Yesterday was our birthday!
We opened to the public on Saturday Aug 31, 2013.
I am so happy to have made it through these past two years. And I am so proud to be part of this little restaurant. Seeing regular customers – knowing that the they like us enough to come back time and time again – is a pretty awesome feeling.
There have been lots of changes in these past two years including a menu that is different in kind but not in spirit, our service model, and the addition of a small bar. What is not different is our basic spirit. Whimsical and memorable without being cheesy or silly. It has been a struggle for lots of reasons but this summer we finally brought things in line and are now making a very small profit. Phew.
There is still a ways to go and lots of obstacles on the road. Sales in restaurants all over Ottawa are still down from where they were two years ago. I am not sure why this is. Is the economy bad? Or, is it that the Public Service is in a bad mood and doesn’t want to dine out? I don’t know.
Obviously, increasing sales is one of our priorities but exactly how to accomplish this is a mystery. At the core of what we believe is that we have a successful restaurant on our hands and if we can keep serving great food in a great place we will slowly grow as word continues to slowly spread.
In the first two years I often heard, “Well, restaurants don’t make money until their third year.” To be blunt, this is a myth. I have no idea what the origin of this wisdom is but I have heard it many times from many sources. I always point out that there are lots of restaurants that are profitable immediately upon opening. This was not the case with The Flying Banzini. We should have been profitable a long time ago. But, I simply did not know enough about how to manage food and labor costs and we were not.
Thank you Ottawa – Wellington West in particular. We are still here after two years because of your support. We are working on how to best serve you – our neighbours – with food, drink, service, and community involvement. We promise to keep getting better.
Dave
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Twittter: @FlyingBanzini
Facebook.com/FlyingBanzini
We now serve breakfast Saturday and Sunday 9 AM to Noon.
The Flying Banzini community group for September is Ottawa Ottawa Riverkeeper. $1 from the sale of each special sandwich is donated to this Ottawa organization www.ottawariverkeeper.ca/
Hi Dave,
I like your restaurant. You ask why sales are down across the industry. Here is my take. We recently had lunch at the FB. Two people. Sandwich, glass of wine, coffee, cheesecake, tax and tip - about $65. Now I know what costs are and your prices are not unreasonable to cover costs and turn a small profit. But for $65 I can make a lunch at home that is miles better for less money. I know I have to factor in time and effort vs convenience … but still. Given the rising cost of everything else especially taxes, insurance, life … going out has become more of an occasion than a regular occurrence. And for the occasion we want to experience to be exceptional. We go out less but when we go it has to be great - Atelier, Black Cat, Gezellig, Navarra … you get the idea. More money but exceptional. Like I said, I like your restaurant but it is good not exceptional. We go there for the occasional convenience. I don’t mean to be harsh and this is just me.
I agree with Mike’s comments. Good not great.
Dave,
I look at myself, and taking my own experience, and purely speculating here..but what if age cohorts play a role?
Two years ago, when you opened, I was offered a meal on the house. I ate enjoyed, returned, then stopped going. This wasn’t anything to do with the restaurant, just that I had started a family. I had to buckle down, and that meant less lunches out at work. Plus, I was away for maternity leave, and not commuting I find that a similar trend amongst my colleagues. We used to eat lunches out much more often, when we were able to afford it.
Another thought, is truthfully, Public Service morale. In my work teams, the atmosphere has changed from close teams/friendly to, one where we are less encouraged to engage as such. Sad, but something I’ve noticed. We don’t go out for team lunches as much as we used to.
BUT! There is a but. I’ve always loved your honesty, and appreciate your candidness. I was deciding where to grab a meal today (as a solo celebration of a job I completed), so I’m going to head over and grab a bite, and show you guys a little love today