Opening a restaurant has always been a leap of faith, but it doesn’t have to be a leap into financial quicksand. While industry veterans often speak of deep-pocketed investors and lavish build-outs, there’s a parallel path for those willing to embrace creativity over capital. The secret lies in building something nimble, flexible, and personal—something that keeps the soul of the concept intact without bleeding money before the first plate leaves the kitchen. Cost-conscious doesn’t have to mean