Originally Posted By dshyates Screamscape reported that Harley-Davidson is looking at Manniquins for a H-D Café.
Originally Posted By alexbook Not sure where that would fit. None of the spaces that have emptied, or will soon empty, seems large enough for a full-service restaurant.
Originally Posted By dshyates They said Manniquins. I have never been in there so I don't know if a full service restaurant would fit. But that is what was rumored.
Originally Posted By alexbook Ah. Just checked the Internets, and Mannequins is in WDW's DTD. No wonder I'd never heard of it.
Originally Posted By dshyates Oh, sorry. Sometimes I get confused which DtD we are talking about. When I saw people talking about a lots of things closed in DtD, my brain went immediately to WDW considering they have a HUGE ghost town smake dab in the middle of their DtD.
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains When we were there 2 weeks ago there was a sign at Dept 56 about bringing new magic in or something like that - is that not the case?
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA I can't believe that building a themed restaurant is still considered a viable business model. Harley-Davidson Cafe???
Originally Posted By oneyepete I would go to a H-D cafe before the Rainforest simply because I own a Harley.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt Harley-Davidson + Disney? Something about that just doesn't jell as a concept in my mind.
Originally Posted By oneyepete It doesn't gel with some of my friends either. They don't understand why I like both so much.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA What would you order at the Harley-Davidson Cafe? "I'll have the 'Crank Case' (burger with heavy steak sauce) a side of 'Handlebar Potatoes' (french fries) and an ice cold 'HD Lager' (beer)." Somehow, it just sucks some of the 'cool' and 'biker' factor out of the brand when you turn it into a themed restaurant. Themed restaurants always strike me as a pumped up kid's birthday party. Here's your Spongebob Squarepants table cloth, plates, cups and streamers. Ugh.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA Yeah. Sort of like all the crazy themed restaurants that have come and gone through the years. To some degree, I 'get' the 50s theme, like Johnny Rockets or Ed Debevics. The ESPN Zone makes some sense to me -- sitting and watching a sporting event. It's just that when you have 'Hard Rock Cafe' and then 'Planet Hollywood' which is then followed by bizarre things like 'Jekyll & Hyde' and 'Fashion Cafe' and 'Bubba Gump Shrimp' -- I don't know... Anyone remember that one at Universal City Walk in Hollywood -- 'Cafe Tu Tu Tango'? Amateur artists would create art, which was on display, and the waiters would provide crayons and stuff. The theme was thin at best, and the price of the food was out of control. I suppose my tastes have changed through the years, but honestly, I'd rather just have a good, well-prepared meal without all the other B.S. and distractions.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I like uber theming. Chinese style decor chinese restaurants, western saloons etc. How do those measure up for you Jim?
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo But yep, I went to the Hard Rock Cafe in Manchester. The hardest thing they played was Tom Petty and the guitar over me was signed by (not played by) Nirvana and Kurt Cobain's sig was missing. However, one of my Dad's bass drum heads from when he was with the Drifters is hanging in the Cardiff Hard Rock Cafe (my mom and I did the stencilling!)
Originally Posted By trekkeruss Speaking of themed restaurants, I wish I had had the opportunity to try the Soap Opera Bistro. I don't care for daytime dramas, but the concept of the place sounded fun. the interior was clever, and I heard the food was good too.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I agree. Somehow I think if it had been themed after sitcoms, it would still be around today.
Originally Posted By Tiggirl I really enjoyed the Soap Opera Bistro the one time I had the chance to eat there before it closed. I'm not a fan of soaps but the food was really tasty and the over-the-top dramatic waitstaff was a lot of fun to watch. ~Beth
Originally Posted By oneyepete "Somehow, it just sucks some of the 'cool' and 'biker' factor out of the brand when you turn it into a themed restaurant." I would agree with you Jim to some degree. I don't think the H-D Cafe' in Vegas is overly themed. Have you been there? I go because it "says" H-D. The food is good and I get to meet other bikers and show off my bike. I will agree that some places are way to far over the top.
