Owning a restaurant, much like living, has its emotional highs and lows. It can be a real roller coaster ride, another one of those microcosms of life. This Easter weekend was one of those times. I don’t even like thinking about it, let alone writing about it.
On Saturday night I reached an all time restaurant low.
I prepared all day for what I expected to be a moderate night of business. We opened at 5:00, knowing the next day, Easter Sunday, would be a busy day (100 customers) and Tuesday night we would have a six course wine and tapas tasting for 50 people. We anticipated our first customers. Well, that’s all we did that night was anticipate. That’s right, believe it or not (I still have a hard time believing it)… zero… goose egg…. blanked… shutout. I accomplished the impossible, not one single paying customer on a Saturday night. I’ve had far better nights during raging blizzards and on one hundred degree beach days. I felt like I was kicked where you don’t want to be kicked. I actually felt sick to my stomach. I wanted to quit my job, but sometimes it is hard to quit on yourself, besides I had to face the Easter Bunny on Sunday and Tapas on Tuesday, with some of my most loyal patrons, family, friends and first time customers. So, like a game of dodge ball, when you get hit hard, you get up, dust yourself off and continue to play the game.
Easter turned out to be a wonderful family day, at The Fieldston, and the wine dinner was a fantastic success.
I went from an emotional Death Valley to a euphoric Rocky Mountain high…with a little help from my friends, patrons and staff…. Thanks to all of you for cheering me up.
I know that things could be a lot worse and if this is as bad as it gets, I’m a pretty lucky guy!
Jan Perrin
Click on www.southshorewoman.com for this months appeteaser Spicy Caribbean Rum Chutney
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
The thought of Nantasket beach and Paragon Park's nostalgic roller coaster reminds me of Easter's of the past when my boyfriend and I would hit the beach to fly a kite in an effort to try to wear off the calories from Linda's ham extrordinaire and Darlene's ricotta cake. It was an effort that would usually end up at Jimmy's Irish Lounge for some warming up.
ReplyDeleteYears later the tradition began again when the Fieldston opened up.My new boyfriend , husband now, took a new kite to Fieldston Beach after a fabulous dinner at The Fieldston and once again attempted the flight. We have kept up the tradition every year and with additions to the family it has become an even more special event. Our two boys, from the time they were in car seats, to now , fly the kites themselves, and of course, tell Daddy how he should be flying the kite the correct way. My mother watches from the car because it is usually very cold and windy. This was the first year we have not been able to carry on the tradition, and truly it felt like one of the downs of a roller coaster ride. We loved Easter at the Fieldston and will always treasure the warmth and freindliness of home, not to mention the delicious dinners and deserts. We understand the ups and downs and are so happy the bunny this year could lift you back up. ( I know your patrons have enjoyed the dancing bunny...)Thank you K.S.!!