I'd love to see this restaurant exist--if I were to do it, I'd call it The Prancing Pony.

The idea is that when you walk through the door, it would feel like you just stepped through a time portal into another world and another time. Everything inside would be authentic medieval, or LOTR-style. That would mean all the lighting would be by candlelight, including the light from a big fireplace. All the food would be natural, organic, simple, medieval recipes. Instead of a menu, the chef would decide each night what the evening's meal would be, by courses. Patrons would choose how many (and possibly which) courses to purchase--they could spend $5 and just get a wholesome soup and fresh-baked bread (1 course), or they could spend $30 and get 4-5 courses, including a salat (salad), fruit & cheese plate, entree, dessert. Food would be served in season, portions would be of appropriate size (with no free bread), sugar greatly decreased, and lots of unusual and delicious new recipes for guests to try. Of course, we would have options for vegetarians, and children would simply eat a smaller portion of one of the main courses.

There would be two normal restaurant evenings, but the rest would be themed. On Wednesday nights I'd invite the local SCA chapter to hold their weekly dance practice (and monthly ball) at the Inn. Anyone who wanted could join in and learn to dance medieval folk dances. On Friday nights, we'd have a bard come in and get everyone to sing drinking and other folk songs together. On Sunday nights, we'd have a bard or a band come in and perform traditional Irish & medieval music.

But Saturday nights would be the crown of the week--the night for adventure. We'd have a sign out front for certain nights when guests are "entering at their own risk." On these nights, anything could happen. Perhaps a band of guards will barge in to arrest a citizen (a guest or a planted actor). Perhaps a young couple will rush in, wanting to perform a secret wedding before the noble's henchmen arrive (the noble wants her for his own, of course). Perhaps someone will be taken prisoner, then the prisoner will try to get a guest to free him secretly during the evening. Perhaps a full-scale sword-fight will break out (using soft weapons only), and everyone could participate.

On other Saturday evenings, we'd have planned and announced events, such as the performance of an authentic medieval play; a medieval boardgame tournament for any to join in; an SCA sword tournament (root for your favorite fighter), etc. Many of the Saturday activities would require an entrance fee.

Everything in the restaurant would be as authentic as possible--clothing of the staff, rustic simple wooden furniture, metal or wooden plates, medieval ales & meads in addition to wine, etc.

We'd have to make exceptions for OSHA requirements (sanitary kitchen & bathrooms, for example). But those areas would be out of site anyway.

And any guests who showed up in some kind of medieval or LOTR costume, would get some kind of discount or a free drink. This Inn would be so unique and unusual, that getting media coverage for it would be easy and provide free marketing. Once patrons get hooked, hopefully they'd come back regularly, and it would feel like family.

I'm ready--get me some grog!