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All dressed up and nowhere to go - Ritchis versus Greens Plattekloof (20/02/2011)

Every now and then I feel like going somewhere close to home for a quick pizza and a glass of wine. I am not looking for something special, what I am talking about is something simple, quick and easy.

In my head I see this restaurant as a mama papa type store - lots of character, warmth, nice people - a home from home.

Well the only problem with this picture is that the memory does not always match the reality. And well that's exactly what happened to me the other night.

I went to a place that I haven't being to in 5 or 6 years - a place called Ritchis in Panorama in the Northern Suburbs of the Western Cape. Before I start critiquing let me start of by saying that I have been to this restaurant in one or other form for the last 25 years now. Writing this is a little scary because it ages me…. 25 YEARS…

The moment I walked in the place I felt uncomfortable. After seating myself in I must admit a fairly packed restaurant I started to notice the people. Scary scary stuff. As the smoke started to fill my nostrils, sitting in the non smoking section of the restaurant, I began to feel uneasy. Have you ever watched the fringe… well it felt a little like that...

The longer I sat the more uncomfortable I began - lousy furniture - no character - no owner - bad bad décor all mixed in with a warm glass of wine. Yummmmmmy... It took me about 2 minutes to savour and enjoy my glass of wine, excuse myself and make my escape. The only homely thing about the restaurant was the furniture and décor that has not changed in the last 10 years.

Still hungry I decided to go to a place about 5 min down the road to a restaurant called Greens. Nice décor - nice people - nice vibe - attentive waiters - what a difference. Not only is the place classy but it has a modern menu with all the right trimmings. The furniture and decor is tasteful and very upmarket. You feel a little special going into a place like this.

Now the interesting part for me is the pricing of the food. You would expect Greens to be so much more expensive. Surprise surprise!! They are actually cheaper...

Why is it that some people think they can simply sit back and the money will keep on rolling in...? If you don't take an interest in your customers and look after them well in my opinion you wont last... As I have said many times before it is not really about any one thing it is more about the package.

Bad decor + high prices + good vibe + owner involved + good staff = YES
Bad decor + high prices + average vibe + absent owner + poor to average staff = NO

So out the door goes my illusion about mama and papa type restaurants and instead my focus is about value for money experiences...

Thats all for now

Francois Heyns

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