I noticed Chocolate Moon closed in Elmhurst. Did you have anything to do with that, t.a.?

quote:

Originally posted by t.a. superette:
#1 son and i tried honey's this morning. . . no luck. the kitchen was closed due to a mysterious "emergency." strike one. only 4-5 stay-at-home GE moms sitting around sipping coffee -- nicely frosted pony tails protubing just right through the backs of their caps.

i decided to order my one coffee for the day: a four shot americano (fyi, i own a very expensive espresso station that allows me to custom make my simple, yet VERY strong americano to my tastes at home. i rarely order coffee out). for their americano, honey's only offers two shots for the same price starbucks charges for a three shotter. i changed my mind and did not order coffee. strike two.

if the kitchen had been open, #1 son would have ordered the buttermilk pancakes -- all TWO of them for $6. strike three.

we left deeply dissatisfied.

I'm beginning to wonder if they launched prematurely. When I stopped by on Saturday, the folks at the counter could figure out the register-three of them huddled around while 4 customers stood there unattended. I was po'd on Sunday when they weren't open for breakfast. As the old saying goes, you only have one chance to make a first impression

You realize that will happen for another few weeks, right? This is their first week...and if I'm not mistaken, the first restaurant she has ever opened. There will be lots of problems at first. That's inevitable. How they handle these problems will be the key. And from what I know of the owner...everything will be fine.

quote:

Originally posted by t.a. superette:
#1 son and i tried honey's this morning. . . no luck. the kitchen was closed due to a mysterious "emergency." strike one. only 4-5 stay-at-home GE moms sitting around sipping coffee -- nicely frosted pony tails protubing just right through the backs of their caps.

i decided to order my one coffee for the day: a four shot americano (fyi, i own a very expensive espresso station that allows me to custom make my simple, yet VERY strong americano to my tastes at home. i rarely order coffee out). for their americano, honey's only offers two shots for the same price starbucks charges for a three shotter. i changed my mind and did not order coffee. strike two.

if the kitchen had been open, #1 son would have ordered the buttermilk pancakes -- all TWO of them for $6. strike three.

we left deeply dissatisfied.

If I didn't know exactly how old you are, I'd assume you were a grumpy 74 year-old SOB.

It cannot come as a surprise to you that this place is not the Glen Oak. You're in the brand business. Do you consider this place a competitor of Starbucks or The IHOP?

Of course they are more expensive. That's what you pay for a much more pleasant atmosphere and higher quality food. If you are not into upscale diners...best to utilize that mack-daddy thing on your kitchen counter.

Waiting for your reply on how overweight I am....1...2...3. Sorry. 3...2...1.

I am starting to feel sorry for #2 son. You and #1 son are really sharing some quality time while he toils away at school. Not fair!

quote:

Originally posted by Clamato:
If I didn't know exactly how old you are, I'd assume you were a grumpy 74 year-old SOB.

Um, Fish, could you please talk to t.a....?

While I hate it that some people are walking away with a bad impression this early (and maybe it's true they were a tad premature) - personally, I never go to a new restaurant the first couple of week's it's open. You just know it takes time to work out all the kinks. And I don't have a problem with the alleged priciness - as was said, we already have Glen Oak if you want something cheap, fast and bland. I'm willing to bet those two $6 pancakes aren't silver dollar sized, either.

Give it time, people. I'm really looking forward to what a place like that can bring to the downtown. I can't wait to try it myself - although I'm going to wait another week!

My wife and I ate dinner there last night. Steak sandwich for me, grilled chicken for her. Food was high quality for the price and the menu looks good. Service was satisfactory all things considered. Fairly busy.

Had a city restaurant atmosphere, which is nice. Enjoyed it and will be going back.

FYI I can be pretty critical of restaurants, so take it for what its worth.

quote:

Originally posted by Clamato:
You realize that will happen for another few weeks, right? This is their first week...and if I'm not mistaken, the first restaurant she has ever opened. There will be lots of problems at first. That's inevitable. How they handle these problems will be the key. And from what I know of the owner...everything will be fine.

I can appreciate the learning curve, but given that there opening was delayed by weeks, that would have been a good opportunity for them to train their staff. I'll give them plenty of opportunities to earn my business, but I will be looking for consistent hours and a positive attitude by the staff. Give me that and I can forgive the little things.

quote:

Waiting for your reply on how overweight I am....1...2...3. Sorry. 3...2...1.

