15 - Takeout Menu

A restaurant menu makes an important, lasting impression on customers.

A menu is a list of food items offered by an establishment that serves food. But a well-designed menu should also highlight your restaurant's identity and unique style. This is true even of a takeout menu because it becomes a form of advertising once it leaves the restaurant.

You will create a booklet-style takeout menu. Since this is a menu that customers will take home with them, it must include your restaurant's contact information and business hours.

Strategies:

• The menu will be designed using a booklet-style format printed on two sides. When folded in half the long way (landscape), the menu will be divided into four equal panels as shown below.

• Use at least two different fonts: one font for the menu items and their prices and another for subtext that describes the menu items. Use fonts that are easy to read.

• Keep the menu clean, uncluttered, and legible.

• Use graphics throughout the menu to bring the food items to life.

• Consider where you are placing menu items. Appetizers almost always go first and desserts last.

Instructions:

1.           Create a new DOC and save the document as "Project 15 - Takeout Menu". 

2.           Using the Page Setup, set the document to landscape orientation with .25" margin on all four sides.  

3.           Using the Format option, set the column options to 2 with 1" space for the gutter and a line between the columns.

See Amanda's example below to make sure you have correctly formatted the layout before you begin.

4. Place the contents of your takeout menu design within the appropriate sections on your pages. See the examples below, or find examples online from your favorite restaurants with similar themes.

5. Format the size and placement of your text and other elements on your takeout menu so that they are in proportion with each other and present a professional image.

6. Use Google Drawings and/or internet images to enhance your menu as needed.

7. Carefully proofread your work for accuracy, format, spelling, and grammar.

8. Print a finished copy of your menu on ONE sheet of paper, fold it in half and turn in to the basket.

          When you PRINT, make sure you choose to print "on both sides", and to "flip on the short side".  This will ensure your menu
          prints on one piece of paper and is orientated correctly.

NOTE:  Your menu should be two FULL pages, and include the items you serve (grouped by category), prices,  and descriptions if necessary or needed.  You may also include a section about restaurant history or other relevant information.  Don't forget to include contact information, as you want people to take copies of the menu home and order take-out.  Your restaurant theme and color should be VERY visible throughout your choice of images, fonts, and colors.  Remember, I am expecting a DETAILED menu!