What Restaurants Do You Miss ?
Jun 24, 2014 | 9:56 am
#91
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,657
speaking of atlanta, there was some emeril-themed restaurant that closed because the building was being converted (office to hotel, or hotel to office, or something - i don't recall what). i can't say i miss it because i never actually went. but i tried to, and discovered that i would get credit on opentable despite never setting foot in the place.
Jun 24, 2014 | 11:46 am
#92
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Virginia
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I miss the Steak and Ale Restaurant that used to be in downtown Atlanta at the intersection of Peachtree Center Avenue and Andrew Young International Blvd.
Fine dining and great food!
It was one of my eating spots when I visited the Atlanta, GA area.
Sorry to see it and the chain leave.
Fine dining and great food!
It was one of my eating spots when I visited the Atlanta, GA area.
Sorry to see it and the chain leave.
Jun 24, 2014 | 12:13 pm
#93
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Jun 24, 2014 | 1:46 pm
#94
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Interesting article in the New York Times today about rising rents causing a lot of restaurants in New York to move or close:
Union Square Cafe Joins Other Victims of New York Citys Rising Rents
Union Square Cafe Joins Other Victims of New York Citys Rising Rents
Jul 8, 2014 | 4:54 pm
#95
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NYC
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Does anyone remember La Fondue on 55th between 5th and 6th in New York? From the late 70s til about the mid 90s, the Isaacson family owned and managed it and made sure every meal was exactly the same as before. You could rely on the sourdough bread, the croque monsieur, and the chocolate fondue to be spot-on. My mouth is watering thinking about it . . . . .
Jul 9, 2014 | 8:32 am
#96
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Central Texas
Programs: Many, slipping beneath the horizon
Posts: 9,859
Few FTers are old enough to recall that for many business travelers the Steak and Ale's spread across the country's large and medium-sized cities were consistent upgrades to much of what had been available in places like Wichita and Waco. Norman Brinker was a pioneer and is owed more recognition than he has received. Certainly, S&A's concept and application thereof may be history, but it was and is a model for much that has followed....
Jul 11, 2014 | 8:00 am
#97
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: on the Llano Estacado
Posts: 2,652
Came here to say this. Not that Steak & Ale was great food but, at least at the one in our town, it was the last restaurant where you could conduct an intimate conversation with a companion. It had lots of little nooks and was divided into multiple rooms, and it was quiet (with soft music overhead). Most restaurants today require you to nearly shout to be heard.
Jun 17, 2016 | 11:18 pm
#99
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 1
Fun thread!
Magic Pan, YES ! Loved it, especially their parmesan fritters.
Trader Vic's : I ate there maybe 10 years ago in Atlanta midtown (it was in the Hilton). Cheesy atmosphere but I had a shrimp dish that was awesome.
Chi Chi's - best chimichangas ever.
Lately I miss Mistral in Charleston.
Magic Pan, YES ! Loved it, especially their parmesan fritters.
Trader Vic's : I ate there maybe 10 years ago in Atlanta midtown (it was in the Hilton). Cheesy atmosphere but I had a shrimp dish that was awesome.
Chi Chi's - best chimichangas ever.
Lately I miss Mistral in Charleston.
Last edited by iluv2fly; Jun 18, 2016 at 7:53 am Reason: merge
Jun 21, 2016 | 2:33 pm
#102
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Olga's is still around in parts of Michigan, though with a smaller footprint than it used to have.
A Michigan chain that I do miss even though I was about 50-60 years too young to be part of its customer base is Bill Knapp's. Dang, they had awesome au gratin potatoes, and it was like the perfect place to take grandma for Sunday dinner.
A Michigan chain that I do miss even though I was about 50-60 years too young to be part of its customer base is Bill Knapp's. Dang, they had awesome au gratin potatoes, and it was like the perfect place to take grandma for Sunday dinner.
I had forgotten about the au gratin potatoes, they were really good! I also liked the chocolate cake you got free on your birthday. (I think you can buy those at Hillers supermarket now.)
I just miss any restaurant where you could have a quiet, peaceful dinner. These days restaurants are way too loud!
I just miss any restaurant where you could have a quiet, peaceful dinner. These days restaurants are way too loud!
An interesting tidbit about Bill Knapp's is that most of that stuff was made in their Commissary in (I think) Battle Creek and trucked to the restaurants ready to be finished. Then, like so many other places cost cutting ensued, it went downhill and then they were gone.
Same thing happened to another Western Michigan hamburger chain, Russ'. Great basic burgers and stuff, then it just got really bad, and then they were gone.
Jun 21, 2016 | 3:09 pm
#103
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Jun 22, 2016 | 6:44 am
#104
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I don't miss Steak and Ale so much, but I sure do miss their competitor Cork & Cleaver. Their sauteed button mushrooms were to die for.
In Columbus, I really miss the Kahiki. A huge, kitschy Polynesian-themed restaurant with an indoor rain forest and mixed drinks like you wouldn't believe (my parents let me have a few sips of theirs ...). They still sell frozen foods with the Kahiki label including egg rolls and sweet-and-sour chicken. Don't buy them.
In Columbus, I really miss the Kahiki. A huge, kitschy Polynesian-themed restaurant with an indoor rain forest and mixed drinks like you wouldn't believe (my parents let me have a few sips of theirs ...). They still sell frozen foods with the Kahiki label including egg rolls and sweet-and-sour chicken. Don't buy them.
Jun 22, 2016 | 2:39 pm
#105
Join Date: Nov 2009
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I miss the Bunny Hop in West Orange New Jersey. My dad went there when he was a kid, and used to take us when we were kids. Long live the pink root beer!