RICHARD'S FROM THE DOOR... 

January.....July. What a difference a month or a moon makes.

I was thinking today the restaurants should have a Solunar schedule. Yes, I think too much....LOL. 

I mean have our hours ruled by the sun and the moon. The Sun sets at 5:13, so, we serve until 9:13. The Sun sets at 7:30 in mid July so we serve to 11:30. Sounds crazy but maybe people are more in tune with the sun and the moon than we think. Full moons on a Saturday night can be operatic experience to say the least. Solar flareup? No worries, we just make the dishes spicier and the drinks stronger.

It's funny to me when people come in and say things like "When I was here in July there wasn't a table for an hour and a half" or "I guess I didn't have to make a reservation"and it's on a Tuesday night in January. What can I say? It's the difference between January and July, or February and August. It's the Sun or lack there of. Solunar most definitely.

From our side we have to constantly remind ourselves that we have two restaurants, the Summer one and the off season one. Contrary to what you might think, the in season restaurant is so much easier to figure out then the off season one. Off season, everyday can be an adventure on an unknown sea. The sun comes out and we get swamped or the weatherperson says snow and we are polishing the silver all night. And it's beautiful out. It will be a calm and cloudy Saturday lunch and then the Polar Bear Plunge ends and those bears roll in really hungry....nothing like a pack of bears coming at you all at once.

Off season in a recession is a test of nerves and we, like so many of you, have to deal with the financial realities in a more in depth way. Keeping our numbers in line so that we have enough good staff and product in the house without being so over budget that things go crazy. Hey, I don't need to tell you it's a maddenly tough economy out there. I am sure you are more diligent about everything when it comes to the way you deal with money these days then in any other time in recent years. We understand that you want and need value in every dollar you spend. Behind the scenes we are looking for the same value with our suppliers.

I'm really optimistic about the future and thankfully I am slowly seeing a better light. All in all, we are doing our best in these wild times to give you the best in service, cuisine and ambiance that we possibly can. Admittedly sometimes circumstances of the moment play mischief on us. A server or two gets sick or the beer guy cuts back his delivery schedule for the winter.

Luckily we have great staff in all our places and they are extraordinarily good at making the almost impossible work. Of course they aren't perfect but then who is? My kids really like people and even when the going gets tough they do their best to not miss a step. It always impresses me. Yes sometimes I just want to spank them but then I want to hug them most of the time. Hmmm....spanking and hugging? I'm feeling Valentine's Day coming I guess..hehehe.

Next up, February, the month of love...and the beginning of more sun.....sweet.

Aloha,

Richard

And don't forget to follow us on FACEBOOK for the most up-to-date info on news, events and special discounts at each of our venues!

Best wishes for the week ahead!

Frogs and Fishes,

Marilyn and the Kitschens Crew