This story appears in the
April 2005 issue of
Entrepreneur.
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Largely forgone in the lean years since the dotcom bust, the
business lunch is making a comeback. The National Restaurant
Association projects a record $476 billion in overall industry
sales for 2005, a 4.9 percent increase over last year, and
restaurateurs report more bustle and business-deal making during
the lunch rush. Check out the report from the trenches of three
business lunch hot spots.
Swifty's, New York City
Business Lunch Buzz: Business clientele have been
frequenting this Upper East Side eatery more regularly, and
business is up from past years, says co-owner Robert Caravaggi.
Hot Meal: Men prefer dishes like crab cakes, steaks and
risotto. Women order salads and cheese souffles.
Hot Drink: Nonalcoholic, for the most part, says
Caravaggi, with iced tea and water being requested most
The
Palm, Los Angeles
Business Lunch Buzz: With two hot locations in Los Angeles,
many a deal is made at The Palm, and lunch business has risen 35
percent during the second half of 2004 at the West Hollywood
location, says Bruce Bozzi Jr., regional director of
operations.
Hot Meal: Patrons eat lighter for lunch--Cobb salad, tuna
ahi salad, lobster salad, and twin tenderloin filets are popular
dishes.
Hot Drink: White wines, red wines and iced tea
One Market Restaurant, San Francisco
Business Lunch Buzz: Overlooking the Bay Bridge and mere
steps from the financial district, patrons are doing more business,
and lunch sales have increased 10 percent from last year, says
general manager Larry Bouchard.
Hot Meal: Diners ask for simplicity and familiarity, says
Bouchard--bistro steak, house-made sausage, spit-roasted
half-chicken with braised cipollino.
Hot Drink: Not as much alcohol as in years past, but
Bouchard notes that when people do order wine at a business lunch,
they head toward the bigger-ticket bottles.