Make Mother's Day Memorable for your customers

"M is for the million things she gave me ..."

Music and Lyrics by T. Morse and H. Johnson

Mother's Day!   Brunches buzz and dinners dazzle -- all in celebration of Mom!  Mother's Day is the day when even the most committed couch potatoes roust themselves to spend time with their moms.  With the family gathered (finally!) could there be any better time to help them make the most of it?  

Sing along .... !

M -ake the most of your ....  Tablescapes.  Whether you are a coffee shop, pizzeria or five-star supper club, scattering the table with a bit of confetti will make the experience  more magical and festive.   Or ... Menus!  Consider a special Mother's Day menu, wine list or dessert selections and print your one-time menu on pastel or foil-bordered paper.

O-pen your doors a bit early!  Even on Mother's Day moms have busy schedules and being able to accommodate families a bit earlier or later will allow you to tap into a broader (and appreciative!) client base.

T- rust the kids with dessert!  Offer sprinkles for a special Mother's Day ice cream parfait  and let the children at the table decorate it just for Mom.  (Who knows better how she likes it!)   Children of all ages love to please their moms.  Offer them a pink carnation for Mom, that's just from them.

H-elp with the check!  Whether she gets a free creamy latte or a decadent slice of double-fudge chocolate cake -- or perhaps you offer her choice of a free appetizer for the table --  adding on that little something special promotes your business and leaves everyone feeling good about their experience.   Have an online coupon?  Mention that to your guests and encourage them to redeem the coupon from their I-Phone!

E-dvertise!  (It's just too important to leave out!)  Oh, sure, use your regular avenues ... but don't forget that those looking to be out and about on Mother's Day may not be your traditional guests.  Using Social Media to attract diners on Mother's Day is a great (and instant!) (and free!) way to bring guests to your door.   Don't forget to upload online coupons -- easily accessible and no clipping mess for Mom to deal with later. 

Mother's Day is also a wonderful time to make charitable contributions.  Advertise that your restaurant will be making a donation to a local women's shelter or national women's health campaign in the name of any mom visiting you over the weekend.

R-elax, Mom!  That's the word of the day!  Keep Mom's experience as relaxed and stress-free as possible!  Offer coloring-menus or placemats for the kids -- as well as one-time kid-friendly menus -- and you'll find a very grateful mom-customer!

Whatever your restaurant, coffee shop or bistro plans for Mother's Day, your guests -- and their moms -- will be certain to return when they feel catered to and relaxed on her special day.

Our team at Superior Menus wishes all Moms a wonderful, love-filled day!

Front of the House Organization

"I'm working harder than ever now, and I'm putting on my pants the same as I always have. I just get up every day and try to do a little better than the day before, and that is to run a great restaurant with great food, great wine, and great service. That's my philosophy."   ~  Emeril Lagasse

Whether your establishment has been serving classic fare for decades or whether you are the new kid on the block, providing great service is the undisputed key to success.

We all know it's nearly impossible to re-do a first impression -- and that makes your front of the house presentation all that much more important.  Your kitchen staff can be stellar, your menu five-star, your wait-staff first rate -- but if your hostess can't find a reservation, it's a bad experience all around.

Superior's comprehensive product line offers a choice of reservation books to help make front of the house life effortless!  

Classic, 50-page refillable Reservation Binders available in black, green or elegant burgundy add a professional touch to your hostess stand. Front and back inside pockets keep those hurriedly scribbled notes safe and out of site. Already have a binder?  Superior's Reservation Refill Sheets saves the cost of a new book! 

Superior's Spiral Reservation Book is an excellent choice when you're looking for a keep-it-all-together system- its flexible binding makes it perfect for archiving.  Reservation books don't simply record the present for posterity's sake -- going forward, they are a great snapshot for tracking what an evening looked like when you're preparing next year's marketing and menu plans.

Little can be more hair-raising than hosting an event!  If you are currently the go-to place for brides -- or you would love to break into the Event niche -- Superior's yearly Event Planner collection makes keeping the dates straight a breeze.  Offering a monthly calendar page, three-year at a glance calendar, colored monthly tab dividers -- all refillable -- makes a Superior Event Planner binder a must-have organizational tool. A little behind the 8-ball with the graduation parties?  No problem!  Our Event Planner ships in one business day.

Whatever your organizational needs, our Superior Team is here to help.  We'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions for presenting a truly organized front of the house!

