There are three things that people pick up on the instant they walk into your home on Thanksgiving. They will be able to feel the human energy. They'll smell the food. And they will see, instantly, the table.

Some people, particularly in Texas and Houston, if they have a heavy emphasis on energy, they hit a home run this year.

A great restaurant is one that just makes you feel like you're not sure whether you went out or you came home and confuses you. If it can do both of those things at the same time, you're hooked.

[There's a sharp divide when it comes to the issue of whether to stay open on Thanksgiving. Many restaurateurs say they close to] give employees a day off to be with their families, ... to give myself a day off.

Be aware of textural elements throughout a party, like silverware, stemware, and linens. But the biggest element is metaphorical: it's your own touch. How are you making people feel?

I think that any business that thinks that the transaction is 'you give me money and I give you food, next, you give me money and I give you food, next,' without understanding that people deeply want to feel restored is in danger.