I feel as though this is my last night as a single something as next week will be all about the re-opening. It feels as though I'm planning a wedding and moving house all at the same time. I've got the photographer booked, the flowers ordered the decorating is finished but I don't have a fancy new frock or a sparklie ring, and most definatley not a honeymoon booked in the sychelles although just now a week in the Priory would be more beneficial.
I have taken to drinking incessant cups of tea to calm my nerves, usually its just because I'm such a tea jenny although to be truthful now the builders have left its not quite so good as they've taken their Yorkshire teabags away with them. The staff are so fed up with my usual cry of "Who's making tea" I can't say who makes the best as I would get killed, but they all do an amazing job.
We all went out to dinnerwith the builders last week to say thank you for all their hard work , we took the plumbers too, so they wouldn't feel left out! It was such a good night and my last night of freedom for a while anyway. We hit the high spots of Wrexham, some bar down a back alley with Karaoke..................now my singing skills have never been much to write home about, I'm never going to be on X-factor, its my ability to know the lyrics perfectly, well at least the ones I make up in my head. Even after 3 years the staff still laugh at my rendition of the Katy Perry tune with cherry chopsticks??!!
Needless to say I decided to wear to my glasses to see the screen just to be on the safe side!
Today for the first time in ages we finally got some amazing food, as the staff say..................this isn't just any restaurant food....................this is Carmine food!! mmmmmmmmm
We had a run through of all the new dishes on the menu so we could advise all the customers which dish they should try. Well it really depends on who you ask but one of the most enjoyed was the Lobster ravioli in a creamy tomato sauce with prawns and scallops, which would go beautifully with the Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand we tried on Tuesday. As I was saying earlier, I have such a stressful job.
I really hope you will all try to pop in over the Easter weekend to see what we've done with the place and you love it just as much as we do
In the meantime I will leave you with a toast from the "best man"
It is the end of one chapter of life and the beginning of everything else.........
So wish us luck
Colette
xxx
Wednesday, 31 March 2010
Wednesday, 24 March 2010
Great is the art of beginning, but greater is the art of ending
Am I pleased that we've got to the ending part! I'm so frazzled, now that we're almost complete things are really beginning to change every day, infact every time I walk through the front door there has been that little bit more progress made. Thankfully we're going towards the good weather so the fact the heating still isn't finished isn't making me hyperventilate!
We have had a few difficult days, last week disaster struck. The menus went to the printers and they were all wrong, they wouldn't print the way we envisaged then so we virtually had to start again with the colours and the design. Well, e-mails were flying, tempers were rising and I was literally tearing my hair out, now that everything is resolved, and it all looks much better then before. Light and airy and fresh. Just like me tomorrow after I go to the hairdressers to repair the ravages. Pity she can't do my face at the same time.
Thank heavens for Cary, she swooped in to save the day and got everyone back on track. I'm sure I've seen her out and about in her wonder woman outfit or was that my imagination running riot after a mad conversation?? Must ask, maybe we can get her to post a photo with pants on over her trousers!
I'm feeling a bit strange tonight writing the blog as I've discovered there's more people that read it than I first thought. So many people have said something about what I've written and the builders have assured me that they were infact suffering from a tropical disease caught in Blackpool rather than the man flu that I reported last week. I stand corrected and I do apologise. Can you tell they read the blog too now and give me grief? I’ll miss them when they've gone, we're taking them out tomorrow for a farewell dinner which should be fun and not so dangerous as they finish work on Friday then I'm left alone to make sense of it all. I hope I get a manual on how to do simple things like turn on the lights.
