Every restaurateur has a concept which serves as the pivot point for all other decisions, from furniture purchases to food options. Yet so many owners bypass this critical part of the entire concept when creating their menus. Your menu affects all five senses and it is an important communication tool between you and your customers.
Menu Design as an Extension of your Concept
Colors: The background colors you choose for your menu have a major impact on the overall ambiance your customers experience. Fiery reds and oranges give an impression of spicy entrees and a trendy food selection. Cool blues and sea greens lead customers to a calmer frame of mind and an expectation of smooth flavors with subtle accents. Find the background hues which compliment your overall concept and support your menu options.Fonts: The fonts you select to describe your food choices are equally important. Look to your concept to help in your selection. Calligraphic headings support an intimate, personal establishment and are perfect for a menu which highlights the creative talents of your chef. Scrolled words can add to the elegant tea house ambiance and block lettering carries the theme for a western barbecue restaurant. Make sure to keep the overall design easy to read, as customers will enjoy the special effects, but not an unreadable presentation.
Images: The addition of a few well-placed images can change the entire tone of a menu. A border of trailing geraniums softens your Mexican menu and imparts a feeling of traditional quality. Line drawings of fresh from the garden produce reinforce an organic vegetarian menu. While you don't want a cluttered look, some simple images placed in corners or alongside headings can act as a solid bridge between the ambiance you created with your furniture and wall decor.
Descriptions are Key
The background offers the detailing for your menu choices to come to life. How you describe your entrees is critically important. Classy or playful descriptions written in the style of your restaurant theme will add to the ambiance you have worked so hard to create. "Pan seared" paints a better mental picture than "fried." Acapulco Chicken entices customers on an emotional level and engages all the senses for a greater impact than Chicken with Salsa. Infuse your descriptions with the passion you have for the foods you offer.Design Your Own Menu
Creating a menu which celebrates your food and your location is not the daunting task it might appear to be at first glance. Amazing art images and menu templates are available at MustHaveMenus.com. Designing the perfect mixture of entree selections and high impact graphics is an easy process needing only a computer and printer. Quickly update your menus and print replacements with the click of a mouse. Celebrate regional or international holidays, delete slow-moving entrees, or easily substitute specials when ingredients become less cost effective. Try different graphics and details until you have designed the layout which best represents your establishment without additional charges for changes, meeting minimum orders or time constraints. By creating your own menu, you take control of the communication with your customers in a manner which allows flexibility and creativity while keeping your costs under control.Your menu is your chance to communicate with your customers in an open way about the food you offer, your choice of specialty and the passion you put into each dish. Hours are spent pouring over cost analysis and presentation of each dish. Your menu is your chance to showcase that passion and attention to detail. Think of your menu as the culmination of all your efforts to immerse your customers in the flavors and ambiance of your establishment.
