aGreatChef.com Blog – Food Blog of Chef Robert Conaway

OK, so I really can not believe that last week was the anniversary of our the restaurant’s opening phase, so technically our one year anniversary. On or around July 7th of last year we opened for breakfast, with a restaurant that was barely finished and a hotel that was still under construction. The big celebration comes in late August with the anniversary of the dinner menu implementation but I thought we should mark the occasion with some props, kudos and some information on what the last year has been like.

Props

Props go to Greg Keebler, Mo, Michelle and the rest of the Siry family, Grace, Carin, Kristi, Jennifer Booth, Kevin Sosebee, Patricia, Heather, A2, Troy, Steven & the rest of the LHC/Strato team…not forgetting the rest of our friends, family, regulars and everyone whose name I do not know or remember for coming in. The last year has been a lot of hard work but has also been a lot of fun. I am thankful and glad that we, either directly or indirectly could share some time together, even if you have bashed us on Yelp.

Kudos

Kudos go to Christian, Jonas and John @ Wetstone for the great food and wine after long days @ the Door, April and the rest of our wine reps for picking the best times to come in and do a tasting, to Confidential, Star Bar, Gaslamp & East Village Tavern (what’s up Anna!), Jackson @ Hooters Gaslamp, Teva @ Tilted Kilt, the Fleetwood, Sin, Pete, Draven, Aaron Valero, Ramsey, Planet Rooth, Bluefoot, La Puerta and the rest of the bars, taverns, restaurants and friends who work in them for putting up with myself and other staff members after the 14+ hour days. The food/snacks/refreshments/conversations are appreciated beyond what words can convey. Thanks to all for being there if only for a quick, cold beer/slider/shot of tequila/flatbread/Malbec.

Information

With 4 meal periods running from 6 am to 1 am in the beginning, as most of you know my time was spent here @ the Door. I did not have the luxury of a Sous or assistant chef (this changed last week) so it was one chef (myself) and a few kitchen staff pulling off the opening and getting through the holidays. Then the economy tanked. We have survived are thriving thanks to all the support and feedback we have been getting from you, our guests.

Beginning in Aug I will be conducting bi-monthly cooking classes rooftop @ the Porto Vista hotel, where the Glass Door is located… more information on that soon along with filling you all in on the changes, both recently passed and upcoming that may be of interest.

Hope to see y’all soon,

chefRob