Recently, I returned from 6 weeks in Europe. Before the country went into lockdown, we were able to go sit outdoors at a couple of cafe’s and bakeries and, on one particularly chilly day, something got my attention: when it’s cold out it’s hard to concentrate on your dining experience. Every one of your senses becomes focused on the temperature: your seat is cold, your hands are cold handling the china and silverware, and quickly your food becomes cold too. Unless you’re drinking a hot coffee and sitting in direct sunshine your personal temperature takes the focus; taking it away from the experience you’re having at this restaurant.

Back in New York City the weather has gotten cold. Literally it has become freezing cold, with temps dipping into the 30s. This is just a preview of what the winter will be like and it’s not even December. If you’re currently serving guests outdoors then this is something to consider: stay open or close down? And if you’ve gone to the expense and trouble of building a new outdoor dining area then you may be inclined to keep your space open for business. In which case, it will be important for you to create a warm and comfortable dining experience for your guests. One where their focus will stay on your restaurant and experience.

Here’s a few things you can do to warm up the experience for your guests so they can stay comfortable and enjoy the experience you deliver, without distraction from the cold.

• Warm up the beginning and end of the meal: Start the meal - and end it too - with a complimentary hot beverage (a cup of hot tea, coffee, hot chocolate or broth). This serves to warm people up physically, but it also warms them up to the experience of dining with you. As I shared in my book Hello! a study was conducted where participants were either handed a cup of hot or cold coffee. Those who were given the hot coffee reported that they had much warmer feelings toward the business than those who were offered the cold beverage. Literally serving a warm beverage helps warm people up to your concept which is a great way to start the experience and a memorable way to end your guests’ time with your brand.

• Warm up your tableware: Nothing worse than being served cold food. In cold weather simply walking a plate of food from the kitchen, through the outdoors and then laying it on a cold table will cool it very quickly. So you must ensure that each dish 1. arrives hot to the table and, 2. Stays warm (without overcooking the food). There are a couple of things you can do here:

  • Use individually-sized cast iron pans or metal sizzle pans that conduct and hold heat (serve on a china or wooden underliner so people don’t burn themselves).

  • Use a linen underliner to help insulate hot plates or bowls from the cold. Have any of my fine dining readers made an artichoke lately? This old-school technique is practical for keeping hot plates hotter longer.

  • Utilize metal cloches or hotel plate covers to carry your food from the kitchen to the table; keeping the food warm and also protected from the air en route to the guest.

  • Instead of bringing silver when the guests arrive, bring it warmed prior to the meal being served. Keep your roll-ups in the kitchen above the line so they are warm to the touch. This no-cost innovation will keep your guests’ attention on the most important thing: your consideration for their comfort.

  • Use glass-handled mugs for cold beverages: this ensures your guests don’t have to touch even more ice-cold surfaces while they’re with you.

• Warm up your seats: I’ve seen a lot of metal chairs outside, and while practical, this is the opposite of warm and cozy. Make sure that your guests are warmed to the core by using seat cushions to ward against the elements. If you want your guests to linger longer, then you might consider offering insulated hunting cushions that are designed for hunters who sit for hours in the cold and damp.

• Warm up your hospitality: Never underestimate the power of hospitality; warm hospitably is what inspires your guests to bear the cold temperatures in the first place. So make sure you work with your team to help them be as hospitable, accommodating, friendly and outgoing as possible. This starts with ensuring your team members are able to stay warm too! Make sure your employees are wearing warm clothing and shoes, and position space heaters near the service stations too. Your team’s comfort will go a long way in creating comfort for your guests…all winter long.