If you had the chance....

[Breton Beats]

It all really comes down to your long term desires in life and work. As far as I am concerned it is the limited menu/ownership that offers the most freedom why?

As far as long term managment goes the simpler the concept, the simpler the menu the lower the food cost, lower the labour cost the higher the profit. (Think hot dog stands and ice cream stands). So with if you are limited to a few simple items make those items the best damned examples of that cuisine and people will notice that more than they notice the variety. (Our lunch offers 4 sandwiches and 1 soup, people line up in the rain for our tuna sandwiches).

Now about your personal/professional happiness: If you are owning a profitable establishment but its limits are no longer challenging, you can take that profit and hire people to run the restaurant while go and do something that will keep you challenged i.e., sit at home and drink whiskey, play with your kids, go back to school .....or.......go do a stage in any restaurant in the world.

A position in a large kitchen with a varied menu is still going to be limited style and the teachings of the chefs there now. You might eventually make a good salary but will you have time to spend it?

Just my thoughts. B.T.W. I run a cafe that has the aforementioned menu. I can afford to close for two months where I get to go to the south of france and work in a 3 star pastry kitchen next summer. Yeah!!!