We’ve all seen the movie: A hard-working but grumpy businessperson goes back to his or her hometown for the holidays, meet-cutes with a lovely local, surrounded by twinkling lights, snowy environs, and the warmth of a festive dining room, and rediscovers romance and the true meaning of Christmas.
The holiday season is a romantic time of the year, and the romantics among us want to celebrate by dining out. Here are some tips to make your restaurant an ideal date destination for the holidays.
Away From Home for the Holidays
Dining out over the holidays is big business. Not only does it take place during the all-important fourth quarter of the financial year, but a recent *study by the National Restaurant Association found that 63% of consumers planned to let restaurants handle cooking duties as a way to lessen the burdens of the season. Take advantage of this trend by appealing to couples looking for a romantic night out on the town.
Start with ambiance: Adding some signature fairy lights, garlands, mistletoe, and a small Christmas tree or two can give your restaurant a festive vibe without breaking the bank. Consider creating Instagram- and TikTok-ready backgrounds for couples to pose with. For them, it’s a fun social media opportunity; for you, it’s a casual and cost-effective way to market your business.
Consider hiring musicians, like a jazz trio, to play holiday classics on special evenings. After the end of service, move tables to create a dance floor and shift into cocktail lounge mode. This reduces labor costs while promoting high-profit margin alcohol sales.
Visions of Sugar Plums
Think about ways to market your business offerings. A “12 Days of Christmas” campaign with a roster of changing specials can help boost foot traffic. Limited-time holiday menus offer a bit of variety to even your most faithful diners — like spotlighting beautifully marbled Braveheart® prime rib or a surf-and-turkey turf take on a holiday favorite with layers of tender West Creek® Roasted Turkey draped over a rich, coastal-inspired dressing made with West Creek® Cornbread Stuffing, Empire’s Treasure® Crab Meat Stuffing Mix, and sweet, buttery Bay Winds® Lobster.
To appeal to couples, consider crafting a menu that promotes interaction with shareable mains and appetizers. Mixed boards can add to the convivial feel of an evening. Play around with Festive Holiday Loaded Fries, topped with turkey, cheese curds, stuffing, gravy, and cranberry sauce. A Caramelized Onion Dip with Bacon and Gruyere is a decadent option that’s fun to share. Or Mashed Potato Croquettes provide a satisfyingly crunchy, golden exterior and a creamy, sumptuous center.
Couple-friendly bundles, including deals that pair two entrées and a bottle of wine for a set price, are another way to balance value with operational ease. And as diners are always on the hunt for a deal, consider creating a holiday prix fixe menu that can be efficiently and profitably pulled together.
Mix It Together
Holiday drink specials also add a yuletide tang to the evening. Offerings like eggnog, old fashioneds that substitute maple syrup for sugar, and boozy hot chocolates are festive ways to embrace the season. Consider partnering with a local cocktail bar for a Christmas cocktail pop-up filled with social media-friendly offerings.
Local liquor laws permitting, consider “Mix It Together” moments by offering tableside cocktail or mocktail kits for couples to shake, stir, and sip together. From spicy margaritas to classic ice-chilled martinis, these kits turn an ordinary dinner into a shared experience. Keep it simple by pre-portioning mixes and garnishes so guests can finish the fun themselves.
Romance Ready
Readymade desserts and menu offerings with partially prepped components help save on labor while still giving diners something special. Sweet Encore® Fine Desserts are one easy avenue with which to provide the former. With concoctions like Cappuccino Mousse Pie, Red Velvet Cake, and Peanut Butter Mile High Cake, Sweet Encore® makes providing dessert a snap.
And for something maybe a touch more novel, consider Contigo® Horchata Tres Leches Cake, a tender spongy cake that’s soaked in a succulent blend of horchata, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and rich cream.
*Forbes, Restaurants Open During The Holidays—Why Some Americans Eat Out, 2024