Comments on: Edmonton’s Downtown Dining Week: Stagnant and Uninspired?

By: Sharon

Sharon — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 05:35:40 +0000

bruleeblog – yeah, what disappointed me the most about their response was their definite lack of interest in enhancing and reinventing the festival. I still view it as a good idea, but a missed opportunity to do better.

By: bruleeblog

bruleeblog — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 19:02:48 +0000

Late reply because I’m catching up on my reading from when I was away!

I totally agree with you Sharon. I started going to the Downtown Dining Week when it first started and, after a few years, gave up on it. Nothing they’ve done in the meantime has convinced me to give it another try. Original Fare does a much better job, even if they limit the days.

By: Eva

Eva — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:54:56 +0000

I’ve been to both Victoria and San Francisco’s dining week and Edmonton’s leave much to be desired.

I remember when the dining week in Edmonton was $25-$35 ( about 3 years ago) and L’Azia offered 2-3 options. Looking at some of this years menus (some which aren’t even a full 3 courses, many with no options, just take it or leave it), I think the concept needs to be seriously reworked.

I was under the impression Downtown Dining Week was to encourage people to try restaurants they’ve never tried before, and for restaurants to get people in their doors who’ve never been before by offering an affordable, promotional, limited time menu. At $50/dinner, and limited items, it doesn’t exactly encourage me to go try a restaurant that I haven’t already been dying to try. DBA needs to go back to the drawing board on this one, or I forsee downtown dining week dying out.

By: Only Here for the Food » Blog Archive » Artful Dining: ZINC

Only Here for the Food » Blog Archive » Artful Dining: ZINC — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 07:52:20 +0000

[...] spite of my criticisms of Downtown Dining Week, I had every intention of partaking in the food festival. While I do think [...]

By: Arlene

Arlene — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:57:05 +0000

Leave Zinc out of your recommendations, I’d suggest. The terrible service far outweighs the nice food, even for us foodies. I simply can’t fully appreciate a meal if my plate is dirty, my glass has someone else’s lipstick and my companion’s food is cold and the wrong order!

By: Sharon

Sharon — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 06:21:17 +0000

Kathy – I hadn’t read about that dinner; thanks for the link!

By: Kathy

Kathy — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 06:01:12 +0000

::gasp:: readerS “S” plural!!!!!

By: Kathy

Kathy — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 05:59:58 +0000

Sorry, I don’t know where else to put this but I thought you & your reader may be interested:

For the adventurous & altruistic:

Dinner in the dark:

http://www.edmontonsun.com/news/edmonton/2010/03/03/13102381.html

By: Sharon

Sharon — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 04:14:01 +0000

Thanks, Kenn!

H. Peter – I agree there is some onus on the citizens to change their behavior (to “play” downtown, especially for those who work and live in the area), but I think the core has to be enticing enough for people to spend their time and their dollars there. It’s definitely requires commitment from both parties.

Nikki – looking forward to meeting you!

By: Lea

Lea — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:30:59 +0000

I’m disappointed in the contrived tone of the responses. It really seemed like canned responses as opposed to actual enthusiasm, or worse, doesn’t even actually acknowledge the question at hand. Like your question about asking restaurants to partner up and the following answer didn’t actually address your suggestion.

Sharon, I wish you were part of the organization.