Have you run a restaurant before? It's really, really, REALLY hard work. BF is a line cook, and the last job he had was in a fabulous restaurant. The chef/owner had years of experience cooking at the best restaurants in RI and NYC. He had a creative menu, youth, energy, a seemingly ideal location, and a wife who helped manage the operation. He continually got fantastic reviews in our local magazines and newspapers. Yet even he, who had all the skill, talent and knowledge to run a restaurant couldn't make enough money to live on. It failed in 3 years.

Sorry if I'm a bubble burster, but my main regret in life is that I didn't discourage my mother's idea of buying a bagel shop when I knew it wasn't a good investment. It ruined her in a number of ways (financially, psychologically, physically), and she didn't recover. I honestly think the stress of that stupid shop took years off her life. I'd hate to see anyone suffer the way she did.

Now, if you know what you're doing, and it looks like a money-maker, more power to you! There are restaurants that make money. I've just seen the other side more often, and thought you should consider the consequences before you dive in.