Metro Vancouver Restaurant News thread - Page 26

spm2013 · #**501** Posted **Feb 6, 2013, 5:06 AM**

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SpongeG · #**502** Posted **Feb 6, 2013, 7:40 AM**

i am sure lots, its so hidden, i used to work at urban fare there and i don't ever recall seeing people go up there and it was quite invisible

phesto · #**503** Posted **Feb 6, 2013, 3:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by djh

If I'm staying at Shangri-La, I'm probably a business traveller, or a luxury traveller. In either case, I won't care too much about the cost of a restaurant. If I'm a business traveller, I might not have time to explore the city, and I might just go for the hotel restaurant, especially if it looks fancy. If I'm a luxury traveller, I'm going to be searching-out the best restaurants anyway, so if it's also in my hotel it's a must-see.
So I'm amazed that Aisenstat couldn't make Ki a success, given the captive audience directly above it.
Now, a Keg is just going to attract "riff-raff" (you and me) off the streets up to the Shangri-La, for the first couple of months while it's the new hot spot. Then it'll become uncool, the bridge and tunnel crowd will use it, the whole place will gradually deteriorate, and it will drag the hotel down in the ratings with it.

The Shangri-la hotel hasn't been doing that great either; occupancy and room rates are far below what were projected, so that surely didn't help.

If you're going to run a successful restaurant, you can't rely solely on a 119-room hotel anyway; you need the local residents, or business community- or ideally, both. From experience, Ki was failing on both of those fronts...

sacrifice333 · #**504** Posted **Feb 6, 2013, 5:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by djh

The Keg going into Shangri-La? Well, that just brings down the exclusivity of the whole hotel about 3 notches.

At least he could have tried his high-end Shore Club brand in there. The Keg is to steak what Wendy's is to Burgers. Not the best, not the worst, but not what you'd expect anywhere classy.

So lame, two beautiful steakhouses. Both turning into Kegs. Does DT really need 3 Kegs?!

Ki is quite successful, from what I gather, in Toronto. Maybe a bit more competition here, but too bad they couldn't stick it out.

The Shore Club was actually pretty good and such a swish lounge. It wasn't cheap... but you'd think with the closure of Morton's, Hy's being a bit dumpy, and the occasional gang 'activity' at Gotham that they would have done just fine.

officedweller · #**505** Posted **Feb 6, 2013, 11:47 PM**

But remember the Shangri-La, despite the height of the building, is only on floors 1-15 and has 119 rooms - probably not enough to sustain 2 high end restaurants on its own (in competition with the upscale Market).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_Shangri-La

Conrad Yablonski · #**506** Posted **Feb 7, 2013, 1:27 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by phesto

The Shangri-la hotel hasn't been doing that great either; occupancy and room rates are far below what were projected, so that surely didn't help.

It doesn't help that their main entrance is a down a ramp then into a dead end Y-shaped tunnel one branch leading to the loading dock/garbage bins the other to what I assume is the front desk.

I had to pick someone up there once phoned and was directed to the entrance off Alberni and the Staff really were a nice bunch but Hey it's down a dark dead end tunnel-a concrete womb that appeals to none one-not a great place to make a positive first impression.

And then there's the Farmer's Markets....

mezzanine · #**507** Posted **Feb 7, 2013, 1:40 AM**

Why the hate-on for the keg? i never had a bad steak there and IMO it's a cut above other 'casual dining' chains, like cactus club or joeys. It's locally owned, and they run a lot of promotions for/with the VAG.

IIRC, there really isn't a potential over-saturation of DT kegs - the shore club site will sub in for the old keg cesar's on hornby and dunsmuir. i think the thurlow keg will close and will be replaced by keg shangri-la.

spm2013 · #**508** Posted **Feb 7, 2013, 2:16 AM**

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SpongeG · #**509** Posted **Feb 8, 2013, 9:38 AM**

chipotle was packed when i saw it around 6 pm today, went and ate at carl's jr, its small but efficient, the food was quite good, and a steady stream of people coming in/out, a few people outside sort of did a double take looking at it - they really need more/better signage and maybe a few bus stop ads downtown would help

officedweller · #**510** Posted **Feb 8, 2013, 8:05 PM**

Five Guys at Robson & Seymour has a hoarding up - looks like they'll reconfigure the entrance somehow.

spm2013 · #**511** Posted **Feb 10, 2013, 7:33 PM**

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whatnext · #**512** Posted **Feb 11, 2013, 10:47 PM**

Kind of odd that people have a hate-on for the Keg, but go into raptures over Chipotles.

sacrifice333 · #**513** Posted **Feb 11, 2013, 11:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatnext

Kind of odd that people have a hate-on for the Keg, but go into raptures over Chipotles.

No hate-on for the Keg. In and of itself, the Keg is fine. Generic, but fine.

Ki & Shore Club were arguably quite cosmopolitan, urban, high-end eateries. Their Keg replacements may be nicer than the average Keg, but will certainly be a step down in terms of food quality and ambiance...

officedweller · #**514** Posted **Feb 12, 2013, 9:46 AM**

I looked up into the big windows at the old Shore Club location the other night and it looks like the whole place has been completely gutted.

ryanmaccdn · #**515** Posted **Feb 12, 2013, 11:22 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

chipotle was packed when i saw it around 6 pm today, went and ate at carl's jr, its small but efficient, the food was quite good, and a steady stream of people coming in/out, a few people outside sort of did a double take looking at it - they really need more/better signage and maybe a few bus stop ads downtown would help

I've gone to Carl's Jr. twice now.... I really have to say although the only downside is price they hit it out of the park in every way.

The selection of their menu is a great change to the typical AnW/McDonalds fare... the quality is really noticeable in term of veg/cheese/meat and overall their table delivery system is quick and efficient.

I'm also stoked about their gluten free lettuce wrap option... its not an afterthought as they have speciality lettuce that holds the whole thing together.

I don't feel as gross afterwards also... can't explain that but hey!

I've worked across from that intersection for a few years and this thing is busy compared to anything in the area at night.

Agreed, I wish the city would be more open to bigger sign age options.... if done right!

Highly recommend guys! Check it out!

GeeCee · #**516** Posted **Feb 12, 2013, 12:24 PM**

I wish that I could justify going downtown for it. Hard to do so when I have Five Guys and Vera's so close..

dreambrother808 · #**517** Posted **Feb 12, 2013, 4:24 PM**

Carl's Jr is somewhere in between McDonald's and Burger King. Not very impressive. I'll stick with A&W in that area.

Built Form · #**518** Posted **Feb 13, 2013, 7:36 PM**

Yet another Robson casualty, Moxie's restaurant at Bute.

pic by Built Form

Built Form · #**519** Posted **Feb 13, 2013, 7:38 PM**

sorry wrong thread

LeftCoaster · #**520** Posted **Feb 13, 2013, 7:56 PM**

Good riddance to Moxies.

Very mediocre food. I'm sure it will be replaced by another upscale casual (ie Cactus/Joeys) but it will at least be better.