perfect – Houston's Blog https://www.houstons-inc.com/blog Tue, 23 Jan 2024 19:39:29 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.8.2 Parfaits: The “Perfect” Dessert https://www.houstons-inc.com/blog/2015/11/25/parfaits-the-perfect-dessert/ https://www.houstons-inc.com/blog/2015/11/25/parfaits-the-perfect-dessert/#respond Wed, 25 Nov 2015 08:00:58 +0000 https://www.houstons-inc.com/blog/?p=1657 Today is National Parfait Day and there is no better way to celebrate the day than with a few bites of the creamy treat.  Parfait is a French term that translates to “perfect”, a fitting name for a dessert that is delicious, easy to make, and visually appealing to so many.  Parfaits have been around…

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French Style Parfait

French style parfait

Today is National Parfait Day and there is no better way to celebrate the day than with a few bites of the creamy treat.  Parfait is a French term that translates to “perfect”, a fitting name for a dessert that is delicious, easy to make, and visually appealing to so many.  Parfaits have been around since at least 1894 as part of French cuisine (source).  Traditionally they are a frozen custard-like dessert made from a base of sugar syrup, eggs and cream.  However, there are now many variations around the world.  In America, a parfait is a layered dessert served in a tall glass often consisting of ice cream or yogurt, fruits, nuts, granola, whipped cream, or even gelatin.  In any case, it’s definitely a dessert worth celebrating.  Try out this tasty yogurt parfait by Monin.  You’ll be sure to enjoy it! Bon appétit!

Monin Flavored Yogurt Parfait

Monin Flavored Yogurt Parfait. Photo courtesy of Monin.

 

Monin Flavored Yogurt Parfait

1 cup yogurt

2 to 3 tablespoons Monin Premium Syrup

Fruits, nuts and/or granola

Mix your favorite flavor of Monin Syrup with yogurt and stir until combined.  Add more or less syrup for a bolder or milder flavor.  Choose fruit to complement syrup and yogurt flavor.  Spoon yogurt into parfait glass, alternating layers with your choice of fruit, nuts, and granola.  Top with more fruit, nuts, and granola.

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Show the Love this Valentine’s Day https://www.houstons-inc.com/blog/2015/01/30/show-the-love-this-valentines-day/ https://www.houstons-inc.com/blog/2015/01/30/show-the-love-this-valentines-day/#respond Fri, 30 Jan 2015 23:16:47 +0000 https://www.houstons-inc.com/blog/?p=764 This year Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday creating a perfect storm for restaurant operators, with the opportunity to make the entire weekend a financial windstorm for many establishments.  While not necessarily a “holiday,” the day of celebration generates $10 billion nationwide, and a night out tops the list of how shoppers spend that money.…

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This year Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday creating a perfect storm for restaurant operators, with the opportunity to make the entire weekend a financial windstorm for many establishments.  While not necessarily a “holiday,” the day of celebration generates $10 billion nationwide, and a night out tops the list of how shoppers spend that money.

Planning ahead is imperative to owners wanting to capitalize on the couples who will dine in their restaurant.  Line up enough staff to handle the workload seamlessly, or at least make it look like a well-oiled machine—organized chaos, as some have called the waltz of the restaurant staff when they are “in the weeds.”  Plan for seating, as most diners will be coming in as parties of just two—and you will need to accommodate that without causing your wait list to explode.  Will your four-top tables split down into two?  If not, what other creative options may you have to modify your seating?  Plan your menu according to the rush you are sure to have and what your kitchen staff can handle.  Deborah Schneider, chef of Sol Cocina in Newport Beach, says that “a wise chef will offer their regular menu and add a few engaging Valentine’s specials.”  While this is a choice of many establishments, others opt for a complete menu shift, offering a fixed-price multiple-course meal to their diners in order to allow their kitchen to smoothly handle the craziness that accompanies a full and busy restaurant.  Some opt to keep their menu unchanged, but provide discounts to drive traffic through their doors.  Still others, especially in smaller neighborhood establishments, use the special day to encourage long-term loyalty by extending a la carte choices at a great price so patrons can sample multiple items, maybe discover new favorites, and ensure their return at a later date.  Other popular ideas include Valentine-themed items such pink cocktails, heart-shaped pasta, champagnes, or roses for sale on their premises.  There are even restaurants who will cater to the lovebirds who come to dine with their nest of children, offering deeply discounted kids’ meal prices or dessert favorites for the younger foodies.

Lastly, though Valentine’s Day is certainly a day that caters to sweethearts, many restaurant owners seize the opportunity to indulge the anti-amorous, with promotions designed to draw in those flying solo on this .  Special cocktail concoctions such as shots of “Love Stinks”—a mixture of grape vodka, raspberry liqueur, and cranberry juice—or “Love on the Rocks”—a creation of vodka, peach schnapps, orange and pomegranate juice over ice—are sure to help ease the pang of loneliness when one finds themselves dateless on the biggest date night of the year.

Opportunities abound for big sales for the Saturday night Valentine’s Day.  The key is to be sure to show the love—by being prepared for big business and by offering what your guests are looking for.  Plan carefully, and make sure that your every move reflects your appreciation of the portion of that $10 billion that gets thrown your way.  Your goal, after all, is a happy patron who will gladly return in the very near future.  How will you earn their loyalty?

 

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