Once again I find myself alone on a late afternoon after sending the staff home early to enjoy the holiday, so I turn thumb through the iPod wheel to Music>Artist>Miles Davis>Album> Kind of Blue, pour myself an Anchor Steam and write down these thoughts.

Less than a week ago, our meager little restaurant was chosen by the Omaha World Herald as a top ten spot for food in 2008. I don’t know that I took time to let this sink in until now, but in this year end, melancholic moment of reflection, I am… more »

I have learned a few good lessons about Christmas over the years and most of them pertain to what NOT to do, especially in relation to celebrating the holidays with a woman.

I always remember my dad’s number one rule in Christmas shopping was to never buy her anything that would create work. Even if it is a supposed time saving device that will shave hours off a particular task, his advice was to stay far away. So needless to say, as I was growing up, Mom never got an iron or crock… more »

My grandmother lived in a house with no indoor plumbing up to her passing away in 1972. I was only 9, but enough memories of that place were formed in me by that time that I can recall them vividly now in adulthood.

To a small boy, pumping water from a well 15 yards outside the back steps was novel and adventurous. I can still sense the taste of that cold, mineral bite from the water drawn out of the shale several feet into the earth. When I went… more »

Winding down my Thanksgiving Eve here alone at the restaurant. Everyone has gone home for the holiday and I took the time to do some deeper cleaning than would normally get done in an average day. I’ve poured a glass of Old Stock, put on some Bill Evans Trio, and reflect on all for which I am thankful.

I’m thankful to have a business that is succeeding despite the downward gust of the Economy. With many out of work and out of luck, I humbly accept the good fortune than has come… more »

Here’s a simple thought for your holiday season.

How can I get less done in more time?

I know it’s a bit counterintuitive, with all the mounting demands of the season. You’ve got all those commercials of Kelly Ripa doing everything for everybody with her new Electrolux appliances. Or your kids making you think an iPhone is essential to their well being…in 5^th grade. But take a step back for a moment and ask yourself if the pressure you feel is legitimate or just simply urgent.

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One of my roles as a leader of a staff with varied backgrounds and experience in food service is to try and create a culture that holds certain values that permeate the entire business. Every leader has to figure out how to effectively communicate these values on a regular basis. So last week, when my words came back to me in the form of a rebuke, I knew I had succeeded in getting my point across.

I try to tell my staff to be deliberate in everything they do. Shortcuts or half-ass attempts… more »

I have made a resolution this fall as winter weather approaches, to not complain about how cold it gets here. I have lived in Nebraska for 18 years now, and even with the assumption of global warming, I don’t foresee any noticeable comfort change between the months of November and March.

I’m sure it was just as cold in the time of statehood when the pioneers came through, if not worse, since they didn’t have the luxury of penciling in GoreTex or a remote control car starter as one of their base components of… more »

With the beautiful fall weather a welcome reprieve, or at least a delaying of the inevitable, let me offer a suggestion. Take a moment to look up.

Notice today as folks pass you along the sidewalk. Most people walk with their eyes looking down, watching where their feet tread. Occasionally you might make eye contact with a passerby and offer an acknowledgment. But rare is the case do you see someone looking up, and if you do, you might wonder what it is they are looking at.

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Last night the Taylor Guitar Road Show came through our town, so it gave me a chance to call up another fellow Taylor owner to go hear about their new instruments and fondle the higher prices ones that I could only afford in my dreams. I was reminded why I always wanted one of their guitars.

Bob Taylor was just a kid in school with an early interest in building a guitar in his shop class. That desire has never left him. But if you peel back the layers of the… more »

Beaujolais Nouveau
“new wine, new food”
Thursday, November 20
Service begins at 6:00pm

Beaujolais Nouveau is the annual celebration of the new wine released from the Beaujolais region in France, held on the third Thursday of November. While the wine is simple and immature, it is symbolic of the joy of the most recent harvest, and gives cause to gather, enjoy good food and good company.

We are tapping into this tradition with an observance of our own, a chance… more »