Foo - Farewell to the Place Where Everybody Knows Your Name

So, my favorite restaurant closed down tonight. It was one of those rare places these days. A great little non-chain bistro, owned by the chef. He was a genius at creating dishes like Rockfish with shallots in champagne citrus sauce, but if you weren't up for a big splugre the place could also whip up a fantastic pizza or other modestly priced dishes. But as much as he was an artist, I guess he wasn't a business man.

My buds and I became regulars there and got to know the entire staff, and the place was packed with well-wishers on this, it's last night. Seems a shame that so often truly local businesses can no longer compete with chains, franchises and global corporations. It's not the biggest deal in the world, but it's a bit sad to see my regular hangout disappear.

Norm!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yup it sucks that the Country is becoming Walmartized :cry:

I'm surprised Siu didn't hear you mention Walmart, PhilThee, and come in here rolling up her sleeves with a glint in her eye. :eek:

Yes, Jet, it's lamentable. ((hug)) I have been out and about looking for restaurants I went to four years ago, and many have closed. Sigh. Bikingshearer recently lost his favorite sushi spot, as did I, though I know a few other places whose sushi chefs are almost as good.

Well, I don't like to frequent the box places or fast-food. I like the mom-and-pop places, the independent one-of-a-kind spots. Well, ok, I do like Cracker Barrel, for some sentimental reasons. But I generally try, as you, Jet, to support those indies where they do take time to know the customers. So sorry for that loss. :)

Norm!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yup it sucks that the Country is becoming Walmartized :cry:


See that is the thing about these all-so-powerful mega corporations nowadays. They get that way by muscling out the mom and pop stores that made the American dream what it was in the day when one can achieve such. We are talking people's livelihoods that get food on their table day to day. Not greedy coporate cannibalism that kills middle America.

They are so rich that they can bully the suppliers with threats of dropping the contract with them - and let me tell you it works. It's full control of the success of the supplier as well as control over the shopping and buying habits of the consumer. They control the factories and cause employee abuses by paying them so low. It's such an "honor" to be hired by such a large company though, isn't it? I mean, what factory in China wouldn't want to have mega dollar WalMart on it's belt notch?

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh don't get me started. I promised not to bring political crap to Foo and I feel that I may have crossed that border. If I did, I apologize to everyone for that and ask for this to be deleted.

I also realize that I may have opened up myself to a war here so I will put duct tape on my mouth now. No offense to anybody but this really upsets me how big box companies kill the little guy.

Consider yourself safely duck-taped. :)

And, therefore, mods, no need to send this to P&R. :eek:

So, Siu. Know any good sushi/sashimi places out yon' way, for when I make my westcoast tour? <serious Vega look>

Oh yeah Vega. Lunch is on me. I got all kinds of sushi places in mind. I myself don't go for it too much but I know all the hot spots for it. :)

No biggie. I eat anything, even rutabagas. And I mean anything. If people eat it, and don't die, it's edible, and I'm into tryin' new stuff. Only thing I won't try anymore unless I know how it was raised and fed is cow's brains.

So, I'll leave it to you. Wanna eat somewhere you like to eat. :D

We can go anywhere you want to. You are my guest. But we can figure that out when the time gets closer. I have submitted my vacation requests. I get five weeks. I will let you know which weeks I end up getting. It goes by seniority.

I do have one week reserved for my bike trip to Tahoe with friends, another for another bike trip and another few days of another week logged up for another Fooster. Other than that I should be free. :) Plus of course I get two days off per week.

I need to get crackin', then, on freein' up some assets which are still frozen, or I won't be able to buy a plane ticket. :eek: I'll try to make a tour from Oregon through SoCal. Who knows? Maybe if I fly though Texas out and back, I could try to get a layover and meet some of those Foo'ers. :)

:)

Gotta head to bed. Busy day tomorrow before my sister comes over for Superbowl. I hope I'm up by noon! :eek:

Later, Siu! Sleep well, sistuh. :) <wavin' nighty-night>

Yeah I should be heading to bed soon as well. Good nite. :)

I need to get crackin', then, on freein' up some assets which are still frozen, or I won't be able to buy a plane ticket. :eek: I'll try to make a tour from Oregon through SoCal. Who knows? Maybe if I fly though Texas out and back, I could try to get a layover and meet some of those Foo'ers. :)

Why stop at California? Just keep going and you'll get home eventually anyway! ;)


Edit: And to the OP, I feel your pain... little restaurants like that are gems, and it's a real shame when they are forced out of business. A good friend of mine is a chef, and I've heard from him how hard the restaurant business can be. Does the chef/owner have any plans to try something new and maybe slightly different, or is this the end of the line?

I suggest you all move to Calhoun County WV, where the entire county will know your name within 2 hours of your arrival... of course, they will all neglect to introduce themselves, so you will spend the next 20 years wondering who the hell you're speaking with.

