Well it is snowing outside, once again, don't know how much more I can stand. I know we aren't supposed to get much but enough already. Hope all of my readers had a restful, love filled Valentine's Day and Long President's weekend. We are I guess 2/3 rds of the way through February and I think ready for spring, eventhough we know it will not come for several more weeks in the Northeast.
Valentine's Day at the restaurant was wonderful, the best night we have had in 3 years!!!! I even had new customers that actually read this blog. They were very happy with their meal and said they would be back. That is always what we strive for, Customers coming back time after time. I had to turn down some reservations and that is always hard to do. But you know what and how many you can do in one evening, and there was just no more room. Those are the nights that you wish you had a bigger dining room, but wouldn't be able to fill in throughout the rest of the winter. So we are very appreciative and thankful to have a night like that.
I always get nervous when our reservation book is completely full. I think a lot of people don't understand that there is a plan, and if things do go according to plan, then it isn't good. I try to allow 2 to 2 1/2 hours per table and then plan on using that table again. Sometimes people stay longer and then the next reservation comes in and you have no table. I don't like making people wait, but sometimes you have to. I don't think anyone waited Saturday for longer than a couple of minutes for their table, what a miracle. Kitchen Staff and Wait Staff were at the top of their game and kept it all going smoothly. By the end of the night the staff was so exhausted but laughing and just enjoying the great night we had. What a great team we have now @ Restaurant 15 Main.
The second half of February and March are typically slow so Peter, Gabby and I are actually going to go on vacation for the first time in 4 years. We will be closed from March 13, 2009 to March 19, 2009. We will reopen the Restaurant on Friday March 20th. I have always been concerned about being closed for any amount of time, but Peter needs a vacation and that is also his spring break from teaching college.
Thanks to everyone that joined us for Valentine's Day, we really appreciate you patronage. Someone said that Valentine's Day is a Hallmark Holiday.....I would like to thank personally thank Hallmark, for a much needed remembrance of how busy the Restaurant can be. It is so much fun for us when we are busy, tiring, but fun, fun, fun.
Have a great week, and come see us when you need a great meal.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
02/06/09
It has been a while!!! No time, flu/cold something being passed around our family. Peter was sick last week, me this week, and Gabby is trying really hard not to be. It has been cold, dreary and just winter in the Northeast. Not much going on this time of year, but Peter is back teaching, I am still working and Gabby has school and basketball.
Over the past few weeks, we have been slow at the restaurant, with the exception of last Saturday night, FULL HOUSE. Much to our surprise and delight!!!! I have attended my first Board of Directors meeting for the Sullivan County Visitor's Association which was very interesting. Restaurant 15 Main won 3 awards in the "Best Of 2009", Best Chef, Best Gourmet Restaurant & Best Appetizers, which is always an honor. And we are looking forward to Valentine's Day, which is always a good day for us. Reservations have already started pouring in and it doesn't hurt that it is a Saturday night this year. Peter is making fresh donuts for Narrowsburg Roaster's to sell on Sunday mornings which seems to be a big hit. So as you can see we are still staying busy with life.
Our 3rd Anniversary was January 31st, our packed Saturday night, Hopefully an omen of the year to come. A lot of people are wondering where our anniversary special is and we have decided not to do it this year. It really did not make people come in, I think they just enjoyed if they happen to come in. We understand the economy and have actually adjusted our prices a little to accomodate the economy. The products that we purchase have also inflated as with everything else, and unfortunately we are in the business to "TRY" and make money. So maybe no "increase" in our prices is the way that we accomodate the change in the economy.
Maybe the pre-spring forecast for the weekend, will get people out and moving about. Maybe going out for something to eat, to get together with friends, or just a quiet romantic dinner. I know that we have a little more winter to look forward too(eek), But optimism is all I got today. Thanks for reading and supporting Restaurant 15 Main.
