appreciator

This all makes me sad, frankly and I feel like I need to say something here but.... really I just can't think what. Wow.... I honestly had no idea the anger that would errupt from our collective thoughts. I am shocked, really shocked. Obviously we may need to rethink this entire thing.... posting our reflections on various experiences and the impact that has. How can we, in all honesty, post what we feel is simply "our own individual opinions" when the fall out from that is the feeling that a business person could suffer possible ruin because of what we have to say. How can we argue against that? On the other hand, if we can't feel free to post what we think then what happens here? Do we only share information of a positive nature? Although having Sean tell me he "knows who I am" with that ominous tone.... huh?.... to that I can only say, WTF? I'll be opening my mailbox carefully from now on. This thread has undoubtedly brought up a lot of issues.... and I, obviously, have no answers. It's times like this though, when I almost wish I never found this forum .... it's definitately lost some of it's bloom.

I used to really like the Railway Club but haven't been in years. Stamps is okay though they put their beer prices up about a year ago which was a bit much. When I was paddling out of false creek, some of the team regularly ended up after a practice at either the Keg or Bridges. I think we shut the places down on a few occasions Closer to home is Jeremiah's..... friendly staff and ususally something interesting on tap.

Thanks Sam..... someone in the 'hood is going to have to check this place out and report back as a service to all hmmm ... maybe sushi after my run tonight.... though that doesn't quite sound right for some reason.

it is time to buy that new monitor . i can just make it out now you mentioned it . any way where were we ...... yes thank good for lululemon .... no that wasn`t it ........... oh yeah lunch in skits ( no typo ) hi nippon me likes too , and joes grill best benny in town ← What do you like about Hi Nippon? I've found it fair to middling on most occasions myself. Joe's I like for breakfast..... way above Sophie's...... mind you the lack of silly line-ups is defininately part of it. Do you live in the 'hood?

oh, no worries..... maybe it's my ballsy posts that had you confused Although I'd think the name "Sarah" in my tag line would have been a dead giveaway

Did you mean to be so condescending here? I hope not.... it's not really very endearing.

Oh my gawd.... thanks for the laugh TFA.... I surely needed that right now ← yah i figured you a kits man ? ← Well I'm a Kits gal actually but I thought it was funny all the same....

Oh my gawd.... thanks for the laugh TFA.... I surely needed that right now

Aaaaaaaaaack!!!!! Show me the mean words and I'll happily jump off my own and on board your bandwagon.... People were posting about their experience which is exactly what the DOV threads were set up to be.... man... if you can't post about that then what the f*&^%k? No one was being mean that I could see.... just expressing and describing their meals and the service. Why is that such a problem????????? The commentary here is just that.... commentary, opinion, self expression, etc. Take it in the spirit of which it is intended.... we are not out there on our "soapboxes" frantically scribbling notes in the corner thinking we are quasi restaurant critics.... we are average joes and janes.... taking notes so that we may share our common love of food. It's really not that complex. Restauranters and chefs get to read what the dining public has to say about eating in their own and other's establishments. The dining public get to see an insider view of what goes on behind the scenes. This should be a win-win for all, don't you think? If we all try to be happy, happy, happy and always mind our Ps and Qs, we will end up with a lack of diversity in posting and that would make me

Thanks Sam.... I've had dinner at Annapurna a long time ago (it was delish) but have never ventured into the Indian Oven. I think it used to be called Maples (or something like that) many moons ago and I remember having lunch there quite often when I worked two blocks away. I was also thinking about sushi for lunch as there's that new place on 4th just up from Burrard, can't remember the name. In the end, we did not go for lunch today after all but will file these suggestions away for another time.

I totally believe that we should be able to say what we want here.... as long as we use some form of common decency and abide by egullet "rules". I am quite baffled (and somewhat distressed, frankly) that some people may now feel that we all have to be nicey, nice. I bet you dollars to donuts there will be people very reluctant to post any kind of criticism around here.... at least for the next while. For the life of me, I really can't think of any "negative review" I've read here that has been off the mark in terms of reporting things in a fair manner. And, if that is the case, then why the uproar about it? It's certainly not the first time but..... I just don't get it........

edited to the point of deletion because it really was off topic and as I was only agreeing with something Eddy said, not really necessary to remain

