Greg Salisbury

Every time I click on this thread, I find myself in danger of self-induced vertigo from shaking my head so much. How can this guy make so many mistakes after so many years in business? My mind is boggled. And Katie, I'm with you. We have both been around long enough to know that, sooner or later, the karma bus always stops, reverses, and runs over the appropriate parties.

Well, then, I got nothin'. That is just inexcusable behavior from someone in the business of serving people. And kudos to your daughter for summing up the evening so succinctly.

Wow. This reads like a primer on what to do to ensure the worst possible initial word-of-mouth for a new restaurant. Ordinarily, I would advise youse to contact the owner (especially since you have probably sold him wares in the past!). Joseph Tucker, who owns Joe Pesce and another place in Collingswood, always struck me as pretty customer-oriented. This just sounds weird. A new place should be going out of its way to accommodate patrons - especially of the paying variety. And the owner's family knows that the paying customers come first. My kids do some theatrical eye-rolling when I tell them we have to go somewhere other than Rx for brunch, but even they understand that there are people in line ahead of us and it wouldn't be right to mistreat them. There must be more to the story. At least, I hope there is a better explanation.

Snockey's is excellent. They know their oysters, they know how to keep them ice cold with the liquor still in the shell, and they have really decent versions of the stews as well. I was last there over the summer, and the place looks the same as when I was a kid - a good thing for those of us who still lament the loss of 15th St. Bookbinders and Walt's. And Oceanaire is a solid place to go as well. Yeah, it's a chain, and an expensive one at that, but if you sit in the bar so you can talk to the shuckers, they won't steer you wrong.

Apologies if there is a pre-existing thread on this, but I couldn't find it. After meeting the owners at a farmer-restaurant confab at the terminal a few months back, I resolved to make it down to Honey's. The fact that they are not open on Mondays meant I had to wait a few months, but I am soooo glad I made it there. The Southern-Jewish angle may strike some as odd, but as an MOT who spent many formative years in Texas and North Carolina, all I can say is "huzzah." The space is amazing, rough-hewn floors, I-beams, small tables (I think it was around 40 seats), French windows, a counter(!), a gigantic kitchen (and a prep kitchen upstairs!) in a corner property. The staff was friendly and smiling, not an easy thing at 8:30 on a Sunday morn, knowing that they had probably 6 turns ahead of them. The menu was a little doppelganger-esque at first - it's always weird to see "my" farmers listed at other places - but I was quickly won over by the selections: pancakes, grits, matzo ball soup and chicken-fried steak. Oh, yes, they have chicken-fried steak, with the right gravy, a wedge of hash browns and two eggs any style to go with a good biscuit (you really need to use lard to make a great biscuit, but no one does up here). The best version I have had since I was fortunate enough to eat at Threadgill's in Austin lo these 10 years ago. It is worth going just for that item alone, but I can also recommend the La Colombe coffee and the gigantic pancakes (think Royal Canadian Pancake House gigantic). As for the service: my second time there, my mom and I took my toddlers (Maje, the 3-year-old, already asks "Daddy can we go to the Honey's today?) on a Saturday. We ordered a lot, including the pancakes. We waited, and waited some more, which you never want to do with kids. After 20 minutes, a server comes over to apologize and explain that they needed to make new batter - could they get us something on the house? I should mention that the place was packed, people waiting outside. It would have been very easy to ignore us until the food was ready, but they didn't. That level of caring is so hard to find now. And I should mention that no one knew I was in the biz until I went up to the manager to compliment him on the staff. Anyway, if you're not gonna have brunch at Rx, this is the only place to go. And did I mention that they have chicken-fried steak?

Yeah, it's opposite the Citizens ATM next to the Phanatic's Kid Zone, around 118-119. Kids dogs for a dollar, kids milk and kids Hi-C for a buck as well. Not bad, although my toddler refused the hot dog, opting for the $3.75 container of insultingly stale popcorn. Oh, well - at least I missed a lot of the frustrating innings.

