Archive for the ‘News and Observations’ Category

Scented billboard

Monday, June 7th, 2010

Remember Smell-O-Vision? Probably not. Smell-O-Vision, a system in which you could watch a movie in a theater and smell it, too, made its only appearance in 1960,  and it never really took off. (Here’s the Wikipedia entry.)

I guess we now have the next closest thing: Scented billboards. A North Carolina grocery store called bloom is advertising its steak on a billboard, which also emits a steak-like (BBQ) fragrance. I have to imagine this is expensive, but the scented billboard is certainly a clever and unique idea, and for that, I wish I could see–er, smell–it in person.

What if scented billboards came to Wisconsin? Imagine driving on the Beltline with the windows down and you suddenly smelled deep fried cheese curds or beer battered cod from a supper club billboard. Or hell, forget Wisconsin-type foods. How about just wafting the smell of bacon everywhere?

Finish your food!

Friday, June 4th, 2010

Remember growing up and hearing your parents say things like, “You may not leave the table until you’ve cleared your plate” or “There are starving kids in [name of country], so finish your food”?

A Reuters news article features an Australian restaurant called Wafu that aims for a sustainable future. In doing so, Chef Yukako Ichikawa requires all diners to finish their entire meal … or don’t come back.

Restaurants have a hard enough time as it is to stay in business. While it’s honorable that Wafu is “dedicated to the notion of waste prevention,” I would not recommend turning my back on customers (since repeat business and referrals always make up the bulk of any business).

Personally, I dislike going out to eat with people who pick at their food and then don’t bother to take home the (substantial amount of) leftovers (assuming the meal was prepared adequately). We do live in a wasteful society, but for a lack of a better phrase, it’s indeed the nature of the beast in the restaurant industry. 

In any event, I’m curious to see how well this business mantra does.

The Local Tavern closes

Monday, May 24th, 2010

King&Mane_licenseI just walked by The Local Tavern, which was undergoing an exterior paint job. A new liquor license sign in the window says Two Dudes & a Chick LLC has taken over the spot.

According to the City of Madison Alcohol Licensing Information, King & Mane will open up on July 1.

The Local Tavern lasted a surprisingly long time despite having mediocre lunch and happy hour crowds (a staple of the Capitol Square restaurants) and so-so numbers for Friday and Saturday nights.

UPDATE (4 p.m. CT): King & Mane opened today. Pretty much everything but the menu has stayed the same. It’s a gastro-cantina, meaning daily food specials/themes, less fried food and a healthy drink list.

    Urban Air TryaTaste

  • Blog Home

    You are currently browsing the archives for the News and Observations category.

  • Archives

  • Categories