings are a beautiful spectacle all year long. Extensive work has been done to beautify and maintain the visual appearance of Jupiter in all areas.

Thanks to it's perfect location the town of Jupiter has a rich tropical climate all year with warm weather, sparkling sun, and an oceanside breeze. The beach is never far away when you are in Jupiter. Thanks to the year-round warmth many people go to Jupiter as their winter vacation spot.

Most of the people that only come to Jupiter for the warm winter months are known as "snowbirds". They come to Jupiter to get away from the harsh winters in the north east, and to enjoy the amazingly warm winters Jupiter is known for. Many of the people that start coming down to Jupiter seasonally decide they love it so much that they want to be year-round residents.

Jupiter enjoys some of the finest public works institutions available. With two major public high schools and a wealth of lower education institutions in the surrounding area, the public works of Jupiter Florida are second to none. Jupiter Hospital is one of the best medical facilities in the state.

One of the best features the town of Jupiter has to offer is the food! Jupiter has some of the best world-class dining in South Florida. Since there are so many different cultural influences in South Florida the food has an amazing flair that is second to none. With so many waterway and beaches Jupiter also has many ocean side Happy Hour Florida, adding to their allure. - 30543

About the Author:

Tips on How to Manage a Restaurant

By Amy Nutt

The success of any restaurant will depend on how well it is managed. Good management practices are essential to acquiring and retaining customers. When one runs an efficient restaurant, the reward will be a great reputation and a thriving long term business.

The following are a number of tips on how to manage a restaurant:

1. The ambience of a restaurant should be designed to make a customer feel welcome. When you have chosen the theme of the restaurant, the decor should consist of furnishings and design that matches the theme. When you decorate your restaurant, you have features that are professional and appealing to your customers. Consider such features as paint color, type of tables and seats, carpet design, wall furnishings such as pictures, lighting, view, and music. As well, your restaurant should be well maintained. Cleanliness is extremely important, even the washrooms. A dirty or poorly kept restaurant will only turn customers away and give the business a bad reputation. The first thing a customer will notice when they walk through the door is the appearance of the restaurant.

2. You should adopt cost controlling practices. Properly managing inventory and supplies is essential. Look for deals when making your purchases. Don't order too much of a product as it will either spoil or end up sitting on the shelf for months. You should determine what and how much you will be using each day to determine what you will need to order. You should also effectively manage your staff when it comes to costs. Use staff wisely such as bringing in extra workers during your busy times and reducing staff during your slow times.

3. Providing quality customer service is essential to operating a successful restaurant. Your staff should be experienced, easy to train, respectful, courteous, and friendly. Servers should pamper your customers and make them feel that they are valued. Make sure uniforms are attractive and always clean.

4. The food that you serve will make the difference on whether customers will return. Make sure the dishes that you serve and the menu is appealing and will be well received by all of your customers. Food should be fresh and properly prepared at the time of ordering. Your chef should be experienced in the type of food that you serve. Make sure that the dishes you serve are consistent in taste and appearance. As well, offer specials and unique dishes often.

5. In order to make your restaurant a continuing success, you must implement a marketing strategy. You should be advertising your restaurant in local newspapers and magazines. You can also place menus and informational brochures in places such as hotels. Sponsoring events such as for a charity or a sporting activity is a good way to keep your restaurant name out in the community. As well, make sure you promote your daily specials and any other discount special. A coupon or gift certificate is a good advertising choice. There are a lot of tasks involved with properly managing a restaurant. Having a sound management plan and following through with the plan will help with keeping your restaurant a thriving business. - 30543

About the Author:

Restaurant Inventory Control Means Better Logistics

By Jose L Riesco

In terms of financial liability, the cost of food is second only to your labor costs when running a restaurant. It is therefore vitally important to ensure that you have complete control over this element, as it goes right to your bottom line.

While every business has its operational costs and most retail establishments have to carry stocks of some kind, restaurant inventory control is particularly important as in this case the goods are very perishable. It is not uncommon to have several hundred different types of raw food product in storage at any one moment and with poor management you can end up wasting a lot of this.