I do appreciate Councilman DeCicco's amendment to protect local taverns: 90% of your biz comes from alcohol, you get to keep the cancercausers. As a nonsmoker, I reflexively want a complete ban, but it's good to be realistic and protective of existing local businesses. I'm just curious to see how long it takes before people find the loopholes.

I was there on Wed. It makes for a nice break on the commute from West Philly (represent!) to QV. Ordered the churros y chocolate; sadly, no churros due to a glitch with their batter. Ana, the owner/chef/barista that am, cold not have been nicer abot it, though. Chocolate: the best I have had since I lived in Spain lo these 11 years ago (could have been a little warmer, though). Prices seemed a little high until I realized that a) I was comparing them to what the dollar bought in Spain in 1995 and b) who the hell cares how much it is - you can finally get churros y chocolate in Philly. As a bonus, I'm here to tell you that the best espresso I have had in the last few years was pulled here sorry, La Colombe. Ana would not reveal the name of her roaster - even after I pulled an "I'm in the biz" schtick on her - except to say that it is done just for Apamate. Going back today to try some of the bocadillos.

Virtually any BYOB would be happy to have your group; if you take your wine seriously, you'll take your food seriously as well. The fact that you're showing up ready to imbibe some great wine makes your group the kind of people who will provide welcome energy to a dining room. If your group knows what kind of wines they will be bringing, ask the restaurant if they could create a menu tailored to your choices. Most places will be happy for the opportunity to stretch. The smaller the BYOB, the less flexibilty there will be for when you can come in. 12 people drinking multiple bottles of wine=three hours of table time. That means you will be welcomed at any time on a slow night or after 8 on a busy night.

Well put, Holly. I have never been to LaCroix, but I know first-hand that the revenue generated by a table that presents itself as subpar compared to the rest of the seating choices could not possibly make up for the loss of revenue due to subsequent poor word of mouth like WB Kim's. As a restaurateur (and parent of toddlers), I can say emphatically that everyone has a right to dine - even parents with babies. All I can do is hope that said families will make responsible choices about dining times. It sounds like the staff was aware enough of the problem that they moved you for dessert. Was this comped? If you are dining in a restaurant with no open tables and a crying baby next to you, I would offer you complimentary dessert and coffee/after-dinner drinks as I was moving you to the first available table away from the baby. That said, I know that if you took the time to write a letter after your experience, you need to be treated differently - and better. Going this extra step means you are someone who not only cares about her experience, but cares enough to tell me - and all of your friends - about it as well. I would much rather you have a positive coda to this story than not, and would treat you accordingly. And thank you for taking the time to let him know about your experience. Anyone in this biz worth their salt would only be too grateful to hear constructive criticism and be given a chance to rectify a situation; a damn sight better than wondering why the numbers keep dropping.

Trader Joe's in CC definitely has wasabi peanuts - big, green globes of spicy-crunchy goodness.

As someone with feet in both publishing and restaurants, allow me to add: You guys are missing one of the central appeals of this article to Lipson et al@Metrocorp: it's a mite controversial, and will therefore lead to more eyeballs viewing pages. Hands up - how many of you bought a copy just to see the article? Next, how much safer could a topic be for these guys? Their bread and butter is advertising, specifically advertising by restaurants. More specifically, advertising by restaurants with liquor licenses. No one else can afford the usurious rates they charge. So the article might offend BYOB owners (a tiny, tiny minority) and their proponents, but it will delight other restaurateurs who are advertisers and have probably been complaining for a very long time to the Metrocorp business director that all that positive BYOB editorial the magazine keeps running is not only hurting their business, but is making them rethink their advertising strategy. Hence, a mollifying article is commissioned. Call me a cynic. Anyway, I am a big believer (these days I have to be) that any publicity is good publicity, so until I am proven wrong, I will continue to have faith that the dining public will vote with their palates. And Ms. Green has consulted for a BYOB: when I was in the planning stages for Rx, I hired her, and she did a really good job with the initial concept, which was combo sit-down service and prepared foods. Unfortunately, as word spread of how good the sit-down segment was, fewer people came in for take-out, and I wound up ripping out the whole prepared foods section after six months.