Bring on the change

Welcome to Spring! The time when we clean our closets, update our menus-- hoping to bring a fresh perspective to both!

Truth is, it's much easier to decide to once-and-for-all toss out that baby blue leisure suit or the too tight button up that's been hanging at the back of your closet for years, than it is to cross off mozzarella sticks from the menu.  With food costs-- and kitchen staff! --as they are, introducing new items can be a hill that you don't look forward to climbing anytime soon.

The good news is that Spring-- filled with our desire for something free and new--can get us half-way there to making that decision.

Gooey Cheese or Crunchy Orange Stick...may seem like a culinary no-brainer until you are faced with the prospect of utilizing all  the carrots, that you initially ordered for the new healthy kids menu options ( that they aren't ordering) as a new side dish so they won't go to waste.
Consider offering....both! It's easy to offer special choices that may or may not make their way to your permanent menu when you have a table tent or limited time only specials menus. Utilizing smaller sized menu sleeves  (4.25" x 11" or 5.5" x 8.5") or table tents for seasonal specials allows you the flexibility to update when you "need" to.

Mary (and McMillan's Pub) had a little lamb... just as the season offers an abundance of seasonal vegetables, certain meats and fishes lend themselves to your Spring Menu. Lamb and brisket provide your guests with a choice that will be unique to your restaurant. Update your fish dishes with lighter sauces, veggies and slaws. Don't forget to add a touch of citrus to your dish for a splash of bright color.
Superior's menu insert papers are the perfect, economical way to make your standard menu something new and special to reflect your updated menu fare.

Show a little noodle.... just like us, pasta can lose it's heavy overcoat and show a little skin! Toss penne with a bit of olive oil and butter-- adding halved cherry tomatoes and fresh spinach at the last moment-- and you will serve a dish that is pretty, colorful,tasteful-- and economical. Add your favorite Limoncello recipe to your bar menu and  your guests will delight in the glorious taste of Springtime in Italy.

Very Veggies ... Asparagus, bok choy, spinach and broccoli raab--the list goes on and on as we assemble those glorious, herbaceous vegetables of Spring. Whether you serve them in soups, lightly steamed, roasted or grilled, the flavor of this season will be enjoyed. Take advantage of the bounty and lower prices as a welcomed addition to your menu and a head start to adding vegetarian items to your menu.

Berry Berries...Berries abound! Shortcakes, traditional berries-with-cream, sorbets, slushes...added to the top of a cheesecake or as an ingredient in your signature mojitos, berries add just the right touch of color and flavor.

So--out with that leisure suit... and in with a new trendy and  traditional menu!

Erin Go Bragh!

 This year, St. Patrick's Day, March 17th, falls on a Sunday. Traditionally a day for partying and celebrating the wearin' o' the green, restaurants and pub owners around the world cater to those cheering Erin Go Bragh! - Ireland Forever! ( Don't be shy-- seems everyone speaks a little Gaelic & gains an accent on the 17th!)

 Whether we are drinking our green beer, sporting our silly shamrock hats or enjoying our 26 billion pounds of corned beef and a mere 2.3 billion pounds of cabbage (no- really!), St. Patrick's day is a time of fun and merriment for all ages.

 It's also a wonderful time for food and drink establishments, as you know, to gather a little green of their own. Here are just a few ideas:

So your establishment isn't named O'Malley's... No reason to miss out on the fun! Why not celebrate Maewyn Succat Day? You guessed it-- that's our St. Patrick! Host a few evenings of St. Patrick's Day trivia. You may be suprised at the interesting tidbits you can easily find online. For the winners? Gift certificates for a return visit are a great way to keep them coming back, and Superiors Ornate is the perfect touch of green.

By the Sea....Ireland is known not only for it's most famous shepherd, but as the truly emerald isle. If your restaurant specializes in fresh catches, why not serve the sea-fare of Ireland for the weekend? Make available our Anchors Away gift card and encourage patrons to share their "special catch" experience as a gift.

He was really born in Britain....? Just a quick search of the details of this extraordinary man's life will have you surprised at all you didn't know. Prepare a special, abbreviate dining menu for the weekend and share the foods of Ireland with your guests or special drink for a touch of the green.

Whatever your plans to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, Superior Menus' Team wishes you a fun, festive (and green!) weekend!

Healthy Doesn't Have to Hard

Happy National Nutrition Month®!

