Josh Radigan
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Everything posted by Josh Radigan
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Cost of Real Estate, factor in now that he is paying $$$ for staff to include benefits (something a lot of restaurant owners are now learning is a key way to retain staff) and that bowl of Ramen is starting off at a higher price point. Let me ask this, would you have gone to his place for lunch today if it were in Anacostia (lower real estate costs) and the service and tempo were ok, not great, maybe somewhat off (high turnover amongst staff) and said 'hey, that $12 bowl of ramen was worth going back for next week...'- 230 replies
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- New York Chain
- City Center
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To piggyback off Mr. Freshman's comments the other side that often is forgotten is the additional strain and cost of doing business when business owners don't play by the rules. Court costs, time management in Arlington County and for a municipality that is already stretched the waste of time tracking down fraudulent tax payers. If everyone just played by the rules and paid taxes per annum then the county could utilize resources in other directions like how to address such high vacancy rates in the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor.
- 157 replies
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- Clarendon
- Independent Coffee House
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I hear Bittersweet is becoming a sweetgreen, just so you can tell your co-worker.
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I had the pleasure of working with Tim Irwin and completely agree with Mr. Freshman's early assessment and expectation. Seems like this group of guys brings experience but as well leaves the attitudes outside of the place. Can't wait.
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I used to go about once a month back in the day when kids were not in the loop. I always enjoyed the service and food and felt that it was a hidden gem. It's in a weird part of that corridor which often people drive past and just miss on their way up Wilson Blvd. they say location is everything in this business and I have always remarked that you can simply just be on the wrong side of the street or corner and struggle. If there was a street signal at that corner I bet Minh's would have done more robust business over the years. It's a shame it's gone.
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That's why the restaurant owners who buy the building can have staying power, but you need a hefty bank account in order to do that up front. as well the building needs to be in a condition that needs minimal renovations to lower start up costs and start generating $$$ right away.
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Went this morning and again I was not disappointed at all. Great all around service, good product and a great place in the morning. I run by the place in the morning and always happy to see its busy, better when I get to go as a customer.
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Went tonight after a late visit to the Old Town Pool, which is about 5 blocks away. Went with a large group and have to say pretty solid for 'Americanized- Tex/Mex' flavors. Bottom line, I would take this over Los Tios in a heart beat, not nearly as heavy, fresher ingredients and a good atmosphere.
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one of the other owners is a guy named Tim Irwin whose primary experience is behind the bar. As well he worked for quite some time at the Evening Star Cafe back in the day before the NRG empire. I can only imagine he will do whatever he can to make a late night bar crowd. Now the question will follow 'will the Del Ray business association allow a late last call?' From what I can recall the neighbors really put a limit on hours at The Evening Star. It used to be 12:30 last call.
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Tami also worked for NRG before she went to work at Restaurant Eve. She worked in the wine shops.
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wife and I plus our 3 year old went tonight and again everything was solid. Good service, solid food and a place that remains consistent and continues to get better every time we go.
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Went this morning and congrats to the crew. Saw Tami Hatridge working the floor which means the FOH is in order. Beautiful space, and great service. Overall a huge upgrade don't only for the space but as well the neighborhood and area.
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I believe he also owns Mama Zu's which is located in Oregon Hill. Which happens to be one of the only neighborhoods in and around VCU that refused to give in to the University taking over and redeveloping into VCU housing. It is also a throw back neighborhood where once the Confederate Flag flew high from every home and that was in the 90's when I lived in Richmond.
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I will miss Michael. Our paths have not crossed in many moons but he truly taught me how to be a GM. My years of working for Chef taught me how to see the small details but it was working with Michael while doing doing double duty at Vidalia and Bis the value of ownership. Good luck my friend, see you in the future.
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Not surprised at all. Location, horrible. Parking, horrible. Daytime traffic Monday through Friday, suspect.
- 25 replies
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- Delaware Chain
- Rosslyn
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I worked for Kimpton when they first came into this market. Their is a gratuity added in, not sure which one whether service or delivery fee, but always has been when I worked for them. Typically Room Service employees make a decent hourly wage so many hotels in order to cover the labor cost tend to add surcharges, like a delivery fee or service fee. I think the person who was bringing the food was looking for an extra tip. That's a shame. The wait for the food, ridiculous.
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Actually the Hotel Monaco is rather large especially for Alexandria. Name 2 hotels bigger than it in Old Town? Not to criticize but hotels dump a lot of extra fees on Room Service. It sucks what your mom went through and I agree with your assessment on going down to the restaurant initially.