Senior management are ultimately responsible for good restaurant inventory control. They should ensure that not too many people are involved in the entire procedure as the more complication the more chance of waste. Delegation is always necessary but there should be a strict procedure in place to take into account measurement, handling and ordering.

The quality of the food is of ultimate importance in a good eatery and if you advertise something you should go out of your way to make sure it is available at all times. Never forget though that each item of food represents a significant cost until it is prepared and delivered. Contain these costs through a system designed to stock just the right amount of food for optimum delivery.

It is unfortunately true, but as human beings we tend to place less value on anything that we have an abundance of. This is true when it comes to restaurant inventory control and your primary goal here should be to ensure that you can train all your workers in the values of portion control. This is also another reason why you should not have to much of any particular item in stock at any time.

Your storage room should be a significant focus of your attention as if you use proper oversight to keep the inventory level perfectly balanced you will end up with less wastage, less spoilage, less theft, optimum portion control and a better bottom line.

There is a reason why chain restaurants are said to be up to three times more profitable than some independent restaurants and you would do well to find out why. Look at their policies and procedures and you will see that stringent restaurant inventory control is at the very top. If you do not do so already, take a leaf out of their book and do a full food cost calculation every week instead of maybe every month. You will invariably be more efficient.

In the food and drink industry there are a great deal of pitfalls ahead and experienced industry consultants are available to help advise in all areas, including restaurant inventory control. Remember that this is but one element of a complex multidimensional operation. - 30543

About the Author:

Restaurants and Their Famous Dishes

By Adriana Noton

Dining out at a number of different types of restaurants has become a normal part of most consumers' weekly activities. With so many restaurants available to choose from, there have been many establishments that have become famous for their special cuisine. Below is a list of some famous restaurants and their mouthwatering dishes that have become well-known throughout the world.

The Fat Duck in Bray, Berkshire, England: The restaurant is known for its snail porridge, sardine on toast sorbet, bacon and egg ice cream, and salmon poached with licorice.

Brosia, Miami, Florida: Brosia's famous dishes include caramelized-apple French toast with vanilla cognac sauce and smoked salmon tart with baby arugula and artichokes.

Porter & Frye, Minneapolis: Porter & Frye is well known for its wild rice soup

SPQR, San Francisco, California: SPQR's famous dishes include spaghetti and Rigatoni Carbonara.

Per Se, Columbus Circle, New York, New York: Per Se is famous for its nine-course vegetable tasting menu and nine-course chef's tasting menu.

Ko, New York City, New York: Ko's well known dishes include Shaved Foie Gras with Pine Nut Brittle and Lychees and Riesling.

Takashi Yagihashi, Chicago, Illinois: Takashi Yagihashi is famous for its Duck Fat-Fried Chicken

Justus Drugstore, Smithville, MO: Justus Drugstore is celebrated for its Mushroom Soup containing around a dozen different mushrooms.

Il Mulino, Fort Lauderdale, Florida: Il Mulino is famous for such Italian food as grilled chicken dish smothered in pine nuts, cranberries and Alfredo sauce.

Killen's Steakhouse, Pearland, TX: Killen's is famous for its Creme Brulee Bread Pudding

L2O, Chicago, Illinois: L2O is celebrated for its Halibut, Parsley, Ginger and Chanterelles

Grimpa, Miami, Florida: Grimpa's famous dishes include: chicken, sausage, filet mignon, pork, and salmon that are prepared rodizio style.

Joule, Seattle, Washington: Joule is famous for its Dorade with Almond Piccata dish.

Bistro Daisy, New Orleans, Louisiana: Bistro Daisy is well known for Crayfish and Mascarpone Stuffed Ravioli.

Aunt I's in Miami, Pembroke Pines and Lauderhill, Florida: Aunt I's is famous for its jerk chicken, oxtail, and curried goat.

Alinea, Chicago, Illinois: Alinea is famous for a peanut butter and jelly made up of a single, peeled grape, still on the stem, enclosed in peanut butter and wrapped in a thin brioche.