The HSG is a really comfortable restaurant, and I don't feel intimated dining in there, ever. They have nice, big, wooden booths for you to hide behind if you still need convincing! ← Thanks Ling! Big wooden booths to hide behind are defintely a good thing, especially if my shoes don't match my purse or some other such fashion faux pas that I commit on a daily basis. I wouldn't want to scare the locals

Holy Crap , have I been waiting to hear that !! A little background folks. Inanimate has his own website / blog - www.inanimate.com I google "Hamilton Street Grill" every now and then to see what is out there. This is the very first thing I ever saw about my restaurant online - go ahead, check it out, I'm Ok with that. Let's get this out in the open ! I did not realize there ever was an " Asshole Chef of the Year Award " and I certainly was not looking to compete. The long and short of it was we simply ran out of food. The train came off of the rails. Crash and burn, over and out. I have never had a day like that in my life and he was there to experience it. Every time I google, I see it. It teases me, I try to ignore it but it calls to me. I check it out every now and then. It is like a car crash - you don't want to look but you always do. You can't undo what has been done but this is one of the things that is out there that causes me to shake my head ! Bring it on, come on down and have the Gingerbread experience. Once that happens, you will be in my power forever !!! Not to worry, I never use my power for evil, only good ! ← Oh sure... you want him to come on down with his nasty comments but what about me? ← Shhhhh, it is all just a ploy. I am going to beat him about the head with a large rolling pin and then carve another notch in the handle ! Do you really want some of that too ? ← Let's not get into that shall we But I've actually just checked inanimate's website and any ref. to HSG seems to have vanished into thin air ← It will always be burned on my retina so not to worry. I do not recall a negative comment from you about the HSG - have I missed something ? Are you planning a major expose? Prepare me as I do not like surprises. ← Oh I'm having so much fun tonight... every time I try to reply my computer craps out on me... perhaps it is trying to save me from myself... but alas... so far... I win! Okay..... aside from that... Neil..... I've never had the pleasure of dining at HSG... always felt it was a bit out of my comfort zone due to the location (really, really, really not a trendy kinda gal). However, after reading many a post here.... I am definitely curious...... any expose will definately be forewarned.... Yah right Just kidding....

As "educated" diners, we are fully aware that restauranteurs and their staff, both FOH and BOH, are pushed to the limit for the duration of Dine Out. Yet we choose to participate with that caveat in mind. Is this an excuse for poor food or poor service? Absolutely not. But use this understanding to weigh your DOV experience against one that you could have during the rest of your dining year before posting comments for the rest of the e-universe to read. We're fortunate enough to have Sean (and many other chefs and restaurant owners) as a fellow eGulleter, doubly fortunate that he cares enough about his profession to give us some insight into his world by starting this thread and respects his clientele enough to receive our feedback. In the interests of fairness and reciprocity, we should be equally respectful. When a meal is dissatisfactory, then post about it. Naturally, there'll be discussion, but if you're still heated, then afford a restauranteur the courtesy of a more detailed PM or e-mail to voice your opinions rather than continuing to kick at the insult can. Any chef and/or owner worth his or her salt will take your concerns to heart. And will survive DOV, a little battered perhaps, but survive nonetheless. ← please take the following with a grain of salt ({fleur de sel please}.... this whole thing is making me cranky..... thanks for your insight (IOW = chastisement - is that a real word, I doubt it {but that's the word that it feels like).... will try to keep that in mind before I post from now on... perhaps, or perhaps not as I'm feeling cranky and I gotta say... your post above has not abated that. No fault to you though... I'm just a cranky gal tonight.... obviously. btw.... did you eat at the Heather during DOV? Just wondering. Woooo Sarah.... how to win friends and influence people.... you're doing well NOT!

