Oh yeah...since it sounds like you have a relatively small population and you are leaning towards more of a pub rather than restaurant, find the most popular bartender in town. Hire her. She will do more to bring in regular customers than anything. That is unless you/your wifealready have a following.
Keep in mind we've found a number of people want to eat in a dining room area apart from the bar.
My favorite Irish joke:
An Irishmann walks out of a bar...
Bunch of utility workers during afterrmath of Katrina...it was the only place within 10 miles that had power for over 8 days.