Dutchess opened?!

After one year of building and renovation. Finally we have opened our restaurant. Excellent news. The last two days before opening were hell. Five people helping cleaning. Three people doing the last installation work. Sinks, toilets, missing wooden decoration in the floor. One person doing shopping so we can serve something. These were the first two days of “holiday “ of Heleen’s visiting family. But all the efforts were worth it.

Customers who have been here once keep coming back and we get many compliments about the food, drinks, the garden, the lovely woodwork, the design of the fences. Luckily enough no one comments on the absence of any lamps shades, the struggle to leave the restaurant in the dark with only the torch of the security guard, the limited amount of furniture, the emptiness of the internet cafe and specially the search to find the place without any sign posts.

The new staff is getting used to us and our perfection of everything made in the kitchen. If finally the dish tastes right and it goes nicely decorated on a warm plate to a customer, they can hear Heleen mumble, it took more than 40 minutes.
The place is lovely. We have an office were we can enjoy the view of our garden. The not fully grown garden has already many birds, beautiful turaco’s and sunbirds. The big tree in the back gives lovely avocados.

But how are we doing? We are exhausted. The renovation, running the pizzeria, training the new staff has taken its toll. The monthly short holiday away has take place once, in October. We are planning a new getaway for next week. In the mean time the carpenter is finishing the windows on the first floor, the electrician is putting in the wires and the mason putting tiles in the bathroom, so the building is not completely finished. Will the first floor be finished before the next high season in summer?