Dine Out Vancouver - The Topic (2002-2007)

Keith Talent · December 10, 2004

Quick point of etiquette for all the new users, we prefer our double entendres to be sexual in nature, and it's mandatory in a Maw thread. Punning is also acceptable. Strangely, we have no minimum acceptable standard for a puns, I've seen the pun equivilent of a McDonalds deli style sandwich laying about in a thread, and no one sweeps up the mess.

Daddy-A · December 10, 2004

Strangely, we have no minimum acceptable standard for a puns

Although Mr. Talent certainly is doing his best to discover what that "acceptable" standard is! :laugh:

A.

*Deborah* · December 10, 2004

Quick point of etiquette for all the new users, we prefer our double entendres to be sexual in nature, and it's mandatory in a Maw thread. Punning is also acceptable. Strangely, we have no minimum acceptable standard for a puns, I've seen the pun equivilent of a McDonalds deli style sandwich laying about in a thread, and no one sweeps up the mess.
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:laugh:

I am usually content with attempts to make my puns bilingual, but will change my position in order to increase the sexual thrust and over (and/or) under tones.

I feel so much closer to you all already.

Edited December 10, 2004 by *Deborah* (log)

Coop · December 11, 2004

Mr Maw is quite a throwback in this regard. Those deli sandwichs sure look good. Have you had one Keith? My son insists on a McGriddle before winter golf. May have to find another golf partner.

"T" · December 11, 2004

Dress etiquette during dining out should always be adhered to.

Last year a group of us, six in total, went to Pastis and the table next to us the male partner was dressed in track pants and a t-shirt. WTF.

I don't know. Maybe it's just me but going out for a nice meal is always an event and dressing well shows respect for both the restaurant and the folks you hang out with.

jamiemaw · December 11, 2004

I managed to get out for two dinners last year (Circolo and Provence) and at Provence, particularly, noticed those tables of tap water...luckily, my mum was buying, so we were able to offset some of the cheapies with a nice Bandol and a bottle of moscato with dessert ;)
For some of us, the cheaper menu means a better bottle of wine than we might otherwise go for, too.
I can't even believe no-shows! shocking.
My first post...greetings!
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Warmest welcome Deborah.

And yes, No Shows are not just a deep and dirty problem during DOV, but also during the rest of the year as well. They deeply hurt the business. Vikram Vij has discovered a cure unlike many others but for many FD rooms, the removal of even a prime 4-top on a Friday, over time, can quickly install the difference between great cooking and regicide.

There is a cure, and it will come here as surely as the Olympics and Mayor Larry's sudden political sway. Last week in London, I saw it first hand--a smackdown 50 quid per head deposit, especially for 'name' restauarants off centre ice. No show . . . you pay anyway.

Maybe restaurants are like aircraft--when they take off with empty seats there's no replacing the revenue--it's gone forever. And so there is no tomorrow for missing bums in seats during DOV, or at any time: Politely attentive, aptly dressed (no Windsor-Knotted--Trumponian-Vulgarians please), just viewers like you.

Enjoying.

Thanks for joining in this great big thing,

J.

Edited December 11, 2004 by jamiemaw (log)

merlin · December 11, 2004

Jamie:

A few years ago a number of local restauranteurs were asked about this issue by one of the food writers for I think the Edmonton Journal. Peter Jackson who owns one of the better spots in town, Jack's Grill remarked that he was going to implement the credit card deposit system....it prompted quite the furor.

I do not think he actually did go that route in the end.

*Deborah* · December 11, 2004

Thanks for all the warm welcomes, everyone :smile:

My parents live in Sun Peaks, and there are restaurants there that will only accept a reservation with a credit card. We don't frequent them. I have a huge issue with that...especially in a village like that, to treat the locals the same way you treat the tourists is not really a good thing.

I can see where it will smackdown the people who need it, but it's insulting to the rest of us who actually have manners and would never miss a reservation. I phone when I'll be 10 minutes late, even, because that's how I was brought up. Perhaps one day the restaurants will have the lists of good and bad clientèle, and those of us on the side of the angels will be rewarded with the trust of the reservationists.

:wink:

2roost · December 11, 2004

There is a cure, and it will come here as surely as the Olympics and Mayor Larry's sudden political sway. Last week in London, I saw it first hand--a smackdown 50 quid per head deposit, especially for 'name' restauarants off centre ice. No show . . . you pay anyway.
J.
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There is a restaurant in Los Angeles who charges $50 per head on no shows (via credit card authorization) , then sends the guest the equivalent in Gift Certificates. Sort of having your cake and eating it. Can't remember the name of the establishment, read about it in the Los Angeles Times sometime last year.

Daddy-A · December 11, 2004

There is a restaurant in Los Angeles who charges $50 per head on no shows (via credit card authorization) , then sends the guest the equivalent in Gift Certificates. Sort of having your cake and eating it. Can't remember the name of the establishment, read about it in the Los Angeles Times sometime last year.
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That my friend, borders on brilliance!!