Seriously, if you didn't bring it up, I doubt anybody would notice. When kids start selling tickets to peek in your window to see the fattie (reference "Gilbert Grape"), then you've got an issue.

Re: "What's Eating Gilbert Grape?" - Leo DiCaprio was excellent in that movie. As an unknown to me at the time, I wondered if he was actually a mentally disabled actor. Excellent book as well, from a writer at the U of Iowa's Writers Workshop - Peter Hedges - who most recently worked on "Dan in Real Life."

Back on topic - I looked for a web page for HONEY - is any available with the menu?

Note to owner of Honey: Put the girltini in the window for Yoss, and all will be right in Glen Ellyn. Sort of like an offering.

And, having opened a couple of restaurants, in management and in labor, it's hell. Even if you train forever.

note to GEMom2, Dan in Real Life was an awesome movie! Did you see it?

re Honey, my first visit wasn't great, but it was the first week so I cut them some slack and will try again next month.

Buggy - I don't know if I'll ever be able to see "Dan in Real Life." We enjoy Steve Carell at our house, but really, really dislike Dane Cook! I'm unable to get past that.

It looked like there may still be a kitchen problem this evening at HONEY. We will definitely plan on giving them a try within the next week. They have made the corner very inviting and attractive.

quote:

Note to owner of Honey: Put the girltini in the window for Yoss, and all will be right in Glen Ellyn. Sort of like an offering.

LOL. I'm going to try and make it there for breakfast this week. I did like the selection on the menu.

We had a delicious dinner at Honey Cafe last night. I had the steak sandwich and my husband had the salmon and creme brule. Both were well prepared and nicely presented. Elizabeth said that they wouldn't be open for dinner until they had their wine and beer license in two or three weeks. I think that the owner and staff at Honey are doing a great job. I have eaten there twice since they have been open and although it is still in the beginning stage, I am very pleased with what I am seeing as to customer relations. I am looking forward to many pleasant meals there. It will take us quite awhile to work through their extensive menu offerings! BYW, stop in and pick up a carry-out menu or better yet, have lunch.

quote:

Originally posted by Clamato:
I noticed Chocolate Moon closed in Elmhurst. Did you have anything to do with that, t.a.?

nah. they sure has a good run. wonder what did them in?

quote:

Originally posted by Clamato:

If I didn't know exactly how old you are, I'd assume you were a grumpy 74 year-old SOB.

It cannot come as a surprise to you that this place is not the Glen Oak. You're in the brand business. Do you consider this place a competitor of Starbucks or The IHOP?

Of course they are more expensive. That's what you pay for a much more pleasant atmosphere and higher quality food. If you are not into upscale diners...best to utilize that mack-daddy thing on your kitchen counter.

Waiting for your reply on how overweight I am....1...2...3. Sorry. 3...2...1.

whew, someone must have received another personal email from the owner. . . and is now running PR for her. thanks for the insight on "upscale diners." i'm just lost w/out it.

to answer your question, yes, when they're freakin' kitchen breaks down and i'm at least trying to toss coffee and pastry biz their way, i do consider honey's a competitor of starbucks. they failed for me today.

btw, how has your experience been at honey's? have you been yet? please don't respond w/ an obligatory "i never try a new restaurant out until at least a month after it opens" answer. patronize the damn place and offer an opinion. don't lecture me for criticizing the place if you've never been there yourself. why defend something you know nothing about?

here's my biggest tip for honey: get staff that look and sound like they know what they're doing. (here's the brand guy in me, and listen closely, clam) i'll gladly pay more for pancakes and coffee if the EXPERIENCE is better. the deer in headlights look turns me off. i know it's their first week, but i assume these same folks will be working the next time i show up. i trust the kinks will be worked out and they will deliver so the total experience measures up to their prices.

74-year-old s.o.b.? c'mon, let's be fair. you know i can't come close to the levels of cynicism you can dish out, my friend. you are the king.

go to honey's and report back.

LOL....old fart. Jeez, one tennis ball in the eye and you are my bitter-at-life maternal grandmother reincarnated!

Isn't "Honey's" possessive of Honey? Just doesn't seem right.

quote:

Originally posted by t.a. superette:

quote:

Originally posted by Clamato:
I noticed Chocolate Moon closed in Elmhurst. Did you have anything to do with that, t.a.?

nah. they sure has a good run. wonder what did them in?

Sign in the window makes me think they are reopening with a different theme/concept. Perhaps it is the same owner.