They come and they go so fast . . . Why?
So Nikki Beach Club is gone. Who's next? Why do so many Grove businesses open and close so fast?
To be honest, Nikki never seemed to fit in, they seemed to want to be South Beach, but people who wanted South Beach Nikki, went to the REAL South Beach Nikki Beach Club, they didn't come to Coconut Grove.
Some of you have mentioned other places that are on the brink -- Anokha (3324 Virginia Street) is empty all the time, they have incredible food, yet they are empty. They were always full when they were on Commodore Plaza, but they left. Why? I think that was a stupid decision. Now that the new Swiss place, Jacob's in the Grove (3195 Commodore Plaza) is in their old space, they must regret it. Commodore Plaza is the place to be in the Grove these days. Jacob's should do well.
And Pisco's Seafood Bar and Grill -- poor Pisco's (3310-B Mary Street). They have delicious food and atmosphere, but they don't get enough business. I guess it's their location. I'm always seeing those tables awkwardly out on the street, mere feet from a four way stop, an accident ready to happen. Plus all the gas fumes can't help. And Paco's Way (2810 Oak Avenue), does anyone know they exist?
Qdoba came and went within five months. I'm not sure why. They were fast food, which we need more of around here. I know a lot of you hated the food, but many of us liked the food and they are a large chain which continues to do well elsewhere.
I like to spread myself around, I know you all tease me about going to the same places over and over, but honestly, I try to hit all places in the Grove when I am out, not so much out of being fair, which is one reason, but also, so I have things to write about.
Maybe we should all make a conscious decision to try to throw business to a place we haven't been for awhile. When going out tonight or this weekend, why not try Anokha or Pisco's? They both have great food and service. They just need us to go.
Cefalo's was a whole different story. I'm not sure what happened there. They were a mess. But Sammy C's (3540 Main Highway) should do well.
The BIC website has a great list of Grove businesses, why not try one that you have not been to or have not been to for awhile? The list is here: http://coconutgrove.com/. I have written about restaurants, but they list shopping and services along with dining establishments.
To be honest, Nikki never seemed to fit in, they seemed to want to be South Beach, but people who wanted South Beach Nikki, went to the REAL South Beach Nikki Beach Club, they didn't come to Coconut Grove.
Some of you have mentioned other places that are on the brink -- Anokha (3324 Virginia Street) is empty all the time, they have incredible food, yet they are empty. They were always full when they were on Commodore Plaza, but they left. Why? I think that was a stupid decision. Now that the new Swiss place, Jacob's in the Grove (3195 Commodore Plaza) is in their old space, they must regret it. Commodore Plaza is the place to be in the Grove these days. Jacob's should do well.
And Pisco's Seafood Bar and Grill -- poor Pisco's (3310-B Mary Street). They have delicious food and atmosphere, but they don't get enough business. I guess it's their location. I'm always seeing those tables awkwardly out on the street, mere feet from a four way stop, an accident ready to happen. Plus all the gas fumes can't help. And Paco's Way (2810 Oak Avenue), does anyone know they exist?
Qdoba came and went within five months. I'm not sure why. They were fast food, which we need more of around here. I know a lot of you hated the food, but many of us liked the food and they are a large chain which continues to do well elsewhere.
I like to spread myself around, I know you all tease me about going to the same places over and over, but honestly, I try to hit all places in the Grove when I am out, not so much out of being fair, which is one reason, but also, so I have things to write about.
Maybe we should all make a conscious decision to try to throw business to a place we haven't been for awhile. When going out tonight or this weekend, why not try Anokha or Pisco's? They both have great food and service. They just need us to go.
Cefalo's was a whole different story. I'm not sure what happened there. They were a mess. But Sammy C's (3540 Main Highway) should do well.
The BIC website has a great list of Grove businesses, why not try one that you have not been to or have not been to for awhile? The list is here: http://coconutgrove.com/. I have written about restaurants, but they list shopping and services along with dining establishments.
posted by Tom Falco at 7:45 AM
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16 Comments:
why should there be a conscious effort on our part, as customers, to go to a business?
There should be a conscious effort, on their part, to come after us.
I never see any, and I mean any, advertising or reminders that they even exist. None.