Well opening day is coming ever closer and although I know it'll all go ok, I'm now worrying about silly things and this has been contagious Poor Liz is having nightmares about not having enough tables for all the customers.............mmm this is my daydream. Lots and lots of people coming to see what we've done and loving it too. So I hope you'll all be forming an orderly queue outside us on Easter Sunday for when we re-open. We'll be serving our very first brunch so If you love waffles, pancakes and breakfast in general then we're the place to be, can you imagine Italian coffee, continental surroundings, Michael Buble playing on the I-pod and the Sunday papers.................who needs to do the weekly shop anyway
We have had a few difficult days, last week disaster struck. The menus went to the printers and they were all wrong, they wouldn't print the way we envisaged then so we virtually had to start again with the colours and the design. Well, e-mails were flying, tempers were rising and I was literally tearing my hair out, now that everything is resolved, and it all looks much better then before. Light and airy and fresh. Just like me tomorrow after I go to the hairdressers to repair the ravages. Pity she can't do my face at the same time.
Thank heavens for Cary, she swooped in to save the day and got everyone back on track. I'm sure I've seen her out and about in her wonder woman outfit or was that my imagination running riot after a mad conversation?? Must ask, maybe we can get her to post a photo with pants on over her trousers!
I'm feeling a bit strange tonight writing the blog as I've discovered there's more people that read it than I first thought. So many people have said something about what I've written and the builders have assured me that they were infact suffering from a tropical disease caught in Blackpool rather than the man flu that I reported last week. I stand corrected and I do apologise. Can you tell they read the blog too now and give me grief? I’ll miss them when they've gone, we're taking them out tomorrow for a farewell dinner which should be fun and not so dangerous as they finish work on Friday then I'm left alone to make sense of it all. I hope I get a manual on how to do simple things like turn on the lights.
Well opening day is coming ever closer and although I know it'll all go ok, I'm now worrying about silly things and this has been contagious Poor Liz is having nightmares about not having enough tables for all the customers.............mmm this is my daydream. Lots and lots of people coming to see what we've done and loving it too. So I hope you'll all be forming an orderly queue outside us on Easter Sunday for when we re-open. We'll be serving our very first brunch so If you love waffles, pancakes and breakfast in general then we're the place to be, can you imagine Italian coffee, continental surroundings, Michael Buble playing on the I-pod and the Sunday papers.................who needs to do the weekly shop anyway
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
Chandeliers and Big Ears
It’s that time of week again when I get to tell you all about what’s happening at work and home and know that I haven't told you it all before.....I hope. The staff are fed up of me repeating myself but I honestly can't remember who I tell what. As long as they all turn up for opening day then its all okay. Oh yeah, I should tell you too. It’s Easter Sunday the 4th April. How exciting is that. Finally we're almost there, I can't wait.
The interior is really amazing, we have this Chandelier above the staircase that is simply stunning, it has Swarovski type crystals on it and falls in a spiral. Just now its a bit too long so when they clip off the excess I think I might just make a bracelet for myself but I don't know what to do about the bulbs..............might need to rethink that one
I don't want to tell you too much about the interior and spoil the surprise but I think you'll hardly recognize the place You will hardly recognize the staff either when you see them, we eventually managed to choose a uniform and I must admit they will all look fantastic and very chic, which immediately makes me think that I too need a makeover...........mmm Carmine can I just borrow your credit card please
I think everyone is now feeling the strain of the project, even the builders were poorly this week...........with a virulent strain of Man Flu. I went in on Tuesday to see them all looking very dejected and sorry for themselves. So being very caring, I went to the portacabin to make them a cup of tea, normally I just drink tea, I never make it. That’s what staff and husbands are for isn't it. Also I hadn't realised I had to wash all the cups first, not that I would have retracted the offer if I had realised, anyway I'm sure they were just playing on it for sympathy because as soon as the young lady that I was meeting had arrived they all became rather chatty and perky, Then sat there blatantly eavesdropping on the conversation! Honestly I've rarely seen such an immediate transformation.
Tomorrow, I have quite a nice day planned. Meeting the florist at site, then meeting the staff for lunch, some interviews for new part timers , then having a tutorial on how to work an i-pod and download music in-between all of the usual e-mails and telephone calls. Speaking of that, the phone will be turned back on next week so you're free to call and reserve a table. Now I bet you're glad you read the blog
Have a great week and who's making the tea??
