The moment you open the doors, you smell the baking of warm bread, you hear the faint music of Caruso, or Pavarotti, or Sinatra singing in the background, you are greeted with a friendly smile that says hello to you as if you were family coming over and the liveliness of conversation amongst existing customers set the tone, the atmosphere to an exciting evening for dinner at a great Italian restaurant.

Being raised in an Italian home, in an Italian community, where everyone in my family at some point of their life, worked at the Italian Banquet hall that were once members of. One thing I have seen and can say that Italians know is .... it's all about love and family.

What makes a great Italian restaurant? It is the love and the family feeling that is poured into YOU, the customer, who walks in the door. Our family owned an Italian restaurant for 25 years and not once did my family advertise. It was very successful because of the "Word of Mouth" scenario. It was the homemade cooking, the fresh made-to-order style of cooking and the "you are family' feeling every time you walked through the doors. It was the little extras that were placed in front of you even though you didn't ask for it, the right wine or drink that complimented your meal. It's when the owner came over and sat with you and got to know you. Customer service as long since gone in this fast paced world. Everything has become instant gratification, drop the food, forget about coming back and really checking up on you. It has become about..how fast can we get it.

A great Italian restaurant is all about who YOU the customer are to the owners. What encompasses all that is definitely delicious home style cooking, the atmosphere and the family feeling like you and everyone else there all are one. You can go to a mom and pop place or an expensive place..... it' doesn't matter how much you spend... if they both have great food, great atmosphere, a fun and enjoyable experience with great customer service, a great staff who stands behind you and you you stand behind them... your restaurant WILL succeed every time.

Learn more about this author, Teresa Pizzo.
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