News From Ridgway, May 12, 2016

I am having more fun in the kitchen and the bakery these days, and hope it’s evident to you who have been with us in Ridgway and Tony’s. On April 28, we held a fabulous bakery tasting in Tony’s Off Third that drew pastry fans of all ages. Earlier in April we launched our summer dining calendar in Ridgway, which will run through October. We are currently in the midst of Restaurant Week, and as you see elsewhere in this newsletter are looking forward to continuing to offer that menu on weekends this summer. Clifford and I are concocting all sorts of new creations in the bakery (the new s’mores bites are already legendary – read below for more!) and can’t wait to share it all with you.

I am regularly reminded that the restaurant is a place where families come to gather and enjoy time and conversation and maybe to make a memory or two. I know that’s always been a big part of the allure of dining out for me and my family. We are grateful that you choose to spend your time with us.

I am equally aware that, well, you can’t please everyone all of the time. Recently while in conversation in the restaurant with a friend, I was approached by a regular patron to express his rather significant disdain for our music selections. Everyone is, of course, entitled to their opinion, but let me give you a bit of context.

If you’ve been with us in the last few months, you may have noticed we switched to a new playlist for the restaurant, and it reflects the musical tastes and contributions of many – me; my wife, Wynne; my daughter, Caroline; Sukie; David; our lead expeditor, Charles; and others I’m likely not even aware of having done so. To be honest with you, I don’t love every song. But I do love that it’s a collaborative effort and I love what it represents. Without getting too personal, I also love that it honors my son, Will, who truly had an appreciation for all styles of music, and had encouraged us to do this for several years.

There are so many moving parts in a restaurant. The music is, for the most part, meant to fade into the background. This time of year, as things quiet down, it becomes more prominent but hopefully not intrusive. But on those moments when I’m sitting at the dinner table, with Wynne to my left and Caroline to my right, and a song that we all love comes on, I can’t help but feel very much at home. My dearest hope is that you feel equally at home in Ridgway and Tony’s. And, if you have a specific song recommendation for our playlist, let us know! It may just make it into the rotation.