Over drinks, a friend recently asked if we had found a place yet. I was confused on what he meant, until I realized he was referring to a place for the potential restaurant venture I've mentioned here. The short answer? Not yet, and maybe not for awhile, or ever. My latest joke and explanation is that I need to be independently wealthy to open even a modest restaurant. But the more research I do, the more that seems almost true.
In early November, I was supposed to chat for a few minutes with a local business owner who has had a hand in many bars and restaurants in SF, since the early eighties. He knows a lot of prominent industry insiders, and shared tons of helpful info from his experiences. Our talk lasted over an hour and a half, and he alternated between trying to talk me out of opening a place while offering detailed help and contacts if I do. I'm still mulling it all over: do I really want to worry and work seven days a week, have a serious lack of a life, and scariest of all: potential financial worries if things go south? It's not that I am afraid of hard work or even risk, but I would like to be able to have time to enjoy my family and friends.
Also, like many women my age, I am thinking about the if and when of having a child. (NO! I'm not pregnant yet!) The Chronicle doesn't have childcare at this time, and I can't see myself plopping a baby down next to a deep fryer while Mommy takes care of business. And oh yes, if I have a restaurant, I so want a deep fryer! The restaurant idea wouldn't be some big playground for me. It still seems like an interesting and worthwhile goal but it's on hold for now. I don't even consider it in my 2 year plan. My research will continue, since the more folks I talk to, the more I learn.
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