A few months after the flamingos tried their wings (unsuccessfully) at baking, they had another brainstorm. 

When they walked into the kitchen with magazines and pictures of restaurants in their wings, I knew we were in for another adventure. One that most likely called for advice from my husband. 

And I wasn’t wrong. 

The flamingos gathered around our breakfast table and spread out a bunch of pictures of tropical restaurants, menus, and flamingo- friendly foods and drinks. Then they started chattering all at the same time, flapping their wings in their excitement!

“Ok, guys, calm down,” we said. “One at a time. What’s going on here?” Ben asked. 

Frankie had obviously been designated to be the spokesbird for the group. So he proudly explained what they’d been secretly investigating for the last several months, which actually explained their unfortunately unsuccessful interest in baking.

They’d come across a beachside cafe location for rent at a good price, and had been putting plans together to open their own cafe featuring flamingo friendly food as well as items we’d enjoy as well.

And they really seemed to have their plans in order. We were both impressed.

They’d found several locations, but the place they really liked was right off the boardwalk with an ocean view. They’d planned some remodeling to include lots of palm trees, tropical flowers, and a sandy floor to go along with the beach just outside. With a colorful salt water fish tank at the entrance.

The bar would have tiny colored lights all around, with, of course, a tiki bar theme. And they knew it would be quite popular with their clientele.

They’d also planned a little gift shop for t-shirts and other flamingo gift items. “And eventually we’ll even have our own cookbook to sell,” added Frankie.

Their own cookbook? Now that was certainly something that would take time to put together! And it certainly wouldn’t include any cakes and cookies after their last kitchen experience!

“Plans look great,” Ben told them. “Reminds me of one of our favorite places in Ocean City, Maryland. Only smaller and easier to manage.”

Frankie continued his presentation, showing us their carefully planned table decor of casual mismatched dishes in flamingo designs and coordinating plain colors. And of course, a huge selection of acrylic as well as hand painted flamingo glassware. With tropical flowers and tea light candles as centerpieces. 

Flamingos obviously have a good sense for decorating. We approved their designs fortunately, since they’d already started buying pieces online and at discount stores. They were obviously very serious!

They did ask our opinion on the menu, since they wanted people like us dining there as well as other flamingos. They’d selected shrimp and other seafood dishes (oysters Rockefeller, calamari, escargot)…appetizers as well as salads, sandwiches and wraps. Charcuterie boards. Dinner selections with seafood and pasta. It all sounded quite good.

Then there would be tropical desserts starting with key lime pie and lemon meringue. Citrus soufflés. Fruit and sherbet. And chilled crème brûlée.

Of course they were going to offer a variety of tropical signature drinks, the “Pink Flamingo”, “Hibiscus Margarita”, and “Twisted Pink Lemonade”, to name a few, along with wine and champagne, of course.

What they hadn’t thought about were employees. Of course they wanted to hire mostly flamingos, but we suggested they needed to have a combination of both people as well as flamingos. After all, we reminded them, not all flamingos are that great at cooking. (Remember their baking experience?)

Plus they had to remember to train the flamingo servers not to grab any shrimp off the plates they were serving! And to not sample the drinks they were bringing out. Their customers would most likely not appreciate sharing!

But our biggest question…could they afford it? “After all,” Ben explained, “there aren’t a lot of banks out there who’ll loan money to flamingos!” He was just waiting for them to ask us for a loan!

“That’s not a problem,” Frankie replied. “We already have an investor. And he loves flamingos as much as you two do! In fact, we have to go meet with him next.” And they packed up their papers and headed out, still chattering among themselves about their plans.

Well…this should be interesting.

What they’ll end up doing, who knows!? It all sounds great, but actually running a restaurant? It’s a lot of work, and flamingos do like to party, as well as to be flexible and take off whenever they feel like it. I guess they could always find an experienced manager to run it for them. And since it’s going to be at the beach, they’ll have several months to work on the renovations and get everything in order before it’s time to open for the spring season.

Will they go through with it or not?

They’re flamingos; so who knows? It’s a great idea, and one that could certainly work with the right location, menu, and staffing. Time will tell.