tanabutler Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 Bebo Trattoriahttp://www.bebotrattoria.com/ BUMP.I thought you people would be falling all over yourselves to discuss the Washington Post article about Bebo Trattoria And since I don't know where that discussion would be (a search proved futile, and while I can certainly design a beautiful restaurant website (that makes navigational sense), I don't know Seí±or Rockwell's filing system that well.Upthread, that stupid website with three lines of text? I hope they paid $5000 for that. What a useless pile of poop. Unless it's, like, a speakeasy for the Mob, which is what that page makes it look like. It's like a book of matches from a truck stop. NICE WORK.I have some thoughts about restaurant websites, but should compile a list before I start posting willy-nilly at happy hour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sthitch Posted April 10, 2007 Share Posted April 10, 2007 I think that Sketch is the hands down winner for pure website suckatude. Go ahead, click on the egg, I dare you. There is nothing positive I can say about the website. I have never had such a negative reaction to any website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hersch Posted April 10, 2007 Share Posted April 10, 2007 I think that Sketch is the hands down winner for pure website suckatude. Go ahead, click on the egg, I dare you.Wow. I thought I'd seen some sucktastic websites, but that one is...I dunno...just wow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treznor Posted April 10, 2007 Share Posted April 10, 2007 I think that Sketch is the hands down winner for pure website suckatude. Go ahead, click on the egg, I dare you.There is nothing positive I can say about the website. I have never had such a negative reaction to any website. I honestly don't know if I could create a website that bad if I made a very strenuous attempt. It's like they took every rule of good website design and did the exact opposite... and then came up with a few rules that no one had thought of and broke those as well. Between making the links that you are supposed to click on move (okay, you don't have to actually hit the moving part, but that's no obvious at first) and making it non-obvious on how to back out of menus that you enter into, this website has broken new ground in ways to suck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Posted April 11, 2007 Share Posted April 11, 2007 I think that Sketch is the hands down winner for pure website suckatude. Go ahead, click on the egg, I dare you.Is this one of those just say no to drugs things? When I was able to get at the menus, some of the food offerings look quite good. Mostly I felt like I was playing a video game I didn't quite understand. I did actually persist long enough to get at the menus, though, and I'm not even planning to eat there. If they can keep people's attention that long, they've succeeded in a way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Dente Posted April 11, 2007 Share Posted April 11, 2007 I think that Sketch is the hands down winner for pure website suckatude. A psychotic web designer had to have put that together. It just screams out for medication. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crackers Posted April 11, 2007 Share Posted April 11, 2007 A psychotic web designer had to have put that together. It just screams out for medication.Looks more like an art school web design project. Form before function. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ol_ironstomach Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 I can't say anything about the food or wine here, but it's got an absolutely gawdawful Web site. There's an old saying that the five most dangerous words are "wouldn't it be cool if..." and this website is a hideous example. Visually interesting? Maybe, for about 10 seconds, but only in the same way that the t-shirt with the slogan in blurry print about being drunk made you stare at it the first time. Useful? Not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Pressley Posted September 13, 2007 Share Posted September 13, 2007 There's an old saying that the five most dangerous words are "wouldn't it be cool if..." and this website is a hideous example. Visually interesting? Maybe, for about 10 seconds, but only in the same way that the t-shirt with the slogan in blurry print about being drunk made you stare at it the first time. Useful? Not. I just stared at the opening page for a minute and saw a sailboat! Cool...man... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Dente Posted September 13, 2007 Share Posted September 13, 2007 I don't think it's that bad. I'm digging the tunes. It's got all you need in a restaurant website-- location, hours, reservations, menu... Saw "Jumbo Quail" on the menu and had an image in my head of being presented with a large plate with a 20 pound turkey on it. "Yes sir, this is the Jumbo Quail". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Pressley Posted September 13, 2007 Share Posted September 13, 2007 It's got all you need in a restaurant website-- location, hours, reservations, menu... I completely agree on these points...so why is there a need for music, Flash photography and a funky, spinning vertical scroll menu? Most people I know just want the basics, as you mentioned. Either way, it's not a real big deal. At least they HAVE a website that is updated (I know it's brand new, but still...), which is more than most restaurants can say! