uncorking profits.

This article describes approaches made by U.S. restaurant operators to increase wine revenues. Mermaid Inn co-owner Jimmy Bradley sells bottles of wine for $15 above wholesale cost. Promoting half bottles of wine is an idea that works for Lark Creek Restaurant Group. In designing dining rooms for Zola, Star Restaurant Group LLC director of operations Ralph Rosenberg applied ideas based from what marketers know about impulse shopping. Show the bottles, he said. At Zola, that led to creation of a wine island in each dining room, with wines and glasses displayed on a chest of drawers in the aisle. Harry Caray's Restaurant holds a week-long wine festival, while Classics Restaurant holds six to eight annual wine dinners. INSETS: Return Engagements;Training Table;$36.95;Global on a Budget