Bear Rock Cafe - Out?

One vote for Boston Market.

 

Ate at a Bear Rock Cafe in North Carolina over the weekend... and wow what a loss. It was really good. I vote for a Corner Bakery as well!

 

I'd be pretty much down with anything that wasnt a chain restaraunt. Something small yet kinda classy, with contmperary american cuisine. But I can dream.

 

All great suggestions, but keep in mind I'm not leasing prime Route 7 real estate in Tysons Corner. Corner Bakery, Chik-Fil-A, and Baja Fresh all turned it down - mostly for the same reason as Lalida's frustration - lack of lunch crowd. I believe Chik-Fil-A is going to the Wegman's/Target center. Until we put up office buildings nearby (which I'm sure everyone will complain about), it is difficult to attract the top restaurants. I can't do Arby's or Sonic because McDonald's has an exclusive on burgers. I had not heard of O'Natural, which sounds great, but their web site only shows 4 locations, 3 in the Northeast and 1 in Kansas. I haven't heard of any expansion plans in this area.

Again, parking is a primary concern, so the plan is for a bank on the pad next to Glory Days. The Bear Rock space also lacks significant parking, so a sit-down restaurant doesn't make sense their either. But keep the suggestions coming! There is no way I'm going to please everyone; even a mainstay like Starbucks is controversial. I've gotten emails from people that desparately want one, and there are obviously people on the forum that want it like a hole in the head.

If everyone just ate at Lalida's all the time, it wouldn't matter! Get the softshell crabs and you won't be disappointed!

Ty

 

Maybe parking shouldnt be as much of a concern as how to bring a chef in to the area that people wouldnt mind parking in front of dominos or the cleaners to walk to. I am coming from the worst parking areas in the area(arlignton) and people will walk a little to get to a good neighborhood place with a good chef, something along the lines of a tallula or a restaurant vero. Both of which are small neighborhood restaurants/bars who specialize in dinner.

 

Yessssss that is a great idea Ty!!!! I am going to have some tomorrow. I can taste them already!!!!!!

Lee j

 

Ty,

I love that idea of everyone eating at my place. Are you trying to shut me up or really support my restaurant?

Lalida.

 

Its been tried (remember 321-Ashland) ... good food, classy atmosphere, no business ...

 

I was not around for 321-Ashland or I would have given it some business. At this point I am up for anything that isnt a chain. Open the space up as a Youth Center.

I dont know what the state of the economy is in this region but I do hope that the places that do open dont close down. We seem to be inaddating the region with the same type of places and it would be nice to se something a little different.

 

Broken Skull and others,
If you're looking for NON-CHAIN, MOM AND POP, FRESHLY PREPARED, HOMEMADE FOOD...go to CATANUSO'S CAFE in ASHBURN FARM (Parkhurst Plaza). It might be a hike for some, but it's well worth it. It's authentic Italian--the chef/owner was born and raised in Rome, Italy. If anyone wants some suggestions on what to order, just let me know (I've almost tried everything on the menu once). They have amazing pizza, panini, cannoli, espresso drinks, pastas, pasta salads, salads...I'm making myself hungry!

Take care, everyone!

 

Here's a link to an article about Catanuso's.
http://www.timescommunity.com/site/tab1.cfm?newsid=17058432&BRD=2553&PAG=461&dept_id=506047&rfi=6

 

Have you added your menu to a place like Carry-out Coach -might be worth a shot!

 

As far as I know we don't have any bakeries in the area that do cakes, cookies, muffins, etc. Not like Panera, but like a regular bakery. Or a donut/bagel place. Neither requires much seating inside.

 

Ty,

How about Noodles & Co.? Something different I have not seen out this way. My kids enjoy it but only wish it was closer.
Closest locations we go to are Vienna and Fairfax City.

http://www.noodles.com/

Thanks.

 

Noodles passed on the center a while back. Not enough of lunch traffic. Unfortunately, Neil is correct - the reason that you see more chains in this area than anyone's liking is because they are well capitalized and can withstand the growth years, and because they appeal to a very broad range of customer. The Applebees and McDonalds customers are not the ones on this forum, but unfortunately they are the majority. The mom and pop restaurants, no matter how good the food and service are, need more residential density and more office to sustain their business. Ashburn doesn't have that yet, so it's tough to get the better restaurants out this way. But they will come in time.

So if you don't want to look at an empty shopping center in your neighborhood, don't tell people to get their pizza at Catanuso's, tell them to go to Flatbread!!

Ty

 

Ty,
Catanuso's is a mom and pop....we should all be trying to keep them and American Flatbread in business...down with the chains and franchises. Isn't anyone else sick of assembly-line, frozen food? I think we deserve better than what so many of the area places offer. Try Catanuso's...everything is made fresh. I tried Flatbread and I like it too, but Catanuso's has them beat with their sauce. But I'm still a fan of Flatbread, don't get me wrong I'm really glad more options for non-chain restaurants are coming to our area (Anothai is another one that I LOVE). Let's all help keep them in business Bye, everyone

 

You guys are right on about traffic. We are trying every single way that we can think of to attract more people for lunch but nothing seems to work. So if you want to see us in the next few years, please stop by for dinner. We're a small business owner so capital runs out quicker than chain ones.

Rgds,
Lalida.

 

I bet traffic will pick up once the whole plaza is completed and word gets around. Our neighbors didn't even know there was a McDonalds until just a day ago. Hang in there and best wishes!

 

Anothai... have you tried doing catering for meetings? I would suggest you try and find all of the assistants to management at Verizon and offer them deals on lunch catering....(platter based) - price on a cost per person model... that is what they want

Secondly, I suggest you go to the government building and the verizon building and potentially find a way where "ordering delivery" is easy.... Maybe put on a flyer no tipping allowed....

It has to be about creating volume... catering meetings is the lunch business you can and should get....

 

Unfortunately this is what some of us are opening our businesses up to. With all the restaurants in the area it is quite a challenge to grab the attention of Ashburn residents much less the work force that commutes to MCI & AOL. I am a restaurant provider with vMeals which brings me a great deal of caterings, there actually are days where I generate more sales outside of the 20147/48 zip codes. Although I will continue to pursue whatever business I can find, anywhere, the fact remains that my business plan was built around the Ashburn community not Herndon, Reston and Tysons corner.

A generous Thank you to those that have and continue to support my restaurant and staff.

Paul.