And farewell to my favourite coffee shop......
My favourite coffee shop (Seatles Best) was closed by the city last week.
I was sitting there having my coffee when the TV cameras came in and news paper reporters and I thought a celebrity was in the Hotel. (This Seatles Best is in the foyer of a hotel)
Well it wasn't a celebrity, turns out the architect fraudulently appoved the hotel for earthquakes and the city found out. How's that? A one and a half year old hotel closed, finished, including my coffee shop. :cry:

it happens.

there was a bar i used to go to four to five nights a week - all the staff knew me, i didn't have to order my first beer (it would appear at my table automatically), i'd always get asked "hey, we've got a new dish we're considering for the menu, want to try it?", etc.

then it got bought out, moved across town (well, the name did. none of the staff made it), and its location became a crappy bar-b-q place.

so, it happens.

I suggest you all move to Calhoun County WV, where the entire county will know your name within 2 hours of your arrival... of course, they will all neglect to introduce themselves, so you will spend the next 20 years wondering who the hell you're speaking with.


:roflmao: :roflmao: Now here in Virginia horse country, when someone is introduced they often say, "Good to see you" instead of "Good to meet you." I always thought that showed a kind of charming sense of friendship and familiarity until someone told me, "It only means you're not worth meeting."

it's funny how we get used to a place we hang out,
our business burned down years ago and you wouldnt believe what a lost it was to many, they took it as part of thier life was gone.
it's not about the place , it's what it means to one, memories ect..
they remember exactly where they were when they heard of the fire just like we all do with the oj simpson case or things like that.
so i know what you are referring to, it's hard to let go of a hang out sometimes cause it means more to us then just a place :)

I need to get crackin', then, on freein' up some assets which are still frozen, or I won't be able to buy a plane ticket. :eek: I'll try to make a tour from Oregon through SoCal. Who knows? Maybe if I fly though Texas out and back, I could try to get a layover and meet some of those Foo'ers. :)
VV ya gotta let me know when you're in the area. Imma fix my other bike and we're gunna go riding. :)

VV ya gotta let me know when you're in the area. Imma fix my other bike and we're gunna go riding. :)
I will, Jon. Maybe you and I and Siu can ride together. You can post pics of my first MTB experience! :eek:

I'm puttin' West Coast on notice: Who wants to be a part of the Vega West Coast Tour? :D

And, I'm sure I can get a direct flight to SF from CLT, but I could also do a layover probably. Denver, Phoenix, DFW.... I need to know. Otherwise, I'm direct-flying, natch.

gbcb, I got your hint. That trip may have to wait. I might make an Australian/Asian tour next year. :p

I will, Jon. Maybe you and I and Siu can ride together. You can post pics of my first MTB experience! :eek:

I'm puttin' West Coast on notice: Who wants to be a part of the Vega West Coast Tour? :D

And, I'm sure I can get a direct flight to SF from CLT, but I could also do a layover probably. Denver, Phoenix, DFW.... I need to know. Otherwise, I'm direct-flying, natch.

gbcb, I got your hint. That trip may have to wait. I might make an Australian/Asian tour next year. :p
Oh yea definitely. If siu's up for it we'll do a little group thing. Then she could let you borrow a bike that would fit you better. ;)

Oh yea definitely. If siu's up for it we'll do a little group thing. Then she could let you borrow a bike that would fit you better. ;)
Are you talkin' about the Giant?! :eek:

Are you talkin' about the Giant?! :eek:
Well wait... how tall are you?

Me and siu have a bit of difference in height.

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/1023/asdfdddddddddddddsc0.jpg

So, my favorite restaurant closed down tonight. It was one of those rare places these days. A great little non-chain bistro, owned by the chef. He was a genius at creating dishes like Rockfish with shallots in champagne citrus sauce, but if you weren't up for a big splugre the place could also whip up a fantastic pizza or other modestly priced dishes. But as much as he was an artist, I guess he wasn't a business man.


You didn't mention the name of the bistro or the chef. List it and I will drink a toast to the memory of the bistro and may the chef go on to greater glory.

It does suck that the small mom and pop indie shops are disappearing but it always has been a difficult road for the mom and pop restaurants. They go in and out of business on a regular basis. You only hope they learn from their experiences and go on to open a more successful enterprise.

When I first moved to Chicago I loved going to the mom and pop Japanese restaurants on Clark Street. Each one had their own speciality or regional diet and it was fun to experiment around. You got to know the owners and it was fun to celebrate New Year's with a special Bento lunch that you picked up on New Year's day. But the whole scene started to go upscale. The mom and pops disappeared due to increasing rents or were bought out and morphed into yuppie sushi shops. If you want sushi or rather generic Japanese fare the current restaurants are o.k. but gone is that sense of home cooked Japanese food with all its pleasures.

Homer

Well wait... how tall are you?

Me and siu have a bit of difference in height.


5'10", cycling inseam of 87cm (34 1/4"), currently riding a 23" roadie frame (approx 58cm). Don't know how you MTB'ers determine frame size.