a non-conforming restaurant proposal

I have a vision for a new type of restaurant, one that supports both the community and people who work there. Please take a few minutes to read my ideas, donate, and share with your friends. Thank you!

My idea of a perfect restaurant may differ from yours, but here I go… The other day a friend asked me if I was to open a restaurant and money wasn’t an issue, what would it be like?  I could not articulate my vision right then and there and I’ve thought about it ever since the question was posed to me. I have spent my entire life in this business, I’ve never done anything else but cook. I love how a friend who is a very successful restauranteur described me. He said, “While society might judge my role in the industry as a rock star, the industry

views your role as that of a very solid studio musician”. I think that is a very succinct observation of my work. I’ve never not wanted for work, a couple of small ups and downs, but overall a very solid resume. 

Oh yeah back to my perfect restaurant! For me the perfect restaurant would be open Monday thru Friday. Part of what has always troubled me about my industry is how we spend so much time apologizing to kids, spouses, parents, friends, etc how we are unable to

attend this event, gathering, birthday, whatever. It sucks. I do not believe I would lose a dimes worth of revenue being

closed on the weekend, on the contrary I believe my industry would be very supportive of me at the early end of the week and eat at my “ideal” restaurant, also in a time where it is next to impossible to find workers, I believe this type of scheduling would be very attractive in  putting together a staff.

While I want to be open M to F. I do understand I am paying rent on the space the other 8 weekend nights. A couple of things that interest me is making the space available for employees to do pop-ups to further their skills and dreams. Also if you know anything about me you know I've done many fundraisers throughout the years for many things… fires, floods, folks just down on their luck. I would make

the space available for that too. I want a dinner space that does not take reservations, stays open late or whatever late is these days.

A menu written on a blackboard, and I know it sounds stupidly dangerous, but no social media accounts.

Does anybody remember the 90’s? You come. you eat, you drink. A platter of oysters, a glass of Muscat, a hunk of grilled meat, lots and lots of vegetables. Parents and a million kids at 5, well mannered hipsters and ballers at 11, eating, talking, drinking, laughing. The next day it starts all over again. I make a living, support workers, feed people, buy great ingredients, oh yeah, a really, really great jukebox too.

That pretty much encapsulates what a perfect restaurant would be for me.

Coincidentally I found the space, that I didn’t know I was looking for or maybe have always been looking for. Now the not so fun part, finding the money to make this ideal a reality. So, I guess in closing my ideal restaurant is a place that not only allows me to make a good living, but eveyone who works there. A job that pays a salary where you aren't having to choose to get new brakes for you car or pay your kid's orthodonist and while I know it is difficult for many, a job that gives you the means to live in a nice place. If I had to describe myself, I'd say I'm a socialist who likes wearing Tom Ford. I like to share and I do enjoy the rewards, income provide. I want a restaurant where all who work there, share with me in those rewards.

Please help me to attain this goal. Also share this with your friends. Even if people send me a buck or two, it'll add up. While you might not be directly involved, indirectly you are contributing to a dozen or so lives and hopefully this type of restaurant can be a catalyst for others to follow. Thank you, Mark