By Phil Trubey
May 23, 2021
I could tell from the interest generated from recent articles that a lot of people care about the proposed restaurant upgrade project. The Association sent us an official poll over a year ago with, if I remember correctly, three or so questions. Below is a poll that asks you more questions about a possible restaurant remodel, but also goes into other questions about how to make the restaurant better.
By the way, I don’t envy the design group in the slightest. The restaurant needs to accommodate at least four quite different audiences: elegant dining, family dining, golfers coming in after playing a round, and occasional banquets (special events like Easter). I specifically didn’t ask any questions about interior décor styling. I just don’t think a simple poll like this can add much to such a tricky and complex subject.
This poll is obviously unofficial, and likely will be used, if at all, only as a general guide to help others. And that’s fine. Designing polls is really difficult and, if nothing else, the answers shown here can help guide what to ask in an official poll.
All answers are anonymous, please only respond once (there are routine mechanisms to enforce this, but it isn’t perfect).
You’ll see the results after you respond. All the 1 vote answers are what people typed into the “Other” box. If you are responding to the poll early, come back later to see a more representative sample size. Poll will close the end of May.
Thank you for your vote
What restaurant upgrades would you like to see? (Can choose multiple)
- More basic or comfort food menu items.(89 votes)
- More exotic menu items.(48 votes)
- Higher quality ingredients.(90 votes)
- Better and/or more extensive wine list.(18 votes)
- Faster and/or more attentive service.(39 votes)
- Open Mondays.(28 votes)
- Interior/exterior remodel (see next question for specifics).(105 votes)
- A few more enrtee options(1 vote)
- A more modern approach to casual dining– service, food options, etc.(1 vote)
- A quality bistro feel w/ bistro menu.(1 vote)
- Beer of the month – to sample new and special offerings(1 vote)
- Better bar food in bar area(1 vote)
- Better chef(1 vote)
- Better preparation. Get the food right before worrying about decor.(1 vote)
- Breakfast on Saturdays(1 vote)
- change the menu more frequently(1 vote)
- Delivery Service(1 vote)
- depressing inside.(1 vote)
- Dress code(1 vote)
- environment an experience made to feel special. Other than the outdoor environment, and food quality, it always just feels so-so(1 vote)
- Everything has been great! Why ruin a good thing!(1 vote)
- Family friendly amenities(1 vote)
- FINE AS IS. LEAVE ALONE.(1 vote)
- Healthy flavorful foods simply prepared.(1 vote)
- Healthy Options(1 vote)
- Healthy vegan gluten free items and casual food(1 vote)
- Just fine ‘as is.’(1 vote)
- Liht fare vs. full meals. We eat less.(1 vote)
- Lower prices. Stop adding tax to 18% service. Other dining options become the better option. Especially when the food is undependable.(1 vote)
- Modest corkage fee (promote members bring their own wine)(1 vote)
- More children friendly(1 vote)
- More daily specials(1 vote)
- more multi course (4+ course) set / tasting menu special dinner nights or weeks(1 vote)
- More outdoor dining(1 vote)
- More seasonal options(1 vote)
- more specials or more variety(1 vote)
- More vegetarian, tukey burgers and bacon(1 vote)
- More whole food plant based options(1 vote)
- None(1 vote)
- None in this category(1 vote)
- The quality of our food has improved hugely since chef Aaron was hired by our club. He is imaginative and the quality of his food is excellent.(1 vote)
- The restaurant is mediocre needs to be brought to higher standards in all areas, food quality, staffing, operations(1 vote)
- Updated interior design(1 vote)
- Valet(1 vote)
- When We moved here in 2015, the restaurant had very good food and a diverse menu. Duck breast, and other items no longer available. The service was good and friendly. When Juan Blanchard was the beverage manager, the wine sales boomed. The buy it here and get free corkage was a great idea. There were special events, lunches directed for women, and other groups, where my wife woudl bring a bottle of champagne, previously purchased at the restaurant, and Juan gladly served her. following his departure, the food and the service became terrible from my experiences. Burnt Hamburgers, no attention to orders etc. The last time we ate at the restaurant was for the Birthday dinner in February 2020. The service was so abysmal, and food far under expectations. The service manager, waitress and other staff were useless, and could not respond to simple request ( a small fork for oysters – not released? “we don’t have them”). I can’t list all the things that went wrong, but even was charged corkage on a bottle with the RSF Sticker on it, which i didn’t catch until after the dinner, and didn’t bother to get the charge removed. My wife said she would never go back. Decor is like art, and everyone has their own taste, but keep the generous spacing between tables. Get someone who is capable to run the service team. Even when half full they were incapable of providing basic service.(1 vote)
What physical remodel design elements would you like to see?
