People often ask questions about Tricycle and I often attempt to address them in blog posts. This is intended to be the definitive blog post that answers the most frequently asked questions about Tricycle. If you're left with questions after this please post them in the comments section.
1. What is Tricycle?
Tricycle is a hobby bar and restaurant that Kaitlin and I (Mike) run out of our apartment.
The two functions of bar and restaurant both involve us serving food and drink, but operate a little differently.
BAR HOURS:
About every other month we post Tricycle bar hours on facebook and invite our friends and family. We pretty up the house, get a bunch of interesting people together and then serve them what we consider to be some thoughtfully prepared food and drink.
Mike specializes in cocktails and Kaitlin specializes in savory vegetarian foods, but we try to make sure there's something for everybody.
Food is served buffet style for bar hours due to the volume of people attending, to enable mingling and to allow for varied arrival/departure times. The food available lends itself to something more than a snack, but not quite a full meal.
Drink orders are placed with Mike who will spend his time running around frantically mixing, pouring and being sure to have "one for the doctor."
We collect $$$ on the drinks at Tricycle bar hours so as to fund the event itself.
NA drinks are usually $1 or $2. Proper drinks tend range from $3 to $8.
RESTAURANT:
The restaurant function comes into play when someone (you!) decides to make a reservation with us. For the restaurant we work closely with you to determine the best meal we can provide within your budget, dietary restrictions, courses and preferences. We provide seating, an excellent meal and a comfortable/private environment to enjoy it in. We only charge the cost of groceries/wine and we agree on a budget ahead of time. It's a nice way to have a quality meal at an affordable price in a unique environment. We've done graduation dinners, birthdays, anniversaries and have worked with groups from 2 to 8 people.
We work with organic food and locally sourced food as much as possible.
2. So I need to pay? How does the whole $$$ thing work?
While there is no obligation to pay anything, we do collect money during bar hours to help cover the cost of all the food and booze. We have a printed drink menu that lists suggested donations. We take cash and it can just be thrown into the donation jar at your convenience. If you're low on $$$ don't worry about. We'd rather have you come and not pay than stay at home.
3. How did you start doing this?
We've always loved cooking, hosting and entertaining. We like being able to control the menu and we don't like hosting potlucks or BYOB parties. We feel like people should be able to come over empty handed and still have everything they need. We've always thrown two big annual parties (Halloween & Tax Day) and we always wanted throw more, but couldn't afford to. The idea started swirling around because of that problem.
Tricycle finally came to be when our friend
Jamie pushed us into action. He wanted to take our friend
Theresa out for a nice dinner on her birthday, but wanted it to be affordable and unique. He approached us and asked if we'd prepare a birthday dinner for them. In exchange he made our Tricycle sign (featured at the top of this post) for us.
We've been doing it ever since!
4. Why do you do this?
We do the restaurant mostly to challenge ourselves. It also feels good to be able to provide restaurant quality food at grocery store prices to people.
We do the bar hours because we love our friends and family and want to see them more often. It's a way to get them all under one roof. We also like meeting new people.
5. What's the address?
I'm paranoid about posting our home address anywhere on the internet. If you have our phone # or Email contact us for an address. You can also contact us through facebook. If you're still lost, talk to the friend you heard about us through and get in touch with us through them.
6. Why should I come to Tricycle?
BAR: You should come to Tricycle bar hours to socialize with wonderful & strange people. We pride ourselves on our food and drink, but even more so we pride ourselves on our friends and family.
RESTAURANT: It's a unique and affordable way to have a quality dining experience.
7. Who are you?
Kaitlin & Mike.