Holy Crap , have I been waiting to hear that !! A little background folks. Inanimate has his own website / blog - www.inanimate.com I google "Hamilton Street Grill" every now and then to see what is out there. This is the very first thing I ever saw about my restaurant online - go ahead, check it out, I'm Ok with that. Let's get this out in the open ! I did not realize there ever was an " Asshole Chef of the Year Award " and I certainly was not looking to compete. The long and short of it was we simply ran out of food. The train came off of the rails. Crash and burn, over and out. I have never had a day like that in my life and he was there to experience it. Every time I google, I see it. It teases me, I try to ignore it but it calls to me. I check it out every now and then. It is like a car crash - you don't want to look but you always do. You can't undo what has been done but this is one of the things that is out there that causes me to shake my head ! Bring it on, come on down and have the Gingerbread experience. Once that happens, you will be in my power forever !!! Not to worry, I never use my power for evil, only good ! ← Oh sure... you want him to come on down with his nasty comments but what about me? ← Shhhhh, it is all just a ploy. I am going to beat him about the head with a large rolling pin and then carve another notch in the handle ! Do you really want some of that too ? ← Let's not get into that shall we But I've actually just checked inanimate's website and any ref. to HSG seems to have vanished into thin air

Holy Crap , have I been waiting to hear that !! A little background folks. Inanimate has his own website / blog - www.inanimate.com I google "Hamilton Street Grill" every now and then to see what is out there. This is the very first thing I ever saw about my restaurant online - go ahead, check it out, I'm Ok with that. Let's get this out in the open ! I did not realize there ever was an " Asshole Chef of the Year Award " and I certainly was not looking to compete. The long and short of it was we simply ran out of food. The train came off of the rails. Crash and burn, over and out. I have never had a day like that in my life and he was there to experience it. Every time I google, I see it. It teases me, I try to ignore it but it calls to me. I check it out every now and then. It is like a car crash - you don't want to look but you always do. You can't undo what has been done but this is one of the things that is out there that causes me to shake my head ! Bring it on, come on down and have the Gingerbread experience. Once that happens, you will be in my power forever !!! Not to worry, I never use my power for evil, only good ! ← Oh sure... you want him to come on down with his nasty comments but what about me? edited to add that I have not actually read what inanimate had to say.... just guessing that the comments may have been unfavourable due to inanimate's own post..... if I'm mistaken, mea culpa and all that

my intent was to see members opinions. in both of my answers i stated that i would like to try them both again so that my opinions are justified. but this shouldn't be a deathly contest with reputations and restaurants sucess' on the line. it should be fun ← Yah know... this is interesting. We are all walking on eggshells now.... worried that we're going to offend due to postings and replys in other threads. So should we all just post positive happy thoughts and keep the rest to ourselves.... how boring would that be... yawn..... I'm feeling cranky now.... can ya'll tell? Rhetorical question......

go'on... yah gotta give every place a second chance at the very least I won't ask what happened on your last visit.......

My name is Sarah and I've never been there either, not sure if I'm cool enough to eat in Yaletown. I bet Neil is just dying to have me comment on his food though

So why bother to eat out during DOV? Gaak! I've posted about this elsewhere and, as it obviously frosts my buttons I'll just leave it at that.

Thanks Jamie.... I was thinking about Pastis as I've had some wonderful dinners there.... most likely a dandy place for lunch as well If anyone has any other suggestions, I'd be happy to hear them as well as I'm sure there will be more than this occasion to be thinking about a good place for lunch.

So.... after reading all of our collective comments in various DOV threads, I wonder..... is it worth it? If a restaurant can not reasonably (and who can, really?) handle the madness that is DOV and put on a face that is worthy of their normal fare, and diners have unrealistic expecations, then what's the point? On the one hand, you have restaurants that are happy to be filled in two of the deadest weeks of the year. But on the other hand, you have patrons who have been reading the hype about different places and have expections set high. This really is not a formula for success I don't think and I'd say that our various postings have proven that to be true. Of course there are exceptions. But what about the places that get slammed and can't make it work. The fallout from that can't be so good. Maybe it's better than I think, but I just can't get past this classic recipe for disaster: high expectations from the patrons vs. the insane madhouse atmosphere for the restaurants... how can that, ultimately, be a positive thing for all?

Well this is a bit last minute but as I have not been out for lunch in a while, I am having trouble coming up with somewhere in the Kits/West 4th area. I'm meeting a friend tomorrow so wanted to see if anyone had any favourites to recommend. Thx.

I had a lot of trouble removing the skin from the tiny onions; it didn't peel off as easily as that of the big ol' onions I'm used to cooking with. Does blanching with the skins on help make it easier to remove the skin? ← I don't know for sure about cipollini onions but with pearl onions, they are much easier to peel if you blanch them for a couple of minutes first. I do think this would work with cipollinis though as I've seen pearl onions as subsititute for cipollinis in various recipes.