If coffee beans in Brazil are sold for $.20 pound … but a cup of coffee on the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy costs $20 …What’s the difference? … The Total Experience.You could dine in Atlanta every day for a year… and never visit the same restaurant twice. Never.I have my favorites. We are blessed her with so many “Five Stars”.But my favorite of the all is a place called the Blue Ridge Grille. It’s located three hundred yards from my home. It’s pretty pricey. Its menu is outstanding but maybe not the best.

What is best though is the service, the attention, the embrace I feel every time I walk in the place. For sure … it’s all about The Total Experience. The warmth of the place. Let me explain.Like the great old TV series, “Cheers” it’s a place where everybody knows my name.The place is beautiful, usually packed at both lunch and dinner. Patrick runs the place.He’s unassuming, welcoming always. I know his challenges can be formidable at times. But he never wears them on his face. I’m sure he has a “gun” inside that soft veneer. Team is too high quality. Either that or he’s a great recruiter, judge of character. I’ve found all businesses have a culture… keyed by the quality of it’s leader. At Blue Ridge… Patrick’s the boss. You wouldn’t know it.

There are and Jesse, Lauren and Nicole. Brian and John and Dean and Ben. Todd and Roj… and Sherry, Esther, Veronica and Jo. And Evan, Alissa, and Shannon. Even all the guys who valet your car. Just the best. Hope I didn’t miss anybody.They are all… yes, all wonderful. Professional. Aware. Gracious.Some turnover… but then Todd’s been there 23 years, Roj 8 I think. This won’t be a last stop for these guys. But BR is lucky to have them while they’re there.I remember all their names. But most importantly?

They remember mine. I go there two, three times a week. I have my table. My iced tea is delivered the minute I arrive. It’s private. We can hear. Many of the conversations I have are confidential. No worry. I’m not rushed. My guests always comment. “Are you the mayor?” “Yes I am… or at least all my friends here make me feel like I am.”No one reads the specials. Always memorized. Leave an emptied sugar pack on the table? Always quietly removed. I could go on. But you get the picture. All about The Total Experience.Hope you’re lucky enough to have a place like the Blue Ridge Grille to go to.

Makes my day just a little better every time I’m there.