Interview with Sarma Melngailis by Shabooty

Were you into the Howard Stern show before the time Howard visited your restaurant then talked about it on the air?

I’ve always loved Howard. I never got to listen to it a lot—probably the most was when I lived alone and worked in finance and had it on my shower radio in the bathroom so I’d listen while I got dressed. I’ve always had sort of a crush groove thing for him. So when he came in and was seated at the next table from where I was working, I got all flustered. He was sweet. He came in another time a few months later. I was really nervous talking to him and I usually don’t get nervous. I thanked him for talking about my restaurant so nicely on the air. I wanted to let him know that everything else he said was all cool too. Then he was saying that I should have my own radio show on Sirius like Martha Stewart. And I so badly wanted to say, “But I don’t want to have my own radio show, I just want to be on your show!” I didn’t say that because I was too scared…I don’t ever want to put anyone on the spot. But I do really want to come on the show. And make them all ice cream sundaes. I’d be terrified of saying something stupid, but I’ll talk about pretty much anything. I wouldn’t ride that thing though—I forget what it’s called. J

How has that exposure changed your customer base? And just helped business in general?

I was totally flattered when he talked about us on the air the way he did. The restaurant definitely got extra busy for a while, it was really nice. Something about the crowd looked very different. I realized it was way more B&T than usual! (Bridge n Tunnel). I like that he said he liked the restaurant so much. It gives us a certain credibility because most people expect a vegan restaurant to be lame.



full interview