| The menu could possibly be the single most important | | | | Now you are ready to fill your menu with the many |
| element of the Italian restaurant. After all, it is what is | | | | wonderful and tasty dishes that you have planned. |
| on the menu that keeps the customers coming back | | | | Planning your menu includes much more than simply |
| again and again. Careful consideration should go into | | | | deciding what foods you will serve. Proper layout of |
| planning the menu; this includes not only what foods | | | | the menu is also important. Again, study the menus of |
| you will serve, but also the layout and wording as well. | | | | your competitors. How do they have their menu |
| The first thing on your agenda when planning an Italian | | | | arranged? What are the menu's advantages and |
| food menu is what type of food you will be serving. | | | | disadvantages? |
| Are you serving just pizza and Italian sandwiches or | | | | By taking careful note of these aspects of the menu, |
| will your menu feature a larger variety of dining | | | | you will have a good idea of how to best layout your |
| options? | | | | own menu. Generally, appetizers and salads, along with |
| Next on your menu planning schedule should be to find | | | | soups appear first on the menu, followed by |
| several similar restaurants and study their menus. Pay | | | | sandwiches, lunch selections and finally dinner plates. |
| attention to the variety of dishes that they offer, and | | | | Another extremely important factor that should not be |
| how their menu is arranged. | | | | overlooked when planning your menu is the color |
| Unless you already have your heart set on exactly | | | | scheme and theme of your menu. The colors and |
| what it is you will be serving in your diner, you may | | | | graphics of your menu should reflect the overall theme |
| want to consider trying some of the most successful | | | | of your establishment. |
| Italian restaurants in the area and incorporating some | | | | Don't forget that you will need quality graphics to |
| of their best dishes into your own menu. Some of the | | | | represent the many wonderful dishes that you will be |
| best Italian restaurants offer authentic foods from Italy, | | | | serving. The importance of this cannot be stressed |
| as well as some American versions. | | | | enough. People are visual and want to see what their |
| Another point to keep in mind is that some of the best | | | | food will look like. Last but not least is menu selection |
| eating establishments have a signature dish that is all | | | | description. Use very descriptive and flowing language |
| their own. You may want to create a taste that is | | | | when describing the selections that are featured on |
| unique to your restaurant. This is a sure way to keep | | | | your menu. |
| the customers coming back. | | | | Once you have settled on your menu items, you'll be |
| Divide your menu into sections that include appetizers, | | | | one step closer to your dream of opening a |
| drinks, lunch, dinner, salads, sandwiches and desserts. | | | | successful Italian restaurant. |