Helping a friend with a Italian restaurant

[ccc123]

A friend who has been in business 2 years with a Italian restaurant is looking for some front of the house help with promotion and bringing in some people - he comes from the industry and had a catering facility in Brooklyn for 20 plus years. This new place is in Fairfield county Ct and I'm trying to help him attract a following - the food is good, however the atmosphere is dated, the bones of the restaurant are good. the back of the house and his food don't appear to be the issue - I think it's the front of the house personnel and the decor. I'm wondering if some interior design decoration and some new attitudes by the front of the house staff will improve traffic? - wondering if anyone here has any thoughts? They have an outdoor patio, full liquor, and good parking.

 

[West24]

pics?

 

[matadorpoeta]

an italian restaurant

 

[appolyon]

get him Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares on DVD

 

[edmorel]

Hot, young, well dressed hostesses never hurt.

 

[Connemara]

Originally Posted by edmorel

Hot, young, well dressed hostesses never hurt.
+1. That's why they hired me.

 

[kwilkinson]

Originally Posted by Connemara

+1. That's why they hired me.

Aren't you a busboy? The position where they hire all the ugly F***ers that will do ****** work and then barely let them out on the restaurant floor?

 

[Connemara]

Originally Posted by kwilkinson

Aren't you a busboy? The position where they hire all the ugly F***ers that will do ****** work and then barely let them out on the restaurant floor?
I am assistant regional manager.

 

[kwilkinson]

Originally Posted by Connemara

I am assistant regional manager.

Assistant TO the regional manager.

 

[SkinnyGoomba]

Host a few business to business marketing events and cater them with good food.
The interior design isnt going to promote the place for how much effort and money will be spent on it.

One of my favorite resturants is a Pizza Place in Princeton, NJ and its constantly packed because the food is consistantly great, the staff is friendly, and they serve alcohol, there is always a wait, but its never that long.

The interior design appears to be from the 60's.

Make friends, get your name out there, attend networking events, and make sure your customers know they are appreciated!

The experience in a resturant revolves around the staff and the food, so make sure both of those are perfect everytime.

Dont hire people you need to tell to be friendly....hire friendly people.

 

[bbaquiran]

^+1 great comments

 

[Dragon]

I would take second look at the food too. Have you eaten at ALL the Italian restaurants in your area?

I don`t know about others, but I never go to a restaurant because of it`s decor. If the food is good, I usually remain a long time customer. The places I avoid are the ones that spend all their time looking the part (with decor, staff, etc.) but serve mediocre food at high prices.

I am not saying the front end is not important, but just trying to shift the focus back to the food.

 

[flanagan]

Do actual Italian food. (ask me, I'm from Rome, lol)

 

[ccc123]

Thanks Guys - some very good thoughts - and Indeed I will be taking a closer look at the food.

 

[dirk diggler]

hot brunettes with sexy accents wearing heels and short skirts !