Originally Posted By oc_dean Anyone ever been to the Elephant Bar restaurant? <a href="http://www.elephantbar.com/" target="_blank">http://www.elephantbar.com/</a> First one I ever went to is in Burbank, next to a huge AMC theater complex. Theming very similar to what's inside Disneyland's Jungle Cruise queue. Like several groups of people packing up for a "1930s" safari in Africa.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt "So, restaurants shouldn't be creative and go for something cool and unique?" Well, no, I'm not saying that. I'm just saying that over-the-top themed restaurant chains are not for me.
Originally Posted By dshyates oc, the Elephant Bar looks fun to me. And Hans, what do you think of a theme restaurant like this. <a href="http://www.ocean-prime.com/" target="_blank">http://www.ocean-prime.com/</a>
Originally Posted By oc_dean I don't see any theme. It's sophisticated and classy ... but I see no distinct theme going on here.
Originally Posted By oc_dean >>over-the-top themed restaurant chains are not for me.<< Well, there aren't that many. So, I don't you have anything to worry about.
Originally Posted By oc_dean I have to say this .... though not a big theme at all.... Anyone remember Clifton's? The cafeteria type restaurant? As a kid, I always remembered that treasure chest of goodies, including the chocolates, wrapped up as gold coins. The second my Mom said we were going to Clifton's at the Lakewood mall ... I practically fell over on myself!
Originally Posted By dshyates Ocean Prime is a modern version of a old Supper Club. Very hip 60s Frank Sanatra kind of place with a contemporary edge. It is a subtle theme, but it is still themed. The servers dress in the white serving jackets popular in the 50s-60s. I think it is a pretty cool restaurant.
Originally Posted By oc_dean one of these days, maybe I'll get to see an edit feature! edit: Well, there aren't that many. So, I don't THINK you have anything to worry about.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt I guess I'm just a San Francisco snob. I really try to stay away from places like that, even when I'm on vacation. I prefer just about every dining spot in DtD over Rainforest Cafe and ESPN Zone.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt "And Hans, what do you think of a theme restaurant like this." Looks like a nice place, and the food looks even better. I don't care for the website though, but then again, I'm kind od picky when it comes to this kind of stuff. For me a good dining experience means good food at a fair price without a lot of bells and whistles in the background. I don't need squawking robotic birds or messages about the latest hockey scores blasting over my head while I eat my cheeseburger. I also hate places where they page parties over a PA system announcing that their table is ready. Ugh.
Originally Posted By oc_dean >>I guess I'm just a San Francisco snob. I really try to stay away from places like that, even when I'm on vacation. I prefer just about every dining spot in DtD over Rainforest Cafe and ESPN Zone.<< Oh, you're not a snob! My feeling, you prefer a "gentler" .. more "subdued" kind of setting .. over the flashy, and loudness places like Rainforest can get! I myself avoid the ULTRA noisy places like ESPNZone ... and when Planet Hollywood restaurants were around (including Hardrock Cafe) .. they noise level was deafening! Rainforest has the animatronic animals making sounds, there's the thunder that rolls in every-so often. The waterfall, and all the other ambient sounds that make Rainforest quite a SOUND experience as well visually. I love it ... because it's at the DLR .. What more perfect location for a THEMED restaurant next to 2 theme parks.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt ^^Okay, your point about it being at Disney makes sense. I guess I'm thinking more about these spots in a general sense - like in San Francisco or some other "real world" locale. Why would anyone want to eat at Rainforest Cafe when there are so many wonderful restaurants in this town. "Oh, you're not a snob! My feeling, you prefer a "gentler" .. more "subdued" kind of setting .. over the flashy, and loudness places like Rainforest can get!" Well, yes, that sums it up.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<Why would anyone want to eat at Rainforest Cafe when there are so many wonderful restaurants in this town.>> I would assume the customers of RFC are first and foremost families, followed by party groups of some kind.
Originally Posted By WorldDisney Well, I have to chime in my thoughts about RFC and theme restaurants in general but I guess I'm with OC Dean on this one, I just LOVE that stuff personnally!! I like going to restaurants like Bubba Gumps, Hard Rock Cafe, RFC and etc because the theming is just fun. Granted, I RARELY actually go to these places lol, but they are a nice excursion when I do and I think that's what people are saying here. RFC is not, nor would be a common experience for me, so when I do go occassonially they are fun to do, especially with groups and family. Unfortuantely there is nothing like those places here in Australia. I mean, there is really NOTHING like that here sadly, not even smaller-tiered themed restaurants like T.G.I.F's. There use to be a Planet Hollywood, but like most, that's been gone for years now. And RFC is something about it, I guess its the robotic animals and the simulated thunder and rain showers, but its fun and yes kids love it, lets not forget ultimately who its for . Yeah, it does sound reeeeaaally cheesy when you think about it and I'm sure its something The Simpsons has beaten to death in the joke departments, but overall they are more then just having a dinner, so I guess its your mindset. I guess its not something you would have a business dinner in . And at Disney it just makes perfect sense. I mean, RFC are sucessful at the parks because they look like Disney runs them themselves practically. The one at DAK is a perfect match with that park. I remember when I heard DTD was being built and it was rumored to go in, that got me more excited then anything else there. The entire structure, inside and out represents DTD in a cool way along with the other theme restaurants like ESPN, House of Blues and etc. I cant even imagine another restaurant in that spot. I mean, does anyone really want a T.G.I.F's there . It just fits, especially with the monorail station there as well. I hope it stays regardless what the company does overall.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 To me when we talk about "theming" at a restaurant, it's like talking about "food" at a restaurant. It's an element. And it can be wonderfully well done, mediocre, or downright bad. So I have nothing against theming per se, and I love it when done well. I just don't care for RFC and don't think it's done particularly well.
Originally Posted By juicer Any new news on the state of Laundry's (sp) - That is the company that runs RFC's?
Originally Posted By mstaft Elephant Bar has very good food. We have one closeby in Denver. Mark www.InsightsandSounds.blogspot.com
Originally Posted By ArchtMig >>>I actually think ALL restaurants are theme restaurants. Some just have really boring themes.<<< Great observation. We had an Elephant Bar here in town, but it closed. Not as fully decked out as some of the big city ones, but we miss it.
