Food is sustenance, when brought to another level it can be much more. Great food can wow diners, but what about the experience of dining from walking in the door and being greeted by the team to finishing off your meal and walking away from the table. How can the owner/restaurateur impact each component of the journey to create a memorable personal experience.

Simon Kim is the owner of Cote, a modern Korean steakhouse in Manhattan’s Flatiron district and Undercote, its subterranean bar and cocktail lounge. Coote marries the conviviality and lavors of Korean barbeque with the top-notch ingredients, stellar service and stylish interiors of the cla ...