Welcome to Small Plate Hospitality

My name is Lisa. I'm a strategic advisor for restaurant operators.

Restaurants don't fail because of location, design, or investors, and they definitely don't fail because of lack of effort. They fail because of a lack of strategy, the thing that gets you from here to your goals. I'm here to help you map out your strategy.

Running a restaurant can be lonely.

I remember running my own restaurant, just wishing I had someone to help me make better decisions. I didn't mind working hard, I just didn't know exactly what to do to move the needle.

Most owners turn to Reddit or a Facebook group, but the advice you find there is all over the place. Then there are the consultants, who charge an arm and a leg for a generic playbook full of impractical SOPs and elaborate recommendations nobody has time to implement.

But the problem is, there's no one-size-fits-all solution. Your restaurant's challenges are unique.

Come sit at my table.

When you sit with me, you'll have someone to work through your problems with. Each issue of my newsletter, Table 67, highlights a real restaurant and breaks down what makes it work.

About Lisa

With over 30 years of experience in every front-of-house role, I bring deep knowledge and expertise to my work with you.

I've worked in every front-of-house role, including owning, managing, and equity partnerships in independent restaurants.

I also bring expertise in event planning and project management, so I can help you build strategic plans that actually get executed, not just written down.

My dedication to leadership development and mindfulness practice makes me a calm, steady partner for you, especially when the pressure is on.

My Services

On-Demand Strategy Sessions

Strategy sessions give you real clarity on what you're building and a concrete plan you create yourself, with guidance every step of the way. You'll leave energized and ready to move forward, backed by seven days of email support to help you put the plan into action.

Strategic Planning

For restaurant owners with bigger projects ahead, whether that's a launch or a full revamp, I offer deeper, ongoing strategic planning. This is a longer-term partnership built on monthly retainers or equity, depending on the project. I invest my time and expertise directly into the businesses I believe in. This offering is by invitation only, reserved for projects I'm genuinely excited to help build.

Small Plate Hospitality was created to address the frustration of working constantly and never feeling like you're making progress.

I provide a true partnership, helping you make clear decisions that create the restaurant you've always dreamed of. All of our work together starts with defining who you serve, what they want, and how to deliver it. When you have clarity on this, you'll be able to:

  • Reduce staff turnover and recruit high-performing team members.

  • Set clear expectations and get consistent execution, every shift.

  • Make guests feel at home the moment they arrive, and eager to return.

  • Know exactly who you serve and how to keep them coming back.

  • Replace guesswork with a clear plan for growth.

  • Free

Ideal Guest Profile

The Ideal Guest Profile is a self-guided diagnostic worksheet that helps you get specific about who you're trying to serve, what that guest actually wants from a dining experience, and how well your restaurant is currently delivering it. By the time you finish it, you'll have a clearer picture of where your restaurant is aligned and where the gaps are, so we can focus our work on what will actually move the needle.