It’s so interesting to get a glimpse into the world of opening and running a small business, especially a restaurant! As someone who's recently gotten into cooking and loves going out for lunch or dinner, it’s fascinating to see the other side—the behind-the-scenes work that makes those meals happen. Susan Church-Downer’s memoir about her decade-long experience running Gaia’s Garden, a vegetarian buffet in Santa Rosa, is such an eye-opener, and it’s packed with personal experiences that really bring the story to life.

What I loved most about this book is how relatable Susan’s journey is. She didn’t plan to open a restaurant—let alone do it in her 60s with her ex-boyfriend-turned-best-friend as her partner—but life has a funny way of throwing opportunities your way, right? From navigating alcohol licenses to drafting a business plan, dealing with financial struggles, and figuring out the restaurant’s layout, I was blown away by just how much goes into running a place like this. I had no idea! You think it’s all just about the food and the service, but there’s a ton of behind-the-scenes work that can really make or break the business.

And the way Susan writes about the ups and downs of running Gaia’s Garden—especially her sometimes hilarious, sometimes tense relationship with Ari, her co-owner—is so honest and raw. You feel like you're right there with her, experiencing the challenges (like dealing with ungrateful customers or employees who weren’t exactly trustworthy) and celebrating the victories. Her writing has such a warm, close tone that makes you feel like you’re talking to a friend who’s sharing all the wild, crazy details of their life. I love how she doesn’t sugarcoat things, but still manages to show the heart behind it all.

The stories she shares about the colorful characters who came in and out of the restaurant, like the "Poodle Lady" or the dessert thief, made me laugh out loud. And even though the restaurant was never financially profitable, the personal growth and friendships that developed through it made the experience feel meaningful.

And as a bonus at the end there's over 20 recipes from the restaurant that former customers had been requesting for years! As someone who loves a good recipe, this was a perfect way to wrap up the book. It’s a nice little taste of the restaurant’s legacy, and I can’t wait to try some of them out at home.

This book is a fun, eye-opening read for anyone interested in what goes into opening and running a restaurant. Whether you’re into cooking, love going out to eat, or just want a peek behind the curtain, Gaia’s Garden offers a candid, heartwarming look at the world of restaurant ownership. It’s not just about food; it’s about friendships, challenges, and building something meaningful.