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"Where do you want to eat tonight?"

It's a simple question uttered one or two times a week by many of us. But for restaurants, the answer might mean the difference between serving another day or closing the doors.

These days, disposable dollars are few. And where we spend them deserves due consideration. For many, where to eat out comes down to the tried and true -- and the cheap.

But some restaurateurs have banded together to change the perception of eating out in Greensboro through a small, unassuming yellow flyer called Keep It Local. Their mantra is: Not only can you get a really nice meal at an independent restaurant, but you can do it within a budget.

"A lot of people don't really go to local restaurants," says Beth Kizhnerman, owner of Bistro Sofia.

Realizing that many independent restaurants have a lot to offer in the way of prix-fixe menus and other specials, Kizhnerman reached out to a handful of restaurateurs and created a flyer promoting a dozen finer dining establishments such as Table 16, Marisol, Sweet Basil's, Bert's Seafood Grille, Madison Park Cafe, Cafe Europa and The Bistro.

"It sort of made sense," says Kizhnerman. "I started calling to see if anyone else was doing anything sort of low cost to get the momentum going to sustain business."

Despite some reservations, the effort was generally well received.

But isn't this alliance a little unlikely considering the competitive nature of the food service industry?

"I don't look at it that way," Kizhnerman says. "A lot of us actually have a lot of the same customers."

Ben Roberts, owner of The Undercurrent, agrees.

"Restaurants are inherently competitive, but restaurateurs can be quite hospitable with each other."

Roberts offers an example of his time in Washington, D.C., when chefs made it a point to eat out with other chefs at least once a month to share information and enjoy the company.

"I've always been a big believer in referring business to other businesses," says Liberty Oak's general manager, Sarah Craven, who keeps a restaurant referral list near the phone in case someone can't get a reservation. "They remember the hospitality and maybe come back. It's a win-win situation."

"People are really surprised at so many restaurants with great chefs," says Catherine Chauvin, operating partner of Rim Tapas and Wine Bar, who has worked with just about every restaurateur and bartender in town.

"We don't want anyone to fail," Chauvin says.

"It's in support of each other so that we can all win, so that we can survive this economy," says Tracy Lamothe, co-owner of Riva's Trattoria. "Towns are strong when you have a lot of good, independently owned restaurants."

Kizhnerman says the campaign isn't meant to slight anyone. She feels there is enough business to go around. But independent restaurants operate on small budgets with little to spare for advertising.

"It's our little marketing plan," she calls the initiative.

"We are all living by the skin of our teeth," says Lamothe. "We don't have huge budgets. We don't have a lot of cash to draw on."

Lamothe points out that all of the restaurants on the list support local growers and suppliers.

"All the money goes right back into the community, not just investors that live somewhere else," Lamothe says.

"It's a great way to show good will to others in the community," says Scott Rudolph, co-owner of Liberty Oak. "For the servers, the dishwashers. It increases our customer awareness."

Here are the Greensboro restaurants participating in Keep It Local:

Bert's Seafood Grille (4608 W. Market St.; 297-4881), Bistro Sofia (616 Dolley Madison Road; 855-1313), Cafe Europa (200 N. Davie St.; 389-1010), Liberty Oak (100 W. Washington St.; 273-7057), Madison Park Cafe (1310 Westover Terrace, No. 107; 275-3755), Marisol (5834-E High Point Road; 852-3303), Rim Tapas and Wine Bar (219 S. Elm St.; 230-2055), Riva's Trattoria (257 N. Greene St.; 334-9989), Sweet Basil's (620 Dolley Madison Road; 327-0023), Table 16 (600 S. Elm St.; 279-8525), The Bistro at Adam's Farm (5710-M High Point Road; 294-4610), The Undercurrent (327 Battleground Ave.; 370-1266).

 Restaurants offer respite

Four area restaurants are teaming up with Center for Creative Aging North Carolina to give caregivers and their loved ones extra attention during Lunch on the Town today.

The participating restaurants are Filet of Soul (3205 Yanceyville St.; 954-5426) and Lox Stock and Bagel (2439 Battleground Ave.; 288-2894) in Greensboro; The Peppermill Cafe (2600 S. Main St.; 885-8101) in High Point, all of which will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Center for Creative Aging. A fourth, Cloverdale Kitchen and Bagel (2251 Cloverdale Ave.; 725-4701) in Winston-Salem will give a ten-percent discount to diners who mention the Center for Creative Aging.

For the most attentive service, it’s recommended having an early or late lunch. For more information, call 253-0856 or visit www.cca-nc.org.
 

Benefit is for the dogs

Carolina Coffee and Tea (400 State St., Greensboro) is holding its eighth annual CapPOOCHino Day 10 a.m to 1 p.m. Saturday.

The benefit for Animal Rescue and Foster Program features live music by Lyn Koonce and Friends, massages and adoptable pooches. Call 574-9600 for information.

Have restaurant news for Short Orders? Contact Carl Wilson at 373-7145 or cwilson@news-record.com.