What's this I hear about a GR Restaurant?

[wonki wonki]

I would have never guessed.

[ja.net]

Chef Poon welcomes you.

[dimbulb]

for reals?
where did you hear that?

[jinzoningen]

Yeah, I hear it's gonna be called the Robot Lounge. Go figure.

[wonki wonki]

http://www.latimes.com/la-wk-ungallery1jul01,1,5540500.story

[martin]

Any dishwashers out there?

[dimbulb]

wonki> can't see the article unless you're a registered member.

what types of food are you serving there?

[Robocon^^]

July 1, 2004

UNGALLERY
Where did East meet West? In L.A.

By Heseon Park, Special to The Times

It's been 10 years since Giant Robot editors Erik Nakamura and Martin Wong photocopied and stapled their first 'zine, a vehicle for their personal interests that sought to explore Asian and underground cultures.
Now the quarterly publication has spawned bustling commercial ventures while establishing itself as a bridge between Asian and pop cultures.
"Over 10 years, [Nakamura and Wong] have nurtured a voice of a generation without knowing it," says Wing Ko, a local filmmaker who has documented the boarding culture. "They've outlasted trends — 'zine culture, dot-com boom, glossy Asian-centric magazines, all while doing it on their own terms."
That connection to culture will be celebrated with an exhibition of artists who have helped shape the magazine's identity. The show begins Saturday at GR2, the second of two Giant Robot spaces on Sawtelle Boulevard, where a crop of mostly Japanese-owned businesses has taken root in L.A.'s Westside. That a third outlet, GRSF in San Francisco, has opened and that plans are in the works for a restaurant on Sawtelle speak to the editors' abilities to transform ideas into enterprise.
All have grown from a publication whose content has included in-depth stories on the Sriracha hot sauce factory in Rosemead, Korean cinema and Asian mass murderers, as well as pieces on Snoopy in Japan, Balinese cockfighting and life behind bars in a Tokyo jail cell.
"I think a lot of us at GR grew up on the outskirts of Asian American culture, and I think GR is a response to that," Nakamura says. "I think there are more people like us."
Giant Robot seems to speak to a generation raised on equal parts Bruce Lee, Mad magazine, ramen and Hello Kitty.
"GR has become a direct byproduct of the multicultural shabu-shabu bowl here in Los Angeles," says reader Gregory Han, a Silver Lake-based graphic designer. "The same city where Morrissey's fan base is comprised of predominantly Mexican rockabilly kids, where Korean clubs are the biggest nighttime draw in the city. I don't think Giant Robot could have started anywhere else but Los Angeles."
Still, when GR sought more space for its growing e-commerce business in 2001, Nakamura and Wong weren't exactly welcomed into Sawtelle's established enclave of sushi joints, noodle bars, grocers and Japanese nurseries.
"We tried to get a spot in a strip mall near our current location, but they refused, citing we'd bring a bad element into the mall," Nakamura recalls. Three years after the first GR store opened, Sawtelle brims with vintage clothing stores, hip shops and eateries that open late to accommodate Giant Robot-ites on gallery nights.
"The GR stores themselves are a notable accomplishment, because they're an Asian American business that is both 'insider' yet accessible to almost anybody," says Han, who says all things Asian have hit the radar.
Browsing GR's store online (www.giantrobot.com) or on Sawtelle, one finds a harmonious mix of art and anime, comics and classics: issues of McSweeney's, Uglydoll figurines, Chris Ware comics, Stanley Kubrick from Taschen, Yoshitomo Nara ashtrays, as well as limited-edition kozyndan prints.
Also notable has been Giant Robot's devotion to emerging talent and movements here and abroad.
"We've been actively trying to promote cinema from Asian and Asian American sources, if we like them," Nakamura says. "Little by little we're able to do more things like this to help others."
"GR is our home base," say Dan Kitchens, of husband-and-wife illustrating team kozyndan, who credits Giant Robot for launching their career from Cal State Fullerton art department grads to highly sought-after artists whose work now appears on everything from Weezer cover art to pricey Japanese sneakers.
Kitchens explains Giant Robot's influence: "I think GR is a magazine that's really tackled that aspect of how strange and wonderful Asian culture is — without snickering at it."
Perhaps Giant Robot's biggest feat was navigating a place within the media machine that is L.A., populated with chock-a-block blockbusters, vapid reality shows and celebrity rags.
Nakamura and Wong "proudly stated they don't give a melted mochi about what others think, and they've proclaimed they cover things they like, not what others do," says Han. "Their favorite response to negative fan mail is to 'go start your own magazine.' "
And Nakamura and Wong have accomplished this while being able to thumb their noses at any notion of "East is East, and West is West, never the twain shall meet" left over from a bygone era.
"I'm a local, grew up around here and know the old-school merchants, and this is where a lot of my childhood memories are," Nakamura says of Sawtelle. "I've always felt it was the perfect place for Giant Robot. It's home to me."
The entrepreneurs see the GR-themed restaurant, also planned for the Sawtelle neighborhood, as "a challenge but a logical progression" of the enterprise's growth, Wong says.
Adds Nakamura: "It was either that or a Laundromat."

