window shopping
i miss dharma buns, but i was never confused about why they had such a hard time trying to make a go of their business, even from just looking in their windows. the ambiance was anything but warm and welcoming, the prices once you got inside were steep, and the general feeling from the poorly-used space was of something always not quite being right. (oh but those fries and burgers and ESPECIALLY the pastrami sandwiches were heaven).
this is all in extreme contrast to the impression one gets driving or walking by on market street looking in the windows at dharma's ostensible reincarnation, wings over lowell. the space is laid out for maximum comfort and efficiency with (almost always filled) booths along all the walls, and the bright lighting and reasonably-priced menu say "come on in and take care of that hunger--you know you want to". and you know you know exactly how to make a success of any visit to the place--just belly up to the counter, order yourself everything you want and more, and then just sit down to enjoy. (it was never quite clear from the dharma layout exactly what was supposed to happen with all those high-top little round tables and somewhat fancy chairs).
it's great to see a business doing well downtown, especially after such a short time, and especially great because you can SEE the business doing well right there through their windows every time you drive by. (try it!)
i'm no restauranteur, but i gotta figure, if the goal isn't churn 'em through and drive 'em out like the fastest of the fast food joints, then it's important that everything looks and is comfortable because that definitely matters. i know it does to me. mike over at the other end of the strip at king star gets it. (comfy sofas even!) wings over gets it. the back page DEFINITELY gets it. (though they've all but given up on their food).
the science of indoor space is a fascinating one. and it makes a difference.
this is all in extreme contrast to the impression one gets driving or walking by on market street looking in the windows at dharma's ostensible reincarnation, wings over lowell. the space is laid out for maximum comfort and efficiency with (almost always filled) booths along all the walls, and the bright lighting and reasonably-priced menu say "come on in and take care of that hunger--you know you want to". and you know you know exactly how to make a success of any visit to the place--just belly up to the counter, order yourself everything you want and more, and then just sit down to enjoy. (it was never quite clear from the dharma layout exactly what was supposed to happen with all those high-top little round tables and somewhat fancy chairs).
it's great to see a business doing well downtown, especially after such a short time, and especially great because you can SEE the business doing well right there through their windows every time you drive by. (try it!)
i'm no restauranteur, but i gotta figure, if the goal isn't churn 'em through and drive 'em out like the fastest of the fast food joints, then it's important that everything looks and is comfortable because that definitely matters. i know it does to me. mike over at the other end of the strip at king star gets it. (comfy sofas even!) wings over gets it. the back page DEFINITELY gets it. (though they've all but given up on their food).
the science of indoor space is a fascinating one. and it makes a difference.
posted by kad barma at 5:43 PM
1 Comments:
I am not much of a food critic, but I thought I would throw in that my youngest Brother flew in to Logan (he is teaching a acquisition course to GSA folks at the Tip O'Neil Federal Building this coming week), and in exchange for me depositing him at his hotel, he treated me to lunch. We went to Stella, on Washington Street, way down in Boston. Not my usual fare, but it was good, and the side of beacon was very generous.
I am planning on taking the Mrs for brunch some Sunday in January. it is good to visit foreign lands from time to time.
Regards — Cliff
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