It is no Alinea, though. Not even close. Alinea is an experience you will never forget, trust me. I've been five times now and can't wait until my sixth.

It is no Alinea, though. Not even close. Alinea is an experience you will never forget, trust me. I've been five times now and can't wait until my sixth.

Casa de Luz does sound both unique and fantastic. Apparently they impressed you enough to blog about it as well! Surprisingly, I haven't been there, and I will try it soon.

Best,
Brett

Casa de Luz does sound both unique and fantastic. Apparently they impressed you enough to blog about it as well! Surprisingly, I haven't been there, and I will try it soon.

Best,
Brett

I remember my first time eating at Casa de Luz in Austin. Though very near the center of town, it sits next to a beloved riverside park. The restaurant’s 'portal' builds on the tranquil theme – you walk under an arch and through a whimsical garden to reach the door.

But it's inside Casa de Luz that I gained the best business insight–the value in getting a prospective customer's mind off of the "pain" of selecting and paying for a product, and focused instead on the "reward" of using it. Ultimately, it establishes a foundation for customer loyalty and reduces price pressure, the bane of healthy profit margins.

In Casa's case, upon entering, you're greeted at a clean, modest desk, where you pay a flat fee for your meal. It’s always a round number, no fiddling with change. The price is about the same as a dinner at TGI Friday’s.

Afterwards, you have nothing to concern yourself with except enjoying their distinctive dining experience. The main room is outfitted with warm woods and bathed in sunlight, an open kitchen prepares macrobiotic vegetarian food, and picnic-style seating encourages informality and relaxation. Even the table settings invite curiosity; shakers of savory crushed sesame seeds and naturally salty nori flakes substitute for their black and white equivalents.

Casa omits almost every step that could be perceived as tedious or unpleasant. There is no waiter to wait for, no menu to analyze, and no bill presented at the end. Soup, salad, and cooled hibiscus tea are available whenever you like, and the entree is brought to you soon after you sit. Want seconds? Just present your plate to the kitchen.

They say “no pain, no gain” but your customers certainly shouldn’t feel that way when it comes to doing business with you. When you leave Casa de Luz, it's not hard to feel positively about having eaten healthy food in a soothing environment—thoughts about price seem unimportant, as you’re sure you’ve identified a superior product. You know you’ll be back.

I remember my first time eating at Casa de Luz in Austin. Though very near the center of town, it sits next to a beloved riverside park. The restaurant’s 'portal' builds on the tranquil theme – you walk under an arch and through a whimsical garden to reach the door.

But it's inside Casa de Luz that I gained the best business insight–the value in getting a prospective customer's mind off of the "pain" of selecting and paying for a product, and focused instead on the "reward" of using it. Ultimately, it establishes a foundation for customer loyalty and reduces price pressure, the bane of healthy profit margins.

In Casa's case, upon entering, you're greeted at a clean, modest desk, where you pay a flat fee for your meal. It’s always a round number, no fiddling with change. The price is about the same as a dinner at TGI Friday’s.

Afterwards, you have nothing to concern yourself with except enjoying their distinctive dining experience. The main room is outfitted with warm woods and bathed in sunlight, an open kitchen prepares macrobiotic vegetarian food, and picnic-style seating encourages informality and relaxation. Even the table settings invite curiosity; shakers of savory crushed sesame seeds and naturally salty nori flakes substitute for their black and white equivalents.

Casa omits almost every step that could be perceived as tedious or unpleasant. There is no waiter to wait for, no menu to analyze, and no bill presented at the end. Soup, salad, and cooled hibiscus tea are available whenever you like, and the entree is brought to you soon after you sit. Want seconds? Just present your plate to the kitchen.

They say “no pain, no gain” but your customers certainly shouldn’t feel that way when it comes to doing business with you. When you leave Casa de Luz, it's not hard to feel positively about having eaten healthy food in a soothing environment—thoughts about price seem unimportant, as you’re sure you’ve identified a superior product. You know you’ll be back.