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted September 13, 2007 Share Posted September 13, 2007 I just stared at the opening page for a minute and saw a sailboat! Cool...man... I just stared at the opening page and thought that my vision was failing and I was experiencing vertigo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porcupine Posted September 13, 2007 Share Posted September 13, 2007 I think it's great. Reminds me of an iphone. I guess some of the pictures could have better clarity before you highlight one, but I find it very creative. Feh. Save the creativity for the food; websites should give priority to utility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jm chen Posted September 13, 2007 Share Posted September 13, 2007 It's got all you need in a restaurant website-- location, hours, reservations, menu... Printed in dark greenish gray on a black background, though? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hannah Posted September 13, 2007 Share Posted September 13, 2007 Yeah, just because it has the basic information doesn't mean it's not an accessibility and usability nightmare. If it takes me more than a second or two to figure out the freakin' navigation, especially if I have to chase it around the screen, that's too long. There is only one perfect restaurant website, and it's the site for St John in London. It's ridiculously simple, has the reservations number and addresses of the locations on the front page, and is updated daily with the menus. Many other restaurants should look at this and think long and hard about what they're putting out as a web presence - it can be done simply and brilliantly without all the crap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Johnston Posted September 13, 2007 Share Posted September 13, 2007 Along with serving simple and brilliant food. Yeah, just because it has the basic information doesn't mean it's not an accessibility and usability nightmare. If it takes me more than a second or two to figure out the freakin' navigation, especially if I have to chase it around the screen, that's too long.There is only one perfect restaurant website, and it's the site for St John in London. It's ridiculously simple, has the reservations number and addresses of the locations on the front page, and is updated daily with the menus. Many other restaurants should look at this and think long and hard about what they're putting out as a web presence - it can be done simply and brilliantly without all the crap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monsterriffs Posted September 13, 2007 Share Posted September 13, 2007 I'm of the school of thought that less is more is best for websites of any kind. The more minimal or subtle the Flash is, the better. For example, looking at Beck's website, which I had complained about before because of the music, it's actually a great website and loads pretty well and isn't too "bulky." But, I'll be damned if that music isn't awful or necessary. And yes, it definitely mirrors the lousy music that's piped in at the restaurant, and something that the restaurant could easily do without. But in general, is music really necessary for restaurant websites? The only case being the restaurant f.k.a. Mimi's, and I'm fairly certain they don't have music playing. Music is for music venue websites. My favorite restaurant website that I've seen recently is actually that of Momofuku's up in NYC. So slick and way easy to load. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjsadler Posted September 13, 2007 Share Posted September 13, 2007 My favorite restaurant website that I've seen recently is actually that of Momofuku's up in NYC. So slick and way easy to load. Good website, but -25 for not listing prices (a pet peeve of mine with restaurant websites). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sthitch Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 I nominate Red Rocks for a bad website, not because it is annoying, or any of that, but because it does not have the hours of operation on it. Come on people, if a website has nothing else, it should tell us where it is, when it is open, and a phone number. In my mind this is an all or nothing sort of thing, if you are missing those elements your website officially sucks. A menu is nice, but only if the restaurant is going to make an effort to keep it up to date (Pelena I am looking in your direction - yes I noticed they finally updated their menu, but how long until the next refresh, the last one was up for at least three years). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meaghan Posted December 29, 2007 Share Posted December 29, 2007 Here's one I just stumbled upon: The Park at 14th. Don't "skip to website" for at least 30s (just let the music play). Is that Mark Warner or Jim Handly? What's the deal with this place, anyway? Closed windows too soon to find out. So? So? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sthitch Posted December 29, 2007 Share Posted December 29, 2007 (just let the music play).When the music started to play my wife asked if I was watching porno. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monsterriffs Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 When the music started to play my wife asked if I was watching porno. Well, that says it all... Just once I'd like to see a website with huge pictures of rich, marbled steaks coming at you set to "Ride of the Valkyries." (Also, I just noticed I joined DR.com one year ago today. Huzzah!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ol_ironstomach Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 Just once I'd like to see a website with huge pictures of rich, marbled steaks coming at you set to "Ride of the Valkyries." As a consolation prize, how about hundreds of pork pies set to Prokofiev? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anonymouze Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 I've been scrolling through a thousand and one postings but I would really like to see a website that works. (Please check it before you post it here!) Where are all the RTS locations - city & state please. What are the hours and days of operation? Why would I want to go here for my 25th wedding anniversary this weekend? I'm trying to narrow down choices to 6 good ones! I have it narrowed down to Komi, Zatinya, Restaurant Eve, Cafe Atlantico, Jaleo and RTS. I prefer really NOT to go into DC unless I can get good parking on site and VA would be more convenient. