Sitting in a neighborhood restaurant after the recent election I was struck by the balancing act that food establishments have played for hundreds of years. In the end, the restaurant’s purpose is to provide a forum for coming together and the role of chefs, cooks, servers, bartenders, managers, and owners is to ensure that the experience embraces and does not offend, satisfies and never disappoints, respects all who enter and be what guests want them to be. It is a tightrope to walk, one that is challenging for all involved, but one, none the less, that we must navigate.

In those early days of European coffee houses, during the 17^th century, politics were the main source of conversation. Much of what would become the European and later American method of representation and problem solving had its roots in lively discussions offer coffee, mead, crusty bread and hearty soups and stews. These cafes were the center of activity, a common ground where people would gather to state their case.

In the American colonies, public houses, or taverns, followed suit as meeting places for the common man and self-proclaimed intellectuals. These were often locations to where mail from across the pond would be delivered and serve as a source of information and discussion over a pint of ale. Many of these establishments like the Union Oyster House and the Green Dragon Tavern in Boston served as headquarters for planning the American Revolution. The Green Dragon is where the “Sons of Liberty” were formed and subsequently planned the Boston Tea Party. The Tun Tavern in Philadelphia is the supposed site where The Free Masons and The U.S. Marine Corps were formed and where the first meeting of the Free Masons took place.

If you visit the Union Oyster House in Boston (still in operation today) you can belly up to the original oyster bar where some of America’s most prominent early settlers and political leaders enjoyed a pint and a dozen bivalves.

Although a mecca for political discourse, many of these early public houses tried to be neutral even if their patrons were not. The role of the tavern was to provide a haven for discussion, a tasty meal, and ample alcohol to fuel their banter and opinions.

As I scanned the restaurant where I currently sat with my smash burger, fries, and pint of hoppy IPA, it was easy to feel the energy, albeit somewhat different from those times before the revolution. Information back then was limited and when available, a draw for people hoping to discover what was going on in the world. Today we are engulfed in information and misinformation. Our sources are everywhere and anytime, on television, and through the internet. Opinions are just as strong as they were back in the day but determining what is real, what is true, and what is designed to simply rile people into a frenzy of anger and distrust, is a challenge.

This modern-day public house is much more sophisticated, efficient, exciting, and diverse. As I look around I note how, unlike in the 1700’s, the room was not dedicated to pockets of elite political know-it-all’s, but rather everyone from young singles on dates, start-up families with high energy kids running up and down the aisles, blue collar workers coming off a long shift, white collar workers giving their computers a rest, local officials and dignitaries, equal numbers of men and women, and to plenty of seniors (like me) absorbing the energy of the place. Television screens presented a mix of sporting events and CNN talking heads, and the smell of grilled meat and batches of beer brewing behind glass walls provided sensory overload. The noise level was high and I’m sure among those present there was some discussion about the election results. I’m sure some were excited about new directions while others were dismayed about what might lie ahead. One thing stood out from what was the likely mood in public houses during the days of Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson – people, in general, seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Regardless of your political inklings, your level of joy or dismay, you sense of optimism or fatalism about what lies ahead, our modern restaurants will always be there to welcome you, provide a haven for reasonable discourse, help you to celebrate, or comfort your sorrow. This is what we do, this is our purpose, this is our privilege. Food and beverage are the tools that we use but it is the environment of open hospitality that defines this industry that has been around since the days of vagabond travelers and traders during Medieval Times. We (restaurants) have been there to help through wars, economic uncertainty, religious conflict, natural disasters, changes in power, pandemics, and all types of uncertainty. We have been the place where you can go, feel safe, share your opinions, speak your mind (within reason), listen and learn, organize or dissolve, and find a way to put one foot in front of the other and move on.

So, take your moments to reflect. Celebrate if you desire to do so, commiserate with friends and allies if you must, shake your head and wonder what went wrong, or shake another’s hand and proclaim your victory; but do so in a civil manner while raising a glass and breaking bread. In the end we are all very much the same if we choose to see it that way. Praise your local restaurants for trying to remain neutral while giving each of us the chance to stake claim to our beliefs.

PLAN BETTER – TRAIN HARDER

Harvest America Ventures, LLC

Restaurant Consulting

www.harvestamericacues.com  BLOG

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