Off to The Blue Bean

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 10 Oct 2004, 16:16

Bob wrote:?David, I've heard enough. I withdraw my olive branch. You are clearly not worthy of our custom. Now, who wants to open a cafe with me? Child-friendly, customer-orientated, organic and fair-trade produce, nice comfy sofas, home baking, cool sounds, newspapers, board games, chill-out, stay as long as you like sort of thing?

Will we be allowed to say **** **** and stuff like that?

or will you be serviing up profanity filter coffee?

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 10 Oct 2004, 17:17

Bob, sounds good to me.

I know I should change thread before I say this but I see the Bedford is getting a revamp and opening at the end of October - will be great if Porty/Joppa gets somewhere decent to eat/drink.

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 10 Oct 2004, 17:38

Porty wrote: profanity filter coffee?

ROFLMAO

My nomination for the 2004 POL awards.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 10 Oct 2004, 17:39

Sandra wrote:

I see the Bedford is getting a revamp and opening at the end of October - will be great if Porty/Joppa gets somewhere decent to eat/drink.

I was speaking to Terry on Friday night and he said the revamp was on target so far for the 29th. I'm sure we're not the only two looking forward to it opening Sandra!

Post by **wangi** » 10 Oct 2004, 18:27

Was in the BB this afternoon - it was packed, so ended up going along to Luca's instead. Nice warm waffles with choc sauce and ice cream...

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 10 Oct 2004, 19:40

We quite often go in on a Sunday after our weekly promenade (you're garden's looking nice by the way Wangi!). However, today, due in part to Mr E's rather delicate head (well......Scotland did get beat again

) he didn't want to run the risk of rejection and possible extraction, so we had a cuppa in the hoose instead!

mr magnolia · Post by **mr magnolia** » 11 Oct 2004, 10:48

This threads getting scary - I have yet to go in and already feel I may not pass the test!

Sorry to see that the dadas are 'banned' - I was saving that for a spladooshing event!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 23 Nov 2004, 23:24

Time to resurrect the BB thread in light of the following incident involving a friend, who has asked me to post on his/her behalf:

I met a friend for lunch today and we'd agreed to go to Kitchener's as she loves it. However when we got there it was full. She asked if there was anywhere else and I reluctantly admitted there was the Blue Bean. Off we toddled.

Whilst there, another mutual non-local friend, with her friend and her two year old son, arrived also hoping for food and sat next to us. Of course, two year olds being...well, two, her son had set his heart on getting an ice cream and the BB doesn't have any. They asked if they could go and get one and then come back for their lunch. They were told no. They got up and walked out. Had our order not just arrived, we'd have joined them. I did tell my friends that I normally boycott the place.

I should add that in the interests of fairness and balance we are happy to hear from anyone who has has good service in this particular establishment, or indeed accounts of good or bad service in any local shop or restaurant.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 23 Nov 2004, 23:32

Bob wrote:Time to resurrect the BB thread in light of the following incident involving a friend, who has asked me to post on his/her behalf:

Trannies have problems in lost of establishments.

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 23 Nov 2004, 23:36

...whereas pedants who can't spell "lots" only have problems in forums populated by smart Alecs. Nice avatar though.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 23 Nov 2004, 23:37

Dadaist wrote:...whereas pedants who can't spell "lots" only have problems in forums populated by smart Alecs. Nice avatar though.

It was meant to be slot.

Skeely · Post by **Skeely** » 24 Nov 2004, 22:24

I should add that in the interests of fairness and balance we are happy to hear from anyone who has has good service in this particular establishment, or indeed accounts of good or bad service in any local shop or restaurant.

It's my favourite cafÃƒÂ© in Porty. The nachos are fantastic, portions are healthy and I've always found the service friendly. I can't say I recognise the curmudgeon occasionally described here, but then I've not been insulting him online.

McCabe · Post by **McCabe** » 24 Nov 2004, 22:37

I'm looking to set up a similar venture in Portobello. Wonder if there is enough space in the market though.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 24 Nov 2004, 23:36

Skeely wrote:but then I've not been insulting him online.

Who has?