Yung Kee Restaurant, Hong Kong: This award winning restaurant is famous for their signature dish Roast Goose.

Commander's Palace, New Orleans, LA: Their famous dish is Bread Pudding Souffle with Whiskey Sauce.

Spago, Beverly Hills, CA: Their signature dish is Pizza with Smoked Salmon and Caviar.

Inn at Little Washington, Little Washington, VA: Their famous dish is "Filet Mignon" of Rare Tuna with Seared Foie Gras.

The Four Seasons, New York City, New York: Their signature dish is Crabmeat Cakes, Crisp Beets, and Sweet Potatoes.

Le Cirque, New York City, New York: Their famous dish is Pasta Primavera.

Everyone loves trying to new and exotic dishes. Although one may not be able to visit all of the above restaurants to taste their delectable dishes, it is fascinating to see the creative methods of creating their food recipes that have made them famous throughout the world. - 30543

About the Author:

Things You'll Need to Open a Restaurant

By Adriana Noton

Although opening a restaurant is a fun and exciting time, it can also be stressful and tiresome. When opening a restaurant, it is important to know what you will need in order to ensure that it is a success.

The following is a list of tips to help ensure you have everything you need to successfully open a restaurant:

Funding: You will need either a bank loan or investors. You need to determine how much money is required to launch the restaurant. You have to consider such expenses as food, equipment, staff, overhead, taxes, lease, legal fees, etc. You should determine how much you can afford to repay each month for the loan. You will need to provide the lender with a detailed business plan to show you your restaurant will be a success. The lender wants to make sure they are making a wise investment.

Business Experience: Business experience is an essential component of establishing and managing a restaurant. You will need to know about advertising, promotion, accounting, staff management, and inventory management.

Type of Restaurant: You need to come up with a restaurant theme that will attract customers. It should stand apart from the rest of the dining establishments in the area. Check out the other restaurants in the area to make sure your restaurant is unique.

Permits: To open a restaurant you will be required to secure the appropriate permits such as building permit, alcohol license, health permits, zoning permit, and other relevant certificates.

Restaurant Suppliers: You will have to design and furnish your restaurant. This includes the type of decorations, paint, seating, etc. You may have to do some renovations and upgrades as well purchase decor supplies. You will have to pick a number of restaurant suppliers that will provide you with the appropriate equipment, food, and supplies. It is essential that the restaurant ambience is acceptable to customers. Consider seating location, view, wall decorations, carpeting, etc. When customers walk through the doors, they should have a warm and welcoming feeling.

Menu: The restaurant menu is essential to having a successful menu. The dishes should be appealing to all customers. Food should be fresh. Create a menu that customers will enjoy. You want customers to return and establish a loyal customer base. Consider the type of restaurant you will be opening such as an expensive fining dining establishment or fast food. The food you serve should be reflective of the theme and style of the restaurant.

Staff and Kitchen Experience: Make sure you hire professional, courteous, friendly, and experienced staff. Customers will not return to a restaurant with unprofessional staff. Make sure your staff has the appropriate uniforms. When it comes to a chef, you will need a qualified chef with the culinary skills that fits the type of food that you will serve.

The success of a restaurant depends on how you attract and retain customers. Creating a plan and following through will help make the restaurant opening a success. As well, actively promoting the restaurant before the day of opening will ensure a successful restaurant launch. Having the right plan that ensures you acquire all the right things to open the restaurant will make the experience much less stressful, and much more fun. - 30543

About the Author:

How to Change the Image of a Restaurant

By Amy Nutt

It's not uncommon to change the image of an existing restaurant completely. This may be because of new owners, or perhaps the current owner simply wishes to change things up. If restaurants haven't been doing well, it might be time for a makeover. But how do you go about changing everything a business stands for? It can be risky, but here are a few tips to help it go more smoothly.

Start with a plan. There's nothing worse than someone who has decided they don't like the existing image and started to change it without a plan. It's not enough to know you dislike the current image or want something different. You need to know where you're going, too.