Colette
The interior is really amazing, we have this Chandelier above the staircase that is simply stunning, it has Swarovski type crystals on it and falls in a spiral. Just now its a bit too long so when they clip off the excess I think I might just make a bracelet for myself but I don't know what to do about the bulbs..............might need to rethink that one
I don't want to tell you too much about the interior and spoil the surprise but I think you'll hardly recognize the place You will hardly recognize the staff either when you see them, we eventually managed to choose a uniform and I must admit they will all look fantastic and very chic, which immediately makes me think that I too need a makeover...........mmm Carmine can I just borrow your credit card please
I think everyone is now feeling the strain of the project, even the builders were poorly this week...........with a virulent strain of Man Flu. I went in on Tuesday to see them all looking very dejected and sorry for themselves. So being very caring, I went to the portacabin to make them a cup of tea, normally I just drink tea, I never make it. That’s what staff and husbands are for isn't it. Also I hadn't realised I had to wash all the cups first, not that I would have retracted the offer if I had realised, anyway I'm sure they were just playing on it for sympathy because as soon as the young lady that I was meeting had arrived they all became rather chatty and perky, Then sat there blatantly eavesdropping on the conversation! Honestly I've rarely seen such an immediate transformation.
Tomorrow, I have quite a nice day planned. Meeting the florist at site, then meeting the staff for lunch, some interviews for new part timers , then having a tutorial on how to work an i-pod and download music in-between all of the usual e-mails and telephone calls. Speaking of that, the phone will be turned back on next week so you're free to call and reserve a table. Now I bet you're glad you read the blog
Have a great week and who's making the tea??
Colette
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
Decorative Grasses and Pint Glasses
Well Spring has finally sprung and with the majority of work inside the Lemon Tree almost complete our attentions were focused on the flower bed at the front. Now I am notorious for killing plants so the actual thought of Gardening brings me out in a rash........well maybe that's just the sensible shoes I have to wear whilst actually doing anything, so with keen gardeners in the meeting, my feeble pleas of false nails and high heels fell on deaf ears oh ............and being the only female maybe had something to do with it.
Anyway, my favourite suggestion of the day was astro turf but sadly to say I was overruled so now frantically searching for dear little old men that want paid in beer.............and unfortunately Google has let me down
On the brighter side I met the terribly glamorous sales rep for our beer products and she had brought me some presents. Beer, beer and what was it again, oh yeah the pint glasses..............we are having crystal pint glasses, can you believe it. They are so amazing, so get in quick before the staff have broken them all!! Maybe I should have opted for the plastic ones!
The builders have been amazing so far and really nice when we go to visit them on site, Steve the foreman is ace at making tea, not that I judge people on that skill alone, really........ So in the spirit of being hospitable, I decided to use them as guinea pigs, although in a caring and sharing way, just incase any of them ever read this!
We have been looking at expanding our repertoire and changing a little bit of who we were to promote a chilled out and relaxed atmosphere by offering more of a continental style coffee shop during the day and weekends where you can come for a late breakfast or coffee and cake to read the papers, so I made muffins and as I was very overenthusiastic with the doses, I ended up with 36, I took them to the meeting with me. Well they obviously enjoyed the more traditional of banoffee or the one with forest fruits but my more unusual almond and marzipan offering was looked at a bit askew. Maybe I should have stuck to white choc chip. I also made Caerphilly, sundried tomato and spinach one..............yum. I'm trying to convince Carmine that they have to go on the menu and so far I'm winning, I think...............maybe
There are now so many little things to co-ordinate that its becoming a teeny bit complicated to keep a grip on it all, I have now taken to dreaming about it so much that I forget what I've done and what I've dreamt so I might try and write the blog again tomorrow. I wonder if it would be better then too, although I now have a little fan base that look forward to reading my Wednesday night blog.............ok it consists of my sister and niece but it gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside.