I checked out the Five Guys location in Clifton last month about a week after they opened. It was good - soft bun, nicely ground burger, fresh-cut fries. That said, they did manage to screw up the order perfectly - all six burgers either had the wrong toppings or wrong temp. The recipients did not care, though - free food being free food and all.

P&W does kosher catering, yes. But not exclusively. It's a long explanation as to how you can become certified, but it does not mean having to give up your trayfe business as well, as long as you have the space and money for a completely separate commissary. And you should talk to some of your favorite restaurants. If it's a mid-afternoon thing, you might be able to get them to do it for you.

Trader Joe's, yo. 22d/Market.

Hi, Normally, we don't take brunch reservations, but... Since you're posting here and you have a small child, if you would like to have brunch at Rx, pm me and I'll make sure to have a table for your party. As the father of a two-year-old and a three-year-old, I know how how important it is to not only have a reservation, but to be eating in a place where they understand the importance of getting the kids' food out in a timely manner. Can't vouch for any of the other places - don't get out too much - but I have heard great things about the Tap's brunch. Fairly easy parking as well.

Holly, thanks for asking about the effect of the review on the staff. They actually took it much, much better than either Ross or I did. They were, to a person, expecting three bells. Their attitude is, "so it didn't happen - so what? We still believe in what we're doing." Good foxhole people, to be sure. Vadouvan, you and I both know whom I was referring to with my comments about the res policy. Definitely not you; just someone who, for some unknown reason is no longer allowed to post on another board after getting busted for one too many shills. And finally - if I can make time to get to your place, it is about time for you to get to mine! And Bob, that was a first-class analogy. You must have done all right on your SAT verbal!

Hey, everybody, Sorry I'm late. It was a little too much for me to think about posting - or even reading - this thread for the last few days. I wouldn't exactly say I am over it, but I am no longer in the fetal position, and have spelled out my feelings about the review to Craig and in a letter to the editor. Not as cathartic as I would have liked, but it helped. When we bought Django from Bryan and Aimee, one of my biggest concerns was not just the four bells, but how Craig felt about the previous owners. I never thought Django was a four-bell; the best BYOB, yes, but to see a 42-seat BYOB lumped in with Le Bec, Susanna Foo, Vetri, Fountain and Striped Bass is laughable. Do an omnibus review of the best BYOs and I like our chances, though. I have been a fan and supporter of Craig since he started writing reviews here. His reviews of Rx may have hurt a little, but they were right on the money, for better and for worse. I cannot really defend his review this time, and I am not speaking solely as someone with his professional life on the line as a result of the review. I do not think we got a fair shake; I think we were penalized for the sin of usurping, and I think that Craig's annoyance/displeasure shows through a bit in the review. There is no reason to ignore the many improvements made by a casual dismissal of "new wine glasses." Picking nits? Maybe, but the fact remains that we have said time and again that Django wasn't broke; the only thing people ever said they wanted was good wineglasses, so we brought in Riedel. I also think that reviewing us after eight weeks was a tad unfair. It takes three months to fully establish systems and procedures in a restaurant, as anyone in the biz will tell you. But that's done, now. That said, there is no denying there were problems with some of his meals, and for that, we deserve the criticism. Finally, I think that Craig is a decent person despite this, and I think that he will come back with a more objective demeanor when some time has passed. I don't believe that Django under our stewardship is half the restaurant it was under Bryan and Aimee, and I am sure that, in retrospect, Craig doesn't believe it either. We'll see. Now, some replies to some posts: Peter, I am very sorry you did not enjoy your meal. I wish you had told me while you were still here, so I could have done something about it. Please, please, pm me when you come back to visit so you can give have a more typical Django experience. And please, just because I post here does NOT mean any censoring should be going on. One of the many reasons I love eGullet is because the unvarnished truth and strongly held, informed opinions are never in short supply. Constructive criticism will help us get better and stay in business. As to the comments re: the Starr-ization of BYOBs, I don't think that is possible. One of the great things about a BYOB is its intimacy and the tangible imprint of its owner. It is what makes them unique. BYOs are not about executing concepts - they're about sharing love of food and dining with like-minded people. And trust me - there is not enough money in it to entice an investment guy into opening up a few. The 30-day reservation policy: oh, how I would love to kill off this misconception. Here is the deal: we will take reservations up to one calendar month ahead. Today is February 16; you can make a reservation for any day Django is open, up to and including March 16. Fridays and Saturdays do, indeed, book up one month in advance, but the rest of the week you have always been able to call as little as a few days in advance to get a table. It is just that the vast, vast majority of people want to go out on the weekends, despite my exhortations to enjoy the better experience of dining on a weeknight. So they call for a reservation, are told nothing is available for that day, and then begins a little "Whisper down the Lane." Pretty soon, you have accusations of artificially inflating reservation books. Hello, NewGirlinTown? Yes, I am talking about you. The bottom line is, we want to seat you; we don't want to piss you off by making you wait, and we do everything we can to find a table for you. Honest. Thanks to everyone for their honesty, and I hope to see you down at Django on a Tues or Sun (when I work at night). And while we are booked this Sun we do have plenty of availability on Tues.