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heseon Park can be reached at weekend@latimes.com

'Giant Robot 10 Years'
What: Group exhibition by artists whose works have inspired Giant Robot magazine, such as Yoshitomo Nara, Gary Baseman, Mark Ryden, Uglydolls, Clare Rojas, Seonna Hong, Ai Yamaguchi, kozyndan, Luke Chueh, Jordan Crane and Adrian Tomine.
Where: GR2, 2062 Sawtelle Blvd., L.A.
When: Opens Saturday. Reception 5-10 p.m. Saturday.
Ends Aug. 4.
Contact: (310) 445-9276 or http://www.giantrobot.com

[wonki wonki]

oops, robocon beet mee to eet.

[stranger]

hmmm....cool, I'll be there chillin

[fmstlr]

I'm placing the first order:

Moch Boba Tea, Corn-beef Omlette, and some Veggie fake Roast Duck.

You can join me for LUNCH there.

[Evil Mastermind]

Will they have a real iron chef?

http://incolor.inebraska.com/aat/horizonscook.jpg

[jinzoningen]

Originally posted by Robocon^^

"We tried to get a spot in a strip mall near our current location, but they refused, citing we'd bring a bad element into the mall," Nakamura recalls.

Bad element? You mean geeks and pariahs of the asian persuasian are a threat to mankind? Who knew.

[Jack]

Someone should contact Tadao and ask him if he wants to take over the GRestaurant franchise.

[fmstlr]

he'd be on the board all the time and the customers waiting hours for their food.

[shibire]

Ok I suck and I have bad reading comprehension, anyway, where's the details on the restaurant?

[hillsy]

"It was either that or a Laundromat."

Hah.....that's funny!

Seriously though, how is a restaurant a natural progression? Isn't that more of a lateral movement or a sidetrack? Mind you, I'm just being inquisitive...you guys have run a successful business for 10 years, so 'tis not my place to critique....

[charlos3000]

i'll be your #1 waiter!

[fmstlr]

Originally posted by charlos3000
i'll be your #1 waiter!

if you're wearing a lorex, you're okay.

if you're wearing a rolex, he'd spit in your food.

[Robocon^^]

Originally posted by shibire
Ok I suck and I have bad reading comprehension, anyway, where's the details on the restaurant?
It's the last couple sentences in the article I pasted. No specifics, but it makes a GR restaurant on Sawtelle sound like a done deal.

[Thirty Nine]

Are they gonna flog another space on Sawtelle, or just shift things?

Fuck staying indoors, how about Yakitori sheds outside and a Ramen cart for weekends?

[Thirty Nine]

and for SF, they should just do a block party with Amoeba and the rest of the neighbors on that Axis.

[Evil Mastermind]

I'll be happy to create a specialty drink if the GRestaurant ever gets a liquor license.

Perhaps this was what the job thread was about. Or I'm way off.

[shawgirl74]

Originally posted by Evil Mastermind
I'll be happy to create a specialty drink if the GRestaurant ever gets a liquor license.

this is an AWESOME idea.

[kamenriderv3]

Originally posted by Evil Mastermind
I'll be happy to create a specialty drink if the GRestaurant ever gets a liquor license.

GR Bar...hmmm.

lots of alcoholic bots will be there.

where's long duck?

[Liver_on_a_Stick]

Is Bill Poon becoming the head chef?

[hillsy]

http://www.toyboxdx.com/popy/popy_data/images/ga_bg/ga_23_b.jpg

[Robocon^^]

monk-food? (I hope) yumm...veggie done right :)

[sanjay]

my wife will love it if they have a good veggie selection! please get a liquor license so i can become a regular indian bukowski and bang on your doors at 7 AM to get hooch...

or at least some grass jelly/boba type drinks.

