Major Life Change ....

[Chip196]

I have 99% decided to open a restaurant. I am currently an IT manager for a Hedge Fund Software company, I commute from Westchester every day on the train, and am constantly connected to my Blackberry for work. I am leaving all of this aside to go live on a farm and take an 80% decrease in salary if I am lucky.

Why am I posting this in the Health and Fitness Forum you may be asking? The restaurants mission is to do what every other restaurant does ... provide good delicious food at a reasonable price with a nice atmosphere and good service ... all the reasons you would want to go to a restaurant, but, we're going to try to use as much NY state foods as possible, so you'll be doing 3 additional things:

1) You'll be eating Grass-Fed Beef, Pasture Raised Chicken and Eggs, Organic Fruits and Vegetable, so you're doing something that is good for you.

2) By eating our vegetable and Fruit, you'll be eating stuff from local farms that hasn't been shipped from across the country, thus reducing your carbon footprint and in a small way helping the environment.

3) You'll be supporting local farmers by dining with us. Since most customers are local, we can sell the fact that they are supporting their neighbors.

So, it's not exactly Health Food in the sense that it's Low-Cal ... but it's food grown / raised in the right way, with no chemicalsor hormones. If you're interested in the health benefits of Grass-Fed beef, let me know ... I love spreading the word.

I'd love any comments or question ... and especially advice. Am I nuts? Do you love this Idea? Let me know what you think.

[drjoek]

You Are Nuts AND I love this idea :clap: Going after your passion is a great thing. If you thought you were working alot in IT wait till you run a restaurant.
ALL the best of luck Chip

[Chip196]

You Are Nuts AND I love this idea :clap: Going after your passion is a great thing. If you thought you were working alot in IT wait till you run a restaurant.
ALL the best of luck Chip

Thanks Doc ... Luckily I grew up in a restaurant, so it shouldn't be a giant shock for the time factor ... there's going to be a million things that shock me I am sure. Passion is the key word too ... I am sick of make insanely rich people richer ... and I will feel really good about what I am doing ... I really believe in this movement to natural foods.

[mendyweiss]

Table For Two For The Weiss Family, Please

[Chip196]

Table For Two For The Weiss Family, Please

Any time ... when I have specifics I will post them. We haven't found a location yet, but it will be in the Hudson Valley of NY, Columbia County. Since the wife and I both have jobs, we're not in any rush if the right situation doesn't present itself. This could happen in 6 months, or 2-3 years I guess. I am hoping for the "within 6 month" option obviously, but won't compromise what we're looking for either.

[JPMNICK]

get me a job there before you leave!

just kidding. this sounds like an awesome thing, I wish you the best of luck. i am sure you will never miss the money because you will be so happy with that you are doing. post the details, this sounds like a place I would love to try

[Chip196]

get me a job there before you leave!

just kidding. this sounds like an awesome thing, I wish you the best of luck. i am sure you will never miss the money because you will be so happy with that you are doing. post the details, this sounds like a place I would love to try

Thanks ... I am hoping expenses (separate from the business) also go down 80% ... we'll see :smile:

[jauble]

Go for it and good luck. Supporting local and organic farms is great.

[BeerBandit]

You're insane! Think of how much you'll miss riding the train. How will you sleep on your way in to work?

[Chip196]

You're insane! Think of how much you'll miss riding the train. How will you sleep on your way in to work?

HA ... there are MANY things I am going to miss about where I am: Being close to some of my life-long friends, being a member of my Fire Department, Having weekends free to do whatever I want ... but I guarantee you I will not miss the Metro North Harlem Line at all!!!!!

[jonyrotn]

You lucky bastard..How many people, in today's economic climate, can walk away from secure and prosperous employment to persue their dreams? Besides Obama and you, I can't think of one..I envy you so much..I wish you all the best and if you need an extra busboy, I am half Mexican..

[Chip196]

You lucky bastard..How many people, in today's economic climate, can walk away from secure and prosperous employment to persue their dreams? Besides Obama and you, I can't think of one..I envy you so much..I wish you all the best and if you need an extra busboy, I am half Mexican..

Thanks Budday ... I am really excited about it ... nervous given the economic climate, but excited. Every busboy and prep cook I've ever met was mexican, so you're in. Unless you're other half is Dutch. There are two things I hate in life: 1) intollerance of other peoples cultures .. and 2) the Dutch.

[BeerBandit]

Thanks Budday ... I am really excited about it ... nervous given the economic climate, but excited. Every busboy and prep cook I've ever met was mexican, so you're in. Unless you're other half is Dutch. There are two things I hate in life: 1) intollerance of other peoples cultures .. and 2) the Dutch.

I'm half Italian, does that mean I can come in through the kitchen?

[MobCounty]

I love a good restaurant. It sounds like a very rewarding and fulfilling path.
I hear people say it's hard to get one started, but in my area they are all shit, so I don't get how they even make it at all. In an age where every seems to be reheating conference food, an clean healthy alternative sounds very appealing.

