The Daily Diary of a Wandering Restaurateur
Foodservice Notes du Jour

Before we picked up the rental car at the airport, we stopped for coffee and a nibble at Costa Coffee, a strong local chain in the style of Starbucks. I was impressed by the presentation as well as the product. Note the massively oversized cup and the off-center saucer, perfect if you were to add a biscotti or other munchie to the presentation. They do not offer free refills, but with a cup this big, we didn't need one.

Dinner in Inverness was light, simple (and cheap!) -- pizza at Pazzo along the Ness River. It is above -- and affiliated with -- the Riva Italian Restaurant. I liked the idea that if you looked at the Riva menu and thought it more than you wanted to spend, you had a lower-priced option immediately available ... and the money all went into the same pocket. This also allowed \ each restaurant to maintain a clearly separate spot on the food chain.

I first saw the idea at Chez Panisse in Berkeley in the 1970's ... and it has been adopted successfully by many other operators since. In light of current economic realities, it might be an idea worth looking at, particularly if a neighboring restaurant has closed and you can pick up the space for little or no investment.

[Itinerary Page]

© 2009 Restaurant Doctor