Comments on: Chalk opens! http://winemedinemecincinnati.com/2008/01/chalk-opens/ (in Cincinnati) Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:45:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Julie http://winemedinemecincinnati.com/2008/01/chalk-opens/comment-page-1/#comment-25 Julie Mon, 21 Jan 2008 02:20:00 +0000 http://winemedinemecincinnati.com/?p=14#comment-25 Anonymous-- I've eaten at Greenup Cafe, which does well, I think, because it is more casual-- much more cafe-like. Jean Ro's was okay, but not really much more than okay. I can definitely see the possibility of him being stretched too thin-- he's running, what, seven restaurants right now? I wonder if the market can really support that many of his concepts-- it's a small town, food-wise, after all.<br/><br/>Chad-- interesting review. I hope the problems you had were just freshman mistakes, but since (supposedly) the staff was just taken from Pho Paris, this is worrisome. Nice blog, by the way, and I hope to read more of it (and hope you'll stick around here, too). Anonymous– I’ve eaten at Greenup Cafe, which does well, I think, because it is more casual– much more cafe-like. Jean Ro’s was okay, but not really much more than okay. I can definitely see the possibility of him being stretched too thin– he’s running, what, seven restaurants right now? I wonder if the market can really support that many of his concepts– it’s a small town, food-wise, after all.

Chad– interesting review. I hope the problems you had were just freshman mistakes, but since (supposedly) the staff was just taken from Pho Paris, this is worrisome. Nice blog, by the way, and I hope to read more of it (and hope you’ll stick around here, too).

]]> By: Chad Edward http://winemedinemecincinnati.com/2008/01/chalk-opens/comment-page-1/#comment-24 Chad Edward Mon, 21 Jan 2008 01:16:00 +0000 http://winemedinemecincinnati.com/?p=14#comment-24 I dined at Chalk Friday night and posted a review at http://www.chadedward.us. I dined at Chalk Friday night and posted a review at http://www.chadedward.us.

]]> By: Anonymous http://winemedinemecincinnati.com/2008/01/chalk-opens/comment-page-1/#comment-23 Anonymous Sun, 20 Jan 2008 21:37:00 +0000 http://winemedinemecincinnati.com/?p=14#comment-23 I'm afraid that Chalk will be another subpar Jean-Robert franchise. Let me preface this by saying that I think that J-R's done great things for this city. However, I'm no marketing guru, but I know that Jean Robert, in addition to being a great chef, is also a brand. With this frenzy of new openings (Greenup Cafe, Jean Ro's, Twist, the new one in OTR, the now defunct Pho Paris, the catering and banquets at Newport Aquarium, and now Chalk) I can't help but worry that he's cheapening the brand and spreading himself too thin. People expect a high level of service, consistency and quality from all his restaurants and I'm increasingly hearing grumbling from friends and others that they've had mediocre meals and service. Of course, I've never heard anyone say anything remotely negative about Pigall's, the restaurant that receives most of his attention and time. Chalk just seems thrown together to me, and I fear that it will be below expectations and short lived. I’m afraid that Chalk will be another subpar Jean-Robert franchise. Let me preface this by saying that I think that J-R’s done great things for this city. However, I’m no marketing guru, but I know that Jean Robert, in addition to being a great chef, is also a brand. With this frenzy of new openings (Greenup Cafe, Jean Ro’s, Twist, the new one in OTR, the now defunct Pho Paris, the catering and banquets at Newport Aquarium, and now Chalk) I can’t help but worry that he’s cheapening the brand and spreading himself too thin. People expect a high level of service, consistency and quality from all his restaurants and I’m increasingly hearing grumbling from friends and others that they’ve had mediocre meals and service. Of course, I’ve never heard anyone say anything remotely negative about Pigall’s, the restaurant that receives most of his attention and time. Chalk just seems thrown together to me, and I fear that it will be below expectations and short lived.

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