Table Madness
Starting a new restaurant from scratch is like jumping from a train going 40 mph. It is hard to keep your balance. Heavens there is a lot to do, and a million decisions to make.
How many tongs do we need?
Big tongs, medium tongs or small tongs?
If we buy big tongs and little tongs, do we need medium tongs?
I don’t know, let’s decide on tongs later.
What about meat forks?
It goes on and on. The outdoor fire table nestled under the octagon-shaped pergola should be all the signage we need (note to self: order the sign) but the final design of the outdoor dining area has been a big project. The Yamaha disklavier is a concert-quality grand piano that also functions as a state-of-the-art player, but it certainly raises the bar for the dining room sound system. Special events, meetings, private and group dining will be areas of special emphasis, but that makes the audio-visual system design alone into a big project.
Almost all who visit Timberland will need to drive by our front door and Market of Choice has opened to great fanfare. We look forward to working with the produce manager to help our local farmers grow their businesses and the wine steward is all about collaboration. MOC has installed a great team. People seem really happy to be there.
There was blip in the design process when the design firm let go of the initial architect. The timeline was already tight yet we got into the city for permits before the holidays. But comprehensive construction plans and specifications took a bit longer. The subcontractor bids have just rolled in and this week we will finally have a complete bid - over budget of course – just as the permits are ready to be issued.
Not knowing for sure what the final cost is going to be has made it more difficult to close on the funding. It is hard to wrap up conversations with our investors when we are unsure of our promises. We have a great team of investors in line to join us in ownership of the new restaurant. I am hoping one of them will know whether or not we also need the medium tongs. If you know the answer to the tongs dilemma, or have other expertise and cash that you’d like to find a home for, there are a few slots left.
What we do know is that The Table will be fantastic. With a great location, quality building and amazing design, The Table will join the ranks of Portland’s premier restaurants. We will be able to accommodate groups of up to 75 for events in the private dining room without impinging on the experience of regular diners. The bar will be hopping. The wine room will house one of the best collections in Portland. The fire table and 60 seats of outdoor dining will redefine summer evenings in the burbs. It will be a great year, once we get those tongs.