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News & ArtsFriday, April 17, 2009
Chow / Economy Dept. of Chains
Posted by Bethany Jean Clement on Fri, Apr 17, 2009 at 5:15 PM
So Seattle's new fancy-chain-steakhouse Capital Grille isn't doing that well—sales are down 19 percent, according to the Puget Sound Business Journal. The parent company also owns Red Lobster and Olive Garden, which are not doing nearly as poorly. Hence, the rumor found here that the Grille, at 4th and University, will be replaced by a combination of the other two, a la those Taco Bell/KFC mashups. Just what downtown needs: a Red Garden. Or an Olive Lobster.
Thanks to Slog tipper Jesse.
1
No one will shed a tear over some chain steakhouse. Name one inexpensive chain or even a fast food joint in the downtown financial/hotel district this is open for dinner. McDonalds on 3rd Ave does not count. Cheesecake Factory is hardly inexpensive but I guess Red Lobster is not that cheap either.
2
Why does McDonalds not count as a fast food joint?
Why do you limit your dining options to chains? There are tons of reasonably priced restaurants downtown that are not chains.
Why do you limit your dining options to chains? There are tons of reasonably priced restaurants downtown that are not chains.
3
If I find myself at Fourth and University at dinner time, I'm heading to the Georgian Room. Shuckers if I'm feeling casual.
6
Would the Red Garden have a lovely post-Soviet art theme? Che Guevara's photo embossed on your table, a menu cut out in a hammer and sickle shape perched jauntily atop it? All the prices the same, and they only serve beer and cabbage? Chairman Mao's cute face at the center of a tagboard flower - in various shades of red, of course - advertising the Comrade's Specials?
I especially like the idea of making the employees refer to each other as "comrade" or "compay" like Starbucks refers to its employees as "partners."
I especially like the idea of making the employees refer to each other as "comrade" or "compay" like Starbucks refers to its employees as "partners."
7
@ 1, if you aren't going to go beyond the bounds of the area where the majority of diners will be the business lunch crowd (and where the hotels aren't cheap, so their guests probably can afford expensive dinners too), you're going to be disappointed. And if you're going to ask for fast food but then dismiss the king of all fast food chains, then you're really just being silly. Just go to the Ivar's walk-up window on the waterfront - or, if you like chains, the Red Robin. (I've been away for a few years, but I assume those places are still there.)
Anyway, as far as the financial/hotel area is concerned, you want to complain to the landlords down there. Rents on restaurant spaces (not including small lunch joints) must be ridiculous, making $$$ or $$$$-priced dining probably the only restaurants able to pay them.
Anyway, as far as the financial/hotel area is concerned, you want to complain to the landlords down there. Rents on restaurant spaces (not including small lunch joints) must be ridiculous, making $$$ or $$$$-priced dining probably the only restaurants able to pay them.
8
Not surprising. Hard to imagine going to a chain steakhouse downtown when there are so many other better options.
9
OK, if you are downtown at night and want to get some good food, just bus or walk down to the ID, where good Asian food choices abound.
I must say, however, I like the idea of "Red Garden." It could be "Motorcycle Diaries" sexy, and the bar could be called "The Star Chamber."
I must say, however, I like the idea of "Red Garden." It could be "Motorcycle Diaries" sexy, and the bar could be called "The Star Chamber."
10
I refuse to eat at a place that calls itself a "Grille." That kind of twee is just asking to fail.
11
I can't wait for the new joke about "looking out my Fairmont suite at the big glowing Olive Garden sign." Seattle is over.
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