Would you be interested in eating at a Baltic food restaurant?

Question

I am thinking of opening a Baltic food restaurant in the US (I'm of Baltic origin). I was wondering how popular would it be among Americans?

Let me briefly describe Baltic food. Baltic cuisine represents a clash between Eastern and Western European cooking. Many of its dishes are influenced by both German and Russian cuisine, but it has many of our own. It features food a bit on the heavier side - meat, sausage, potatoes, sour cream, bacon, saur kraut, pickles are very common ingredients.

Most famous dishes are: grated potatoe balls stuffed with ground pork in bacon and sour cream gravy; ground meat balls wrapped in cabagge leaves & served with mashed potatoes; smoked boiled sausage with saur kraut; marinated herring fish; mashed potatoe paties stuffed with meat and fried; deep-fried pocket pies; fried potatoe sausage with bacon gravy; pork chops; beet soup; potatoe salad; beet salad etc.

Would you be interested in trying it? Or does it sound too heavy for you?

Answer 1

I'm of Baltic origin too, and while I love the food, I'm not sure how the US market would take it. My parents were thinking of opening one as well (though in Canada), but decided against it. Our friend opened one and he is not doing too well. The only people that really go there are people from there, but if you could attract Americans to your place, i think it may work. I think the secret for your restaurant is location and not making it too ethnic. Make it an elegant and contemporary place that just happend to specialize in Baltic food. People love places that feel upscale.

Answer 2

I have some suggestions for you if you choose to consider:

1. Your baltic food may be great, but you have to figure out how the average American will react to it. Usually, liberal minded people or students are more likely to try ethnic foods.

2. Some Americans have a fear of trying new things, so convince them that your food is healthy and tasty and one of a kind.

3. Reduce the number of calories as much as possible and don't rely heavily on the fried foods you do.

4. A repeat customer is your best customer.

5. What's seems impossible with men, is possible with God.... so get your hopes up, be smart and serve good food.

Good luck with your business!!

Answer 3

I definitely would be there if I could, time after time. Sounds great and while I am not a big eater I appreciate variety. I have and am willing to try ALL cuisines twice because it's unfair to judge only after one try. I have travelled extensively and have had the opportunity to try most of the world's cuisines. I am of European origin and am familiar with the dishes that you have described and you are making me hungry and home-sick. I think that if you can choose your location carefully there will be enough people with the correct ethnic background to get you started and word will soon spread. If my memory serves me correctly the last time that I was in this type of restaurant no one was there for a quiet, romantic candle lit dinner but people who were there were people who enjoyed and appreciated good food, good company and a good time. In fact one couple who were there thinking that they we going to have a quiet intimate dinner soon found themselves becoming the life and soul of the party. If you do go ahead with your venture let me know where it is and if I am ever in the area I will definitely visit you. Good luck.

Answer 4

Hey!!!!! Yes! Yes! Yes! I live in London but am from the US and there is a most delicious restaurant here named Baltic restaurant, quite simply. Everytime someone asks for a suggestion of a restaurant in London, I tell them to go there. I love Baltic food and kinda have a hard time describing it to friends but every time I take them to that restaurant, they love it. Baltic food is fantastic!!! I'm getting excited thinking about it.

I think opening that type of restaurant in the south is a great idea as the food seems so comforting to me! And southerners love to eat and aren't so concerned about calories.

Best of luck and let's us know when's the grand opening. I wanna come!!!

Answer 5

Sounds delicious to me, but I am a big German food fan.
The restaurant business is tough, especially for niche markets, or little known styles of cuisine. If you were to open it, I would suggest lots of advertising, and finding out if there is a Baltic population in the area where you will open it.
These factors would help, but word of mouth is the best advertisement.

Answer 6

I think people would try it as a curiosity at first, but if the food is good, they'd come back. There is a wicked Baltic restaurant in Oxford, UK where that's happened.

I suggest though that you serve try to find some lighter things to serve as well - some on the Russian states have very good snack type recipes.

Answer 7

Yes it sounds like wonderful homey-comfy-feel-good food.
LOVE IT!

Answer 8

I would try it, beacuse it sounds good and everyone like to try new things.

Answer 9

yes, your making me hungry

Answer 10

heck yeah sounds good to me!!! can I taste test???