How restaurants are dealing with the economy...

It's pretty tough out there. We've already lost some fine places.

Some are doing pretty well, though, it seems like. For instance, tonight we went to Cafe Lou Lou in the Highlands. When that place opened a couple of years ago or so (when was it exactly?), it seemed like their timing was tough. But they are doing a really good business, somehow, from what I've seen anyway. We were there for dinner Sunday night and the place was full.

One of the big reasons for their success is that for us the service is always really friendly--and the waitress we had tonight is a favorite. She is just so warm and natural and helpful--and she remembers us even if we haven't been back in a few months. So the service is great, and the food is hearty, flavorful, and affordable. There's this one really unusual dish that my wife and I really enjoy:

Blue Cheese Polenta
Topped with grilled asparagus, portabella mushrooms, red onions and roasted red pepper sauce
9.00

Who would have thought of that? A really good chef, I guess. Anyway, it's in that category of exotic comfort food that I love. The flavor is really unusual but yum.

Another thing keeping them busy is their nice selection of premium and local beers and ales--often served in special glasses that I guess are provided by local breweries.

The place was just buzzing with good feeling tonight. It was loud, but in that good way of a lot of people having a good time.

And again, the service is genuine and warm--or at least it has been for us.

http://www.cafeloulou.com/main/

Anyone else have stories of places that are hanging in there--or more importantly of new restaurants and old favorites that deserve more business?

Man, I like you.

I was at Mi Patria today with Justin and we had the killer experience, yet again. The waitress has now been given licence to cook. Her proportions were off, in our favour. Meatiest tacos, ever. Sweet, like her service!

We spent some time at the 'Wall of thing's I've never heard of.' Always fun.

I screwed around with the cutest child ever, her parents in process of sending money back to Mexico. They enjoyed the fact I kept her busy. She enjoyed the fact someone was playing with her. I just enjoyed it all.

We then went and tasted a fine dark rum and I returned home for a well-deserved afternoon siesta.

Isn't life grand?

Oh, the place we need to focus our attention to, in the coming months, seems to be NuLu. There's a lot of places opening. A lot of competition and very little neighborhood population to 'keep them through.' This experiment of social developmentation needs to work, for the gain of all.

EDIT: Don't forget Wiltshire, though...

We then went and tasted a fine dark rum

Name please.

I was at Mi Patria today with Justin and we had the killer experience, yet again.

My invitation must have been lost in the mail.

We then went and tasted a fine dark rum

Name please.

Don Lorenzo Dark Reserve

I don't think you can get it in the U.S. I picked it up while on vacation last spring.


http://www.internetwines.com/rws24899.html

Mojito and Rumba are still getting it perfect.

The banana bread pudding at Mojito is worth a trip alone.

Most of the restaurants I frequent, usually are pretty busy! I still dine out 3-4 times per week. I must live under a rock, the economy has not affected me in anyway. Unless you were laid off, it isn't that bad (or own a business, which is losing profit due to lay-offs, etc...). People like to use it as an excuse as to why they are broke though. tsk tsk.

We then went and tasted a fine dark rum

Name please.

Don Lorenzo Dark Reserve

I don't think you can get it in the U.S. I picked it up while on vacation last spring.


http://www.internetwines.com/rws24899.html

Please don't tease the natives with things they cannot have.