Dine Out Vancouver 2014

[miss_crayon]

Originally Posted by SkinnyPupp

I will say that I sympathise with people who have to work during this time, it must be tough. But for customers to complain about this? Calling it a "plague" and bitching about people posting photos on Facebook? What a pleasure you must be to be around if you have that kind of attitude.

I get it, DOV is attractive with their price points and gives people who might be on a budget/wanting to try a particular place but never got around to it etc. I also understand what you're saying but for me, my beef with DOV is when people who maybe goes out to eat once or twice a year, complain or act all high and mighty when their $38 (or whatever the most expensive set is nowadays) isn't served on a gold plate and complain how service was "TERRIBLE," when it probably wasn't even that bad at a well known establishment. They start becoming overnight food critics and giving restaurants a bad name when that might not be the case. I don't call myself a food blogger or critic, but coming from a lifestyle where I'm eating out at least 3 times a week I don't think DOV really highlights the true light that restaurant might have VS when it's just a normal dining experience outside of their promo (DOV) time.

I don't participate in DOV unless friends want to get together and make a night out of it, but not something I need to go crazy over with reservation like when I was 18. Of course, there is a chance the resto really does suck and even DOV can't save them. To each their own for this.

PS. I have nothing against people who choose to eat out once or twice a year either. Just stating my peeve with those who complain when they have nothing to compare that experience to/just complaining to complain.

PPS. Actually, one DOV resto I would visit is the Keg as for $38 is a steal considering I always end up ordering an appie and dessert (BILLY MINERS PIE!!) along with my prime rib which is already over the deal price.

[SkinnyPupp]

people who maybe goes out to eat once or twice a year, complain or act all high and mighty when their $38 (or whatever the most expensive set is nowadays) isn't served on a gold plate and complain how service was "TERRIBLE,"

I dunno it sounds like you guys are coming up with scenarios in your heads that don't exist... or you just socialize with annoying people who would be annoying pieces of shit whether DOV exists or not

Like I said, I have had good experiences at DOV and bad ones. When I have good ones, I almost always go back, and have become a 'regular' at at least one

[miss_crayon]

^i did have one person in mind when I was thinking about their posts on FB previous DOV years now that you mention it. But I do know a few peeps that don't go out often and or only rely on restos in the entertainment book to fulfill their dining experiences (mainly the fast food ones
...not so much the restaurants actually)

But with everything said, wishing everyone a happy dov if they do decide to go!

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[SoNaRWaVe]

so....are we here talking what a shitty deal/experience DoV is or are we here suggesting which restaurants we should try out?

i would rather like the latter...

[tiger_handheld]

Originally Posted by SoNaRWaVe

so....are we here talking what a shitty deal/experience DoV is or are we here suggesting which restaurants we should try out?

i would rather like the latter...

if you really want to "try out" a restaurant go outside of dov because you will get a "tru-er" experience than you will at dov. That seems to be the consensus, and the resident restauranteur makes a valid point to that effect.

[ShadowBun]

Regardless of the decreased quality of service, what are some places to go to?

[melloman]

To me, I don't think the food quality should have any change. Portion sizes being smaller, I can definitely understand as the price point reflects that, but having the quality of food drop is bad for business.

The main thing I don't like about DoV is that the service drops to shit. I understand that the restaurant is trying to bring in as many people as possible, and you want to make a profit so you cut shifts and have less people working.. But god-damn, don't cut yourself so short that you can't handle your restaurant..

From last year;
-Gyu-Kaku wasn't a bad place to be, except that our reservation was delayed by about 30 minutes which was quite annoying.
-Joe Fortes was delicious as always with good service. (Same quality of food and same service as "full-price" times)
-Hamilton Street Grill had awesome service, but the menu was quite closed off and the choices weren't that great. (IMO)

[Mr.HappySilp]

Originally Posted by melloman

To me, I don't think the food quality should have any change. Portion sizes being smaller, I can definitely understand as the price point reflects that, but having the quality of food drop is bad for business.

The main thing I don't like about DoV is that the service drops to shit. I understand that the restaurant is trying to bring in as many people as possible, and you want to make a profit so you cut shifts and have less people working.. But god-damn, don't cut yourself so short that you can't handle your restaurant..

