Ideas needed for new Vegetarian Diner concept « Columbus Underground Messageboard

Columbus Underground Messageboard » General Columbus Discussion » Dining

Ideas needed for new Vegetarian Diner concept

[143 posts] [68 contributors]

Topic Rating:

(Total Ratings: )
Rate this topic:

Started 2 years ago by sarahb
Latest reply from jessica43452

Tags:

12…8 Next »

sarahb
clintonville
Login to Send PM

This post is inspired partially by bristol's awesome thread last week and all the great feedback cu gave.

You may have heard that, me and jennie of pattycake bakery and rad dog tawd are in the process of opening a vegetarian diner. Our concept is an all day breakfast diner with a few dinner specials in the evening. we are looking for input on what columbus would want from a veg diner.

What would you want to see in a diner?
What would you like to see on the menu?
Where do you think would be an ideal location?
Do you have any name suggestions?

just wanting to start some dialog on what columbus would like to see.

Posted 2 years ago #
Tenzo
Chicago Lakeshore
Login to Send PM

sarahb wrote >>
This post is inspired partially by bristol's awesome thread last week and all the great feedback cu gave.
You may have heard that, me and jennie of pattycake bakery and rad dog tawd are in the process of opening a vegetarian diner. Our concept is an all day breakfast diner with a few dinner specials in the evening. we are looking for input on what columbus would want from a veg diner.
What would you want to see in a diner?
What would you like to see on the menu?
Where do you think would be an ideal location?
Do you have any name suggestions?
just wanting to start some dialog on what columbus would like to see.

A nice big dry aged, prime porterhouse steak.
So I don't think I'm in your demographic

Posted 2 years ago #
Hael

Login to Send PM

http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/superfoods-everyone-needs

And tasty, hearty soup.

Posted 2 years ago #
brothermarcus
West Siiiide
Login to Send PM

it would be neat, if this is going to be a "diner", for it to somewhat resemble an old-school diner in some menu aspects...

- really good chili, sticks to your ribs in the winter.
- bagels, serious bagels (The New York bagel contains salt and malt and is boiled in water prior to baking in a standard oven. The resulting New York bagel is puffy with a moist crust)
- burgers, sandwiches (various), fries, lots of grilled things.
- homestyle sides like baked beans, slaw, etc...
- rad dogs, of course
- breakfast anytime you are open (pancakes, biscuits and gravy, etc...)
- late night hours
- strong black coffee, killer cherry pie
- homestyle dinner specials that don't take more than 2 minutes for waitstaff to explain.

/edit - almost forgot pickles, big juicy pickles... the more the merrier.

Posted 2 years ago #
joev
Merion Village
Login to Send PM

I would love to see a vegetarian restaurant that's not overtly vegetarian - just like Rad Dog and Pattycake. The food tastes great and happens to not contain animal products. I'm not a big breakfast person even when meat/dairy is involved, so I'm more drawn to the dinner specials idea. Though some cultures eat veg dishes for breakfast, so maybe borrow from them - like foole m damas from Egypt, yogurt and honey from Greece, etc.

I think you could really hit an unfilled niche if you cooked food with seasonally available local produce as a diner. Maybe take some non typical dishes from different cuisines - in the summer, a Turkish-style eggplant stew would be great. In the spring, a dish with favas, etc. In winter, a Korean-style dish with lots of pickled vegetables. Nice thing is that these are mostly easy to produce in large batches in advance.

Posted 2 years ago #
Bristol Bar

Login to Send PM

I am not a Vegetarian AT ALL. The first and last time I went was with my then girlfriend and all I remember is a spattering of potatoes, mushrooms and lot's of spice. I left hungry and we went for a steak after dinner for me.

That being said, you need to have some crossover items. Something maybe between 100% vegetarian and 100% rare beef. Then I would come and so would my vegetarian friends.

Posted 2 years ago #
Brant
Gahanna
Login to Send PM

Oatmeal, grits, porridge. Stuff like that.

Posted 2 years ago #
coolbuckeye
South Clintonville
Login to Send PM

A kick ass bloody mary. Not from a GFS premade mix.

Posted 2 years ago #
Core_Models
Columbus
Login to Send PM

Biggest suggestion: Don't let Chrissie Hynde get involved, so you don't have quotes like "World Peace Begins in the Kitchen" on your menu.

Posted 2 years ago #
Roland
Clintonville
Login to Send PM

A diner must have pies.

I'd be happy with the standard breakfast fare: eggs, hash, toast, biscuits, gravy, etc. Perhaps you guys could come up with a vegan bacon or sausage alternative?

