on Haywood Rd a few years ago. The highlight of that
experience was when we were featured on Travel Channel.
We were on an episode of Food Paradise called “Most
Valuable Plates”. That episode originally aired in 2018;
however, they still show reruns from time to time. I sold
the business soon after the Food Paradise episode and
bought Cafe Italiano a few months later.
Tell us about the atmosphere inside your restaurant
(what can a customer expect)? Cafe Italiano is a casual
and cozy restaurant with an atmosphere that gives a unique
and charming feel reminiscent of an old-fashioned Italian
Trattoria. The ambiance creates an ideal setting for the first
date, an anniversary dinner or a warm family gathering.
What would you say is the most popular food
ordered at your restaurant? Hand-tossed pizza, Italian
Spaghetti Dinner, Lobster Ravioli, Seafood Alfredo &
Chicken Parmigiana are our top sellers.
Has the restaurant over-come a difficult situation?
What was it and how did you overcome it? Labor Day
weekend was the busiest time for our restaurant. The line
was way out the door most of the day. Next year we will
be sure to be prepared for a large crowd.
When are you happiest at work? I’m happy when I feel
like we’re having an impact on the community by offering
the locals great food, service, and an affordable price. I’m
delighted when a satisfied customer leaves an excellent
online review for us. There is a great deal of autonomy in
owning my own business. Working for myself and steering
my own ship without having to answer to a corporate
office has made me happy.
Have you had any celebrities come to your
restaurant? Yes, everybody that passes through our
front door is a celebrity.
Do you offer catering? Yes, we have a full catering menu
with flexible menu options that can satisfy large or small
events.
Describe your approach to hiring staff.
What do you look for? Friendliness, conscientiousness,
and reliability are the traits I seek in an employee.
What is your management style? The decisions I
make take the employees’ best interests into consideration;
however, I also look at making the proper business
decisions. Therefore, I may consult with others for their
opinion, but ultimately, I make the final decision.
What is a tip or advice you have received in your
life that you still apply to your business today? Only
serve food to a customer that you would eat and enjoy
yourself.
What does the future of your restaurant look like?
I plan to continue to stay open every day, even during the
wintertime, so long as it makes good business sense.
continued on PAGE 29
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