I'm looking for some really good marketing ideas for an upscale restaurant.?

We have great food in a charming ambience with a professional comittment to food and service. Our business is good, don't get me wrong, but as an independent, it is difficult to watch corporate chains have an hour long waiting list on a Tuesday night while we still have empty tables.

How can we inspire guests to seek out, and support, the passionate independents?

Thank you for your ideas!

Invite people with influence within the community. You may have to give away a few meals but it will be worth it. Avoid advertising in the local shopper mag as it is not your target audience. Politicians are good same with sports guys. Local television and radio people have influence as well as local business men. Look for people that other people respect and have them come in and eat. Send out some invitation cards to the people you want to come or give gift certificates.
Where do the upper class locals hang out? Go there and talk with them, buy them a drink discuss food and wine. Go to the Rotary club, they usually support each other and they are always looking for new members. Do you have a website? People from out of town are always searching the internet for places to eat. Oh another thing, where are the nearest hotels? See if they will leave some flyers in the guest rooms.

Most of all be creative, always be a salesman even when you aren't working.

You're in an ideal position. Food and beverage is ideally positioned to take advantage of sensory marketing and branding; creating integrated experiences for your customers that serve and entice every one of their senses and creating experiences they won't forget. It's these experiences, along with a well crafted brand, and of course impeccable food, quality and service, that create buzz and bring your guests in the door. Your niche: this is an area often unexplored by the big chains because it takes a certain vision, passion and attention to the details that your "passionate independent" restaurant can provide.

Stimulating, interactive and sensory-engaging environments...

Hope this helps, S盲vy