Take the time to work out all the details and everything will go much smoother. This includes everything that you will be changing, from paint colors to seating designs and everything in between. Once you have the plan, you can simply work from the list, checking each thing off without having to make constant decisions along the way.

Do your market research. Why didn't this image work for you? Before jumping into something completely new, make sure you do a survey or other means of investigation to figure out just what people want and whether or not they will like the change. If no one in the area eats Mexican food and you want to switch to a Mexican eatery, you'll end up in trouble. However, if studies show that Mexican is extremely popular and there is little competition, you may have hit a goldmine. It can cost you money to do market research, but it will still cost less than changing everything only to find there is no market for it. Research is vital to any business and restaurants are particularly in need of it.

Let your clients know. Some places try to slip the change past their regulars, but changing your image can cause people to feel insecure and uncomfortable if they don't know it's happening. So, make this part of your marketing. Advertise that the restaurant is going to be new and improved and let people know why it will be better and what they can expect. This is particularly true if you are making drastic changes not only to the image, but also to the menu.

It can be quite a bit of work, as well. You definitely want to work out the monetary costs of changing the restaurant's image before getting started. Don't forget details such as changes to your ad campaigns, signs and flyers or anything else that you use for promotional purposes.

Changing the entire image of your restaurant can really affect your business, so take the time to think it through first. Do the market research to make sure that what you are doing is actually going to be a better idea, then work up a plan. Like starting a new business, you'll need to write out a business plan and then follow the steps to transfer things to the new ideal. - 30543

About the Author:

Where can you find Restaurant Supplies?

By Amy Nutt

If you are planning to open a restaurant, one important thing you have to do is acquire the right restaurant supplies. You do not want to spend hours or even days trying to locate the specific supplies that you require for your restaurant. There are a number of quick and easy ways to locate the exact supplies you need for opening or maintaining a successful restaurant.

One of the best ways to locate restaurant suppliers is to search online. There are restaurant suppliers of every type on the internet. Any kind of product you require can be found online. You can take advantage of online business directories that list restaurant suppliers. As well, there are restaurant supply sites that offer access to thousands of restaurant suppliers. These sites allow you to enter the type of supplies you are looking for and then it will search its database for the supplier that carries your needed supplies. It does all of the work for you. You will save a great deal of time when you use this search tool.

There are restaurant websites that categorize supplies so you can go directly to the company that provides these supplies. Many times they are listed in alphabetical order so you can just click on the item you are looking for such as kitchen supplies, kitchen equipment...etc. You can often do a search for the particular item you are looking for. Many of these sites also allow you to enter your ZIP code so you can find a supplier near you. These sites will often provide information about suppliers that offer very competitive prices on their products.

Another method of acquiring suppliers is to attend commercial restaurant industry trade shows to obtain information about various restaurant suppliers' products and services. You will have access to supplier literature and even talk to restaurant supplier representatives. Restaurant News Source is a site that provides information about various commercial equipment trade shows and they even give contact information for those wanting to acquire more information about events.

Another source of acquiring suppliers is visiting restaurant business association websites for news about restaurant supplies and suppliers. You will learn about the restaurant supply companies that are holding equipment trade shows and conferences. A couple of these sites are the National Restaurant Association website and the Prime Equipment Auction and Realty website. One can usually find discounted restaurant supplies and equipment. As well, each state will have their own Restaurant Association Website where they provide news and trends on local commercial restaurant supply companies. You should sign up to receive newsletters about restaurant supply news and trends by email. There are also news agencies and restaurant magazines that track trends in the restaurant supply industry. Two such websites are Smart Brief and Restaurant and Institutions Magazine.

Finding the right supplier for your restaurant does not have to be a difficult task. Knowing where to look and exactly what type of supplies you are looking for will go a long way to ensuring you acquire the best restaurant supplier to meet your business needs. - 30543

About the Author:

How to Choose the Ideal Restaurant Location

By Amy Nutt

When it comes to restaurants, location is everything. You have to be where people can see you or you'll find that there are simply no customers, but there is much more to choosing the right spot for your eatery than merely walk in traffic. In fact, it's necessary to consider a number of factors before deciding on a locale.

