Seriously Contemplating a Restaurant

[michaelman2]

Hi to all,

I am actually thinking of doing something I have always wanted to do.

Open a small restaurant featuring dishes and specialties that were served in the department store tearooms and cafes. If you might have a recipe that comes from a department store that was in your area, I would sure appreciate the share. A story along with it would be great too.

I am meeting with the owner of a building near where I live, this Thursday and will keep you guys posted on the progression. Suggestions welcomed !

Thanks,

Mike

 

[peterh770]

Very cool! Sounds like a good reason to read up on Paula Deen's recipes!

 

[frigilux]

No recipes or stories at this point, but just wanted to wish you good luck in your endeavor. Are you experienced in the food service industry?

 

[michaelman2]

Hey Peter, yes ...she is on the radar (Paula Deen)

Eugene, thank you for the nice wishes....and yes, more front of the house than back of it.

 

[gadgetgary]

Michael

Good luck on your venture. I have worked in restaurants all my life.

 

 

[michaelman2]

Hey Gary....Yes, I know and I respect our conversations regarding your experiences!

 

[alr2903]

Chicken salad the old DH Holmes stores.

Michael i will tell you that the old Holmes' Dept stores in NOLA, had a legendary chicken salad plate with huge chunks of chicken,  orange wedges on the side and a poppy seed dressing on the side.  Of course Dillards bought them out in the late 1980's IIRC, but their little in store restaurants survived last i heard, mainly at select stores.  If Brent see's this he may remember this too. Best of luck  with your idea/theme, it would be great if you could find a location around the courthouse or CBD, or a medical corridor,  no nights weekends or holiday's. arthur

 

[mattl]

There is a link to Detroit's Hudson's classic Maurice Salad, a favorite for generations...

Classic Maurice Salad Recipe

Classic Salad from J.L. Hudson's Department Store in Detroit. From the days you would spend hours shopping, then go upstairs and "Lunch" in the dining room. Memories!!! Enjoy.

www.grouprecipes.com

 

[petek]

Who knew you were a masochist. Don't you want a life?

 

[tlee618]

Sounds like a fun idea Michael,  but as Pete said, boy that's a lot of work.  With the right help though it could be fun.  I remember so well eating in the Walnut Room at Marshall Fields in Chicago.  One dish they were famous for was Chicken Pot Pie.  Somewhere I have their cookbook with the recipe.  If you go through with this let me know and I will send you some recipes.  

 

 

 

[toploader55]

I hope you know what you're getting in to...

If you have talked to Gadget, then you should know you are about to get into one of the most Life Consuming businesses. Customers that are demanding, food allergies, entitlement, staffing, attitude, equipment failure, etc.

Oh Boy ! When I told my father that I wanted to be a Chef he said " Let take you to have your head examined. It's Long days, Holidays, Weekends, Hot in the Summer, No time off beacause you're always on call... but if all these things I told you doesn't change your mind, Good Luck and I'll always be able to say to you, I told you so. "

Anyway Good Luck to you on your New Venture. Eddie

 

[franksdad]

That sounds great!  I wish you every success.  Please let us know if and when you open and directions to your restaurant.  My wife and enjoy shopping in Atlanta and we would love to drive down one Saturday, meet you, and sample your fare!  Jim 

 

[golittlesport]

memories

When I was probably five years old, I can remember my grandmother ("Nana") taking me on the bus to Wannamakers department store. This was quite a production....she got me all dressed up...I thought we were going to church. We went to the tea room and I recall the table linens, heavy silverware and cloth napkins. Nana ordered me a scrambled egg sandwich...heaps of pipping hot eggs on buttered toast cut into triangles. Gosh, it was delicious. All of her lady friends came by the table to see how cute and well behaved her little grandson was. Because I was a good boy, she took me to the appliance department after breakfast.

Best of luck with your new restaurant!

 

[spookiness]

I was just talking to my brother about going to Woolworth's with my grandmother and popping the balloon to see how much your banana split would be.

 

[norgeway]

Restaurant!

I love to cook, but I would rather work at a sawmill than run a restaurant! Too much hard work!!LOL

 

[michaelman2]

Yup, I already know hard work....however, my response to this statement has been :

There are a whole lot of masochists in this world, because there are a WHOLE lot of long term and successful restaurants

 

[retropia]

I remember the Colonial Room at Lazarus had this sandwich called Mexican Beef. In retrospect it wasn't particularly Mexican, but it tasted great. It was a grilled cheese sandwich using processed cheese mixed with chopped bits of beef and a mild Mexican seasoning.

 

[maytagbear]

A potentially useful book:

Out of print, but often available at public libraries; Square Meals, by Jane and Michael Stern. The first (long) chapter is about department store restaurants, and other restaurants patronized by women.

It might be useful. Many recipes included in the chapter. Also, there are some notes on decor.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[michaelman2]

Hey Lawrence, thank you. I am trying to get a copy now on Ebay..