April 12, 2009 We Opened Last Week!
Well, we opened on Wed, April 8th ready or not! And were we ever busy all week! We had a lot of glitches we are working through, and one fryer still down. Despite the waits, and our mistakes, people were loving the food! We got lots of thumbs up and repeat business. A couple of ladies from San Diego told me the fish 'n chips were the best they had ever had. A couple from San Luis Obispo said the burgers are the best they have ever had. Now that we like to hear!!

We got lots of requests for a menu, so here is the interim copy: http://menu.barnaclebistro.com.

Here are some glitches we had and what we're doing. Please send feedback, so we can try to address yours as well:

Glitch: we ran out of sweet potato fries and shrimp quesadillas. Note to self: prepare a bigger batch of those popular items!

Glitch: we ran out of all fried foods. Note to self: harrass UPS for not delivering a much needed fryer part sooner!! We're still waiting, BTW!!

Glitch: people weren't hearing their numbers. Note to self: add names to the tickets! (done)

Glitch: long wait in the "Order here" line. Note to self: Don't bus tables while line is waiting. Don't let phone orders put you on hold!

Gltch: people having to wait in line to re-order from the bar. Not to self: we can now open tabs! (fixed!)

Glitch: needed credit card to process phone-in orders: Note to self: Fix it! (done)

Glitch: order getting missed altogether. Note to self: review orders with customers before closing!

Glitch: single people having to wait with nothing to do. Note to self: bring reading materials to the restaurant! (done)

Glitch: soup and salad (only) orders getting backed up behind slower kitchen orders. Note to self: move equipment and process around to process stand alone soups and salads by drink person.

Glitch: people had to come to us to ask for utensils! Note to self: prepare utensils and napkins and take out with every order!

Glitch: spats between front and back of the house. Note to self: we asked for it when we chose to take all barriers down between customer and us! That is a pretty bold move! You have all been there, right? ... Family argument while others are looking on? Embarrasing, I know! Lecture to staff: try to keep it down next time! We're on stage!

Suzanne & Evan

(See below for past news updates)