All about restaurants

Hmmm. I better confess right away that no new or relocated news is in this space this week. I've been out of town all week enjoying low 60s weather (brrr) and frolicking with grandkids in Southern California.

So, what we'll visit is what usually is the most popular topic here - restaurants. However, what we'll work on is what makes them successful and not successful.

Food is the most obvious topic. It's primarily why we're there. We notice the quality, the amount, the taste, the consistency, its temperature, side dishes, if it's on the regular menu, a special of the day or week, from an advertisement. If any of these are a negative, it affects whether we order it again, what we tell others, and maybe whether we return.

The location affects how often we get there. If it's not a direction or in an area of town we usually go, we seldom get there unless all the other reasons in this list are positives.

The view can be a super asset in North Idaho. Can we see the lake, river, countryside or overlook the town itself? Perhaps the place has more than one level to take advantage of this. Or a patio, deck or balcony? It's interesting in Coeur d'Alene how few places do have views of the lake or river. Very few of the buildings along Front Avenue that have a view don't contain restaurants. Even the Resort Plaza Shops complex has stores on the view side. Several North Idaho places do have outside/sidewalk seasonal seating.

Seating has many options - tables, booths, counters. Then consider the shape, size, height and location of them. Are people going to fall off stools. Should they have arms or backs. Should the seating be padded? Should the tables be attached to the floor? Then they can't be moved for cleaning or combining. Should they have legs or pedestals?

The decor affects the ambiance of the place. Maybe it has a theme that fits the type of place such as Italian, Asian, Mexican, etc. Is it scary to kids? How about the lighting? Too dim or too bright? Can customers see the menu? Is it overhead, on the walls or on the tables? All this affects the ambiance.

Parking can be too far away, risky or costly.

Keep handicapped people in mind as far as the entrance, table-seat placement and their access between tables and to/in the restroom.

Are the employees friendly, knowledgeable of the menu and specials, flavors, spiciness? Is the place understaffed? Have the same employees been there for years? That's a good sign.

The days and hours the place is open determine whether or not you go there. Is it sometimes closed for no apparent reason? Perhaps a lack of customers during meal-time hours isn't a good sign.

The noise level especially can affect the age range of customers. If it is so noisy that they don't return? Maybe the people in charge think it makes for a fun, busy ambiance. The noise level can be affected by the height, shape and materials in the ceiling. Is it sound-absorbing or sound-reflective? The consistency of the flooring also affects the sound.

Related to this is the music - its type, location and sound level. Is it for the customers or the employees? Is it annoying or pleasant. Can customers choose tables that aren't near speakers? Live entertainment fits into this also.

Is the place kid-friendly or not really kid-preferred? If kid-friendly, does it have highchairs a toddler can be strapped in so he doesn't fall off or slip out? Does it have stuff for the kids to do - crayons, paper? I noticed that Moontime has a kids bookshelf and Meltz Extreme Grilled Cheese has a magnetic wall and magnet alphabet letters. Bonsai Bistro has a stream with Koi fish. (Our granddaughter fell in - heh heh). Does the place have stuff kids like to eat?

Then there's other special touches. Bistro on Spruce has reading glasses in glasses on the tables. Other places have reading glasses the server can bring you. Related to this, is the print on the menu big enough or of a readable typeface? Is the menu organized enough to make sense?

Are the restrooms clean and handy?

Many places have sports TVs. However, not everyone likes that or maybe wants an area of the place without one. And consider the corresponding sound level. In the fall I often go to Capone's because they make a special effort to get the Montana games and I see my Montana people there also.

Perhaps it's a special occasion - birthday, anniversary. Some places have cool options for these.

Related to this, in some places - such as Texas Roadhouse - the employees sing and dance. This can be fun, and kids really enjoy it, especially if they can join in.

Do they take reservations? Is the phone number in the phonebook? Is it an easy one? Another hit here for Bonsai Bistro - 765-4321. Do they have a handy website?

That ought to cover most of it. Eat up!

We can't leave out the Tidbits

- Blockbuster Video in Prairie Shopping Center (between Albertson's and Pita Pit) is having a liquidation sale until it closes April 28. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 to 10 Fridays and Saturdays. Phone 772-6388.

- Pacific Sunwear (Pac Sun) in Silverlake Mall has closed.

n Whine of the Week: The "new" road leaving Fred Meyer to Kathleen Avenue needs a right turn lane. If the single lane has a car stopped to turn left, right-turning cars are stuck.

- Ancient Mongols were pleasant because they were nomads.

- When writing, punctuation usually goes inside quote marks.

- Vote "yes" for the school levy Tuesday.

- Contact Nils Rosdahl at nrosdahl@cdapress.com.