Is business really picking up?...

[tighe]

I had dinner at Icon last night and was surprised (but happy) to see the place was packed, on a Wednesday night no less. When I asked our server if Icon was participating in the 25 for $25 promotion, she said they weren't because business had been so good. Is the Seattle restaurant biz turning the corner or is Icon just defying the trend for some reason?....

[MsRamsey]

That *is* surprising. They're owned by Applebee's -- wouldn't that preclude them from participating in the 25 for $25 thing?

[tighe]

That *is* surprising.  They're owned by Applebee's -- wouldn't that preclude them from participating in the 25 for $25 thing?

I was nervous when I heard that the Applebee's parent company was buying the place but, so far at least, they've maintained the same food quality and atmosphere.

Not sure what the qualifications are for participating in the 25 for $25 thing, but you're probably right.

[tsquare]

Nancy Leson writes about this topic in today's Times - "highend hotspots drawing dinner crowds." Also a list of those restaurants participating in the 25 for $25.

I noticed lines out the doors of places around 2 p.m. last Sunday - a lot of brunching going on too!

[MsRamsey]

Nancy Leson writes about this topic in today's Times - "highend hotspots drawing dinner crowds." Also a list of those restaurants participating in the 25 for $25.

I noticed lines out the doors of places around 2 p.m. last Sunday - a lot of brunching going on too!

Here's a link to the Leson article:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/rest...69_taste30.html

As for lines out the door on a Sunday, that's every Sunday on Capitol Hill.

[nightscotsman]

Just noticed this tidbit in the business section of today's Times:

• "Restaurant supply and demand is almost perfectly balanced in the Seattle area, according to a new index that tries to help businesses figure out where to build new restaurants.
  Claritas, a demographic data and market-research company, developed the index, which gauges restaurant supply and demand in most metro markets in the country. The Seattle-Bellevue-Everett area had an index of 102, with 100 indicating restaurant supply perfectly matches demand. Seattle ranked 14th nationally in overall restaurant sales at $3.9 billion.
  An index number under 100 indicates unmet demand. Bellingham is a hot spot, the 16th-best market for new restaurants. Spokane is at 87, indicating some opportunities."
  

See the right-hand links on this page to download some of Claritas' reports on the restaurant industry in PDF format.