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 Ray's the Steaks is in Rosslyn. Ray's the Classics is in downtown Silver Spring. No websites. The hours for RTS are listed here. None of the restaurants you mentioned have "onsite parking" except Ray's, which has a small parking lot in front of the strip it's in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan7147 Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 I've been scrolling through a thousand and one postings but I would really like to see a website that works. (Please check it before you post it here!) Where are all the RTS locations - city & state please. What are the hours and days of operation? Why would I want to go here for my 25th wedding anniversary this weekend? I'm trying to narrow down choices to 6 good ones! I have it narrowed down to Komi, Zatinya, Restaurant Eve, Cafe Atlantico, Jaleo and RTS. I prefer really NOT to go into DC unless I can get good parking on site and VA would be more convenient. Do you have reservations for Komi? If not, you can scratch that from your list. Also, most of these places have valet parking so there is no need to worry about finding a parking space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jparrott Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 RTS is a bit quick and frenetic for an anniversary dinner. What about Bis, Cafe du Parc, Equinox, New Heights, PS7's, or Vidalia? Each of them has valet parking and is showing availability on OpenTable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcs Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 This is just about the most home-spun website I've seen. http://www.trattoria-dafranco.com/index.htm Good food, to boot. The menu and the ambience reminds me of my recent visit to Rome. You gotta love the "employees" page. http://www.trattoria-dafranco.com/index_fi...coemployees.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waitman Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 I am sure that including their philosophy on the website makes them feel all good inside, but don't you think they could have taken a teensy bit of time and include the hours of operation? I'm sure complaining on DonRockwell.com makes you feel all good inside (that's why I do it), but wouldn't devoting that teensy bit of time to clicking "contact us" and e-mailing the owners been more productive? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sthitch Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 I'm sure complaining on DonRockwell.com makes you feel all good inside (that's why I do it), but wouldn't devoting that teensy bit of time to clicking "contact us" and e-mailing the owners been more productive? No I would rather bitch it is just my way. Actually it has been my experience that most restaurants do not bother to answer such questions. Of course they might be different, but it just seems to me that letting customers know when you are open would be almost as important as the phone number and address especially when you they state that they have "[c]ommitment to a superior customer experience." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 No I would rather bitch it is just my way. Actually it has been my experience that most restaurants do not bother to answer such questions. Of course they might be different, but it just seems to me that letting customers know when you are open would be almost as important as the phone number and address especially when you they state that they have "[c]ommitment to a superior customer experience." Actually Steve, my initial thought when I read your post was that they probably haven't decided what their hours will be yet - that they'd figure it all out in a week or two after they judge the initial crowds. That having been said, seeing as though they're sandwiched (no pun intended) between Potbelly and Five Guys, both of whom are open, that might have been a good starting point. Cheers, Rocks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sthitch Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 Actually Steve, my initial thought when I read your post was that they probably haven't decided what their hours will be yet - that they'd figure it all out in a week or two after they judge the initial crowds. That having been said, seeing as though they're sandwiched (no pun intended) between Potbelly and Five Guys, both of whom are open, that might have been a good starting point.Cheers, Rocks. One of the great things about a website that unlike a billboard the information can be changed quite quickly and for little or no cost. I really want to try Pete's but beacuse of its location my lunch hour is the only time I would be able to so knowing that they are open for lunch would entice me to try it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
synaesthesia Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 One of the great things about a website that unlike a billboard the information can be changed quite quickly and for little or no cost. I really want to try Pete's but beacuse of its location my lunch hour is the only time I would be able to so knowing that they are open for lunch would entice me to try it.It seems a consequence of this internet age that no one seems to know how to use a phone anymore. It's even easier to answer a phone than update a website. There is a phone number on the Pete's website. ZOMG! People answer phones! Or some robot alter-ego tape does, but usually with hours. Though I know of one pizza place where I have called to place a carryout order and no one answers the phone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sthitch Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 It seems a consequence