Realistically, it’s
not all about the quilts.
Restaurant Patios should be about function, comfort, shade, and colour.
If you master all of these aspects, your patio will be inviting.
Comfortable Outdoor dining provides extra seating for your business
and attracts customers who enjoy being outside while dining.
The Patio needs to be functional for the staff as well. In other words,
there has to be room to get in between the tables and chairs to serve
customers.
If there is room, create a servers' station with a sink and storage for
napkins, silverware, glassware, condiments and clothes. Preferably one with
doors that lock so you don't have to move them inside when the restaurant is
closed.
Provide lighting for outdoor guests. You can place candles or lanterns on
tables or you could string lights along the railing.
Colour, Colour and more Colour.
Plant some flowers, mini-bells & petunias lots of colours.
If there is room, perhaps consider growing your own herbs for the
restaurant.
There are some fast growing trees you can plant that will provide shade
within a year or two. Cedars shrubs can be purchased in many sizes and can
offer some quick shade for those patios exposed to the direct sun.
Finally, lap blankets or quilts will provide warmth and a splash of colour
to any patio.
For something unique, make your own lap quilts for your patio.
Choose colourful fabric to brighten up your outdoor dining area.
I Love my quilts!
It may seem an unusual topic for discussion,
but where you buy your wine can have a significant impact on you business.
There are many reasons why we all should look
local first.
Whenever you buy local, you are directly
supporting the local economy (‘local’ meaning your Province, your region, your
town). You’re putting cash straight into the pockets of your neighbors; and
they, in turn, are able to inject cash back into the local economy.
When you purchase local wine you are not only
keeping your dollars circulating in your community, but you are also helping to
maintain green space by sustaining vineyards and orchards.
We live in Wine Country...
The Okanagan
Valley
provides the perfect conditions for wine grapes. The quality of grapes grown
here produces some of the best wines in Canada
and is known throughout the world.
We live in one of the most beautiful
regions in the Country, so what better way to spend an afternoon than driving
around to some of the local wineries to buy your product.
http://www.winesofcanada.com/Okanagan.html
Every Wine has a Story…
Focus on some of the smaller
wineries too. Spend some quality time with the people behind the bar and feel
the passion of the wine and winemaking. Don’t forget as a local business owner,
these are you potential customers.
Reducing the Carbon footprints
Local wineries means we travels
less distance, and thus, less carbon dioxide (CO2) is emitted into the
atmosphere. The farther away your grapes are grown, then the farther it has to
travel to get to you, and the more CO2 is released into the atmosphere via the
internal combustion engines of cars, trains, trucks, planes, and worse–cargo
ships.
Local builds community.
Small local businesses are the
largest employer nationally and in our community, provide the most jobs to
residents.
Perhaps a better reason for
drinking local wines is to help foster a sense of community.
Don’t
forget to take an empty box with you.
 |
| A Simple Herb Garden |
Ken Lauzon, owner of The Black Iron Grill & Steakhouse, says “a few
simple herbs arranged on a plate is kitchen artistry and can create some real excitement
in his dining facility”.
He also believes the on-site Herb
Garden
contributes to fresh, healthier, and more flavourful
foods.
Ken has a green thumb, and he makes the most of his patio and the great
growing season here in the Okanagan.
His patio is well stocked with fresh essential herbs, and a few vine
ripened tomatoes.
These herbs travel from the garden to the kitchen, in turn we use less
packaging.
The Patio at The Black Iron Grill is burst of colours in the summer with
the handmade cotton quilts, garden herbs and flowers.
The aroma of
fresh herbs and flowers makes The Black Iron Grill and Steakhouse one of the
most inviting patios in the Okanagan.