I'm glad I get a little encouragement off someone as per usual my gaffes have now taken on epic proportions, the builders were in hysterics when I asked " Why Can't you just give me an extra 10 inches" I meant the desktop, can't think for the life of me what they thought I meant..
On that note I'd best go before I get into any more trouble
Talk to you all soon
Colette xxx
Anyway, my favourite suggestion of the day was astro turf but sadly to say I was overruled so now frantically searching for dear little old men that want paid in beer.............and unfortunately Google has let me down
On the brighter side I met the terribly glamorous sales rep for our beer products and she had brought me some presents. Beer, beer and what was it again, oh yeah the pint glasses..............we are having crystal pint glasses, can you believe it. They are so amazing, so get in quick before the staff have broken them all!! Maybe I should have opted for the plastic ones!
The builders have been amazing so far and really nice when we go to visit them on site, Steve the foreman is ace at making tea, not that I judge people on that skill alone, really........ So in the spirit of being hospitable, I decided to use them as guinea pigs, although in a caring and sharing way, just incase any of them ever read this!
We have been looking at expanding our repertoire and changing a little bit of who we were to promote a chilled out and relaxed atmosphere by offering more of a continental style coffee shop during the day and weekends where you can come for a late breakfast or coffee and cake to read the papers, so I made muffins and as I was very overenthusiastic with the doses, I ended up with 36, I took them to the meeting with me. Well they obviously enjoyed the more traditional of banoffee or the one with forest fruits but my more unusual almond and marzipan offering was looked at a bit askew. Maybe I should have stuck to white choc chip. I also made Caerphilly, sundried tomato and spinach one..............yum. I'm trying to convince Carmine that they have to go on the menu and so far I'm winning, I think...............maybe
There are now so many little things to co-ordinate that its becoming a teeny bit complicated to keep a grip on it all, I have now taken to dreaming about it so much that I forget what I've done and what I've dreamt so I might try and write the blog again tomorrow. I wonder if it would be better then too, although I now have a little fan base that look forward to reading my Wednesday night blog.............ok it consists of my sister and niece but it gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside.
I'm glad I get a little encouragement off someone as per usual my gaffes have now taken on epic proportions, the builders were in hysterics when I asked " Why Can't you just give me an extra 10 inches" I meant the desktop, can't think for the life of me what they thought I meant..
On that note I'd best go before I get into any more trouble
Talk to you all soon
Colette xxx
Wednesday, 3 March 2010
Happy Smiles and Dirty Sexy tiles
As Plato said "Wise men talk because they have something to say
Fools talk because they have to say something"
Mmmmmmmmmmmmm I wonder which category I fall into??
Well, to be truthful I'm rather terrified of writing my blog this evening as there are going to be so many more people reading it now as we sent out our first newsletter to keep all our customers up to date and gave them the link to read the blog.............dear God why oh why did I agree to this?? We also put it on the front page of the new website where you can check out the logo and some photos, and a competition to win a table for the re-launch party...........now that's not to be missed!
Anyway, seriously I cannot believe how close we are now to Easter and our proposed date for re-opening. Yikes, whilst the builders continue at a great rate I seem to be languishing behind and getting no-where with all the things that need to be done. I thought it would be great fun to have 3 months off work...........yeah right. I have been learning so many new things it's scary and yet very empowering too. However tomorrow, and thank god I really am busy I was invited to a seminar on Web site analytics.....................yawn! What does this have to do with running a restaurant and hotel? Well seemingly quite a lot and I would tell you, honest, but I don't think I was paying attention that day!!
You may remember that , last week I was meeting up with the staff for the first time since we closed and it was really nice to see them again, although we were to discuss all the important things like uniforms, tag lines and training schedules, they started to misbehave , and quiz me on what was going on at the hotel. As per usual no-one could make a decision on what not to wear so I have more or less decided for them. I'm supposed to be their manager, not their mother!!!
