As you know from my last post we are implementing a cigar connoisseur paradise in Cooz bar.

Ok - not really a paradise [which can be found on Cuba], but at least a destination in Dubai.

I am sure, that we can convince with this concept, if we are going to be able to realize all the planned points.

One very important component of the idea is the cigar menu.

This is not so easy. The problem: the menu has to reflect the expertise of the bar; it needs to be a cornucopia for the aficionado; but on the other side it mustn’t be a book of seven seals for the normal guests.

When I made the cigar section in my previous assignment in Vu’s Bar, it convinced with first two points - unfortunately, it wasn’t easy accessible.

I’ve learned out of it: a picture is worth a thousand words - so I will combine the selection of the cigars with real pictures. Also: graphics of the strength of the respective cigars.

To make it easier to understand, here a “prototype” of the menu.

Don’t get me wrong - that is only the a rough direction.

There are a lot of challenges:

1. •The layout program. MS Word is simply not powerful enough for layouts with pictures and graphics. It is just not WYSIWYG and you will have only problems. We have also Quark Express installed in our office [who t.f. bought this massively expensive and extreme complex application, to print menus???]. Honestly - I am technophile - though it is too complicated.
   And it is not the latest version [usually the user interface improves with every single update].
   We started with openoffice which has a similar application as the aging MS Publisher.
   This is better than nothing, but to install the free program on the company PCs are awkward due to company policies. And: lets be honest: the outcome of the application is agreeable though not really professionally.
   Christofer and me finally agreed on Adobe Illustrator. It is a modern and professional application with a proper user interface. For printing, mailing and achieving, the files can be transferred into pdf. And: our in house designer also runs Adobe CS4 - so there shouldn’t be too many issues for the future.
   

2. •Cigar pictures need to be made. Though actually we need only to make couple pictures, very few for parejos [the modern cylinder shaped cigar] though additional all special shapes. This can be done without banderole.
   

3. •The strength graphic [lets call it strenth’o’meter] has to be easy accessible though also elegant and matching with the overall design.
   

4. •The cigar pictures are never perfect on menu paper. So I am planning, to print them on photo paper, and glue cropped pictures onto all even pages - opposite of the cigar informations.
   

5. •The banderoles will also be printed. This is less than perfect [as it supposed to be on the normal menu paper] - but on the other hand: it is quite ornamental on the menu.
   

6. •Still there are a lot of technical cigar terms used. This has to be explained in a glossary.
   

7. •And a short introduction has also to be written.
   

I have to say - except of the painful selection of the program, everything else is just hard work!

As we already have a menu cover [which will be a middle-term solution only], there is really one trouble: the menu is too small, for the largest formats. We will also include a Montecristo “A” - which is almost as big as the menu cover itself. Obviously there is a need for a solution!

So here are the main points:

1. •Combination between text, graphics and pictures.
   

2. •Cigars are categorized in thin, medium and large ring gauges. Not into brands.
   

3. •Cigar menu starts with an introduction.
   

4. •Menu ends with a glossary.
   

5. •Pictures and labels of the respective cigar shapes oppose the text/graphic page.
   

6. •As header acts the vitola de galera followed by actual length in mm and the usual measure of the ring gauge in the fraction of 1/64 inch.
   

7. •Following are the respective cigars of different brands matching the vitola de galera; with cigar name [vitola de salida], strength’o’meter, picture of the banderole, price and a short description.
   

8. •Overall pleasant appearance, accessible for novices, but also informative for the connoisseur
   

So this is it, for the moment. I will keep you posted...

Any further ideas?