One Month Ago

So, it's only been a month!  I feel like the days have gone by fast... and the nights, slow.  Although, we've appreciated every single guest who has walked through that door!  Those nights when there has been some life in the restaurant have given us the forward momentum we've needed.  We spent so much of our pre-opening time with getting the physical space up and running, but none of it on how we were going to get guests into that space!

It's interesting.  Mike and I haven't been in South Florida too long.  We don't know many people here.  We don't have a following here, like we would, had we opened a restaurant in San Diego or New Orleans.  And we did zero advertising beforehand.  

For our initial guests, we relied on our few friends, previous coworkers and bosses, vendors, and our neighbors who are too kind to us - especially Jim and Juan from JJ Whimsy and Michael and Sonja from Lifestream. And I have to say, their support by word of mouth has been more valuable than any ad in any paper, magazine, facebook page, yelp review, etc.  

The upside to being slow this first month, is that we've tried to give every single table the care and attention that is very important to us.  Hopefully, as we grow, we won't lose that personalization of service as we get more repeat customers and develop a more festive atmosphere.  

We had hoped to develop a more casual style of restaurant, with counter style service, that would almost copy a well known restaurant in San Diego, Blind Lady Alehouse.  But, the fact is, we haven't been packed, and it's been easier to give table service in a way.  Whichever way we serve you, we want the service to be friendly, intimate, and informal.  We aren't white tablecloth - more like mom and pop.  Although my memory is terrible and I'm horrible with names... and faces, I still want to get to know our guests.  And I love to know how you came to discover our little hidden space in the corner.  

If you have been in to Hot & Soul, I hope you come back.  If you haven't been in yet, what are you waiting for?!?

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