Interesting/Novel Restaurant Ideas

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

How am I supposed to know how much to tip if I don't know what my server looks like?

By feel. The whole point is to elevate your other senses so I'm assuming it should be a hands on experience.

[CaptainYooh]

Calgary has many good restaurants (food and service quality) but no exciting restaurants. Then again, what kind of excitement is appropriate to look for in a restaurant? I would never go (or want to go) to some of the places described above. Serving in the dark, eating with your bare hands, making your own food - seriously??? A friend of mine says that he'd try anything once. To each their own, I suppose. Call Stefon.

Live music is, imo, the best kind of dinner entertainment and we suck at it in Calgary. I am really disappointed that our nearly 1.5M city does not have any decent live jazz venues anymore. Kaos and Cannery Row were really good in the 90's but couldn't survive. Ironwood in Inglewood is trying but the food sucks and it's more blues/country nowadays...

[DoubleF]

The dark table concept was cool, but I agree that the food wasn't worth it. I'd also say that it was surprisingly loud. Without the ability to focus your hearing to where you're looking and read lips, your conversations are basically weirdly just ambient noise and most people talk louder to try and get their other table guests to focus on them based purely on volume. I think this could work if the food was more unique and there were either guest chefs that participate or if you went full SAIT culinary students final examp for this or something. It was basically food from Earls without being able to see it IMO.

What are your thoughts on hot pot? This one is more like, "LOL, what did you eat? I don't think that's how you are supposed to eat that, cook it more! LMAO." type of deal.

You should also take a look at some Japanese restaurants that focus on stuff other than seafood/sushi. I think some Korean restaurants are like this. Same as above, it's sometimes more like, "What did they serve me? Dang, that was better than expected." vs entertaining you.

Kinjo used to have the owner run around threatening the men with a knife to say things to the ladies. It's still pretty decent for that and the "side items" you can get via their Tokyo Street Market theme are fun to try (ie: Marble soda, snacks etc.)

On a completely different note, IMO a funny joke version of this might be to get a catered meal package at Calaway park. Yeah the food won't be great, but you'll have plenty of time to chat while in line and who wants to have a full stomach while going on rides anyways?

[Derek Sutton]

This could also be fun, we did this as a team building event back when I was at Pason. You can be as serious or as social as you want. Even if you don't need any lessons, it is still a fun time. You show up, make your dinner then sit down together and enjoy it!
https://www.cookbookcooks.com/cooking-classes

[BrolyTheUnholy]

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

Sultan's Tent used to be a pretty cool experience. In your own little tent, they wash your hands, then you eat without utensils. Food was good. I haven't been in a couple of decades and I think they moved. No idea how it is now.

I second this. Sultan's Tent is phenomenal, and what an incredible experience.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by BrolyTheUnholy

I second this. Sultan's Tent is phenomenal, and what an incredible experience.

I think... one thing to consider is whether you'll like the food. Sultan's tent food is really good, but if you don't like that style of food or it throws you off in having sweet main dishes, then it might not fare well because it's not the style of food you want.

I agree the private booths are really nice.

[TheIronMaiden]

Chinese hot pots are tons of fun. It's a good social way of eating as well.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

Chinese hot pots are tons of fun. It's a good social way of eating as well.

Are their any Korean BBQ places left open?

Where you sit around and cook your own food?

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Right? If I want to work there, do they blind me? If yes, how? Hot poker? Stare directly at an eclipse? Surgically detach retinas?

And what about hiring discrimination? I’m not allowed to work there if I’m not blind? Or can I just wear 2x eye patches or something? How do even know I’m blind? Medical records? That sounds like a privacy violation.

I really want to know if they have fully committed.

Is the kitchen staff ain't completely blind

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Are their any Korean BBQ places left open?

Where you sit around and cook your own food?

There is a place on 5th Ave SW but it is Japanese instead of Korean. https://www.gyu-kaku.com/calgary/

[_Q_]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Are their any Korean BBQ places left open?

Where you sit around and cook your own food?

Insadong by the NE T&T is all you can eat Korean BBQ that allows you to cook your own meat. It's really good.

[JBR]

Check out Karen's Diner. Popular in Australia, and there's a pop-up coming to Calgary in November. Looks like a hoot.

https://explorehidden.com/event/deta...algary-1552182

Sounds like a hoot.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Are their any Korean BBQ places left open?

Where you sit around and cook your own food?

Seoul BBQ on Macleod. Even has all you can eat.

Baekjeong in Beacon Hill. They have charcoal grills.

[malcolmk14]

Alright, Sliver. I've got one for ya.

The basement of the Chinese Cultural Centre has a Hot Pot place. We used to have a dinner club once a month and it's the only one every single person in attendance was all in agreement that it was bizarre and strange. Food wasn't bad, it was just weird eating all sorts of things you don't typically see.

[Sr. Mints]

Originally Posted by JBR

Check out Karen's Diner. Popular in Australia, and there's a pop-up coming to Calgary in November. Looks like a hoot.

https://explorehidden.com/event/deta...algary-1552182

Sounds like a hoot.

... sooo you place an order and then someone starts screaming racial obscenities at you, your waiter, the cooking staff, basically everybody to get out of their country?