of this internet age that no one seems to know how to use a phone anymore. It's even easier to answer a phone than update a website. There is a phone number on the Pete's website. ZOMG! People answer phones! Or some robot alter-ego tape does, but usually with hours. Though I know of one pizza place where I have called to place a carryout order and no one answers the phone. Yes, and some people have difficulty hearing over a phone, especially if there is background noise on the other end of the line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waitman Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 I sent them an e-mail. Response: "Hi Charles -- Good catch from the boards. I'm going to change that in a couple minutes." Damn, that was easy....though I'm only giving him until COB tonight before I dash off another angry e-mail and complentary web-posting. It opens at 11 AM, I believe. (wow -- I've never actually made it to Timberlakes and still been in shape to type before) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sthitch Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 I sent them an e-mail. Response:"Hi Charles -- Good catch from the boards. I'm going to change that in a couple minutes." Damn, that was easy....though I'm only giving him until COB tonight before I dash off another angry e-mail and complentary web-posting. Wow thank you St. Waitman since we know that we can all count on you to never be snarky about anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waitman Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 Wow thank you St. Waitman since we know that we can all count on you to never be snarky about anything. I am almost always snarky. But I try to take obvious steps before snarking out -- calling to check, sending an e-mail, waiting for the restaurant to be open for a week, whatever -- rather than defaulting to it first thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanCole42 Posted May 2, 2008 Share Posted May 2, 2008 Why is the background graphic for Central the Statue of Liberty? Is this a proposed DC landmark? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjsadler Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Why do so many restaurants not put their hours of operation on their website? Example #56: KBQ website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sthitch Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 That website also contains another one of my latest pet peeves about restaurant sites, putting the menu in a pop-up PDF. Grrr... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcs Posted November 25, 2008 Share Posted November 25, 2008 Palena's is just poor. An assessment that still rings true 3 years later. http://www.palenarestaurant.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beto Posted November 25, 2008 Share Posted November 25, 2008 An assessment that still rings true 3 years later.http://www.palenarestaurant.com/ Frontpage DIY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claudio Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 our new web page www.bebotrattoria.net maby not a perfect web page, but I can upbate menu, info and all I wont take a look and let me know your opinion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lackadaisi Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 our new web page www.bebotrattoria.net mayb not a perfect web page, but I can upbate menu, info and all I wont take a look and let me know your opinion It would be great if it had the hours on the main page, and if it was updated to indicate when those hours would not be followed. We used to try to go to Bebo a lot, but after many times of getting our hopes up just to find that it was inexplicably closed, we have given up. Please give us hope.ETA: Finally found the hours, but I don't believe them. It says that the bar is open daily starting at 11:30; is it open on Sunday at 11:30? If so, is it only the bar that is open? Also, I called last week to try to find out if it was open, and nobody ever picked up the phone and there was no message; a message with the hours would be great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hersch Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 That website also contains another one of my latest pet peeves about restaurant sites, putting the menu in a pop-up PDF. Grrr...At least pdf is a format that anyone can read for free. Teatro Goldoni's website has a wine list in .xls format, which means you have to buy software if you want to read it. Note to restaurant web designers: DON'T DO THIS! I should hasten to add that I had dinner at the chef's table the other night, and it was fabulous, and I may write a glowing review of it in the Goldoni thread if I get around to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
synaesthesia Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 This is a pretty sweet website http://www.cafem2m.net/ especially with the floating reserved parking sign on the header. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Doctor Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 Note the green text scrolling across the top: http://www.pollointi.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheezepowder Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 Note the green text scrolling across the top: http://www.pollointi.com/ That's very odd and funny. Just a really bad translation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hungry prof Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 Note the green text scrolling across the top: http://www.pollointi.com/ I just spit coffee on my computer screen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPW Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 I just spit coffee on my computer screen. Ditto. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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