I aspire to become a restaurant magician myself and i'm going to pass on some advise that my good friend Steve Reynolds gave me. Before I give you the advice let me just say that Steve currently performs steady gigs at four different restaurants, six days a week in the New Orleans area.
Before the thought tricks or anything comes into play, start with the business cards. Your business card needs to look professional. It should not say, "I do kids parties, banquets, corporate work, and about a thousand other things. Just say exactly what you do. On my business card it says underneath my name: Sleight-of-Hand Performer. Of course my contact info is on there as well, but the card itself looks utterly professional. Something that a lawyer might give you.
The tricks that you perform have to be quick, visual, and strong. The tricks can not require a big set-up. Absolutely little to no reset time.
Tricks that require audience participation are great, for example a Cards Across routine.
As far as getting a job at a restaurant, get a little seven minute routine down pat. More or less, about 5 really great tricks. Go into a restaurant that you have scoped out and ask to see a manager, or preferably the owner. Explain what your purpose is. Explain that you are a professional magician that specializes in close-up magic. Tell them that you know from experience that having a magician in a restaurant could boost a restaurants clientele and create a buzz around the town or city. Show them a few tricks. Tell them this is exactly what the customers could expect to see. If they are reluctant or unsure, offer to work a couple of weeks for free. If your restaurant act is solid and you do it well, after a couple of weeks, word will get around. The manager or owner will see more people coming in, they will see that the customers are having a good time. Some costumers may even come back just to see the magic! If this happens, then go back to the authority of the restaurant and hopefully negotiate a price per day. Starting out I would say no more than a $100 for three hours. With more experience comes better fees.
The act that you perform should have diversity in it. In other words, something more than just cards. For example, Sponge Balls kill in a restaurant setting!
Never ask anybody if they want to see a trick. Just introduce yourself as the entertainment for the evening that he restaurant has so kindly provided and ask if they are interested in seeing something that is absolutely free and incredible!
These are just little tidbits of advise that Steve gave to me. I hope this helps.