They could do really simple stuff, like flyers, door hangers, mailers, web advertising, a small promo that would get them email addresses so that they could follow up... there are tons and tons of really low cost "guerrilla" marketing things that these businesses could do.
And they don't.
If one can overlook the awful parking --which gets more expensive by the minute in the grove-- and, honestly, the awful service one gets in many of these places, the food is OK, but not extraordinary and at the end, it is too much of an effort.
Funny enough, I live what, 10 minutes from the heart of the Grove, yet, when I want to go out and have a good time, I usually head to Lincoln Road or Coral Gables' Miracle Mile, Ponce and Giralda.
I don't think we owe anything to these businesses at all. If they expect to sell to me, make a profit from me... then cater to me.
Selfish attitudes like the comment above is why many of the Grove businesses suffer.
Anokha appeared full on Commodore because the place was tiny. I guess they thought they could "grow" by moving to a location with nearby parking - which is a problem on Commodore.
On Virginia, Anokha has way more space, but no more customers. Yes, the food is good, but the portions are small and the prices are very high in comparison to other Indian restaurants. They even charge separately for the rice.
The problem with Qdoba was also parking. It defeated the point of cheap, fast food to have to pull in to a garage a block away and pay 5 to 7 bucks just to get there.
anokha only got their sign last week. I haven't tried their food, but their website wasn't working last time i checked (critical for me if i'm lazy and want to see what they have).
pisco has really good food, the location is unfortunate though. Paco's seems to be only open for dinner some days of the week, the hours aren't even listed on the door.
I think we need a yelp like site for the grove.
unless you live in the grove and can walk downtown, who is going to pay to park? only the kids at night who want to party. they're too dumb to know better.
make parking free, and the gloom that hangs over the grove will lift in about a day.
times are tough. parking gouging is a turnoff.
First anonymous, you complain about parking in the Grove, but you frequent Coral Gables and Lincoln Road? Are you kidding me?!?!
No... I'm not kidding.
If I park in Lincoln Road, where it is $1.00 per hour in the municipal parking, I have access to hundreds of places, dozens of restaurants and probably a good 3 hours worth of entertainment and walking around.
If I park in Coral Gables, at the Giralda Parking, which is $1.00 per hour, I also have access to dozens of restaurants, can walk around a bit and enjoy myself.
What is comparable in the Grove?
Also, if someone thinks it is "selfish" to want a business to cater to one's tastes, obviously, that person just doesn't get what business is.
Business is competitive, times are tough. If another competing business makes it a point to give me a better "something"... be it an overall experience, food, prices or atmosphere, whatever the case might be, why wouldn't I patronize that business?
While I am definitely a Grove-lover, I really don't understand why some people treat it as a religion almost. I don't have to patronize the Grove. It is up to the Grove businesses to earn my business
THe first commenter is right. Grove businesses dont market themselves at all. If I didnt walk by Anokha on my way into the Grove, Id never know it was there. Same with Piscos. These 2 businesses HAVE to do something because they are oan the outskirts of a popular area and get little to no foot traffic. Indian food is the only food I dont particularly care for but Id still like to see Anokha succeed. They add diversity to the area. Maybe the Grove just has too many restaurants? To me, the only ones worth eating at are Jaguar, Citas, Le Bouchon, and Georges for dinner. Foccacia Rustica, George's, Le Bouchon, and Green Street for brunch/lunch. Other than that the food is subpar.
Here are the problems as I see it with Anokha's new location:
*Most people who drive or walk through the Grove will never noticed it on that raised and recessed spot.
*Some dishes have ginormous portions (Tandoori Chicken), others like the curries, not so much.
*Don't nickel and dime people for the rice. Look at places like Bangkok Bangkok... White rice should be on tap! (Specially at those prices)
*They killed the vibe. The decor and music at the old place made it feel like fine Indian Dining. The new decor and music make you feel like you're in South Beach (see blog about Nikki Coconut Grove). People don't go to the Grove for the Miami Beach vibe, on the contrary - its the down home and rustic that sells the Grove.
*Cubans, Argentineans and many other latin cultures down here, don't care for spicy foods.
*ADVERTISE! Get the Miami New Times to hold a cultural event there. An Indian Dance recital perhaps?
Dress girls in traditional indian clothing and have them walk around the Grove at prime times and hand out flyers.
