This was what Bel Busby, general manager of the newly opened Shenanigans Restaurant in Garapan had in mind when she made her childhood dream of running her own restaurant come true.
Shenanigans Restaurant, located at the Juan T. Guerrero Building in Garapan, opened its doors on Feb. 8.
“The people of Saipan need a new restaurant that brings a different kind of cuisine to add to the restaurants in the island,” Busby said.
She said the existence of several restaurants did not hinder her from opening Shenanigans.
“We want to give the people of Saipan a chance to explore a vast diversion of cuisines. We have something different to offer,” Busby said.
Shenanigans specializes in European cuisine with a touch of Asian cuisine but the chef “can take you around the world” with delightful dishes within a few minutes, Busby said.
She manages the restaurant during the day with her chef and 18 other staff in two shifts. Her father takes over during the night until the restaurant closes at 11 p.m.
Busby believes that in any business, the employees are the most important assets that need to be taken cared of.
“If your employees are happy, it will reflect in their performance and they can extend excellent customer service,” Busby said.
It is a must for business employers to be fair to their employees if they want to succeed and maintain their businesses, she added.
Busby practically grew up in a restaurant environment. Her family owned a restaurant in the Philippines before, and her father worked for a hotel and restaurant for several years.
She took up a hotel and restaurant management course before coming here in 1993 but she did not venture immediately into the food industry. She left in 2005 and took up computer engineering before coming back here to work for government agencies.
Busby said she took the name Shenanigans from a restaurant in the movie “The Waiting” which depicted that there is more going on behind the delicious dishes served to customers.
To entrepreneurs who are planning to put up businesses, Busby said the economic crisis is no reason to back out.
“If things are already at the bottom, the next thing to happen is it will go up so be optimistic,” she added.
Shenanigans provides an elegant yet casual atmosphere with affordable food prices. The extensive menu includes mouthwatering appetizers, salads, sandwiches, pasta, vegetarian menu, kids menu, desserts, drinks and beverages and main course entrées.
Shenanigans Saipan Restaurant is open from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday to Friday, and from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
For more information, call 233-8324.
