Where will I end up? The garden.

This is the burning question a lot of people are asking me. I wish I had an answer. I've seen too many places to recall. Do I want to be in Syracuse? Manlius? Auburn, Skaneatles? Why not close to home in B'ville? Cicero? I just don't know.
I looked at a place in downtown Auburn that I liked. It has potential, but so do places around here. Oh well, something will come up soon. It has to soon. I'm getting impatient.

I will say I am getting excited about winter getting close to the end. Plans are being made for the garden. Seeds will be started soon. I get all happy when the little sprouts come up. I start dreaming of what I'll do with the "fruits of my labor", so to speak.
Certain things have to make their annual appearance; cucumbers, zucchini, numerous varieties of tomatoes and chile peppers. But what else to add to the mix? Corn didn't work out so well. I think we had 5 little dinky ears. Tomatillos were the champions last year. Oh well, I'll look through some seed websites and order some funky and interesting stuff.

I'm beginning to wonder

I'm starting to think that maybe my expectations are too high. As far as the location is concerned, I'm not sure if the perfect spot is out there or if I need to turn a location into the perfect spot. People tell me about places they've seen. Many times I've seen the same places. I find myself defending my choice to not choose a particular place. I ask them if they would settle on a house or on an apartment.The answer is always no. I have to tell them it's the same thing. It's hard to explain. I'll know it when I step inside the door. It'll just feel right. If I'm going to be there 5 or 6 days a week for 14-15 hours a day, it sure as hell better be right.

On a different topic, the Syracuse ACF (American Culinary Federation) is in the middle of planning the Great Chefs Dinner. This years event will be like none other. It will be a fully interactive show to engage all of your senses. We will be cooking and assembling our creations in the middle of a "kitchen arena" in the center of the Grand Ballroom at the OnCenter. Kitchen Arena will be a raised platform. Some of us, two actually, will be using different chemicals (all food grade) and techniques to dazzle and amaze the crowd. I'm not going to steal anyone elses thunder, but I will be utilizing methylcellulose and dry ice. With the methylcellulose I'll be transforming olive oil into faux rice kernels and making paella. The dry ice will be used to foam a berry puree. One other chef is using methylcellulose and liquid nitrogen. Anyone interested in attending let me know or call the American Red Cross and ask about tickets.

Food is the easy part.

This endeavor, with varying degrees of intensity, has been going on for a little over a year. Why, do you ask, is it that it's taking so long? Location, location, location my friends. I've been close on two previous spots only to have a nagging doubt throw me off. I have to "feel" the spot. There can't be any question. Sometimes I wish it were simple. I've walked in and out of 75 locations in the last 3 months. Not one of them gave me the "this is it" feeling. I'm wondering if I need to expand my search radius. You know, include areas like Skaneateles or Auburn. What about Ithaca? They have a much more progressive attitude. This is my dilemma. I just need to stay positive and keep looking.

Like I said, the food is the easy part.

Any ideas on locations are welcome.

Things could be looking up

Word is getting out about Cuento. People are calling local TV stations and writing letters to the Post Standard asking if and when it'll open. A week ago I was still pushing forward with it, but I was getting skeptical. Nothing seemed like it would line up.

Last Friday, January 29th was my 40th birthday. A birthday that brought promise, my focus and drive back 1000 fold. I had met with a lady from the Syracuse Chamber of Commerce on Thursday. She asked me about my vision for Cuento and I let fly with all the excitement, passion and love I feel about the place, it's not even a place yet, but it has taken on a life of its own. We had a nice meeting and parted way after about 2 1/2 hours. Little did I know, but she went to speak with an individual who works in another industry and another city. She spoke to this gentleman about my concept and he told her to pass along his information, he may like to invest. I was ecstatic. She promised to email the gentlemans information to me on Monday. She was good to her word!

So I got home from work on Friday to a small but nice gathering of family to help celebrate the big 4-0. Cake-pie etc. Nice. Everyone left as it was getting late and the weather was not good. I decided to jump online to check emails and check the wonderful world of Facebook. I saw the usual assortment of garbage. I noticed I had an unusually high number of emails in my Facebook inbox. Many of them were well wishes for my birthday, but one caught me as a little funny. It was from a woman I had never heard of. Curiously I opened the email and read that this person had read about Cuento in the P.S. and wanted to know if there was a way we could talk about her becoming a possible investor. Again I was shocked, happy, skeptical you name it. I ran the gamut of emotions. After a few emails back and forth and a phone call by me, I am happy to say we are meeting Thursday morning.

I can't wait!

Still looking....

Over the last week or so I have seen maybe 2 dozen locations. Most of them are completely forgettable. I did see a place in Manlius today that intrigued me, but after meeting with the owner, I'm not sold. The building itself is an old church. It had plenty of potential, but it is too chopped up. No coherent floor plan to speak of.
I'm pretty sure my Agent, Amy, is a little frustrated with me, but it has to feel right.

I know given the opportunity and the right location this restaurant will be a big success. There is nothing else like it in the area.

Can someone show me the RIGHT location?