People: The availability of clients is the biggest concern, of course. You'll need to make sure that there are enough potential customers in the area to make it worthwhile to set up a restaurant. It's a good idea to do a survey of the population in the area you wish to build your business. This will enable you to find out whether or not people will be interested in what you have to offer and whether or not they eat out often, among other factors. This can also help you decide which type of restaurant to start...a burger joint might not do well in a more affluent area, but it would be ideal for an area where people are looking for fast, cheap food.

Competition: Who is the competition? What are you offering that beats them? Whether you are offering lower prices, different cuisine or tastier food, you need to be better than the competition. There's no point in starting a coffee shop if there are already five in the same neighborhood. Also important is to find out how the pricing works in the neighborhood. If all the restaurants are very low priced, you might be hard-pressed to compete with a fancier gourmet food place that needs to have higher prices. This is also where it pays to know your clients. If they don't have money, don't expect to make it with $100 plates of food.

Parking: Don't underestimate the value of parking space. A new client isn't going to spend a lot of time searching for a spot to park just to try your food. While it's best to have your own parking lot, you should be good as long as there's ample space near the restaurant location.

Visibility: Many restaurants find that a large amount of their traffic comes from those just passing by. These people decide at the last minute to eat at a particular place and this is why you want to make sure to have an easy to see locale. Another important factor is how easy it is to get to the place. Places that are just off the main road, but still visible, are ideal. You want people to be able to see your restaurant and pull in without battling traffic or having to find a map just to get there.

The location of your restaurant is very important. You need to take the time to check the area out, take a close look at the people who live and work in the area and know your competition before making a decision to place the restaurant. The research will pay off in the long run, since you can be sure to select the perfect spot. - 30543

About the Author:

Fine Dining is Essential to the Ski Holiday Experience

By Robin Rutecki

The ski vacation has changed substantially from the no frills experience common in the 1970s and 80s. The resorts across Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah have been improving their facilities to craft the perfect ski vacation experience.

Ski resorts have expanded the overall size and quality of their facilities, increased levels of service, and focused on the quality of their dining and shopping. Ski Magazine readers consistently rate Vail in Vail, Colorado and Deer Valley in Park City, Utah as the number 1 and number 2 resorts in the U.S.A. and Canada. Vail Resort held the #1 position in 2006, 2003, 2002, and 2000. Deer Valley Resort won the top honors in 2001, 2005, 2007, 2008, and 2009.

Deer Valley focuses on the quality of its finely groomed runs, on mountain services, and on mountain restaurants to retain its #1 ranking. The resort prides itself on its award winning lunch menu as well as its fine dining restaurants open every evening during the winter season. The restaurants are located in Deer Valley Resorts elegant ski lodges.

Options at Deer Valleys three upscale dining restaurants include continental and European cuisine at Mariposa, fresh seafood at the Seafood Buffet, and Swiss selections at Fireside Dining. Mariposa consistently receives top ratings with the Seafood Buffet and Fireside Dining not far behind.

The town of Park City has followed suit by increasing the amount of luxury accommodations, upscale dining, and shopping options. The expansion over the last 10 years has been very dramatic with hundreds of new luxury accommodations gradually replacing the more traditional ski resort accommodations.

As a result of the recent transition towards a more distinguished palate, local restaurants have responded by introducing a rich dining experience worthy of high honors. Distinguished rating agencies such as the Zagat Restaurant Guide, Mobile Travel Guide, and Michelin Travel Guide have awarded Deer Valley area restaurants with their best ratings.

The Goldener Hirsch restaurant located in the famous Goldener Hirsch Inn and the Glitretind restaurant located in the Stein Eriksen Lodge are two such restaurants. My personal favorite is the Goldener Hirsch Restaurant because of the delicious cheese fondue appetizer and the quaint Austrian decor.