Over the past few weeks, we have been slow at the restaurant, with the exception of last Saturday night, FULL HOUSE. Much to our surprise and delight!!!! I have attended my first Board of Directors meeting for the Sullivan County Visitor's Association which was very interesting. Restaurant 15 Main won 3 awards in the "Best Of 2009", Best Chef, Best Gourmet Restaurant & Best Appetizers, which is always an honor. And we are looking forward to Valentine's Day, which is always a good day for us. Reservations have already started pouring in and it doesn't hurt that it is a Saturday night this year. Peter is making fresh donuts for Narrowsburg Roaster's to sell on Sunday mornings which seems to be a big hit. So as you can see we are still staying busy with life.
Our 3rd Anniversary was January 31st, our packed Saturday night, Hopefully an omen of the year to come. A lot of people are wondering where our anniversary special is and we have decided not to do it this year. It really did not make people come in, I think they just enjoyed if they happen to come in. We understand the economy and have actually adjusted our prices a little to accomodate the economy. The products that we purchase have also inflated as with everything else, and unfortunately we are in the business to "TRY" and make money. So maybe no "increase" in our prices is the way that we accomodate the change in the economy.
Maybe the pre-spring forecast for the weekend, will get people out and moving about. Maybe going out for something to eat, to get together with friends, or just a quiet romantic dinner. I know that we have a little more winter to look forward too(eek), But optimism is all I got today. Thanks for reading and supporting Restaurant 15 Main.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
January 20, 2009
I finally have a day off from both jobs to blog. I know my fans are very patiently waiting for me to blog LOL. I have been very busy since the beginning of January. I work at the restaurant and and when I’m not at the restaurant I work as the bookkeeper and controller with ‘Charles Petersheim of Catskill Farms (www.thecatskillfarms.com) , who designs and builds farmhouses and cottages in Sullivan County and the Catskills, as well as other assorted real estate stuff.” I have been working for Charles off and on for about 4 years now and he does do good stuff.
What to say about January, very cold, snowy and business is unpredictable. We just had Eaglefest weekend, which was very cold and not as good as previous years businesswise. I would like to thank the Eagle Alliance from bringing such a nice event to Narrowsburg. The River Reporter "Best of Awards" come out in January, which is always something to look forward to. Then we start preparing for Valentine's Day, which is usually a pretty good day for us at the Restaurant. But, Considering all of the snow that we have had and subzero temperatures, business has not been horrible. I know that in today's economy everyone is seeing a dip in business and we all just have to hang in there.
I think that we all want to be hopeful for the future and today being inauguration day for our new president fills, us with hope. Hope, that the change that we have so desperately wished for will make our lives better in some way. I think that we (even myself) lose sight of the important things, especially when economic times are tough, money seems to be the answer. Certainly money makes life easier, but I have been blessed with a wonderful Husband, daughter and family, which really makes life a little easier. All we can do is keep working hard, loving well and living each day to it's fullest. Those are the things that make life better.
Moving on from my soap box....Gabby is playing basketball and it is such a proud moment for me to watch her . She has been playing since she in 4th grade and each year she gets a little better. She is growing up so fast soon to be 13, OH NO!!!! So also, when I am not at one of my two jobs we have to get her to and from practice and games, do homework, projects..etc. Peter also will start teaching at SCC again this week. He will be teaching 2 classes a week. So we stay pretty busy even if the restaurant is slow.
So here we go into the second half of January, waiting patiently for, better weather, more business and hope for our econonmy. We'll See what happens!!!!!
What to say about January, very cold, snowy and business is unpredictable. We just had Eaglefest weekend, which was very cold and not as good as previous years businesswise. I would like to thank the Eagle Alliance from bringing such a nice event to Narrowsburg. The River Reporter "Best of Awards" come out in January, which is always something to look forward to. Then we start preparing for Valentine's Day, which is usually a pretty good day for us at the Restaurant. But, Considering all of the snow that we have had and subzero temperatures, business has not been horrible. I know that in today's economy everyone is seeing a dip in business and we all just have to hang in there.
I think that we all want to be hopeful for the future and today being inauguration day for our new president fills, us with hope. Hope, that the change that we have so desperately wished for will make our lives better in some way. I think that we (even myself) lose sight of the important things, especially when economic times are tough, money seems to be the answer. Certainly money makes life easier, but I have been blessed with a wonderful Husband, daughter and family, which really makes life a little easier. All we can do is keep working hard, loving well and living each day to it's fullest. Those are the things that make life better.
