In an interview with owner Andy Fahel on Thursday, Healdsburg Patch found out what you want to know about the family-friendly style of the new Fireside Restaurant. Hailing from Rohnert Park, Fahel says, "If the customer is happy, I'm happy."
1. Where are you located? 1047 Vine St., in the Vineyard Plaza that Safeway anchors. How many seats? 80-90 people can be seated, including the outdoor seating of the patio. What are the hours of operation? 6 a.m. - 9 p.m., seven days a week. Open until 10 p.m. in the summer.
2. When did you open? The 'soft opening' began Sept. 26. A grand opening is planned for later.
3. What was in the space before? It was the home of the old Happy Time Chinese Restaurant.
4. Why Healdsburg? "I love this town," said Fahel. "I always wanted to be here but I had never found the exact location. It's a small town and everyone knows everyone else."
5. What is unique about your business? "The custom made video fireplace. We're offering, though Dec. 31, the opportunity for our customers to designate 10 percent of their meal to be donated to their favorite charity."
6. How did you get into the restaurant business? "I always worked in restaurants. I have 28 years experience and have worked in Marin County and for my brother who owns a couple of restaurants in Santa Rosa."
7. What do you love about your business? "Cooking, serving, seeing the smile on the face of the customer or kid."
8. What is the downside? "The only downside has been the economy. But a business is like a baby and you have to take it one step at a time and watch it grow."
9. Menu? All day breakfast from waffles and pancakes to three-egg omelettes. Eleven kinds of burgers. Sandwiches, salads and wraps. Dinners include rib eye steak dinners, chicken tenders, a shrimp platter, chicken toscana and more. Burger prices $7.25 and up. Breakfast $5.95 and up. Dinners start at $12.99. Milkshakes, hot apple pie and more.
10. What do you want people to know about you? "I'm loving it. The Fireside Restaurant has a comforable atmosphere, with friendly staff willing to make the customer happy. All employees agree that the customer is #1 and if the customer leaves happy, we're happy. We will not cut corners. The food is fresh and cooked daily. We'll work with and for the town while doing business here."
Waitstaff members Lacy Waterbury and Lauren Cogon added that they understand locals may only have 30 minutes for lunch and invited customers to call in advance to have a table set up and ready or even their order ready at a certain time, so they can eat in a hurry. The restaurant phone number is 707-433-4600.
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