Italian, Japanese, Mexican, Comfort Food...this week I need to seek a new restaurant client.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

I've done Italian (one upscale, one small pizzeria), Japanese, Mexican (4 so far), and Comfort Food.

What's next?

Deli? BBQ?

I'd like to do a site for an Indian restaurant, but that is a TOUGH nut to crack. A lot of Indian restaurant owners have Indian friends who can, at a minimum, throw together a "template" Website in a heartbeat for next to nothing. There should be an Indian restaurant Website for novices. Once I get past tandoori chicken, I'm lost...and I am not a fan of curry at ALL. But there used to be a place in Santa Clara called "Grand Indian Buffet"...it's gone now, turned into a "regular" non-buffet place. But for ten bucks, I used to go in there and load up on all kinds of things that were NOT curry, and I'll be damned if I can remember the names of ANY of the dishes (except tandoori chicken).

You folks have seen my food photos...any suggestions / requests?

[Duer 157099]

1. How about a good local (non-chain) sandwich shop?

Maybe one that bakes their own bread and makes great sandwiches?

I am a huge fan of restaurants that have websites and that have their menus and photos of their food, basically exactly what you do, so I am all in favor of you doing ALL the restaurants/eateries everywhere.

Bakery is also really photogenic! Fresh baked goods. Cakes and goodies.

And yes, BBQ, of course.

Do all of them.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

4. I'm leaning toward a really good sandwich shop...and BBQ, too.

There is a local soul food restaurant that SOUNDS astounding, but they went for a TEMPLATE Website with NO photos of their food.

And yeah, a sandwich shop with artisan, fresh-baked breads would be a lot of fun.

Thank you also for the kind comments!

[Kali]

2. steak house!

[Amerigo Vespucci]

5. That would be cool!

There is a local place here named Birks...the owner, sadly, was killed in a "road rage" incident a few years ago, but his family chose to keep the place open. A friend took me there for lunch a couple of months ago. $40 for a steak...but what a MIGHTY steak it was. Aged to perfection.

[snagglepuss]

3. Why not approach caterers?

[Amerigo Vespucci]

6. A good suggestion, and one I need to re-visit.

Based on the local research I've done, caterers can be a "template-happy" lot.

One of the things that's helped me get a foot in the door in the Mexican restaurants is the fact that they do catering and I provide a form for interested parties to fill out and submit.

I'm a visual DESIGNER, but I am also a visual CONSUMER. When it comes to food...restaurants or caterers...I want to see the food.

I occasionally like a good New York steak, but don't want to go to a restaurant where I'm paying for the ambiance AND the meat. My latest client serves THIS for $12.25:



You see, they CONVINCED me. I took the photo, I saw it "in person," but I look at that photo now and the restaurant is on my short list the next time I want a lean, well cooked steak.

It's so easy...and a lot of restaurant owners don't get it. That's my job...to show them my work, share success stories from my other clients, and make them look like superstars once they agree to do business with me.