Moving on from my soap box....Gabby is playing basketball and it is such a proud moment for me to watch her . She has been playing since she in 4th grade and each year she gets a little better. She is growing up so fast soon to be 13, OH NO!!!! So also, when I am not at one of my two jobs we have to get her to and from practice and games, do homework, projects..etc. Peter also will start teaching at SCC again this week. He will be teaching 2 classes a week. So we stay pretty busy even if the restaurant is slow.
So here we go into the second half of January, waiting patiently for, better weather, more business and hope for our econonmy. We'll See what happens!!!!!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
December 31, 2008
So, I guess it is time again to blog. MY 2 blog fans (my sister & Laurel) keep reminding me that I have not blogged since 12/09/08, so here I go. Just like everyone else, my December has been very busy working 2 jobs, Christmas shopping, entertaining, etc etc. I am always amazed that the Holiday just whizzes by and here we are staring at a New Year.
Like everyone, I take the New Year's Eve opportunity to reflect on the previous year. Our year at the Restaurant started out with a bang. Bill Guilfoyle of the "Times Herald Record" voted us along with another restaurant #1 for 2007. This brought a great January for us, which is usually pretty dismal in this part of the country, because of the weather. It was amazing to me how many people read the restaurant reveiws and go out to see what it is all about for themselves. We had an amazing January. February and March were pretty much a blur to me, I had some health issues and had to be home for 8 weeks, but all is well with that.
The Restaurant business in Narrowsburg is very seasonal you look forward to summertime and them Holiday time. As we all know the economy took a dive this year and the restaurant business is directly affected by this. Summer was not as profitable as past summers and the last part of this year has not been like other 4th quarters. We know that it is affecting everybody and that gives us some comfort.
This morning we woke up to it snowing and hope that it does not scare people away from New Year's Eve festivities. This is a very busy night typically in our business and the last big bang before Eaglefest and Valentine's Day. There is a lot of preparation and excitement for us on New Year's Eve.
Now to 2009, can't believe it is here tomorrow. Gabby (our daughter) will turn 13 this year ugh!!! We will have a new regime at the White House and hopefully things will get better for all. This past week with Happy New Year greetings to our customers, I get a lot of "Things can only get better". I remind them that they are Healthy and able to enjoy a good meal. I think we all, even myself, get so caught up in money, while not having enough and watching it disappear in the market can be stressful, Money is not the most important thing.
I wish for all a very Happy New Year filled with Happiness, and Health. I see this sign everywhere "Live, Laugh & Love, maybe that should be our Mantra for 2009, because sometimes you just gotta Laugh......and play the cards that are dealt. Happy New Year to all.
Like everyone, I take the New Year's Eve opportunity to reflect on the previous year. Our year at the Restaurant started out with a bang. Bill Guilfoyle of the "Times Herald Record" voted us along with another restaurant #1 for 2007. This brought a great January for us, which is usually pretty dismal in this part of the country, because of the weather. It was amazing to me how many people read the restaurant reveiws and go out to see what it is all about for themselves. We had an amazing January. February and March were pretty much a blur to me, I had some health issues and had to be home for 8 weeks, but all is well with that.
The Restaurant business in Narrowsburg is very seasonal you look forward to summertime and them Holiday time. As we all know the economy took a dive this year and the restaurant business is directly affected by this. Summer was not as profitable as past summers and the last part of this year has not been like other 4th quarters. We know that it is affecting everybody and that gives us some comfort.
This morning we woke up to it snowing and hope that it does not scare people away from New Year's Eve festivities. This is a very busy night typically in our business and the last big bang before Eaglefest and Valentine's Day. There is a lot of preparation and excitement for us on New Year's Eve.
Now to 2009, can't believe it is here tomorrow. Gabby (our daughter) will turn 13 this year ugh!!! We will have a new regime at the White House and hopefully things will get better for all. This past week with Happy New Year greetings to our customers, I get a lot of "Things can only get better". I remind them that they are Healthy and able to enjoy a good meal. I think we all, even myself, get so caught up in money, while not having enough and watching it disappear in the market can be stressful, Money is not the most important thing.