[charlos3000]

i think eclectic veggie would be great too!

[Thirty Nine]

It can't be less than the best veggie menu in LA, man. How long have they been covering dining in-depth? Gotta be better than any spot in LA, period.

[sanjay]

Originally posted by Thirty Nine
It can't be less than the best veggie menu in LA, man. How long have they been covering dining in-depth? Gotta be better than any spot in LA, period.

quoted for brown-nosing

[Eric Nakamura]

hillsy, you the man... that's my boy in that pic...

[Thirty Nine]

Oh fuck yah. I mean, are they gonna poach cooks or have whoevers been working the kitchens around town?

And if the place had really crappy food, that would really, really suck. But I don't think it'll happen. Some places just throw stupid ideas on the wall and hope they stick...but here's where I cross my fingers.

[wnoodle]

[on knees and praying]
"Please don't be a vegetarian joint! Please don't be a vegetarian joint! Please don't be a vegetarian joint! Please don't be a vegetarian joint! Please don't be a vegetarian joint! Please don't be a vegetarian joint!"
[/on knees and praying]

[Eric Nakamura]

Ok

1) It's not going to be vegetarian.

2) We'll have to find a chef. Know any?

3) Will the food be healthy? yes. but that doesn't mean it's going to be totally nasty.

4) What kind of food? giant Robot food.

5) Ai Yamaguchi is scheduled to paint a mural inside.

that's all I know...

[DJ LunchBox]

<----greatest host alive yo. Holla!!

[wnoodle]

If I move down your ways, will you guys give me a job washing dishes and prepping food? I can do that stuff with a smile.

[angoraphobia]

good luck guys....its damn hard work.....but it can be fun.....

[fmstlr]

I will swim in th3 giant fishtank to entertain the guests...

Originally posted by Aniki
<----greatest host alive yo. Holla!!

Not that I plan on moving, but you'd have to battle it out with me for that one. I'm not giving my title up any time too soon. :p

[DJ LunchBox]

2 outta 3 falls gurl. Here comes the pain!! :D

No, no...it's 2 hits...me hitting you, you hitting the floor.

[DJ LunchBox]

easy killer......

:D

[DJ LunchBox]

:p :heart:

^that's not gonna make me go any easier on you...

[DJ LunchBox]

oh itsawn!!!!!

[sanjay]

MAKE IT AN INDIAN RESTAURANT... or just name one the appetizers the sanjay kebab :p

i will but tons of it!

[wnoodle]

^ Hahaha! That's the ticket, name menu items after Loungers!

[Eric Nakamura]

like

long peking duck

Aniki asparagus

skeetor salad

[wonki wonki]

skeetor salad with protein dressing on the side

[sanjay]

that shit would be funny!

[wonki wonki]

I want wonkfish liver with ponzu sauce.

[sanjay]

i will stick with letting people eat my kebab.

[Evil Mastermind]

Please have good coffee and one of those UFO's that you put a quarter in it and it moves around and makes annoying noises.

[fmstlr]

Originally posted by Eric Nakamura
like

long peking duck

Aniki asparagus

skeetor salad

shrimp tempura?

[wonki wonki]

fltmgnn sanjwich

[Jack]

Wonky Honky Crab Rangoon?

[sanjay]

wine list by ja.net?

[wnoodle]

^ I think "Wine List by Iago" would be more apt., but to read it you'd hafta suck on a jade stalk first.

[hippyjonny]

i agree there should be at least one indian dish.

does the liquor license carry over from the previous owner. is it really gonna be called the robot lounge. will there be a hugh stuff marlin on the wall.

cant wait for the first pepper entrusted ahi salad

[Robocon^^]

pinoy prison/euro fusion cuisine

[tangent23]

there needs to be an old school arcade room

[fmstlr]

http://www.southbayfunclub.com/PhotoPages/2004/Texas%20Loosey's/images/Texas%20Looseys%20011_jpg.jpg

[Jack]

Hot Dog! We have a wiener!

[acid_squid]

you know the acid squid calamari rings will be a surefire hit.

[Evil Mastermind]

Maybe a Randall toast chair would be a nice breakfast item.

[shawgirl74]

wow, that idea made me sick the first time i saw it, and i guess it still does.

[shawgirl74]

^^i meant the toast chair, not the restaurant.

[key_loser]

Okay, but the REAL question is: will we be able to place orders for pick up online?

