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June 20, 2003
Investing in cool places to eat
So what kind of restaurants will the ultimate CoolTown have? That's like asking what kind of movies will be produced if your studio worked with only the most creative independent directors, writers and actors - one can only imagine.
The best ideas will come from asking the most creative people, then finding the entrepreneurs to run it. One clear factor is that the creative inhabitants of CoolTowns need affordable places to eat - it's about fun dining more than fine dining. They also don't need venues where the chefs and service are wildly creative, but that they are the source of creativity: Hot pots, mongolian, shabu shabu, ethiopian, fondue, mix-your-own-drink bars (OK this doesn't exist as far as I can find, but it probably will soon enough).
Add a few experience-oriented restaurants, like communal service, eating in the dark (only in Manhattan), authentic ethnic, live music or a movie, provide a giant collective outdoor room (see picture), and you're dining in a CoolTown.
Posted by Neil | Link to Article
June 19, 2003
Where 'Friends' meet for coffee
Forget Central Perk, the sofa-laden coffee house where the characters of the TV show Friends meet up, Tryst has it going.
Let me count the ways to make a great neighborhood hangout: Provide lots of big comfortable chairs and couches for those who want relaxed conversation; a communal table for those who want to strike up spontaneous dialogue or collaborate on work projects; lots of small tables near the front for more intimate conversation and dining; or seating at the bar if you like the staff. Choice.
You can sit in the back where it's more private, or right on the street if you like the scenery; browse a menu in your hand or a giant handwritten blackboard listing coffees, teas, chais and smoothies along with a collection of sandwiches, pastries and waffles; order at the counter or be served. Choice.
Of course, there's the bulletin board, local revolving art on the walls and annual New Year's slumber party. Community.
Finally, did I say the wireless internet access is free? Not the $6/hr or $30/month rip-off @ Starbucks, but free! Cool.
Now that's how you compete with the big boys.
Posted by Neil | Link to Article
June 18, 2003
Fast food - not in a CoolTown
There are many reasons why fast food doesn't jive with a CoolTown, and here's a whole book of them. Below are listed just a few:
Health: As covered in this particular week's blog, there are many ways town planning can promote health, and avoiding these is one of them.
Local economy: I've got an upcoming week's blog on this, but fast food chains simply take more money out of the local economy than local entrepreneurs. The National Main Street Center is the best resource on this.
Community spirit: The more fast food restaurants you have promoting movie blockbusters, the less local favorites you have promoting watching the movie itself.
People say they frequent national chains because they trust what they're getting. I believe that the stronger the sense of community, the greater that trust will be in finding out what they're missing from the local cafes.
Read about the parallels of fast food to the mcmansion proliferation, and the antithesis of fast food via the slow food movement.
Posted by Neil | Link to Article
June 17, 2003
When it's OK to eat with your hands
As we evolve from a service economy to an experience economy, diners are seeking more than just good food, they're looking for a great time.
One of the popular restaurant types in my neighborhood is Ethiopian cuisine, which is essentially a giant pizza-sized serving of soft bread with varieties of spreads and fillings you combine yourself.
The best part to me is that you get to break all the rules. First of all, you sit on the floor. Second, you share from a common serving dish, and third, you use your hands.
Besides the common dining conversation topic, what makes this experience fun is that you get to be creative as well as not have to cook.
Posted by Neil | Link to Article
June 16, 2003
Food + fun = Hot pot
How can a town be fun if you don't have fun places to eat? My favorite restaurant when I lived in San Francisco was The Coriya Hot Pot, and still is.
The basic concept of this all-you-can-eat experience is that you cook your own food - known as hot pot dining - or hot-potting. All the vegetables, meats, etc. are laid out like a salad bar for you to choose from, followed by sauces (of which you can use recommended combinations). The fun part comes when you start cooking your preferences on the large round skillet in the middle of your table. There's even a pot of hot water in the middle of the skillet to make your own soup.
There's a constant flow of energy between not burning your broccoli, out-cooking your friends and laughing at it all.
Posted by Neil | Link to Article
