Boston Business Journal - October 6, 2006  Since age 24, Charles Sarkis has been a restaurateur. And at 66, he has just opened his 35th restaurant, Bouchee on Newbury Street.
Though the Milton native has built a mini hospitality empire -- the Back Bay Restaurant Group Inc. revenue hit around $136 million in 2005, with seven different concepts and 35 restaurants -- his ongoing battle with cancer has put it all into perspective. "I appreciate how much life is really worth," says Sarkis, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy. Sarkis spoke with reporter Naomi R. Kooker about what drives his passion and what's next. Definition of a good day?
Every day I'm here -- that one has a serious touch to it.
Traits that give you a competitive edge?
I'll tell you what it is, it's my will and desire to be somebody. I grew up in the shadows of my father, Abraham -- a bookmaker and a gambler of some notoriety. It drove me to go to Georgetown. First memorable dining experience?
I can remember being a teenager, going to the North End to a restaurant, and beginning to be fascinated with the businesses. I just liked the warmth and the idea of greeting people. I guess I'd say I'm a people person. What is your philosophy about running a restaurant company?
It's a lot of things. It's hospitality, that's what we're there for. We don't say no -- that's not hospitality. It's quality, fresh food. It's great value. We've gone three to four years without a menu price increase. Along with that goes the passion to serve. You have to love it. Food you most dislike?
I like shellfish, but I don't like "fish" fish. If, like me, you grew up in this area, a Catholic in the '40s, you had to eat fish on Fridays. I had those cod cakes and things like that. I just grew up not liking fish anymore. Favorite food?
At the end of the day it is Italian food. Biggest business mistake that you learned from?
I trusted people that I shouldn't have trusted and that was unfortunate. My dad, the one thing he left me was, he said you came into the world with one thing, your own honor and your own integrity. And when you go out, make sure you go out with the same thing. I still try to believe that basically most people do the right thing. Person most interested in meeting?
I met the person that I would say I was most interested in meeting. President Ronald Reagan. I was able to spend three to five minutes with him. He was then and still is one of my people that I admire most. Motto?
One of the things I say is "There is no almost." The guest wants it right. There is no almost. The word is not allowed in the restaurant. | 