On a side note, remember that good, prompt service is just as important as the food.

Posted 2 years ago #
greenhouse1014
Columbus
Login to Send PM

Bristol Bar wrote >>
I am not a Vegetarian AT ALL. The first and last time I went was with my then girlfriend and all I remember is a spattering of potatoes, mushrooms and lot's of spice. I left hungry and we went for a steak after dinner for me.
That being said, you need to have some crossover items. Something maybe between 100% vegetarian and 100% rare beef. Then I would come and so would my vegetarian friends.

The problem with that would be crossover of cooking items. I know that I don't like to use the same cooking utensils that were used to cook meat. That said, you really SHOULD try the vegetarian dining thing again. Go someplace like Dragonfly or something like that where the people really know what they're doing instead of just having some non-meat items on the menu, usually just a salad. I'm not a little guy and I'm never hungry after a good vegetarian meal.

To the topic, I have been dying for a good place to get soup and salad downtown.

Posted 2 years ago #
surber17

Login to Send PM

Please put this downtown. OH, the old Soup Man's place on High and Broad would be great!

Posted 2 years ago #
alexs
Limestone bluffs of the Scioto
Login to Send PM

I agree, market it as locally-supplied and let the menu change with seasonal availability. MMmmmm, Ohio maple syrup on Clifton Mill pancakes, maybe some Amish jelly on the side, or hash browns from Ohio potatoes...

Offer some vegan items, too.

Posted 2 years ago #
AmyD
Columbus, Ohio
Login to Send PM

i think they are going for all-veg, right? i love tofu-rancheros, and yes, great pie and coffee. some kind of fried potato hash too. and banana whoopie pies always on the menu

Posted 2 years ago #
sarahb
clintonville
Login to Send PM

so i am hearing old time diner feel, pies, soups, hash browns.

Roland, you are totally right, good service is very important.

2 people have suggested a downtown location. what does everyone else think about location?

these suggestions are great so far! thanks!

Posted 2 years ago #
Tenzo
Chicago Lakeshore
Login to Send PM

And remember to go with your gut and don't depend to heavily on others.

Posted 2 years ago #
hivner1
clintonville
Login to Send PM

What would you want to see in a diner?
Fast, fun service with a mixture of booths, tables and bar-style seating. Nothing too different from every great diner. How 'bout some fun murals?
What would you like to see on the menu?
The staples with original twists (pancakes, French toast, scrambles, burritos, easy ala carte selections, locally roasted coffee).
Where do you think would be an ideal location?
Nancy's!!!
Do you have any name suggestions?
Just keep it simple and don't feel it necessary to advertise how vegetarian you are in your name.

My favorite diner in the world is in Atlanta, called Ria's Bluebird. Check out this menu for inspiration.

Posted 2 years ago #
turnedNOTburned
Grandview/Columbus, Ohio
Login to Send PM

I'd say partner with Lucky Ladle on Soups, serve it in Vegan Bread Bowls. I'm all for vegan and vegetarian foods not trying to taste like non-vegan and vegetarian foods. Expose us to new foods, new taste combinations that stand on their own merit. You ALL are very good at this, its one of your greatest strengths. Given your entrepreneurial nature, dedication and level of excitement, your success is almost a given.

Location - something sustainably affordable in the next 3 years. You can always move to a bigger location or one that's more favorable. Gateway, neil and 5th, west Woodale in Grandview, anywhere on 3rd street within a mile of high, Harrison west, Discovery district. Somewhere like Warehouse Cafe that's "relatively close" and easy to get to. Given your specialty, people will come to you - foot traffic is less important than promotion and price. You'll pick the best place, without a doubt.

GOOD LUCK! Let me know if I can do anything to help construction wise. I'll have some time to pitch in in September/October.

Posted 2 years ago #
Hael

Login to Send PM

sarahb,

If your diner is strictly vegetarian, seems to me that would eliminate a lot of potential customers. Why not offer both meat and vegetarian dishes?

I believe there is plenty of room in this town for another good dinner.

As far as location goes, this may not be a popular thing to say here on CU but I'd go for someplace centrally located that has ample parking.

Posted 2 years ago #
michaelcoyote
!seabus
Login to Send PM

Watch your price points so as to make it affordable..

Hangover busting and rib sticking foods like biscuits and mushroom gravy (I've made this for vegans and it makes them happy), tofu scramble of the day (I like to use this to empty the vegetables out of my 'fridge so I can rotate in new stock), rice and beans (rotate different recipies), stack o' pancakes (natch) and some sort of curry of the day...

have good coffee (brioso or ymt for example) and make it *strong*

Posted 2 years ago #