If you want to start a restaurant there are several steps you need to take before opening day. First you need to decide whether to take over an existing business or a new one. You will need to present a business plan to any stakeholders. The location of the business needs to be considered including the target clientele. You will need to consider the building layout, taking into account all health and safety considerations, licencing and insurance. Suppliers of equipment, food and beverages will need to be sought and negotiations started once you have estimated the number of covers you can accommodate at each sitting.

After a very busy shopping expedition to the Trafford Centre recently my partner and I decided to take a break for some well-deserved refreshments. Laden down with bags full of bathroom towels, makeup and fashion bargains and a very heavy table lamp, we searched around ‘The Orient’ for somewhere to sit and watch the world go by. We chose ‘Las Iguanas’ because the menu for this Latin American restaurant looked a bit different and sounded delicious. Fortunately there were a couple of tables free which weren’t near any squealing children. The waitress was really friendly and knew all about the different dishes on the menu. The drinks (a bit expensive) arrived quickly and our starter and mains were hot, spicy and really tasty. The Latin rhythmic music was the perfect accompaniment to a fun and entertaining experience. We’ll be back!

The 25th of January is known as Burns Night in celebration of the poet Robert Burns. Many restaurants put on a special evening in celebration, the traditional food on the menu often includes Scotch Broth or Cock-a-Leekie soup followed by the main course of haggis which is traditionally served with mashed potatoes also called ‘tatties’ and mashed swede or ‘neeps’. There is a ceremony help where a piper plays the bagpipes while the haggis is brought to the table, grace is said and there is an ‘address to the haggis’ before it is cut open. Vast quantities of whiskey is consumed and there is often dancing and general joviality until the early hours.

After a very busy shopping expedition to the Trafford Centre recently my partner and I decided to take a break for some well-deserved refreshments. Laden down with bags full of bathroom towels, makeup and fashion bargains and a very heavy table lamp, we searched around ‘The Orient’ for somewhere to sit and watch the world go by. We chose ‘Las Iguanas’ because the menu for this Latin American restaurant looked a little different and sounded delicious. Fortunately there were a couple of tables free. The waitress gave us very good service, the drinks we ordered arrived promptly and our starter and mains were hot, spicy and very tasty. The Latin rhythmic music was the perfect accompaniment to a fun and entertaining experience. We’ll be back!

When choosing a restaurant there are several factors which affect your decision. Do you want to spend money travelling to your chosen location? Do you choose Italian, Indian, Chinese, British, Thai, South American or a menu from any number of differing cuisines? How much money do you want to spend? Is the occasion a birthday, anniversary or another important celebration? Is the occasion romantic, a meal for two or a family get together? One of the most important factors when choosing a restaurant has to be the ambiance, is there a good atmosphere, is the music to your personal taste?