Lets Talk About Food

What do you expats want to see as far as restaurants are concerned? What would satisfy your gastronomic needs. What you satisfy your bakery needs? I had a long talk with my son this morning while he was in a jungle near Palawan. Well, he is finishing his project and is spending some time in Manila with a friend by name of Chef Tom Hines. He is one of those guys that does consulting and looks for opportunities to create new restaurants. In fact, he opening 7 in the Manila area. He is aware that I'm heading to Dumaguete and wants to get together and kick around some ideas. So, feedback from you guys would be great. Any feedback will be relayed back to the Chef.

 

As the wholesale cost of food here often exceeds North American prices it seems very few (if any) 5 star dining establishments survive. Especially in a city like Dumaguette where many of the expats have only a certain amount of entertainment dollars to spend monthly on dining.

That being said if you (or the chef) want to do something here I recommend you stick to the basics. Small menu, great service, clean CR's and food that is affordable and makes your customers return week after week.

Having run (and still do) two of the most popular and successful RestoBar style places here in the last 5 years in this area I look forward to meeting you one day and offering any help I can to help you get a feel for the area... Gerry

 

Dumaguete area could use a good thai restaurant. It doesn't have to be upscale like the ones in Fort Bonifacio or Greenbelt but good authentic-tasting and fresh ingredients and not too pricy. I strongly believe one like that would be a wise investment, as opposed to competing as another me too restaurant.

 

As in all cases, you have to provide the product that population wants, not particularly what you want to sell them. So you have to identify your market, and the depth of market: is it the Expat or the Filipino. There are segments of the Filipino market that has the wealth to eat a good meal out and their is a segments that can only afford to eat out as the likes of Jollibee.. functional food. There is a place in the market place for both types if the value delivered is good. The expat has segments also. so you have to do your research before you give the public what you think they want. INVEST in research before you INVEST in a physical structure to sell food or any product. I think by asking the question on this thread you have started that research process. They are many passionate people here who know just what Dumaguete "needs" in their opinion. We call them "bankrupt business owners". As in all business climates, good value stays... avoid the time honored Filipino solution of losing money in a business by avoiding raising prices and driving away the small segment of the market you have captured, but try instead by giving the value necessary to grow the business. Dumageute is one of the gossip centers of the world, and the word of mouth travels fast... whether it is good or bad.

 

For me a proper Fish and Chip Shop/ Resto would be GREAT Eat in or take away.
Oh I know we have had good reports of some doing F&C but I mean Dedicated to that sort of meal, as there is more to it than Just Fish, we could have Savaloys, Pies, Pasties, Sausages.
In fact somewhere, I have a Fish & Chip Resto menu, I will have a look and Post it. A Brit did it in Marbella Spain and made a fortune.

JMI

JP

 

He does his research to see what is needed and yes, there are retiree's with a set income. I'm one now. LOL!

 

I WOULD TRY A GOOD CHILI DOG AND HAMBURGER JOINT ON A GOOD CORNER WITH PLENTY OF PARKING

 

That is what Tom Hines does for a living...consultant.

 

Tom is a Brit.