Full Steam Ahead...

New bar top has been set and stained! Tony and I laid the entire bar on Monday. We used 3/4 inch red oak and it really is amazing. This morning I stained it with a red mahogany oil and it came out beautiful, can't wait to see it with its 5 layers of poly, that I start tomm evening. Pic will be coming soon. The hood is in the process of being installed right now and should be finished by tommorrow night. Next step in the kitchen is to have to new equipment installed. What might move the installation process along a bit quicker would be if I would actually purchase the equipment. I can't seem to pull the trigger on what exact equipment I want in the kitchen...with 2 weeks to opening I guess I should make that decision very soon. This weather has really sucked and put a huge damper on getting anything outside done. We had started pulling and chopping at the landscaping a few weeks ago, then got caught up inside with things, and then the weather crapped out on us. One good thing about the weather...well good and bad. With all of the water I was able to find exactly where the roof was leaking...the bad part is that prior to this weather I did'nt know the roof was leaking! At least now I know and once the water dries a bit I can get on the roof and spread some tar and do some minor repairs. Fortunately they are just small pinholes and can easily be repaired. Tommorrow we move into the bathrooms for complete renovations while the guys finish installing the hood in the kitchen....stay tuned!

NYC research trip (LOL)....

A great break was had to just get away and to see things and get ideas, all in the name of research. Had a great dinner at Perilla restaurant on Jones Street due to the fact that even an 10:30 pm Spotted Pig had over an hour and a half wait. Dinner was fantastic; had some Sauteed Fluke with Root Vegetables and Baby Spinach. Laurie had some Eggplant Canneloni which she enjoyed, and we split an order of Edamame Falafal with a Fresh Cucumber Yogurt Sauce. For dessert we split an order of Meyer Lemon Doughnuts with lemon and chocolate puddings. All was great! We skipped the brunch and just hit coffee at "Porto Rico Importing Co." on Bleeker Street for some fresh brewed "French Mexican Roast" to take home and The NYTimes. From there we hit some small cafe in the West Village and got some Homemade Granola, some Smoked Salmon, and a Bakers Basket of fresh breads and jams...A great Sunday morning. The afternoon we spent at a small specialty Olive Oil importing place and picked up some incredible Tuscan Olive Oil after tasting about 15 different kinds from all over the world. We also picked up a 7 yr old Balsamic/Fig Vinegar, thinking of putting on a new dessert with home-made vanilla ice cream and fresh berries! From there it was off to the world famous "Murray's Cheese Shop". Picked up a nice block of some imported Parmesan Styled cheese from Italy and a couple of incredible sandwiches. Last but not least, and some record shops, shoe stores, and a bookstore later it was off to "Magnolia Bakery" for some cupcakes only to find the line around the corner and down the block....needless to say we skipped cupcakes. Then it was back to the apartment and off to NJ. Great research was had and new ideas are in the head to bring back to Salt. Its back to wearing many hats tommorrow and putting the head down and getting this place up and running...can't wait!