[unhip]

Originally posted by Robocon^^
Where did East meet West? In L.A.


this "east meets west" phrase needs to die fast and hard.

[Eric Nakamura]

We'll ship the food to you. Just add hot water.

[GONG_LORD]

People can come in and order a GONG_LORD = "glass of ice water".

[DJ LunchBox]

Originally posted by Eric Nakamura


Aniki asparagus



Asparagus? man.....

How about Aniki antipasto?

[fygar]

Originally posted by Eric Nakamura
We'll ship the food to you. Just add hot water.

If Giant Robot ever puts out its own line of instant ramen... Actually, I'd probably by a pack, just to see what it tasted like.

The restaurant needs one of those old cocktail arcade cabinets with Pac-Man or Dig Dug.

[Hap]

Originally posted by Aniki


Asparagus? man.....

How about Aniki antipasto?

I got one.

Aniki lime pie.

[ninjaKid]

Originally posted by Hap


I got one.

Aniki lime pie.

mwahahahah!!!

you gotta have ninjaKid's Meals!

[shawgirl74]

hahaha^^

[DJ LunchBox]

Originally posted by Hap


I got one.

Aniki lime pie.

:D [lil john] yeah!!!![/lil john]

Originally posted by ninjaKid


mwahahahah!!!

you gotta have ninjaKid's Meals!

OMG! That's the best!

[Evil Mastermind]

After the meal, you can offer Evil Mastermints.

[Hap]

Boo Boo Kittyki Tenders.

Archonemiso Soup.

[Yumyumcha]

How about some Hap sauce with that?

[Liver_on_a_Stick]

Offer some Liver on sticks!

[Eric Nakamura]

skooteriyaki (with protein sauce)
yumyumchasoba
martin wontong soup
eric nakamuramen

[stryfe]

bukkake?

i think kv3 had it and said it was good.

[Hap]

Originally posted by Eric Nakamura
eric nakamuramen

LOL!

[invictus]

Originally posted by CoupDeFeu
No, no...it's 2 hits...me hitting you, you hitting the floor.

Isn't that supposed to be "Me hitting you. Me hitting you again."? A friend of mine had a zine called 2 Hits... maybe he messed it up...

[kamenriderv3]

Originally posted by stryfe
bukkake?

i think kv3 had it and said it was good.

it...

it tasted "brown".

:(

[wnoodle]

^ I didn't know you're one of those "synestist" types.

[Garlic]

kamen ramen

aniki "shame-free" stir fry

mewmewacotti with beef sauce

shawgirl's spicy surprise

[wnoodle]

Roasted Garlic

Originally posted by invictus


Isn't that supposed to be "Me hitting you. Me hitting you again."? A friend of mine had a zine called 2 Hits... maybe he messed it up...

I have no idea. :p

[evillilgirl]

i wished we lived out there my fiance is a great chef

[Ryan]

man u guys need some coffee with condensed milk in there..

[Eric Nakamura]

We shall serve no fries before their time

[feralmuppet]

feralMuffins--extra bran

[Decadent1]

Originally posted by herrokitty

awesome.

Right arm! No heat lamp lit papas fritas!

[650lex]

Originally posted by Eric Nakamura
We shall serve no fries before their time

NO SHIRTS
NO SHOES
NO DICE!!!!

[Jack]

Can the Sweet/Sour Chicken be, like Hapa Chicken or some shit? Man, that would be rad.

[empanadamn]

dingleberry pancakes?
with soysage and homeboy fries?
mmm...mmm...MMM!

[Robocon^^]

any new news? I heard it could be opening as soon as another week or two.

[slackerbot]

yes, post an update please.

[fmstlr]

I HEARD that they only serve food fit for a vegan baby.

I was hoping for BIG MILKY TITS.

[wonki wonki]

I've seen suspicious goings-on on Sawtelle recently...

[slackerbot]

yeah, i hear the GR restaurant is just a front for a sweatshop that makes fake LV gear. :p

[wnoodle]

The name of the resto is quite clever. Kudos to whoever came up with gr/eats.

[Eric Nakamura]

Update: thanks for caring. We're working to restore the place.. in the beginning, we thought, "why not just clean up some, and open up." But we decided to really clean it up and redo things to make it better. There's a lot more we could be doing, but we decided to take a higher road, instead of just turning on the sign... All I know is the place before had a B rating... how the fuck it got a B amazes me. It was pretty disgusting. I can go into more detail...

the look of the place, it's going to be clean and nice. Think GR2 but a place to eat, with Ai yamaguchi art on the walls.

