Calgary Food, coffee, etc. - Page 342

DizzyEdge · #**6821** Posted **Aug 18, 2014, 5:10 PM**

Here's an example of the Van pricing for those curious

http://the-dime.ca/ ($4.95 menu is on the front page). I believe The Dime is part of a chain in Vancouver all with $5 menus.

I would agree that there are a lot more retail spaces in Vancouver, even in lower density areas like commericial drive

DoubleK · #**6822** Posted **Aug 18, 2014, 5:42 PM**

^^^ Would that even fly in Calgary?

I could eat half that menu. Right now.

/drool

DizzyEdge · #**6823** Posted **Aug 18, 2014, 5:55 PM**

I'd be really curious to compare rents at the dime vs various locations in Calgary.

Full Mountain · #**6824** Posted **Aug 18, 2014, 5:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

Here's an example of the Van pricing for those curious

http://the-dime.ca/ ($4.95 menu is on the front page). I believe The Dime is part of a chain in Vancouver all with $5 menus.

I would agree that there are a lot more retail spaces in Vancouver, even in lower density areas like commericial drive

Keep in mind income levels in Calgary are higher than Vancouver, i.e. ability to pay is greater here.

fusili · #**6825** Posted **Aug 18, 2014, 6:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

I'd be really curious to compare rents at the dime vs various locations in Calgary.

I worked at various restaurants for several years (kitchen, server, bartender, manager) and I will tell you this- the number one cost to keep control of is labour. When the restaurant is empty, you are bleeding money like there is no tomorrow, and when it is full you are raking in cash. Food costs are almost nothing (depending on the dish of course meat is expensive, veggies are usually cheap). An outfit like the dime could thrive in a high-rent environment, if it is busy enough. It just needs really high volume so the profits on the food can outweigh the labour (and other overhead) costs.

DizzyEdge · #**6826** Posted **Aug 18, 2014, 6:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by fusili

I worked at various restaurants for several years (kitchen, server, bartender, manager) and I will tell you this- the number one cost to keep control of is labour. When the restaurant is empty, you are bleeding money like there is no tomorrow, and when it is full you are raking in cash. Food costs are almost nothing (depending on the dish of course meat is expensive, veggies are usually cheap). An outfit like the dime could thrive in a high-rent environment, if it is busy enough. It just needs really high volume so the profits on the food can outweigh the labour (and other overhead) costs.

Well it had people in it until after 1am every night of the week, including a Wed and a Sunday night, it was one of the few places on Commercial like that. I'm sure the $5 food and $3.50 cans of Lucky helped

Rusty van Reddick · #**6827** Posted **Aug 18, 2014, 8:09 PM**

How about we talk about Calgary restaurants here.

Thanks.

We had "Sunday supper" at Boxwood last night. Very good- leg of lamb with lots of side, and we brought our own wine as Sunday corkage is FREE. Very reasonable- $30p/p for three courses, lots of food, amazing ambience.

oakster · #**6828** Posted **Aug 18, 2014, 10:38 PM**

Couple of bits of news from out here in the mountains...

Quite possibly the only business in the world to have it's two locations in the sleepy Gloucestershire, UK town of Cirencester & lovely Canmore, Alberta respectively.

http://ravecoffee.ca/

Coffee roasters in the old Railway Deli location opposite the A&W as you drive into town from the highway.

The amazing Le Fournil Bakery which was devastated by the floods last June is due to re-open soon - a couple of blocks down Bow Valley Trail from Rave Coffee. In a couple of fell swoops the foodie options for the Canmore yokel & the visiting vacationer/weekender just got immeasurably better.

Rusty van Reddick · #**6829** Posted **Aug 18, 2014, 11:44 PM**

I thought Le Fournil was gone for good- amazing news about it and the new coffee place!

WaitWhat? · #**6830** Posted **Aug 19, 2014, 3:19 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

I noticed today there are permanent closure signs on the restaurants in the podium of Centennial. That didn't take very long.

I work in this building and can tell you I am shocked they lasted this long. It's already a terrible location, IMO, and you can't vault the location hurdle with bland food and subpar service.

horrorshow · #**6831** Posted **Aug 19, 2014, 4:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty van Reddick

I thought Le Fournil was gone for good- amazing news about it and the new coffee place!

Great news! This place is awesome.

Rusty van Reddick · #**6832** Posted **Aug 19, 2014, 4:47 PM**

New Mexican place has opened in Chinatown! La Tia, 128 2 Ave SE. FB page: https://www.facebook.com/LATIAMEXICANCUISINE

flamesfan101 · #**6833** Posted **Aug 20, 2014, 5:13 PM**

The Redwater Grill in Bow Valley Square is becoming Township Bar and Grill. Demolition is underway and it is expected to open in September

Jimby · #**6834** Posted **Aug 20, 2014, 6:49 PM**

Ed McNally founder of Big Rock has died. R.I.P.

Jimby · #**6835** Posted **Aug 20, 2014, 7:33 PM**

Food truck craze over?

http://blogs.calgaryherald.com/2014/08/20/food-trucks-alley-burger-and-fries-and-dolls-up-for-sale

Allan83 · #**6836** Posted **Aug 20, 2014, 7:57 PM**

I don't think so. The Charcut team has so many things on the go, including the new restaurant in the Simmons building, that they probably felt a bit overextended. And I think the Fries and Dolls truck was always just a hobby for them. I do think the trucks in general should drop their prices by a dollar or two, however. I think there's a lot of good food there, but I think most of it is a bit overpriced, and as a result I don't eat it much anymore. I had a very good Korean sub the other day, for example, but at $9.50 I won't be having another one very soon.

Jimby · #**6837** Posted **Aug 20, 2014, 8:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allan83

I don't think so. The Charcut team has so many things on the go, including the new restaurant in the Simmons building, that they probably felt a bit overextended. And I think the Fries and Dolls truck was always just a hobby for them. I do think the trucks in general should drop their prices by a dollar or two, however. I think there's a lot of good food there, but I think most of it is a bit overpriced, and as a result I don't eat it much anymore. I had a very good Korean sub the other day, for example, but at $9.50 I won't be having another one very soon.

Right. Restaurant prices without the tables, chairs, bathrooms, service, cutlery and so on.

Allan83 · #**6838** Posted **Aug 20, 2014, 8:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimby

Right. Restaurant prices without the tables, chairs, bathrooms, service, cutlery and so on.

Exactly that.

MalcolmTucker · #**6839** Posted **Aug 20, 2014, 9:41 PM**

Maybe restaurant prices 10 years ago... I am regularly surprised at what food costs even in pubs where copious beer consumption should be covering off some of the profit.

Rusty van Reddick · #**6840** Posted **Aug 20, 2014, 10:45 PM**

I had one of the best burgers of my life today and absolutely the best I've ever had in Calgary at Dragon's Lair Burger Co. in the Westbrook Mall food court. No words.