On the Other Side of the White Door

We recently tried a new restaurant. It is nearly impossible to find unless you know what you're looking for. It had eight tables, and a few seats at the bar. To make a reservation, you have to submit a contact form via the website, and wait a few days to hear back. 

When we walked through (the totally nondescript, barely labeled) white door, the owner greeted me by name as she showed us to our table. Stepping into the restaurant felt like stepping into a secret hideaway, dimly lit with candles on the tables and wine glasses hanging from a shelf on the wall. 

The restaurant is owned by a husband and a wife; the husband is the chef, and the wife manages the front of house. They have one team member who helps them bring out food and bus tables. 

They are open three nights per week, for four hours each. 

It is chef-driven, intimate, and a total delight.

The food was exceptional. 

And, beyond the food were three things that made this experience one-of-a-kind: intention, care, and attention. 

The couple who owns the restaurant is intentional about keeping it small and intimate. They know they will likely lose some potential guests who prefer the convenience of instant, online booking on platforms like Resy. But they like talking to each of their guests, and they are okay losing some potential customers who don't align with this process.  

There is deep care behind every dish, every wine selection, and the way that each dish is brought out. 

And finally, due to the size of the restaurant, the owner is able to pay close attention to each table, and each person seated there. 

As leaders, we might consider the same: 

• What are our intentions? What matters?

• How are we demonstrating care for the people around us?

• And, are we paying attention—to the people around us, and to what matters most?

Often the experiences that feel most meaningful aren't the biggest or the most elaborate. They're the ones where someone has thought carefully about what matters.

I've already booked a second reservation for the restaurant and can't wait to return. 

Questions? Please feel free to drop us a note anytime.