While the world is still trying to get grips of the latest tech-craze, the Apple iPad, Nihonbashi restaurants in Sri Lanka just after 9 days of the launch of the iPad revolutionized the history of traditional printed menu cards by introducing the new touch screen device, as the menu.
“Nihonbashi has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to restaurant design, creativity in foods and bringing to diners the cultural and gastronomical appeal of Japanese cuisine” says Dharshan Munidasa, the owner and founder of Nihonbashi.
Today, almost four months later, guests at Nihonbashi are enjoying the new way of ordering food with the IPad menu with nice pictures and descriptions and prices all in "the palm of your hands”. “Describing an original dish without a picture is tough and hard copies are time consuming and expensive, and it also makes things easier for customers who have trouble reading the menu's fine print as they can enlarge it,” says Dharshan as he prepares to use the iPad to communicate daily specials to guests.
The secret is, new interactive menu card has made dining easier and convenient and is so real that it suggests food to suit customer moods. iPads also allow customers to browse the menu and daily specials, see what the dish looks like, view tasting notes, helps to select and suggests the best wines to complement the dining selections and best food pairings, place their comments and take part on surveys and lucky draws at the restaurant.
What’s more, while the order arrives customers can also browse the internet, watch movie trailers, read a book, check emails, or any other activity, making full use of their time and kids love playing their favourite online games.
“The use of iPad has really increased our sales at Nihonbashi and customers enjoy going through the interactive menu in a detailed manner as it educates them about Japanese food and what’s best for them tickling their taste buds”.
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| Waiter taking orders |
The iPads will also be used in the administration aspects of Nihonbashi operations as communications between team members and idea sharing will become easier, faster and more descriptive owing to pictorial representation- and all this without paper contributing positively to environment.
Dharshan added that a special POS application will also be developed for this very purpose at a later stage to speed up the efficiency level of the restaurants and as a means of better knowledge and resource management.
“Although the value of latest tech like iPads may not be recognized much in developing countries like Sri Lanka due to the cost factor, nevertheless it is a privilege for us to grab the
He finally explained that the iPad will soon open up a new medium in which hotels, resorts, restaurants and banks especially can use as a promotional tool in advertising. With peace settling in the country after decades of war and tourism gathering momentum, the new celebrity chef in town, Dharshan, now wants to show the world that Sri Lanka and his restaurant Nihonbashi is a place where innovative ideas thrive and are not restricted to the Dubais or the Singapores of the world.
So, if you want to discover the magical sensation behind iPad menus walk in to Nihonbashi’s flagship restaurant at No.11 Galle Face Terace, Colombo 03 or call up for reservation on 011 232 3847. For more information e-mail Nihonbashi on info@nihonbashi.lk