I wish for all a very Happy New Year filled with Happiness, and Health. I see this sign everywhere "Live, Laugh & Love, maybe that should be our Mantra for 2009, because sometimes you just gotta Laugh......and play the cards that are dealt. Happy New Year to all.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
December 9, 2008
It is Tuesday another much needed day off after our trip to NYC. What a wonderful time we had catering our party in the City. We ran into a lot of traffic stopped on the highway on our way, veered off the beaten path and Maggie the GPS died. Denise was on the cell phone with Justin to try and see how we could get around the mess we were in. Finally traffic started moving on Route 17 and we were on our way, yet a little behind schedule. But, we arrived at our destination in plenty of time to set up and deliver great food to the guests. Thank you to Michael & Susanna for allowing us to cater the birthday party. Chef Peter is not only a talented Chef, but can can pack, plan and pull it off without a hitch. The food was amazing, quail eggs with caviar, tuna tartare, chicken liver mousse, and asparagus,proscuitto wrapped in Filo just a few.
I was navigator on this trip, (not a good idea) and we got turned around coming out of the city. We were going South, should have gone north. I figured we would be in South Beach by Tuesday, but everyone else decided we should turn around. We finally arrived back in Narrowsburg around 2:30 in the morning sleepy and very cold. It was 12 degrees when we arrived. Needless to say no unpacking got done until Monday. We really enjoyed the opportunity to cater the party. We could not have done it without Denise & Caitlyn. Denise always works so very hard and worries with me.
It seems for us that when one event is finished it is time to start planning and thinking about the next. Peter is the one that it seems to fall on, I only control waitstaff and a menu for anything is beyond my expertise. Now it is time for Peter to get ready for finals @ Sullivan Community College, plan for New Year's Eve and put lights up at our house. I am responsible for Christmas shopping(how hard is that) and just making sure we have service staff to cover all shifts.
Basketball season has started for our daughter so that is something that we have to somehow fit into our crazy time constraints. Like anyone that has their own business, there seems to not be enough hours in the day, but we always manage to get things done.
We actually have most of the week of Christmas off, which we are looking for too. We have had many inquiries about Christmas Eve, which we are typically closed. It is very tempting to be open, but Family and Gabby are too important to us to be greedy so we are closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Hope all who read this blog are not letting Christmas Stress them out and are enjoying the season for what it is.
Everyone have a great week and enjoy the season, spend it with family and friends. On another note, Congratulation Charles & Lisa, it is about time you know.
I was navigator on this trip, (not a good idea) and we got turned around coming out of the city. We were going South, should have gone north. I figured we would be in South Beach by Tuesday, but everyone else decided we should turn around. We finally arrived back in Narrowsburg around 2:30 in the morning sleepy and very cold. It was 12 degrees when we arrived. Needless to say no unpacking got done until Monday. We really enjoyed the opportunity to cater the party. We could not have done it without Denise & Caitlyn. Denise always works so very hard and worries with me.
It seems for us that when one event is finished it is time to start planning and thinking about the next. Peter is the one that it seems to fall on, I only control waitstaff and a menu for anything is beyond my expertise. Now it is time for Peter to get ready for finals @ Sullivan Community College, plan for New Year's Eve and put lights up at our house. I am responsible for Christmas shopping(how hard is that) and just making sure we have service staff to cover all shifts.
Basketball season has started for our daughter so that is something that we have to somehow fit into our crazy time constraints. Like anyone that has their own business, there seems to not be enough hours in the day, but we always manage to get things done.
We actually have most of the week of Christmas off, which we are looking for too. We have had many inquiries about Christmas Eve, which we are typically closed. It is very tempting to be open, but Family and Gabby are too important to us to be greedy so we are closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Hope all who read this blog are not letting Christmas Stress them out and are enjoying the season for what it is.
Everyone have a great week and enjoy the season, spend it with family and friends. On another note, Congratulation Charles & Lisa, it is about time you know.
Monday, December 1, 2008
December 1, 2008
So Thanksgiving has come and gone and we have a couple of days off. Thanksgiving was good for us at the restaurant. Afterwards we went to Peter's Mom's and had a great meal with our family. Christmas decorations are going up all over Narrowsburg and the season is beginning. Gabby is home from school today (first day of buck season in PA) so I thing we are going to decorate the house a little, she gets so excited about Christmas. It all seems to move so fast. Peter and I always look and each other and say can you believe it is "December" already.