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I think we have matured over the last 10 years to read and absorb comments and not turn them into a roasting at the stake.
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- Union Market
- Italian
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Red Hen for wine program= Awesomeness! Good on ya' Sebastian!
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GBD also came well after Federal.
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So while the three year old finished up his Annual Check-up, flying colors and no shots this time around, my better half said "You want a sandwich to take back to work?" Since we were in Falls Church I knew where she was going with this line of questioning and I quickly answer "Hell Yes!" My better half was one of Rebecca and David's first employees and as well here whole line of siblings worked for them back in the day when they owned Mexacali Blues and the Lazy Sundae, as well Clare and Don's. All 6 of them at one point or another. Needless to say we ordered sandwiches from Mike's and again I left as happy as one could imagine. Granted I know I will get beat up because I am a veg-head and order veggie meat but to say that these sandwiches are on point would be an understatement. As well, service always comes with a smile. Christina was there and chatted with my better half and my son, Cooper. To tell you what kind of place this is as we were waiting for our sandwiches I looked over my shoulder to spot a man I have known my whole life, Russell Hitt. Yes, the same Russell Hitt who was the founder of Hitt Construction. We chatted for a bit and her got his order handed to him and as he turned to walk away he said "Ain't this place great! Best unknown deli this side of Tysons and their food is so good." This coming from a guy who could eat anywhere for take out but more importantly buy the building while doing it. Veggie Turkey on Toasted Rye with Lettuce, Onions and a touch of Mayo. Wished I had ordered two of them, first one was gone in seconds.
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I just think that it should be the restaurants job to wrap it up. Its hard to say something in response but even worse when the employee asks "Do you want the rest wrapped up?" and then hands you the box in order to do it. Just seems like in some ways the industry that is supposed to incorporate hospitality along with the finer points of culinary and beverage should wrap the food up for you.
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My two cents on this place. If they can really focus on the bar and creating a wealth of regulars they will crush it. Reason being, there are really no other bars except DRP along that whole stretch from Braddock Road Metro down to the crossroads at Commonwealth and Mt. Vernon. Yes, the Star has bars up and downstairs but this is built out as a place with lots of big TV's and plenty of 'bar' seating. I would go back if these things happened. a. My bartender that I got a 'big pour' for my glass of wine because she just topped it off. What actually happened as I watched her was she married two opened bottles that had about 1/4 left in one and a littles less than that in the other and viola! One big happy glass of red wine. Uh....what if they were opened on different days? Please don't do stuff like that, its cheap and at the end of the day we are talking house pours that cost the place anywhere between $7-$10 a bottle. Oh well, no biggie, right? B. As a manager please don't tell me that the person bartending is one of their best. Reason? So if he is your best, what do you tell people when you have the weak link on board? As well your best bartender forgot my second round. Again no biggie. C. This is one that really should go to all restaurants that follow this policy. If you ask if someone would like to take the rest home with them, then please by all mighty goodness don't turn to the customer and hand them a box so that they can box it up, you do it. Customer service extends all the way from the greeting to the departure. Period. I like the place and if all this happened while they were three deep at the bar and on a 2 hour wait for tables I might be able to excuse some of the issues, but it wasn't. It was actually rather quiet and that is where we all know service can tumble. Will I go back, of course. Just because mistakes happen doesn't mean that anything was intentional or done out of spite. They were mistakes that we as industry people make from time to time. I agree with Simul that once the weather takes a turn towards spring and summer they will crush it outside. But lets just hope that it doesn't become one of those establishments that is only seasonal. So work on the small service kinks now to have year long business through every season.
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- Alexandria
- Braddock Road Metro
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Bummer. Heard rumors a while back but never seemed to materialize. Wife and I go there about once every month, its where we had our first 'official' date. Wonder if this is where Eric Reid might open his replacement for DRP 2216. Same family, I believe the Abraham's daughter was Eric's partner in crime at Del Merei Grille. Food for thought.
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Streets will do fine in the Towers of Del Ray, the old Calvert Building. The garage doors will be a benefit when the weather is warm, plus there are really no 'grocery stores' in Del Ray proper. The Giant that time forgot on Monroe is being converted to an Aldi, the Foodway on West Glebe is...well...a foodway. The Chirilagua has some small stores here and there but the best grocery is the Mom's on Mount Vernon across from the Wafle Shop. Don't correct the spelling as it rtuly is spelled Wafle.
