Aloha folks, as I get ready for a new adventure, I would like to thank many of you that have affected my leadership style and helped me become the person I am today. From the early days at Hussong's cantina Russ Kattengell. Russ taught me about having fun while making money. He also taught me about failure and how to bounce back. Kim and Gerry for giving me a chance at Blackbeard's, Rob Sandy for the "have fun, make money, with Aloha" attitude. Daveed, Jaime, Dickie, Ron, on doing things the right way and how not to manage in some cases. Stu and Debbie for teaching me that you need more than spreadsheets to run a business. Henry, for the self starter. Robert for the fact that you do not need layers upon layers in a restaurant.
A few things that I will let you know as you go on into new ventures. Spreadsheets, numbers, information are great to fine tune and control the business. we must devote more time when we do business to quality and service. People do not come to restaurants for numbers, they come for service and quality of product.
Aloha for now

The roaming of the Buffalo

greetings my friends. I am on the move again. My time at Cheeseburger has come to an end. It is time to move on to greener pastures. I will be moving to the Cilantro/Pizza Paradisso group. I am now the director of operations of these popular dining restaurants. We will also be starting on the construction of a new full service Cilantro's Cantina soon. I will be adding blogs every week and will also be giving my take on the political elections that are coming soon. Stay tuned. aloha, Buff

100 wines

Ola fellow foodies, I had my birthday dinner at 100 wines. the big 50 for the Buffalo. Lot's of old/vintage Chico's gang on hand to imbibe in the celebration. Where to start- the wine, they have 2 tables, a $25.00 table of chards, reds, and sparkling wines and a $35.00 table with the same thing only more money. I think the 25 dollar table is fine for most people.
Food awesome, salads good size and fresh. Flat breads great, except for the Brie one not much flavor. The Brussel sprouts no bueno for me, my wife loved them as did most of the party. I do not like the smell of Balsamic and cabbage together. Dessert good and well priced. When you go in ask for Cindy, a wonderful mea hookipa. TTFN

sure thing?

Greetings fellow burger lovers. Just ate at the new burger joint called " a sure thing
burger" pretty good, flat topped cooking lettuce, grill onion, good buns. Price??? 8.00 for a 4 oz Maui cattle burger. They give 20% local discount but still 7.00 for a slider size burger. Pork burger good too, but again 8.00 for a cheaper cut of meat is pricey to me. They are located in the Lahaina Marketplace, next to the tree house bar.
Support local business- give it a try

Cafe o'lei

Good morning friends, had dinner at the cafe o' lei Napili last night. What a nice meal. I saw the new LOWER priced menu. Let me tell you they have some great deals. For HH they do 4.95 pupu specials. Calamari, lettuce wraps, pig quesadilla, smaller portions but you can order more of them!
New floor in the bar is a nice touch. Servers are friendly and you know all of them.
Dinner specials start at 7.95. We did the Scampi style entree it comes with a small salad for 7.95, the highest priced item is 21.95 for fish, great deals.  People of Maui please support this place, we need something we can afford

mainland reviews

Just got back from an off island assignment. Let me tell you service on the mainland is awesome. People have figured out that guests do not have to choose your establishment, if they do you had better provide top notch service. I will also let you know that judging the open storefronts, there are many places that chose to let things happen because "that is the way we have always done it.".
Owners and managers take the time to meet your guest, read your online reviews, talk to your team, get rid of the "ya buts" and listen. After all your your employees are also your guests

politics

I will be going off the reviews for the next few weeks. I have been listening to the politicians for the last few weeks.
I have also been reading about the frustration with government. People, we have nobody to blame but ourselves.
A wise teacher told me the definition of insanity- doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results. This is what we have been doing with the vote. Electing the same people over and over again and expecting different results. We as a people have accepted mediocrity from our officials. We have not demanded greatness from them.
It is time to vote them all out! But Buff, what about all of the experience we will lose? What has experience gotten us lately? A cluster**** from our government.


More solutions for a change: TERM LIMITS, 2 terms for each office period.
Another possible solution for government suppliers and contractors: sign a contract stating that if at any time during an audit we find out you have been overcharging goods and services we will take all of your assets period.
Harsh, yes but it would make me think, do I really want to charge $16.00 for a muffin.
Campaign spending: set a dollar limit including personal income, Lobbyists? time to say bye-bye
Voters, the time to act is now.
Agree? let me know