Parking is not the problem. Otherwise the same would be true for every other busines/restaurant in the grove.
A lot of the problem is that it is in a raised and recessed location which most people driving through or walking by will not really pay attention to. The location will be their downfall.
As much as I love the food and hope they can maintain their doors open, it does annoy me that they nickel and dime you for rice. Seriously, at those prices, white rice should be on tap. Look at Bangkok Bangkok. There is no way the rice would affect their margins and would probably alleviate some of the smaller portioned dishes like the curries. Anyway, paying for white rice is an insult to every hispanic customer who expects plenty of it with any meal ;)
Some dishes like the tandoori chicken are enormous. Perhaps if the portions were increased and people could take stuff home (a la Cheesecake Factory), it would add to the value of the meal.
Its all about the food and service.
I try to make it to all the places in grove at least once and if they are not any good....then why return???
Case and point Greensteet cafe.
ANOKHA has terrible servers, owners a bit nicer than what they used to be 10 years ago, portions are small,I ordered Tikka and 40 minutes later chef is coming out to tell me they don't have it. Now thats stupid, waiters are dressed in tight shirts trying to look like Nikki's waiters, girls were all with huge boobs.... it was just weird. Shrimp mango salad was good. Roghan Josh was "ground" lamb with who knows what, they will not bring you more rice, EVER. Chapatti and Naan were pitiful, Anokha was at one time very good Indian Restaurant NO LONGER.
Plus they did not send any fliers to announce their opening, or promoting, now that is crucial, you got to do it, I know China Grill Group Owners Jefrey and Linda Chodorow they have 25 restaurnts from Las Vegas and San Francisco to London and Rome. They are putting over 120.000$ in marketing each restaurant, but than return is 65 millions a year.
So tell Anokha people since you know them to:
1. Advertise ( buildings, offices, businesses, fliers, promotion...)
2. Loose the attitude
3. Rice is cheap serve it like there is no tomorrow
4. If you charge 29 dollars for chicken, cant be dry and uneatable.
I live about a block away from Anokha and I have been thinking the same thing since it opened in its new location. I always feel bad walking by day after day seeing the same hostess desperate for people...
To defend the marketing of the place though...i will say that I went to Chilis last weekend for dinner, and a few employees of Anokha were walking around handing everyone flyer's about the place. They are having a party this Saturday night with free drinks for girls, and some other special I don't remember. It SEEMS like a great idea, but yes...they are trying to be something they're not. Nothing about the flyer had anything to do with the actual restaurant's indian theme or cuisine, it was pretty much just a promotional stunt to bring in business. I hate to break it to them, but getting a grove crowd to come for late night drinks is not going to help them sell their food.
I'm guessing the main problem there is the random location. If I did not live so close i would never even venture down Virginia Street.
someone better contact them fast and have them read the comments on this blog. Either they're in for a rude awakening, and will make some changes, or are simply clueless and will go under.
The latter would be unfortunate since the choice of going east Indian for diversity is such a great option - even if they aren't the best.
Some valid & not so valid points expressed so far, but I would have to say its all obviously such a complex issue (why places don't last in the Grove). My opinion? Well, look at the stew going on:
-You have some that are large groups going to the grove for specific reasons: Daytime the tour busses, skater kids, and my personal favorite people playing hookie from work :) Of course there are more, but I am generalizing on this daytime thing
-Large groups in evenings are (during the week)college kids getting plastered, some who want dinner outside of their usual haunts and peppered in the tourists & the special event goers here & there.
-Weekends are almost a different animal, with combos of all of the above, plus (I am the one who thought this up so don't get mad at anyone else!) I believe that Coconut Grove is the "French Riviera" of Hialeah!! Throw in some hip hop dudes, some wanna be gang bangers and kids that are dumped by their parents on the corner & what do you get?!?
Of course I left out those that are local and chill out,go for dinner & drinks, etc.
The fact that the general public constantly yearns for novelty is part of the picture, yet people still want quality & consistency at the same time. What's the solution? I wish I knew! I would say make people feel that they are missing out on unique, awesome Grove only experiences and they'll come out. I could say more, but hey, maybe I've already said too much babble....
I'm glad to hear that there is a Swiss reataurant comming to the Grove, I just hope they bring good food and a friendly staff.
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