As the owner of a financial planning or wealth management firm, the satisfaction of your clients is your number one responsibility. A satisfied client base means more assets under management, which means more profits for your firm. In the course of day-to-day operations, you often find yourself wining and dining current and prospective clients. And if you can, you want to take them to the best restaurant around.
Restaurant quality is, of course, subjective. But there are some establishments that rise to the top in survey after survey. Whether your firm is located in or near a big city or in a more rural part of the country, chances are you can find some great restaurants just a short drive away. To inspire your efforts, here's a quick look at 10 of the top restaurants in America - each one a perfect venue to wine and dine important clients.
This Pocantico Hills, NY, eatery has made the top 10 lists of many different surveys, further proof of its popularity and the quality of its cuisine. Chef Dan Barber has revolutionized the world of cooking, and his philosophy is on full display at this New York State institution.
The Blue Hill is located a mere 30 miles from the hustle and bustle of New York City, but it seems like a world away. If you are looking for a quiet place to wine and dine your NYC-based clients, this is clearly your spot.
New York City is home to some of the best restaurants in the country and the world, but not all of them are client-friendly. Located in the heart of the city, the Porter House is a welcome exception. The Porter House seems custom made for client entertaining, with an extensive wine list, some of the best food in the city and impeccable service even the most demanding diners are sure to appreciate.
This bastion of gourmet dining also features stunning views of nearby Central Park, so your clients will get a feast for their eyes as well as their tummies. You can even top off the night with a stroll in the park while you talk business.
If your clients are in the mood for something a bit more exotic, Al Almeer delivers in a big way. This wildly popular restaurant features authentic Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine, but its clientele comes from across the cultural spectrum.
Located in Dearborn, MI, Al Almeer is the perfect dining spot for clients throughout the Detroit area. Whether you are entertaining out of town clients or visiting them where they live, this authentic eatery is well worth your consideration.
The longstanding restaurant at Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Hotel, Lacroix is renowned for its elegant dining experience and sure to please even the most discriminating clients.
Executive Chef Jon Cichon's acclaimed restaurant has a constantly changing eclectic French-inspired menu, featuring dishes made from the very best locally sourced and seasonally superb ingredients, along with a stunning selection of award-winning wines. And Lacroix's exclusive Chef's Table shares the action of exquisite preparation with the restaurant's pampered guests.
A steward of culinary elegance and luxury, Fiola offers a refined menu inspired by the regional cuisines of Italy and a nationally recognized wine program. Centrally located between the White House and the Capitol, Fiola is a destination for politicos, diplomats, and savvy diners with an appreciation for sophisticated food and ambiance.
Created by Fabio and Maria Trabocchi, Fiola sets the bar of dining experience remarkably high, and raises it regularly with unmatched guest satisfaction and superlative reviews and ratings. The way to a client's heart could very well be through Fiola.
If you have clients in Atlanta, Chops Lobster Bar is the perfect place to wine, dine and impress them. It's a local institution, but it draws diners from throughout the Atlanta metro area.
Despite its name, Chops Lobster Bar is also renowned for its steaks. In fact, this Atlanta eatery routinely makes the list of best steakhouses in the country. So, even if your clients are meat and potatoes types, they're bound to appreciate fine dining at Chops.
Everything is bigger and better in Texas, including the food. If you have clients in Dallas, Fearing's is the place to be. Known for "Elevated American Cuisine – Bold Flavors, No Borders,” chef Dean Fearing has created several rooms with unique atmospheres within the restaurant.
At one end of the spectrum, guests can choose to dine in formal elegance. Or they can dine casually under a rawhide chandelier and watch chefs in action in the restaurant's lively, interactive display kitchen. Of course, the food and experience are delightful.
Ostra is a contemporary Mediterranean restaurant inspired by New England and European varieties of seafood. Focused on specialty seafood found in these regions and others, Ostra's hallmark is the light preparation of its cuisine to highlight the natural and fresh flavors of each dish.
Clients will undoubtedly note Ostra's tasteful modern style as they savor seafood the way it was meant to be.
If your clients are looking for something different, just point your GPS toward the Peninsula Hotel. That's where you'll find Shanghai Terrace, arguably the best Chinese restaurant in the Windy City, and among the very best restaurants in Chicago period.
Your clients can enjoy spectacular views of the Chicago skyline while they sip fancy cocktails and nibble light dishes on the terrace, or they can go inside to delight in Cantonese delicacies amid a chic 1930s supper club décor.
No longer the province of the all-you-can-eat buffet, Las Vegas is as well known for its fine dining as for its slot machines. Is there a more dazzling place to steer a client? How about dinner at Joël Robuchon? Tucked into the MGM Grand, Joël Robuchon is among the great French chefs and restaurants in town.
France’s “Chef of the Century” brings his unique restaurant concept to haute cuisine, where every meal is prepared right before your eyes. Known for its friendly ambiance, seats at the service counter look right into the kitchen, offering a ringside view of a culinary drama.
Wining and dining clients is an integral, and enjoyable, part of your job as a practice owner. Whether you are wooing a wealthy new client or saying thank you to a loyal one, choosing the right restaurant is a valid consideration.
You May Also Be Interested In Reading: Ready to Move? Here Are the Top 10 Wealthiest Cities With the Fewest Advisors
These Stories on Lifestyle