Aside from dealing with food, we're dealing with stuff like the plates, glass cups, etc...

And yes, it's still true. We shall serve no fries before their time.

[invictus]

I'm so very excited for this. Dudes, be assured MUCH hard work and research going on - I can see the buzy bees flying in and out of the joint all the time.

[Eric Nakamura]

I'm finding that a restaurant is a lot harder than a store. There's health inspections... We haven't had one yet, but did you know stuff like a fridge being 41 degrees instead of 40 will dock you like many points, eggs can't be on a bottom shelf of a fridge, you get docked there, I hear paint on the floor in the kitchen will get you big deductions, and there's so many more. So a B can be for super minor infractions.

Yeah, there's a lot of stuff that has to be followed. I remember some of those things you just mentioned when I had to take a food handler's license test once. It seemed pretty easy to me, but there was a guy there who was taking it for the fourth time, and still failed.

[sanjay]

Originally posted by wnoodle
The name of the resto is quite clever. Kudos to whoever came up with gr/eats.

I came up with GR/eat http://www.giantrobot.com/forums/showthread.php3?s=&threadid=28919

OMG do I get a prize?? Just name a dish after me- THAT WOULD ROCK!

[fmstlr]

^Sanj's MILF Shakes.

come in 3 flavors: choco, banana, strawberry.

[sanjay]

awesome :cool:

omg, hahahahahahahahaha

perfection!

[sanjay]

My Milf's shake brings all the boys to the yard...

[Eric Nakamura]

Wouldn't pop punk make a great busboy? We're thinking of converting him to busboy/dishwasher.

[Killjoy]

when does it open, do you know yet?

[fmstlr]

make him wear a kilt and be the greeter.

[key_loser]

Originally posted by Eric Nakamura
Wouldn't pop punk make a great busboy? We're thinking of converting him to busboy/dishwasher.

Less thinking, more converting

[sanjay]

Originally posted by fmstlr
make him wear a kilt and be the greeter.

this made me keele

[Johnney5]

*frump*

[ja.net]

Originally posted by Eric Nakamura
I hear paint on the floor in the kitchen will get you big deductions, and there's so many more. So a B can be for super minor infractions.

Yeah, a lot of the stuff they come up with is pretty ridiculous. I *heard* there is some graft in the health dept too and that *some* restaurants got As for reasons other than sterility. Just a *rumor*

[fmstlr]

rated "A" for Asian.

[slackerbot]

it's strange that "B" rated restaurants usually have good food.

[fmstlr]

as I always tell my kids, "B" means Best.

[key_loser]

Does that apply to report cards, as well?

[lynrei]

green tea leaf salad. make that, and i'll eat there alll the time.

[Nelson]

Prior is doing an amazing job with very limited tools pulling off a "swan" makeover all alone. I was blown away... tremendous patience, meticulous craftmanship and all done moonlighting after his full time job. Inspiring!

[Robocon^^]

Originally posted by lynrei
green tea leaf salad. make that, and i'll eat there alll the time.

...does it give you a caffeine buzz?

[wonki wonki]

Originally posted by key_loser
Does that apply to report cards, as well?

I thought "B" meant "Beatdown."

I kid.

[martin]

Counting/relishing the days until this thread crosses over with the "hitting on a waitress" thread...

[martin]

Then again, I'd probably be flattered to be hit upon.

Originally posted by martin
Counting/relishing the days until this thread crosses over with the "hitting on a waitress" thread...

haha, martin, you're twisted :)

[wnoodle]

^ You just wait, it's gonna happen.

[invictus]

Originally posted by martin
Then again, I'd probably be flattered to be hit upon.


So.... you're gonna be waitressing there? Dude. Issue 35 was totally good, don't give up on the magazine!!!

[RailroadEarth]

i'm really late on this...

so it's gonna be in LA, right?

[Robocon^^]

yep, next to the hardware store next to GR2

[Eric Nakamura]

damn!

[YelloKitty]

who is the chef?

[Eric Nakamura]

nelson magana
does that help?

[YelloKitty]

I KNOW HIM!!!!!

just jk

[Eric Nakamura]

u saw him on ironchef?

[YelloKitty]

no i saw him on google

[slackerbot]

so does that mean Eric or Martin will dress up in ruffle shirts and present the theme ingredients for the day?