Reminds me of my days as an usher at Nat Bailey Beer Garden & Ball Park. If a "customer" partook of a few too many beverages to comply with proper etiquette (i.e. was sh*t-faced :rolleyes: ) we'd escort him to out of the stadium, and hand him a pair of tickets to another game. Stu Kehoe's philosphy was that anybody could have a bad day ... we just didn't want them spoiling other people's evening.

A.

montrachet · December 12, 2004

There is a restaurant in Los Angeles who charges $50 per head on no shows (via credit card authorization) , then sends the guest the equivalent in Gift Certificates. Sort of having your cake and eating it. Can't remember the name of the establishment, read about it in the Los Angeles Times sometime last year.
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Sounds like a great policy to me. I wish golf courses did the same thing. -m

Keith Talent · December 13, 2004

Those deli sandwichs sure look good. Have you had one Keith? My son insists on a McGriddle before winter golf. May have to find another golf partner.
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Yup, I have.

And I like the McGriddle, only because it's the single weirdest foodstuff on the planet. If David Hawksworth did a brunch with pancakes with syrup baked in, he'd be hailed as a creative visionary genius. I'd thought that when I was in Japan last year and bought a bag of sweet/spicy dried whole baby crabs to be eaten like chips I'd found the weirdest foodstuff on the planet. McDonalds surpassed my expectations however, not with the addition of the gooey syrup inside, which admittedly is slightly strange, but the decision to stuff the pre-moistened flapjacks with savoury fillings. And people accuse us North Americans of having unsophisticated palates, I think that if you can appreciate the gaint mess of flavours and textures in a McGriddle, you're ready for most anything.

Jeffy Boy · December 14, 2004

And I like the McGriddle, only because it's the single weirdest foodstuff on the planet.

I like the McGriddle too. The first time I had it, I got it by mistake at the drive-thru. I had ordered an egg mcmuffin, and must have got a mcgriddle mcmuffin, or whatever it's actually called. When I hoisted it, it didn't have the same rigiidity as the an english muffin; it was kind of spongy. I thought "what the hell?" and then "hey, this is kind of interesting". Both sweet and savoury. I think this is what they call a balanced meal.

montrachet · December 14, 2004

Savoury? So I guess it has either bacon, ham or sausage inside the pancakes too?

Wow! A self-contained meal.

Cap'n Crunch · December 19, 2004

Wow, sometimes these really get off-topic quickly.

Did you know that this year, the restaurants have been given the choice of either offering a $25 menu or a $35 menu.

This is bound to start the complaining of restaurants trying to rip-off the public.

peppyre · December 19, 2004

Yes, we have a habit straying off topic, but we always come back to it.

winegeek · December 19, 2004

This is bound to start the complaining of restaurants trying to rip-off the public.
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$35 for a 3 coarse dinner in a fine dining restaurant that normally charges $25-$45 for a main course is a still a fantastic deal. $25 is barely break even point.

Daddy-A · December 19, 2004

This is bound to start the complaining of restaurants trying to rip-off the public.
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$35 for a 3 coarse dinner in a fine dining restaurant that normally charges $25-$45 for a main course is a still a fantastic deal. $25 is barely break even point.
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I agree. It's amazing how much of the public feels they are "owed" something during events like this. $35 is a steal!

A.

*Deborah* · December 20, 2004

This is bound to start the complaining of restaurants trying to rip-off the public.
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$35 for a 3 coarse dinner in a fine dining restaurant that normally charges $25-$45 for a main course is a still a fantastic deal. $25 is barely break even point.
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I agree. It's amazing how much of the public feels they are "owed" something during events like this. $35 is a steal!
A.
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:hmmm:

Maybe that $35 menu will keep those tap-water-only people away...

Mangoe · December 31, 2004

Dine out menus 2005 are available now! Drop down menu lists restaurants alphabetically.

Mangoe · December 31, 2004

Ok here is an update. The drop down menu does list restaurants alphabetically but the second part the viewer can list by area, type of cuisine and price.

I was so happy to see the Dining out menus and wanted to share the news.

Enjoy!

forever_young_ca · December 31, 2004

Thanks Mangoe - here is the link http://www.tourismvancouver.com/dining/dineout.cfm

I looked for the Wedgewood/Bacchus and could not see them. Are they not participating this year?

Daddy-A · December 31, 2004

Here's the link.

Thanks forver_young! Beat me to it!

I'm happy to see Lift made it in on time!

Keep watching the Dine Out Vancouver - eGullet Dinner thread for news on our get-together

A.

merlin · December 31, 2004

For no particular reason other than the name begins with the letter "B" I went to Bis Moreno's $35 menu...I am envious [never mind it is 20 something below with flurries here]...I would be pleased to eat any of the multiple combinations...enjoy yourselves Vancouverites