- Separate area(s) for families.(42 votes)
- Some interior booth seating.(63 votes)
- Expanded outdoor seating options.(127 votes)
- Upgraded/improved décor.(130 votes)
- A name for the restaurant.(32 votes)
- Are changes really needed. Why?(1 vote)
- Better food. Current ambiance Is fine.(1 vote)
- Brighten up the inside of the restaurant – it always feels dark. Think they could also utilize the reception area space in the back when there aren’t event -at least there’s windows there onto the back patio.(1 vote)
- Decor in keeping with Ranch history. NO BOOTHS!(1 vote)
- DO NOT ADD BANQUETTE SEATS AGAINST WALL(1 vote)
- Good food(1 vote)
- Just change carpet and paint. Don’t waste money on remodel- use the money to bring the tennis clubhouse to match golf clubhouse(1 vote)
- Just fine ‘as is.’(1 vote)
- Maybe a larger bar area for drop in gatherings for a drink and maybe a”happy hour”(1 vote)
- Menu change more often(1 vote)
- More bar/hightop seating like Enoteca Cucina(1 vote)
- much larger bar area(1 vote)
- None(1 vote)
- None in this category(1 vote)
- Not “trendy”, but timeless RSF, tasteful.(1 vote)
- NOT sleek modern. Respect the architectural style yet add more modern art(1 vote)
- Nothing(1 vote)
- Only upgrade needed is new carpet(1 vote)
- Open Design Change Colors(1 vote)
- open inside to the outside.open the area around the bar.(1 vote)
- Outdoor Pizza oven(1 vote)
- Rather than a separate area for families, there should be a small area that doesn’t allow kids under a certain age..(1 vote)
- Refresh the restaurant in the vernacular of the building(1 vote)
- Remove the chalk board in the bar…tacky. Tacky printed menus. TVs in main dining room. Classic spanish decor. NOT the decor proposed!!!!! Horrible!(1 vote)
- Segmentation – Elegant dining separate from family dining(1 vote)
- The restaurant/ building is beautiful don’t waste money there, improve ambiance, improve ventilation to address stale smell most likely older unpleasant guest/members and update dinning room carpet(1 vote)
- We love the current design, it says R S F. Don’t make this like the Inn, they ruined that.(1 vote)
- when remodel do not make too modern and loud so everything echoes(1 vote)
How many times a month do you or your family eat at the restaurant in total, including lunch, drinks and dinner (assume no COVID restrictions)?
- Less than once a month.(59 votes)
- 1 to 4 times a month.(89 votes)
- 5 to 9 times a month.(42 votes)
- Greater than 10 times a month.(16 votes)
What’s your best guess as to you what you and your family’s increased usage would be if the above restaurant upgrades were completed?
- Monthly visits would stay the same.(43 votes)
- 1 to 2 additional visits per month.(97 votes)
- 3 to 4 additional visits per month.(46 votes)
- Greater than 5 additional visits per month.(19 votes)
Most of the upgrades list above (eg. better ingredients, or more staff) cost money on an on-going basis. Would you be OK with a commensurate increase in menu item prices if the restaurant implemented your changes?
- No, not willing to pay more.(35 votes)
- Yes, 10% more (so a $20 menu item would be $22).(92 votes)
- Yes, 25% more (so a $20 menu item would be $25).(54 votes)
- Yes, 50% more (so a $20 menu item would be $30).(17 votes)
- Yes, 100% more (so a $20 menu item would be $40).(4 votes)
What do you value or like about the restaurant? (Select all that apply)
- It is “my” restaurant.(55 votes)
- Isn’t crowded.(88 votes)
- Good food.(107 votes)
- Close by.(172 votes)
- Enjoy seeing/meeting local friends.(99 votes)
- Great service.(74 votes)
- Good value.(60 votes)
- ambiance(1 vote)
- Exclusivity for HOA members(1 vote)
- Fantastic patio, beautiful view(1 vote)
- FINE AS IS. LEAVE ALONE.(1 vote)
- Great location and nice views. But as of now, there is nothing I like. This restaurant doesn’t have a rent overhead, would think, so should be able to be profitable without charging even more.(1 vote)
- Great outdoor ambiance(1 vote)
- Historic RSF building atmosphere(1 vote)
- i think it’s awful(1 vote)
- important to have some quality things at much lower markup – esp wine – than other area upscale restaurants- that’s the membership perk(1 vote)
- Love community feel, and the sense of decorum(1 vote)
- Love sitting in the bar(1 vote)
- Not much. Building exterior is nice.(1 vote)
- Outdoor dining views of golf course(1 vote)
- outdoor patio feels special(1 vote)
- Outdoor seating(1 vote)
- Quality food(1 vote)
- Roy!(1 vote)
- Setting(1 vote)
- Very important to continue no corkage fee. Otherwise, we would be very unlikely to come very often.(1 vote)
What are the reasons you don’t visit the restaurant more than you do?
