Behind the Scenes

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A Comedy…..

I ordered a new work top freezer for the restaurant kitchen in January.  Our old one was starting to suffer and the repair man kept shaking his head.  There were things he just couldn’t fix. It has been a work horse in our kitchen for close to 20 years.  It is referred to as the […]

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An Old Dog, New Tricks

In my mind I am still in the European countryside; hanging my tablecloths on a clothes line, feeding the chickens, picking walnuts off the tree for a sauce, and drying the grapes in the room above the presses. But in reality I’m trying to merge Drop Box accounts, upload old accounting data into new software, […]

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Today marks 24 years.

Babette’s Cafe opened 24 years ago tonight.  Seems like yesterday…. Thanks to everyone who has supported us over the years, some of you since the beginning.  No, we’re NOT closing.  Babette’s continues to bring me joy, pride and challenges.  But I am trying to step back a little bit and I’m finding it harder than […]

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it’s all in the details….

When do you add the garlic to the dish? How you sort the heirloom baby carrots by size so they cook evenly and can be used best on each dish? Which light bulb goes over the tables (50 watt, 12 degree spot) and which shines on the artwork on the walls (35 watt, 20 degree […]

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New Linens

Our linen company (Company #1) was bought out recently by another company. Most linen companies work on a par level which means the restaurant sets how much of each kind of napkin, cleaning towels, tables cloths we will need each week. We use cotton napkins, bar towels, 42 inch table cloths, 52 inch table cloths, 62 […]

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Chef Justin Kurtz

I hired Justin Kurtz as our chef several months ago. I was at a crossroads with Babette’s and my own role in the restaurant.  I had turned over the kitchen a couple of times over the years to people who had been on my staff and they took the role as Chef de Cuisine or […]

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Open Table Diner’s Choice Winner!

Babette’s Cafe has been recognized recently by Open Table as a Diner’s Choice Thank you to everyone who takes the time to review us! It matters!        

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How to Start a Busy Weekend

It’s going to be a busy weekend at the restaurant. We’re fully booked with people who preplan – thank you – this weekend for Valentine’s Day A busy weekend in the restaurant will end better if I start with comfortable shoes. They might be ugly though.

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Thermostat Emergency at a Restaurant in Atlanta

The glamorous life of a restaurant chef/owner… Sunday: A thermostat for our heaters on the back deck was not working very well. The heaters were clicking on and off. We’re a restaurant in Atlanta, in January. We need our heaters if we want to use our lovely deck. Monday: I called my Heating & Air […]

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The Close of Sunday Brunch

It is with great trepidation and the utmost respect for all of you who been my champions over the years, that I announce I am bringing our Sunday Brunch to a close.  Our last brunch will be October 26, 2014. It is also with a little glee. I’m looking forward to CBS Sunday Morning in […]

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