Small Bites, Big Business
Single-Serving Appetizer Specials Can Bring Big Gain

Bite-sized appetizers, complex or simple, are a dependable way to attract customers to your bar or nightclub.
    Small appetizers give the appearance of quantity and can be shared by multiple patrons. Especially popular right now is sushi, an appetizer that is small enough to be ideal in a drinking environment, yet trendy enough to attract upscale crowds who are looking to split a dish.
    Sushi is not easy to prepare, but with the right staff, you can offer creative hors d’oeuvres at a fair price that can boost your bar profit and provide an ambiance that will keep drinkers in their seats through meal times. Coming in many shapes and sizes, sushi rolls can be split up between multiple patrons, while single servings of sushi can be available at the bar. With its high degree of versatility, sushi could be the one commodity missing from your appetizer menu this fall and winter.

Sushi’s Sales Strength
    When it comes to sushi strongholds, Detroit is not the first U.S. city that comes to mind, but don’t test that theory on Motor City’s Sakana Sushi Lounge. Serving up local sushi flavors such as the Detroit, the Wolverine and the Piston, Sakana is making a name for itself in the Ferndale suburb. Offering a full bar selection, Sakana is a hip nightspot for drinkers who appreciate good appetizers at a reasonable price. With a layout of luxurious booths and low Oriental tables, Sakana is the perfect atmosphere for a casual night out. There is also a full-sized bar where a mix of diners and drinkers congregate. Operator Greg Kim says that people frequently split small plates of rolls over a bottle of white wine or a few beers.
    “Our most popular drinking appetizer is the California roll. Lots of people like our white and marble tuna and our salmon as well,” Kim says. “My favorite is our Daddy’s Girl, which is a shrimp tempura with avocado cucumbers and a spicy sauce.”
    “Sake can be our most popular drink, but it’s usually for big groups and people out on dates,” Kim says. “Most of the time people will stick with their usual vodka tonics, white wine or beer while enjoying their sushi appetizers.”
    Clearly, Sakana’s ability to serve a wide selection of drinks that are both authentic and non-Asian oriented is an asset. That’s good news for bar owners who don’t want to specialize in Japanese fare, but want to expand their appetizer selections.                                                             NCB