Angus An is the executive chef and co-owner of Fourth Avenue’s newest restaurant, Gastropod. He will be documenting his restaurant’s first hundred hours for us with a signature dish called Gastropodblog.
————————————
Our third day of operations, things are already looking better and better. Due to the snow there were a couple of cancellations, but we knew that was coming. It felt good that we are winding down the week and that we are not open on Monday. Service on Sunday started slowly but it did pick up more then I thought (a few walk-ins to compensate the cancellations). Everything went real smooth. Missing in action was our dishwasher, but we were able to find some last minute help from one of our friends. I couldn’t wait until the end of the night. I promised the guys a beer before our 1st weekend. It’s been a long time since all of us had a day off. As the last customers were leaving (who just so happened to be my designer Scott), I was noticing the amount of snow outside. I hope I can get home.
From our very first staff meal. We had to eat out of salad bowls and use table stands (tops weren’t ready yet)
Finally, it’s time for the beers. It’s always at the end of the night that I truly have time to reflect on how much this space has changed in the past six months. While we were having beer, I showed some of the pictures of Kohinnor Tandoori Restaurant, and everyone was shocked to see what it was.
Kohinoor – the space when we took over
This is the end of the 1st week of Gastropod. It has been the best rollercoaster ride I have ever been on. Like I said earlier, all the frustration and stress that come with the process are all worth it when you can have a beer at the end of the night at a place you helped build. Looking back, those frustrations will be the nicest memories and experiences I have.
Thanks again for all those people who put their hearts into building this place. Now it’s our turn to put our hearts into every single dish that we serve!
I guess I don’t need this anymore
Angus An