No matter what your personal preference, Deer Valley certainly lives up to its reputation as a top ski destination in North America. There are now many unique dining options to compliment the fabulous skiing and scenery. Its definitely worth a closer look. - 30543

About the Author:

Restaurant Design- Recommendation On Deciding The Right Choice

By John Tan

The dining industry is still booming, even during the time of recession, as it seems as though many people still enjoy dining out frequently. The restaurant design is one of the most important items for a restaurant owner to address before it opens.

Most new business owners rely on an interior designer to setup the restaurant in a way that promotes success. One of the most important aspects of marketing a restaurant is the interior design, deploying it effectively you will see that its bring out your corporate image to the next level.

The reason for this is one of the only things that will set one restaurant apart from all of the others in the area. All of the design elements will be based upon who is the target market, it is very important and it will helps in positioning your company.

For the baby boomer crowd, nostalgic restaurant design will do for the restaurant and for the teenage crowd, modern design for the restaurant will be better.

When opening a new restaurant, the arrangement of the interior is one of many important considerations. For the things to stay clean and uncluttered large kitchen and large restroom must be used.

The additional space throughout these sections is essential for a safe environment, with safety being one of the things which should be at the front of your mind.

Most diners enjoy feeling soothed whilst they eat, because of this soft lighting can often affect their choice of restaurant. Comfort is a massive factor in helping people feel relaxed and at home and can be encouraged through the use of comfy seating and table areas.

Whichever style of restaurant design that you chose make sure that the elements correspond to the food selection served as well as making it enjoyable to the target market.

The restaurant has a good chance at success if the layout is, for the most part, open plan and the interior design exudes comfort. - 30543

About the Author:

Be Careful With Those Restaurant Gimmicks!

By Jose L Riesco

You may be looking for something to set yourself apart from the other eateries in your community, whether it is a style of service, the particular type of ambience or the presentation of the food. As you may know, the industry is very competitive and just as in any other style of business, you need a special edge.

Over the years we have seen any number of restaurant gimmicks come and go. Sometimes an entrepreneur will base an entire project around a gimmick, such as the Planet Hollywood chain of venues, for example. Some of these angles can be less subtle than others and as such they have a limited lifespan. Clearly, the trick is to come up with an idea that is both innovative and has longevity.

If you have been able to come up with some restaurant gimmicks of your own, it is probably a good idea to bounce them off your trusted confidantes and advisors. When we are involved so much with our business from day to day, we often do not have a neutral perspective and this is where trusted advisors would be so important. Don't be afraid to let them pour cold water on your ideas, if need be.

Restaurant marketing is very involved and it is often advisable to turn to those who have some considerable experience and can offer your professional help. Even though some veterans will tell you that you need to go through the experience of "hard knocks" to really learn, it is best not to find out the hard way all the time. You will be able to find plenty of restaurant gimmicks in books and magazines and by touring other establishments, but fully analyze them before you think about bringing them in.

A smart restaurateur will realize that restaurant gimmicks have their place but must make sense within the overall promotion of your business. If you're not careful when introducing your ideas, they may be seen as cheesy or simply a way of trying to squeeze extra dollars out of visitors. There is clearly a fine line between a great idea and something born out of desperation!

When you think about restaurant gimmicks, there is a certain negativity surrounding the very phrase. It follows that the business owner must employ a large degree of subtlety. For example, it could be as simple as introducing a new range of menu items which can be linked in some way to a new societal trend. This should hopefully be a little more subtle than the current initiative employed by Kentucky Fried Chicken to promote Kentucky Grilled Chicken, instead!

The idea behind the creation of restaurant gimmicks is to create some kind of viral "hook" allowing you to spread the word about your business in a fun way. Don't take these kind of promotions too seriously and create an enjoyable angle for yourself, your staff and your clients.

When people go out to eat with friends, they are looking for escapism and not just a place to eat food. As such, you can use restaurant gimmicks to enhance their time so long as you do it carefully. - 30543

About the Author:

Sign Up for our Free Newsletter

Enter email address here