Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathy Sidell.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Kathy. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have always had two passions food and film. The first 20 or so years of my career, I was a Film producer but not so secretly, I always had wanted to get involved in the food business – either by owning a restaurant or developing a product. As my mother is fond of saying – I would travel miles for a fresh fig. This remains true. This yearning proved undeniable. My dad, Jack Sidell, was a banker and was truly insane about eating, the business of food and restaurants. He ultimately financed many of the great chefs and restauranteurs in Boston – Charlie Sarkas, Steve Difillippo, Gordon Hamersley, Jasper White and Todd English – at a time when very little resources were available to talented owners and chefs. My sister, Stephanie, opened her own restaurant in 1994, Stephanie’s on Newbury. So, I came to understand the business from both the hospitality side from my sister and the economic equation from my father. I started my first place, the Metropolitan Club in 2004 in the neighborhood I grew up in – Chestnut hill, Ma. It was a modern steakhouse with a killer bar. We soon became known as the MET BAR. We currently have 5 restaurants – 4 MET’s which are still American and still meatcentric – with great steaks and burger bars and our newest concept is called Saltie Girl which is a modern seafood bar. An ode of a sort to my dad and our much treasured time sailing and cooking the glorious seafood from the shores of New England!
Has it been a smooth road?
Is it ever a smooth road? Of course, not! You need more wins than loses. And you must never forget that you are running a business – not as easily said than done in the restaurant business. It is very social and often people forget that in order to do what we love – which is to feed people – we need to make money doing it.
Our biggest challenge came in 2007 when the economy took a nose dive and people were no longer spending money on anything expensive. Being ahead of the curve to adjust to the mercurial times while staying true to our concept was an invaluable business lesson.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I would like to think that we have our finger on the pulse of what people are eating – it shifts often and as a restauranteur you must stay current. I am most proud of our ability to see and understand what is next in a way that always keep us fresh, challenged and forward thinking. At the Met’s we are known for high volume, quality everyday food. Not easily done – with a large menu serving hundreds of people daily.
At Saltie Girl, we are a small boutique 30 seat innovative restaurant. We are truly a modern seafood bar – serving the freshest seafood and fish we can get our hands on – in many incarnations – raw, fried, tinned, grilled and then some. We are having a blast in 30 seats creating a cool, original experience for our guests. Our joy is contagious. Exceedingly proud of our food at Saltie Girl – it delights and surprises 🙂
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
We have been blessed to develop a terrific team over many years. But I do think that we are at a particularly difficult time in Boston – in terms of our labor pool. Not easy to find qualified passionate people who want to put in the hours it takes to create magic. That being said – I truly believe any concept that is original, solid and true to itself will find their people and their clientele. I am totally pro small business and an authentic entrepreneurial spirit. Go for it.
Contact Info:
- Address: Saltie Girl
281 Dartmouth Street
Boston, MA 02116
Met Back Bay
279 Dartmouth Street
Boston, MA 02116 - Website: metrestaurantgroup.com, saltiegirl.com
- Phone: 617.267.0451 (MetBackBay), 617.267.0691 (SaltieGirl)
- Email: info@metrestaurantgroup.com
- Instagram: metbackbay / saltiegirl
- Facebook: @metrestaurantgroup / @saltigirlboston
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