Two Maine restaurants make mag's "50 Great Ideas" list

Back Bay Grill made the list for its creative financing plan inviting regular customers to buy house accounts. For $1,000 up front, the customers received $1,500 worth of restaurant credit. Chef Larry Matthews used the house accounts initially to pay for a new air conditioning system. He will be offering another round soon to raise funds to buy new chairs for the restaurant.

"Our house accounts program serves as an excellent way for us to fund special projects without disrupting our operation budget," Matthews said.

Natalie's was recognized for its 8-course perfume dinner this past October featuring special guest perfume expert Chandler Burr. Natalie's chef de cuisine Lawrence Klang created dishes to reinforce perfume scents, which were introduced by Burr to create an extraordinary sensory dining experience.  Natalie's will host the successful perfume dinner again in June.

"Our desire is to offer our customers a one of a kind experience at the Camden Harbour Inn," said owner Raymond Brunyanszki.

Restaurant Business is a national magazine with a circulation of 76,000 geared to the restaurant entrepreneur with ideas to innovate and grow. Features include growth strategies, innovations, the restaurant life, 20-minute University powered by Culinary Institute of America and much more.