4 reasons to dine in during Dine Out Vancouver

circus

With Dine Out Vancouver upon us, many people are scrambling for reservations and trying to decide where to eat. After years of falling into this trap myself, the argument I am making now is that the only decision worth making is the decision to dine in during Dine Out. Here are my reasons why.

1. The Menus are Different (read: worse)

So you have always wanted to try a certain restaurant and you book during Dine Out. What happens when you get there? Chances are the restaurant will have a fixed price menu put together for Dine Out Vancouver. So how are you really trying out a restaurant if you are eating off a menu created specifically for the high-volume, low-price event? You aren’t. Want to order off the regular menu during Dine Out? Sure, you can do that, but the prices are the same as usual, and kitchen is swamped. Good luck.

2. The Atmosphere is Different (read: worse)

Popular restaurants are jammed full for Dine Out. Your first time to a fancy French restaurant? Unlike the other 50 weeks of the year, you might be stuck standing in the entrance for half an hour waiting for the tables to get turned, and you might get thrown out before you are ready to leave. Dine out creates a circus atmosphere in participating restaurants that is not representative of the restaurant during the rest of the year, and is another good reason to stay away.

3. The Service is Unprepared & Uninterested (read: bad)

Watch Kitchen Nightmares? What happens when you take a restaurant used to a measured pace of service, and then change the menu and pack it like an ACDC concert? In short: bad service. I have had trouble even getting a drink during Dine Out at a restaurant normally known for its service, during a meal that cost > $100 per head. Why bother?

4. The Diners are Culinary Tourists

The dine out crowd comes out to try new things that they usually can’t afford. This means that the restaurants are packed with customers who are generally paying less than a usual customer, and who are likely not coming back anytime soon. This creates a strange atmosphere in the restaurant, and demotivates beleaguered staff to really care. They are getting paid less to work harder and deal with a bunch of yahoos they won’t see again. You can’t blame them.

In summary, after a number of negative Dine Out experiences at restaurants I know are good otherwise, I no longer participate in Dine Out Vancouver and I can’t figure out why high end restaurants do either. There are some exceptions, such as Chambar, who ditched Dine Out last year, saying “Experienced Dine Out patrons know that the two-week event often means limited menu choices, surly service staff, and quick turns on the tables.”

I might be wrong. Chambar might be wrong. But could Chambar AND I both be wrong? Impossible. Do yourself a favor and book that restaurant you’ve always wanted to try during a regular service and enjoy it thoroughly. Leave the circus to people who don’t know any better.

Photo Credit: Sirwiseowl on Flickr CC-BY-NC

tags: dine out, Vancouver

April 19, 2010

_ts of [eatingclub] vancouver said,

I agree. The menus are so boring. And they’re all practically the same thing!

Jessica said,

I agree. I actually glazed over your tweet about this entry because I was not interested in dine out, it was only until @jvoon retweeted it that I actually read and digested it. Dining in during dine out? Add me to the list.

Raul said,

I’ve always supported Dine Out Vancouver (and no, not even ONCE have I had a meal comped by any participating restaurant). While I understand some of the reasons you put forth, what I think would be most valuable would be suggestions for participating restaurants on how to make the best of your Dine Out experience.

In a Vancouver post-recession, and where the restaurant scene is so competitive and cut-throat, I’m surprised that instead of encouraging customers to participate, you are deterring them.

Andy said,

I completely agree. I’m not going to any Dine Out restaurants this year. I started this resolve last year and I’ll keep it this year. The other patrons in the restaurant do make an impact on your dining experience. From what I’ve observed, I definitely don’t want to eat alongside them.

Ben said,

I agree with you, Jonathon. After going to Dine Outs year in, year out, we find it so predictable. It is the same old stuff most of the time and most restaurants serves virtually the same type of 3 course meals. Thanks for speaking out.

April 20, 2010

KimHo said,

I haven’t been to any Dine Out for a couple of years already and I have no regrets. Unfortunately, a friend of mine wanted to go this year and, because she is special, I had to oblige.

I agree with your first three points (the fourth is sort of a yes and no) and rather than fighting with these restaurants, I thought of going those that otherwise would be impossible to get a reservation. Or, just plainly expand your horizon by looking at restaurants outside of the DOV radar.

April 24, 2010

buzz said,

Foodies might hate it, but regular folk lap it up. There are more regular folk than foodies.

So I guess it’s “suck it up” for a couple weeks a year, and let the bridge and tunnel traffic have a night out in the big city.

May 21, 2010

Hidden (Dine Out Vancouver 2010) | 604 Foodtography said,

[...] Vancouver branding…but I won’t ramble on, I’ll just refer you to a great post by food and tell that sums things up quite nicely. However…it’s not to say that I will completely rule [...]

January 13, 2011

Kristen said,

Hey Raul – totally agree with your comment. Dine Out is and was created to create business for restaurants in a typically very SLOW and DEAD period for the industry. Without this business generator times would be even tougher during this period and the result could be a lot more restaurant closures.

Dine Out is now not just completely about restaurant deals either, it’s about restaurants and food & wine events – Dine Out is turning more and more into a culinary “festival” and is only going to get better as the year’s go on.

January 16, 2011

Still dining in during dine out, with caveats | Food and Tell said,

[...] Dine Out season begins again, bigger than ever, my rant from last year is getting some play. I have been a somewhat outspoken critic of Dine Out, a [...]

January 25, 2011

sophi said,

thanks. that was something i was worried about–losy service and boring or no chioces.