- We just don’t eat out often.(30 votes)
- We typically eat at cheaper places(13 votes)
- We typically eat at more expensive places.(17 votes)
- We get bored of the same menu.(82 votes)
- Food/menu could be better.(96 votes)
- Just don’t think about it (isn’t well enough advertised/promoted).(13 votes)
- Too crowded.(2 votes)
- Sometimes annoying guests (eg. screaming children).(24 votes)
- Décor/Ambiance is stale.(89 votes)
- Doesn’t feel family friendly.(14 votes)
- 1. Limited outdoor seating (refuse to eat indoors)(1 vote)
- Bad, tired, low quality, poorly prepared food(1 vote)
- Being that the restaurant is subsidized by the HOA prices should a bit lower. It’s already a charming restaurant. I don’t see how spending a bunch of money on a remodel is going to make a difference in any way.(1 vote)
- change in decor is needed.(1 vote)
- Dogs should not be allowed(1 vote)
- I like RSF just the way it is. The restaurant represents the RSF experience to me. I’m always comfortable and pleased to be there. And I have no problem with screaming children.(1 vote)
- i listed above. Poor food execution and selection. Abysmal service. Re-decorating isn’t going to solve those basics.(1 vote)
- I live outside RSF.(1 vote)
- It’s just not a “comfortable” place to hang out for a family dinner. For drinks with adults it’s ok. The interior is too wide open, it’s one big room so it does not feel private. Patio is too small and chairs are not comfortable. Generally, the “Feng shui” is low. The outside area near the fireplace is the best spot.(1 vote)
- It’s not the decor- it’s food and service that needs to improve(1 vote)
- Kind of a lame scene overall unfortunately(1 vote)
- Like to try other places but like going to club(1 vote)
- Like to visit other locals.(1 vote)
- Not an interesting vibe. Especially inside. The patio has the ambiance.(1 vote)
- Not worth the prices.(1 vote)
- OK AS IS(1 vote)
- Overall food quality & stale unpleasant members, those who always/only complain and are never happy under any circumstance – sad people unfortunately here(1 vote)
- poor service particularly wine & ave. food(1 vote)
- Poor service!!!!!!(1 vote)
- Service(1 vote)
- slow service….it might be nice if the manager or chef came to our tables and greeted us as other clubs do this!(1 vote)
- Staleness is for the interior. Patio is great.(1 vote)
- The Club often lacks a “vibe”(1 vote)
- Too many negative actions against bring family there in the past(1 vote)
- wait staff needs to be incentivized and trained to create an experience; it just feels like everything is on a 6-7 scale(1 vote)
- we dine out regularly but like variety(1 vote)
- We eat less. Two meals a day max. Light fare vs. full meals is important.(1 vote)
- We eat more healthily and are looking for fresh, local, flavorful ingredients.(1 vote)
- We got to breakfast on Saturday before/after kids activities. Restaurant doesn’t have breakfast.(1 vote)
- We had more formal evening dinners when the ceiling was higher and provided excellent dining ambiance. Putting in the low ceiling completely destroyed the feel of that room. The indoor ambiance in general could use a refresh(1 vote)
- We like a variety of eateries(1 vote)
- We need a quicker dining option(1 vote)
- We would like better, higher quality food (organic) and better service.(1 vote)
- wine list / prices not online – multi course wine theme dinners too infrequent(1 vote)
- Would like to see more elegant offerings on the menu(1 vote)
- You may have noticed there is a pandemic going on.(1 vote)
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