This Sunday we will be going to NYC to cater a party. It is going to be a lot of hard work for us this week but we are very excited about it. We will see how it all goes, having to cart everything 2 hours away. Hopefully it will go off without a hitch. Peter is very good at planning and pulling everything together, I on the other hand just kind of wait for him to tell me what to do. Which he is very good at might I add!!!!!
Peter had been reminding me to mention in my blog that we had a wonderful Elk dinner a few weeks ago. Peter's cousin Linda and her siginificant other Gene, had us over when Gene got back from Montana with his elk. Cousin Ellen cooked a wondeful meal and we had a great time.
Happy shopping to all who are venturing out this week. Stop in for a wonderful meal after a long day of shopping you deserve to have someone else cook for you.
This Sunday we will be going to NYC to cater a party. It is going to be a lot of hard work for us this week but we are very excited about it. We will see how it all goes, having to cart everything 2 hours away. Hopefully it will go off without a hitch. Peter is very good at planning and pulling everything together, I on the other hand just kind of wait for him to tell me what to do. Which he is very good at might I add!!!!!
Peter had been reminding me to mention in my blog that we had a wonderful Elk dinner a few weeks ago. Peter's cousin Linda and her siginificant other Gene, had us over when Gene got back from Montana with his elk. Cousin Ellen cooked a wondeful meal and we had a great time.
Happy shopping to all who are venturing out this week. Stop in for a wonderful meal after a long day of shopping you deserve to have someone else cook for you.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
November 25, 2008
I woke up to about 4 or 5 inches of snow here and it is so beautiful looking at the window. The wonderful Damascus Township plows have already been through our road, at about 6:00am. That was a concern when we moved back here in the woods, Peter wanted to make sure we could get out, well we must be high on the list, because we will definitely get out today. School is delayed 2 hours, Gabby will be happy about that.
So today will probably be spent shoveling snow at the Restaurant and trying to somehow get the rest of the 2 cords of wood for home. We spent most of our day off yesterday moving wood to our house. Yesterday was also the first day of bear hunting season in PA. There were lots of gunshots , flourescent orange and camouflage around these parts. I always get a little chuckle this time of year here, especially because our kids are out of school the first day of buck season.(where else does that happen). Oh the country life!!!!!
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!!!! We are open for Thanksgiving at the Restaurant, which is just a part of being in the business. You work holidays and weekends, when most other people are relaxing and just enjoying days off. But we don't grumble or complain because that is what we do. After we serve our customers their Thanksgiving meal we will go to Peter's mother's and join our family for dinner. Our family is very supportive and do not mind waiting for us to join them.
As I have said before in this blog, the Restaurant business is hard and demanding, but I have so much to be thankful for. I have a wonderful family, we are all healthy and we live in a country where we have the opportunity to have a business of our choice. So remember,with all the gloom and doom on the news, to count your blessings and be thankful for what you have. I am!!!!!!!
So today will probably be spent shoveling snow at the Restaurant and trying to somehow get the rest of the 2 cords of wood for home. We spent most of our day off yesterday moving wood to our house. Yesterday was also the first day of bear hunting season in PA. There were lots of gunshots , flourescent orange and camouflage around these parts. I always get a little chuckle this time of year here, especially because our kids are out of school the first day of buck season.(where else does that happen). Oh the country life!!!!!
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!!!! We are open for Thanksgiving at the Restaurant, which is just a part of being in the business. You work holidays and weekends, when most other people are relaxing and just enjoying days off. But we don't grumble or complain because that is what we do. After we serve our customers their Thanksgiving meal we will go to Peter's mother's and join our family for dinner. Our family is very supportive and do not mind waiting for us to join them.
As I have said before in this blog, the Restaurant business is hard and demanding, but I have so much to be thankful for. I have a wonderful family, we are all healthy and we live in a country where we have the opportunity to have a business of our choice. So remember,with all the gloom and doom on the news, to count your blessings and be thankful for what you have. I am!!!!!!!
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