March is the month we take the time to recognize the importance of making informed food choices and focus on good eating habits, based on the education & information campaign sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Have you made the move to incorporate healthy options and replacements for the fried food fodder on your menu? Focusing on a changing a few menu items can make this change less daunting and allow to introduce seasonal produce options. Kids can be a hard sell for the "eat your veggies" campaign but nationally we are focusing on starting the better choices at a younger age.

Partnership for a Healthier America and the Let's Move campaigns are only two of the many and ever-growing programs currently focused on children's general health and healthy dietary choices. 

As parents become better and better educated on the wisest nutritional choices for their children, savvy restaurant owners have the opportunity to not only rise to that challenge for their smallest customers but to gain the confidence of parents, as well!

Knowing that their little ones are not only eating well but eating right at your place makes your restaurant an easy, guilt-free choice for mom and dad.

So now that you've exercised your dietary prowess and created a menu of healthy choices -- how can you deliver them in a way that the kids will love?   Superior is here to help!

Broccoli with a side of Crayons, please!  What kid doesn't love the chance to create a green cow or purple apple or orange turtle?  Superior's collection of kid-friendly paper, disposable menus allows just that!

Whether you select from a gathering of Barnyard Animals, roaming Dinosaurs, the (super) Busy Aquarium or a host of other options, Superior's Kids' Menus keep little hands busy while still providing ample space to print your Children's Menu. 

Add a packet of Crayons to each table and you are golden!  Perhaps just a crayon or two will do the trick?  Superior offers a box of economical bulk Crayons. 

Cappuccino with a side of Crayons, please!   Don't offer children's meals but want mom and dad to enjoy their caps in peace?  Have your own children's menu but still want to get in on the fun?  Superior can help with our Activity Coloring Packs, Activity Placemats or Coloring Sheets.  Check out our Kids' Products section and enjoy knowing that you'll be bringing a smile to everyone at the table!

Like you, our Superior Team recognizes the importance of helping families enjoy their dining experience while encouraging tasty and nutritious options!

Get your fair share of the Valentines Day Sales!

"There's no love sincerer than the love of food."- George Bernard Shaw

For centuries, food and love have traveled hand-in-hand. (Look at all the trouble that apple caused...)
It's no surprise that Valentine's Day has surpassed Mother's Day, to take the lead in the race for the busiest restaurant day of the year. InnerConnection SF reports that even though 2012's Valentine's Day fell on a Tuesday it proved to be more demanding than ever for the local eateries. This year, February 14th falls on a Thursday- and hopes are high for a repeat performance.

It's not just for sweethearts!

Once a holiday for the romantics, Valentine's Day has now become recognized as a day to simply show those we care about that they are in our hearts. As we more often find ourselves away from those we love, gift certificates are the perfect way to take Mom to dinner... even when we are a 1,000 miles away!

Offering gift certificates on your website opens your market reach to not only your local customers, but extends it to those who want to treat their special someone to a lovely evening when they aren't able to be there in person.

Superior Menus is pleased to offer a variety of gift certificate cards and spiral gift certificate books for you to choose from. You may find the contemporary, Riboon Wrapped Setting design, or the elegant Red Bow gift card perfect for your Valentine's Day offering.

Coffee? Dessert? Mani-Pedi...?

Sometime's it's the simplest things that we do, the little things- that touch hearts in a big, big way.

You don't have to be THE romantic restaurant in town to appeal to the Valentine's Day crowd.

Be the coffee shop on the corner with the best cup of joe and a offer a gift certificate, perfect for the teacher's gift, mail carrier, administrative assistant or special someone that touch our lives every day.

Maybe you're the new salon or day spa looking for a way to jump-start your client base?
Who wouldn't love a manicure or pedicure gift certificate? Gift certificates are recognized as an all-around great way to give a personal gift.

Valentine's Day is traditionally the day we show those we care about how much they mean to us. What better time to help your customers celebrate by offering them gift certificates, the gift they are sure to love!

We love our customers and wish you a Happy Valentine's Day!

Superior Menus

Preview Party

 Happy New Year!

We are excited to start of 2013 with a brand new look for our catalog and our website.
Be sure to vist us at www.superiormenus.com! We look forward to providing you with quality products, ordering convience and friendly customer service.

What's new this year?

• Expanded custom menu offering, featuring more views, materials and imprint options.
• Stock Menu- offered in a variety of styles, views and sizes and available to ship right away.
• Custom envelopes- add marketing value to your gift certificate envelopes and increase brand recognition

Wishing you a prosperous 2013~