Today we met up with the bric brac specialists ................yes there are companies that only provide this service. Mad, I know, actually they were two lovely young men and that at least managed to put a huge smile on my face as most of the builders leave the sexy out of the title. More on the tiling later. As I was saying the two lovely young men that I now forget their names, well I was a little bit flustered when I was introduced, have some great ideas but I will keep it a secret for now as you need to have some surprises for when we re-open!
Also met with the furniture supplier and boy are you just going to love the seats. I'm sure my restaurant booking sheet will have additional information bits like.................want to sit on those seats..........want to be in that coloured room. It is going to be so amazing
As I said earlier, the tiling is coming on really well in the restaurant area and by the end of next week I think they will be more or less finished with all the decorating jobs. Then it just comes down to the finishing touches and the dreaded cleaning..........well that'll be for the staff!
Talking of the staff, they too have been busy........
Carmine has more or less finished the menus, I've done the wine list, Clare has come up with some new cocktails, Liz has kept us all in order and is keeping us going with her home baking and Jokin, Robyn and Emma have been running hither and tither to find out critical information for me. Definitely a team effort and If you're reading this and fancy a career change........... Maybe you want to join our mad cap team, well visit www.lemon-tree.net to find out more
Can't wait to get back to work
Love
Colette xx
Fools talk because they have to say something"
Mmmmmmmmmmmmm I wonder which category I fall into??
Well, to be truthful I'm rather terrified of writing my blog this evening as there are going to be so many more people reading it now as we sent out our first newsletter to keep all our customers up to date and gave them the link to read the blog.............dear God why oh why did I agree to this?? We also put it on the front page of the new website where you can check out the logo and some photos, and a competition to win a table for the re-launch party...........now that's not to be missed!
Anyway, seriously I cannot believe how close we are now to Easter and our proposed date for re-opening. Yikes, whilst the builders continue at a great rate I seem to be languishing behind and getting no-where with all the things that need to be done. I thought it would be great fun to have 3 months off work...........yeah right. I have been learning so many new things it's scary and yet very empowering too. However tomorrow, and thank god I really am busy I was invited to a seminar on Web site analytics.....................yawn! What does this have to do with running a restaurant and hotel? Well seemingly quite a lot and I would tell you, honest, but I don't think I was paying attention that day!!
You may remember that , last week I was meeting up with the staff for the first time since we closed and it was really nice to see them again, although we were to discuss all the important things like uniforms, tag lines and training schedules, they started to misbehave , and quiz me on what was going on at the hotel. As per usual no-one could make a decision on what not to wear so I have more or less decided for them. I'm supposed to be their manager, not their mother!!!
Today we met up with the bric brac specialists ................yes there are companies that only provide this service. Mad, I know, actually they were two lovely young men and that at least managed to put a huge smile on my face as most of the builders leave the sexy out of the title. More on the tiling later. As I was saying the two lovely young men that I now forget their names, well I was a little bit flustered when I was introduced, have some great ideas but I will keep it a secret for now as you need to have some surprises for when we re-open!
Also met with the furniture supplier and boy are you just going to love the seats. I'm sure my restaurant booking sheet will have additional information bits like.................want to sit on those seats..........want to be in that coloured room. It is going to be so amazing
As I said earlier, the tiling is coming on really well in the restaurant area and by the end of next week I think they will be more or less finished with all the decorating jobs. Then it just comes down to the finishing touches and the dreaded cleaning..........well that'll be for the staff!
Talking of the staff, they too have been busy........
Carmine has more or less finished the menus, I've done the wine list, Clare has come up with some new cocktails, Liz has kept us all in order and is keeping us going with her home baking and Jokin, Robyn and Emma have been running hither and tither to find out critical information for me. Definitely a team effort and If you're reading this and fancy a career change........... Maybe you want to join our mad cap team, well visit www.lemon-tree.net to find out more
Can't wait to get back to work
Love
Colette xx
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