From last year;
-Gyu-Kaku wasn't a bad place to be, except that our reservation was delayed by about 30 minutes which was quite annoying.
-Joe Fortes was delicious as always with good service. (Same quality of food and same service as "full-price" times)
-Hamilton Street Grill had awesome service, but the menu was quite closed off and the choices weren't that great. (IMO)

Some restaurant can't really cut their portions as it was already not a big portion to begin with....... I don't eat a lot but even with regular portions I don't really get full so if the restaurant decrease the portions I am sure a lot of people would complain.

Been to Joe Fortes and Hamilton Street Grill and their DoV menus is pretty decent. The food is good and at least I don't to wait over an hour for my food to arrive.

That being said DoV is not what it used to be any most restaurant put out a different menu that what they usually serve so you don't really get a chance to experience what you normally experience.

[icemiko]

I went to YEW last year. The food was ok, nothing special and I had horrible service, had to wait 30 min for the guy to bring the credit card machine over and the restaurant wasn't even full too!

[SoNaRWaVe]

Originally Posted by tiger_handheld

if you really want to "try out" a restaurant go outside of dov because you will get a "tru-er" experience than you will at dov. That seems to be the consensus, and the resident restauranteur makes a valid point to that effect.

i would still need suggestions.....hence the latter part of what i said....

[6793026]

i have a date during DOV times and i have ot look speicifically for a restaurant that doesn't have DOV.

[Marshall Placid]

Originally Posted by SoNaRWaVe

i would still need suggestions.....hence the latter part of what i said....

Outside of DoV dates, Yew n Market n Five Sails are usually good though.
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[Verdasco]

anyone tried out cactus club before? looks promising...

[shenmecar]

TIP: Some restaurants have $100 GC for $80 at Costco. Saw Glowbal and Boathouse the other day. There's probably more.

[m3thods]

^Haven't seen recently, but those are the only DOV restaurants that have said GCs at Costco. The Glowbal one is good since you can go to any of their menus to check. Done that a few times over the years, but nothing piqued my interest this year.

The other restaurant GC that's there is Hy's. Glowbal and Hy's are always there. Boathouse only seems to be there during the holidays, so if you like the place you should stock up while supplies last.

[Hondaracer]

The Hys ones are pretty awesome, essentially free $40, two people have an excellent dinner and ya save $40 when ya buy $200 worth
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[stuff99]

DOV or not, Miku and West has always been good. I agree with all of Skinny Pupp's points in this thread.

[radioman]

Went to Italian Kitchen tonight. Took lots of pictures and posted them on facebook. I wrote a review on yelp because I thought it wasn't very good either.

Appetizers were great and when I walked in all I could smell garlic bread so I had to order some. Lobster ravioli was the better of the mains. Service was good and atmosphere was good. Will go again.

[SkinnyPupp]

Originally Posted by radioman

Went to Italian Kitchen tonight. Took lots of pictures and posted them on facebook. I wrote a review on yelp because I thought it wasn't very good either.

Such a poser

You are literally the plague

[Durrann]

anyones been to or going to forage?

[zetazeta]

Going to Seasons in the Park again this year. Mom's favourite place.

[pastarocket]

Pier 73 near the Delta Hotel, Airport south terminal has a decent DOV menu for $28 per person.

Appetizers: NotSoBoston Crowder (Seriously, that's the name) OR Seafood platter (calamari, sturgeon crabcakes, and albacore tuna on top of some Japanese noodles).

Main Course: Seafood stew (shrimp, mussels, pacific fish, in fennel and tomato broth), or Flat Iron steak, or Pork Loin.

Dessert: Tart flight (peanut butter cup,lemon meringue tart, and cheesecake).

A quiet restaurant except when we watched the Seahawks and 49ers game during our dinner last Sunday. Free parking as long as you give your licence plate number to the staff.

[SoNaRWaVe]

Originally Posted by Durrann

anyones been to or going to forage?

Went last night. It was freaking amazing. Service was top notch. Everything was explained in what was in our dishes.

Food was excellent. I had the chowder, pork belly and the blueberry financier for dessert. If you go I recommend that. My wife had the bison carpaccio, salmon, and the rye toast for dessert. Bison carpaccio was delicious. It had a creamy buttery texture to it. Salmon wasn't dry at all.
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[Oleophobic]

anyone been to Kobe Japanese Steakhouse? How does it compare to the Keg if you're looking for a nice juicy steak?

edit: never mind not going to either places

[Jgresch]

Not much of a 'foodie' but went to The Sandbar on Friday night for dine out. Food was all really good, service was awesome. Was definitely skeptical reading through this thread, but I was happy with everything probably try a couple more places in the next week or two.