Arena Authority wooing Oregon chain as anchor eatery

In reference to Tina M's remark, 'companies' I mean establishments which could potentially bring in good employment to create a vibrant economy and thus more spending power in retail/food area.

Food is a very subjective issue and being from California does not mean one is any more adventurous in culinary terms than someone from Louisville. Both my restaurants have held corporate dinners for multinationals corporations and they seem to be repeat guests from all over the country and internationally too.

McCormick & Schmicks opened a location in downtown Cincinnati on Fountain Square last year. I've dined there three times.

So, Ron, What's your review? I'm assuming that you like them.

I will say that the food and the decor were nearly identical to another M & S that I have been to in another city. It was expensive for rather ordinary seafood. When you are inside you can't tell if you are in Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Kansas City, or St. Louis. I think they view that as a positive.

I'm still curious what the restaurant folks have to say. Could an Asiatique, Havana Rumba, Seviche, Pat's or any of our other great independent restaurants scale up to the size that is likely to be associated with an arena? If they did, could they maintain their quality and would their margins suffer or improve?

There has been nothing but questionable decisions made about this arena, starting with it's conception, so what is another bad decision?

There has been nothing but questionable decisions made about this arena, starting with it's conception, so what is another bad decision?

very true.

I'm still curious what the restaurant folks have to say. Could an Asiatique, Havana Rumba, Seviche, Pat's or any of our other great independent restaurants scale up to the size that is likely to be associated with an arena? If they did, could they maintain their quality and would their margins suffer or improve?

I could do it.......got any money??

In reference to Tina M's remark, 'companies' I mean establishments which could potentially bring in good employment to create a vibrant economy and thus more spending power in retail/food area.

Food is a very subjective issue and being from California does not mean one is any more adventurous in culinary terms than someone from Louisville. Both my restaurants have held corporate dinners for multinationals corporations and they seem to be repeat guests from all over the country and internationally too.

I wasn't suggesting that people from CA should necessarily be more adventurous than people here. Just offering one experience with out of towners and restaurant selection.

I wrote: I'm still curious what the restaurant folks have to say. Could an Asiatique, Havana Rumba, Seviche, Pat's or any of our other great independent restaurants scale up to the size that is likely to be associated with an arena? If they did, could they maintain their quality and would their margins suffer or improve?

Dave Clancy replied: I could do it.......got any money??

Nope. But, it really was a serious question. If you could do it how would you scale up and get the increased maonts of provisions at the same quality. My point is this; I am a passionate supporter of local independent restaurants. But, is this type of venue suitable for the Asiatique, Havana Rumba, Seviche, Pat's or NABs of the world. If it isn't, then the whole discussion about a single venue just makes no sense.

However, a little time wasted on Google tells me that the Conseco Fieldhouse (Indy) and Scottrade Center in St. Louis don't have "anchor restaurants". They segment the restaurant offerings. That makes more sense and would give local smaller restaurants an opportunity. For example, at Conseco there is a high end restaurant for sky box folks, but other offerings for the hoi polloi. BTW Dave, you have a really good place and I think you wouldn't maintain your quality if you were running a room twice the size of Jeff Ruby's like some of the arenas have. I don't think anyone could. Ever eat at a Wolfgang Puck express?

I wrote: I'm still curious what the restaurant folks have to say. Could an Asiatique, Havana Rumba, Seviche, Pat's or any of our other great independent restaurants scale up to the size that is likely to be associated with an arena? If they did, could they maintain their quality and would their margins suffer or improve?

Dave Clancy replied: I could do it.......got any money??

Nope. But, it really was a serious question. If you could do it how would you scale up and get the increased maonts of provisions at the same quality. My point is this; I am a passionate supporter of local independent restaurants. But, is this type of venue suitable for the Asiatique, Havana Rumba, Seviche, Pat's or NABs of the world. If it isn't, then the whole discussion about a single venue just makes no sense.

However, a little time wasted on Google tells me that the Conseco Fieldhouse (Indy) and Scottrade Center in St. Louis don't have "anchor restaurants". They segment the restaurant offerings. That makes more sense and would give local smaller restaurants an opportunity. For example, at Conseco there is a high end restaurant for sky box folks, but other offerings for the hoi polloi. BTW Dave, you have a really good place and I think you wouldn't maintain your quality if you were running a room twice the size of Jeff Ruby's like some of the arenas have. I don't think anyone could. Ever eat at a Wolfgang Puck express?

Hmmmm. actually, I could and have! (run venues with sales in excess of $8 million annually ya know). So could, I believe, any other independent in the Metro. It all boils down to MONEY! The major players have unlimited finances and can afford to take a loss in the short term with an ever focussed eye on long term growth. I can't sink $4 million into opening expenses (hell, I can't even get 5K to do my bar the way I want too....). I don't have the luxury of looking to the future as I deal with right now issues like most other independents. But.......give me an unlimited budget......and a really big venue to do my thing.....and it will happen and happen well!! Do I really want to do that? Naw....too much of a headache at my age............."execution is the chariot of genius!"-Homer

It all boils down to MONEY! The major players have unlimited finances and can afford to take a loss in the short term with an ever focussed eye on long term growth. I can't sink $4 million into opening expenses

That's exactly what I was talking about earlier, Dave. My guess is the arena authority can't afford to take a risk on someone running out of cash in the first year or two, so they go with a national chain that can sign a long-term contract and, frankly, lose a bunch of money for awhile (maybe a long while).

M&S would be a welcome addition to the downtown scene. I just moved from oregon and worked a little stint at M&S in Portland. It is a great company and their dedication to quality seafood would put it far and above what Lville currently has to offer as far as chains go.
Also M&S is known for having one of the best Happy Hours you will ever find. Can't wait......

Their happy hour specials are pretty amazing. I recall very inexpensive cheeseburgers, mussels, calamari, and a couple other choices. I mean REALLY inexpensive.

Anyone else find it strange that the Lousville Visitor's Bureau's logo is "Do Something Original"? So putting these chains (4SL, Joe's Crap Shack, now this at the new arena) is original?