SA Restaurant Rumors (Dallas, Center, Howe: live in, prices, shop)

[Eleanor Rigby]

I think this is probably the best place to post this...

I was at Bistro Vatel last night, and they let us know that Damien Watel's new place Ciel is now having a soft opening. They'll serve dinner tonight and tomorrow, and then reopen sometime this week after a review of how things go. The address is 20626 Stone Oak Parkway; I have no clue where on Stone Oak that may be, unfortunately.

They are also opening up another location of Ciao Lavanderia next to Ciel. Ciao is great for larger groups/families as it is casual and reasonably priced.

Damien is a wonderful chef, and I wish him the best of luck in his new ventures way out in Stone Oak.

[SAFD_Wife]

I have a friend that opens a relatively new Mexican restaurant in town. He said he was talking to his Sysco delivery guy about his deliveries. The delivery guy said they get paid per # of deliveries (or boxes, I can't remember), and his deliveries went from something around 600+ in a month to less than 200. The restaurant owner was telling me that all across the board, meaning types of cuisine and price, everyone has slowed down. He has become friends with the other restaurant owners in his area and they all agree. He said he is getting Saturday night crowds equal to what his Thursdays normally were.

(My numbers might be off above, but I remember it being a draw-jopping difference! I was wondering the whole time how those guys can afford to keep their jobs. His guy said he was going to pick up a night job to cover the difference.)

[lemonfresh]

Originally Posted by Eleanor Rigby

I think this is probably the best place to post this...

I was at Bistro Vatel last night, and they let us know that Damien Watel's new place Ciel is now having a soft opening. They'll serve dinner tonight and tomorrow, and then reopen sometime this week after a review of how things go. The address is 20626 Stone Oak Parkway; I have no clue where on Stone Oak that may be, unfortunately.

They are also opening up another location of Ciao Lavanderia next to Ciel. Ciao is great for larger groups/families as it is casual and reasonably priced.

Damien is a wonderful chef, and I wish him the best of luck in his new ventures way out in Stone Oak.

That would be Stone Oak closer to 281 (near WaMu regional HQ).

[Paka]

Originally Posted by pr57001

I have to disagree. I eat at both Bill Miller's and Rudy's occasionally, and I am looking for VERY different things when I go to each.

I suppose in a town where a Taco Bell can thrive across the street from a authentic mexican place, it might work...

[Eleanor Rigby]

That would be Stone Oak closer to 281 (near WaMu regional HQ).

I had to google map it because I just couldn't visualize where it could be - I didn't know Stone Oak went up that far. It's so far away! I went to the Mormon Temple with a friend of mine who wanted me to take some photos of her in the gardens there after her Endowment Ceremony, but that was a few years ago and I didn't notice that Stone Oak kept going past that point, and I thought I was at the ends of the earth already.

[Bowie]

Originally Posted by SAFD_Wife

I have a friend that opens a relatively new Mexican restaurant in town. He said he was talking to his Sysco delivery guy about his deliveries. The delivery guy said they get paid per # of deliveries (or boxes, I can't remember), and his deliveries went from something around 600+ in a month to less than 200. The restaurant owner was telling me that all across the board, meaning types of cuisine and price, everyone has slowed down. He has become friends with the other restaurant owners in his area and they all agree. He said he is getting Saturday night crowds equal to what his Thursdays normally were.

That's really a jaw-dropping statistic. Sysco supplies a lot of basic supplies to a lot of restaurants around town. If their numbers are off by 2/3 at a time of year when restaurants are usually packed, San Antonio may have a lot fewer restaurants by this time in 2009.

[lemonfresh]

Originally Posted by Bowie

That's really a jaw-dropping statistic. Sysco supplies a lot of basic supplies to a lot of restaurants around town. If their numbers are off by 2/3 at a time of year when restaurants are usually packed, San Antonio may have a lot fewer restaurants by this time in 2009.

I seriously doubt it. I guarantee you Sysco had lower supply purchases all across the board in every market they're in.

However, things will rebound, especially with gas prices back to under, way under, a dollar. That, IMO, is what really killed America.

[sapphire]

Maybe the sales are up at places like Restaurant Depot and Sam's....some of the smaller guys go do pickups of a couple of days' supplies rather than buying a week or so's worth from Sysco--cash flow!! And, they don't have to pay any delivery fees or fuel surcharges.

But yes, I'm sure there will be fewer restaurants in 2009, either way.

[Ripshin]

I spoke earlier of nice bar/restaurants, and TVs. I and a group of friends decided to try the bar at the fairly new Tre, at the Boardwalk on Broadway. I walked up to the door, and saw three TVs blaring in the bar, and two STAFF people watching them. Um, NO. I immediately called my friends, and we moved the group to the new bar behind Mon Thai, near Central Market. Nice, quiet bar, with classic cocktails, and a great bartender. I recommend it.

[Ripshin]

FYI, Valentino's in Olmos Park has HORRIBLE service, but it seems to be doing well. Customers must not require too much. (The staff is always arguing amongst themselves - it's very odd.) Nearby Shiraz is fantastic.