That is too bad. Woo Rae Kwon was my favorite of the admittedly slim pickin's for those of us not inclined to venture to the northern edge of the city. On the bright side, Han is hands-down the best Asian supermarket in the area. What a bonus not to have to drive all the way out to Elkins Park anymore!

Matyson is open on Mon, and Sovalo is BYO optional on Mon

Ippolito's is open on Sunday, and I must say that it is far and away the most impressive retail operation in the entire city, bar none. I was there two weeks ago to get diver scallops - and they had them, as well as fresh octopus, 2 dozen types of fish, prepared foods, etc. Sure, it's at 13th and Dickinson, but it's worth the trip, and there is plenty of parking available.

It was a blast. We had as much fun as you guys, except I kept missing snippets of the Chairman's exploits. Thanks so much to Evan, for the idea, and to Katie and Dee for making it happen. And I'll be looking for everyone at Django in Djanuary for teh next one, if we can get the Chairman to comit. And for the record, I did not donate the wine: it was a very generous anonymous donor.

Hey, everybody, Thanks for all of the kind words and encouragement. As you can imagine, this is a huge deal for Ross and me, and extremely nerve-wracking. Seeing positive posts from people I know, like and respect means a lot. The Shola/SK comparison is apt, and gave us considerable pause. There is always resistance to change, especially when it come to something as generally revered as Django. But we're not trying to replace Brian and Aimee; they have proven themselves to be unique over the last five years. We're just trying to continue the trajectory they have established for Django, as we will be doing for Rx. Both sides of the staff have been really understanding and patient. Amazingly professional as well. Considering the circumstances, quite accepting of us. On a lighter note, one of my friends from college called me to ask why I had to be involved in two restaurants with difficult-to-pronounce names.

That is great news, Katie! Did they say anything about any changes, or will it be the same as it ever was?

Nam Phuong is not head and shoulders above every other Vietnamese place, but it does have one thing that keeps me coming back over every other joint: parking. That and the fact that they never do the eye-roll thing when they see me walking through the door with two small children. And no one does chicken salad like them! If you're looking for banh mi, the place next to Nam Phuong (with Pho in the name somewhere, it's along 12th St. West side) not only has the widest selection, but also the tastiest.