This thread is overall quite posititve about Mr Bean's Cafe. There are also a number of posts that detail strange and indeed quite poor customer service. I would call it balanced.

However, a massive negative was the bizzare treatment dished out to Dadaist and his family. To paraphrase Spandau Ballet; Nachos are not enough.

bellybabe · Post by **bellybabe** » 25 Nov 2004, 12:22

McCabe wrote:I'm looking to set up a similar venture in Portobello. Wonder if there is enough space in the market though.

I think there probably is - we all miss Oop, and it can be very difficult to get a table in Kitcheners or the Blue Bean. I've tried three or four times in the last few weeks to have lunch in Kitcheners only to find no seats - I would definitely welcome another place!

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 25 Nov 2004, 14:18

Bellybabe wrote: we all miss Oop,

I don't, not even a smidgeon. Did you see the ad they took out in The Reporter berating the people of Portobello for not supporting our cafe? Maybe Mr McCabe should take cognaisance?

What about the day he put up a sign saying something like "Due to the ludicrous minimum wage imposed by the government, we are closed today as I need a day off.

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 25 Nov 2004, 21:42

Bellybabe wrote:
McCabe wrote:I'm looking to set up a similar venture in Portobello. Wonder if there is enough space in the market though.
I think there probably is -

And I think there probably isn't! Nothing personal Mr McCabe but I personally am sick to death of looking at food outlets be they Scottish, Indian, Italian, Chinese or something in between, sit in or take away. We are awash with food.

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 25 Nov 2004, 22:23

Epykat wrote: And I think there probably isn't! Nothing personal Mr McCabe but I personally am sick to death of looking at food outlets be they Scottish, Indian, Italian, Chinese or something in between, sit in or take away. We are awash with food.

Riiiiight. Um, ok. Er - your solution exactly is?

1) stop neon signage and enforce subdued lighting ?
2) only one takeaway per block ?
3) hide them on side streets so you can't see them ?
4) tolerance zones or ghettos for takeaways ?
5) all outlets to be given a seal of approval by lawrence llewelyn bowen ?
6) we should cook for ourselves ?

I personally am sick to death of looking at trees, be they oak, sycamore or elm. We are awash with trees.

Beach Babe · Post by **Beach Babe** » 25 Nov 2004, 22:37

McCabe wrote:I'm looking to set up a similar venture in Portobello. Wonder if there is enough space in the market though.

I would echo Bellybabe and say YES!!

now that we can't go into the BBC, it's a bit difficult to get a sit-in coffee as Kitcheners is always so busy that a seat there can't be guaranteed

in the end, Oop shut as (I assume) they weren't making enough money but I feel the potential is certainly still here in Portobello. I guess it's a matter of working out who your market is, providing good food/cakes/coffee in a pleasant environment and sticking to it - not changing things and alienating your previously targetted customers

bearcub · Post by **bearcub** » 26 Nov 2004, 00:38

McCabe wrote:I'm looking to set up a similar venture in Portobello. Wonder if there is enough space in the market though.

Have to say 'Yes', all the POL members banned from BBC would probably keep you in business on their own

mr magnolia · Post by **mr magnolia** » 26 Nov 2004, 01:33

You can never have enough decent coffee shops - Mrs M and I are suffering from the distinct lack of coffee/juice options. But we are saving a lot of money now there isn't anywhere to spend it!

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 31 Dec 2004, 02:06

Top rumour: Mr bean has become Mr has been. The BBC has been sold.

I hope and pray the soup standard is maintained but I have my doubts. Go on new owners make my day (s).

Beach Babe · Post by **Beach Babe** » 01 Jan 2005, 23:07

this is exciting news

hopefully the new owners will let us in

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 02 Jan 2005, 00:16

BTW the rumour did not originate from the Porty household, although they do believe it has substance.

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 02 Jan 2005, 14:21

I've got a feeling this happened before but the sale fell through at the last minute so don't put your latte order in yet Beachbabe!

Beach Babe · Post by **Beach Babe** » 02 Jan 2005, 22:27

Epykat wrote:I've got a feeling this happened before but the sale fell through at the last minute so don't put your latte order in yet Beachbabe!

and would that be a medium or a large latte that I should order so that my cup is full