[Tall_James]

Get me a table near a window and I'll make it worth your while.

[Piuki]

Pookie Mookie hijacked your call last night, so I didn't even get to express my YAY!!!!!!!! to you and the Mrs. I really am sooooo excited for you guys. :clap:

[dino_electropolis]

i have worked in the restaurant business my whole life....all my relatives were, surprise surprise, restauranteurs. I've seen many succeed to a great extent, the others, not so much.

Bottom line: its hard work.

Best of luck budday!

[Chip196]

I love a good restaurant. It sounds like a very rewarding and fulfilling path.
I hear people say it's hard to get one started, but in my area they are all shit, so I don't get how they even make it at all. In an age where every seems to be reheating conference food, an clean healthy alternative sounds very appealing.

Thanks ... It sure is going to be difficult, and honestly, with this being pretty much new to me, I am hoping I don't fall into too many traps.

[dino_electropolis]

Thanks ... It sure is going to be difficult, and honestly, with this being pretty much new to me, I am hoping I don't fall into too many traps.


the one thing i learned from my own dad's business failures is this: Dont underestimate your cleintele.....most people would rather pay a little more for a quality food product (my dad, being the old school guy he is, opted to put out cheap food and bank on the volume.....but that doesnt work)

[Gvac]

Chip, all the best and bless you for having the balls to chuck it all for a simpler way of life.

You can't put a price tag on happiness and peace of mind.

I wish you all the success in the world.

[Chip196]

the one thing i learned from my own dad's business failures is this: Dont underestimate your cleintele.....most people would rather pay a little more for a quality food product (my dad, being the old school guy he is, opted to put out cheap food and bank on the volume.....but that doesnt work)

Thanks for passing that on ... any advise is welcome. I grew up in the business too, My fathers undoing was a bad partner, so he's had a few words of wisdom. Our whole mission is built around the food quality. What else do you think of the plan? Do you think it's too niche?

[Chip196]

Pookie Mookie hijacked your call last night, so I didn't even get to express my YAY!!!!!!!! to you and the Mrs. I really am sooooo excited for you guys. :clap:

Thanks Mrs. Bandit! I can't wait for you guys to come up and give us your review. I'll let you know when we're wine tasting :wink:

[Chip196]

Get me a table near a window and I'll make it worth your while.

Are you Half-Italian like BeerBandit? I need to know how much pull you have :smile:

[Chip196]

Chip, all the best and bless you for having the balls to chuck it all for a simpler way of life.

You can't put a price tag on happiness and peace of mind.

I wish you all the success in the world.

Thanks Gvac ... I am bursting with Nerves, questioning my decisions, wondering what the hell I am thinking ... I also wish it could happen tomorrow, I can't wait to dive in, and I am having daydreams about the moment I give my notice at my current position. I really appreciate the good wishes. Hearing everyone cheer you on here pumps you up for it even more.

[joethebartender]

If local and organic is your game plan...don't leave these guys out!
http://www.ommegang.com/index.php
A "green" brewery in Cooperstown (it used to be a hop farm) with the best Belgian style ales outside of Belgium. I first tried their stuff at Markt, a brasserie on 6th ave, and they stand up to all of the imports (if not surpassing them). Beautiful beer.
Need a barman (I'm good with the vino too)?:wink:

http://www.ommegang.com/omm_images/Screensaver_2_th.jpg

[ralphbxny]

Brother you have my bucks. I commute through the area for work alot. Id love to stop in and support a budday and local NY place!

Congrats and Good luck!

[Chip196]

[QUOTE=joethebartender;1728764]If local and organic is your game plan...don't leave these guys out!
http://www.ommegang.com/index.php
A "green" brewery in Cooperstown (it used to be a hop farm) with the best Belgian style ales outside of Belgium. I first tried their stuff at Markt, a brasserie on 6th ave, and they stand up to all of the imports (if not surpassing them). Beautiful beer.
Need a barman (I'm good with the vino too)?:wink:QUOTE]

I will definitely check that out,thanks for passing it on. Taste testing will be the best part. When we get closer I will let you know about needing a barman, that would be great!

[Chip196]

Brother you have my bucks. I commute through the area for work alot. Id love to stop in and support a budday and local NY place!

Congrats and Good luck!

Thanks Budday ... it would be so cool to see .net in my place.

[Drunky McBetidont]

will you offer the bennington classic steak off hookers head? if so, i bet everyone will be there! :)

best of luck budday

[Chip196]

will you offer the bennington classic steak off hookers head? if so, i bet everyone will be there! :)

best of luck budday

HA ... I don't think we'd be family safe that way. I certainly have thought about biting off of Mollys and coming up with a Ron and Fez steak sauce .... One on the Hot / Spicy Side ... one on the sweeter side. I'll have to think of something.