Table by table, gaining ground Restaurants see business is coming back slowly

[RamboLiberal]

CHICAGO - It took more than a year, but American diners are coming out of hiding, starting to splurge on everything from tea to tacos and tacking on some dessert.

The meals aren't fancy — and business is far what it was before the recession sent the nation spiraling — but restaurateurs big and small say they're breathing a tentative sigh of relief as tables fill up.

At Deleece, a restaurant on Chicago's north side, crowds are bigger than they've been in months. It's noisier, too.

"People are out and they're spending a little more and maybe they're buying that extra appetizer they didn't before," said Brandon Canfield, the restaurant's chef.

In the depths of the recession, Deleece's customers might order a glass of wine, a salad and an entree. Now, they're more likely to get a bottle of wine, a hot appetizer and an entree. They'll also split a dessert, which adds up to bigger bills and full tables.

The shift, which Jefferies restaurant analyst Jeff Farmer calls a "slow grind," began in late January and is gaining steam.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36785047/ns/business-consumer_news/

[Dappleganger]

1. We are eating out more often, but just for lunch...

and we've made a commitment to local places only, no chain restaurants whenever possible. Saturday dh and I had a delightful lunch at a fab Mexican-style restaurant which had been recommended to us, and it was simply wonderful. Didn't break the bank and we enjoyed helping the economy a tiny bit.

[WolverineDG]

2. I've done my best to frequent my favorite local joint

at least once a week. :)

dg