Practically all chefs bemoan the customer favorite that has become geriatric in their eyes. Any attempt to eliminate the dish from the menu is met with public outcry. But the benefits of signature items far outweigh the disadvantages. For Burke, Schreiber and other chefs, the pluses have resulted in a cookbook of customer favorites. However, the advantages available to all foodservice are consistency, repeat business, customer recognition and public relations, all of which amount to sales.
People head for a specific restaurant because they want a certain dish, chefs say.
And you also give the guest something to boast about, an air of confidence when he sits down with his friends and tells them the mussels are great. They can show off. Littleneck clams, scrubbed 1 cup Cherry tomatoes, halved 2 Shallots, thinly sliced 1 tbsp. Garlic, minced 2 tbsp. Cover and place in wood-burning oven 4 minutes.