[YelloKitty]

BATTLE WATER!

[Eric Nakamura]

"my water broke..."

[Robocon^^]

need any proofeaters?

[Sid]

I know you guys are vegan (Martin and I think Eric too?)...is this going to be a vegetarian restaurant?

[fmstlr]

Originally posted by Sid
I know you guys are vegan (Martin and I think Eric too?)...is this going to be a vegetarian restaurant?

http://www.drokk.com/familyindigestion/recipes/images/Itsfromcans.jpg

[Eric Nakamura]

no I'm not vegan, and no we will serve all kinds of foods.

[randall fairbrook]

ribs?

[slackerbot]

you should serve food items mentioned in past GR issues. yummm.. bundaegi.

[YelloKitty]

PRISON FOOD!

[slackerbot]

yes, i thought the prison food recipes were interesting. i think i still have that issue.

[Nelson]

Nelson Magana! Fresh! A chef that takes pride in his cooking. I always enjoyed working with him. He can always tweak food to your very own personalized taste. All the kitchen needs is Champion and that will complete the dreamteam staff.

[slackerbot]

it's ketchup!

and yes, come out here for a visit.

[wnoodle]

Originally posted by herrokitty
so is this something i should fly in for? a gala affair?
A gala affair, eh? Maybe Brendan Fraser will attend!

[Eric Nakamura]

Nelson Kuo is the only one here who'd know who Nelson M is... Nelson does great work. Nelson M is an iron chef in the making. Yeah, he's not schooled at culinary school, but he's kind of like the working person's chef. Learned on the job, loves to make food, and will take crits and will change things up. Don't get me wrong the school way is great too, but for GR, I like to think we're working people, and we too learned on the job. There's no journalism school, business school, or anything like that. We're all homegrown, home taught... so Nelson M fits in.

[Robocon^^]

what's new?

[acid_squid]

AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW damn! Hot SPy Pics going on.

http://www.gr2.net/images/greats.jpg

[fmstlr]

blank wall needz graff

[invictus]

The tagger that hits that wall will die by my hand..... I'll let Eric and Pryor get a punch in too.

[fmstlr]

To die by your side
Well, the pleasure - the privilege is mine

[Robocon^^]

I like how those izakayas have famous people sign the walls when they drop by.

[Eric Nakamura]

Hoping for Feb first week.

[ja.net]

Can't wait. I'm famished.

[Hap]

Originally posted by Eric Nakamura
Hoping for Feb first week.

I think you should have a raffle for seats at your preview night.

You guys have a liquor license?

[herrokitty]

Originally posted by ja.net
Can't wait. I'm famished.
have you been fasting in anticipation, as well?

[slackerbot]

early February?

got a menu ready?

[fmstlr]

hey, your sign is not straight. just so you know.

[acid_squid]

Special item -
The Fmstlr Special = Bag of Dicks.

[fmstlr]

super sized.

[stinky]

bag o' dicks. haaahhahahahahahah

[Eric Nakamura]

Damn, that's weird.

[akuma]

Originally posted by Hap



You guys have a liquor license?

[herrokitty]

Originally posted by acid_squid
Special item -
The Fmstlr Special = Bag of Dicks.
zing of the day

[grandma tran]

i'd like to make a reservation for 5 on grand opening evening, please. thanks.

[stinky]

i wonder if they have a liquor license.

[invictus]

I don't think so.... but I could be wrong.

[dragon chic]

sounds great guys, keep up the good work! *mama loves the sign*.

[ja.net]

Originally posted by invictus
my hand..... I'll let Eric and Pryor get a punch in too.

Oh, my bad. It's your restaurant. I thought it was eric's for a second there.

[invictus]

Yes, yes it is.

I don't want people to tag the wall because it's MY restaurant, not because it would piss me off to see someone disrespect the work that Eric, Pryor and many others have put into it.

Yes, I said that because I own the restaurant and it's mine.

You're so darn clever sometimes....

[abutilon]

i saw it with mine own eyes today. how exciting!
how many people will it seat?
Will you serve kids meals with bearbricks as prizes? please?

[fmstlr]

what if Banksy hits that wall, would you kill him?

[invictus]

Isn't his ass rotting in jail right now?

[fmstlr]

it's a hypothetical question.

[invictus]

If it wasn't a commissioned piece I would most definitely attempt to bash his face in.

[hippyjonny]

how many seats?

[invictus]

Some little bastard stenciled some crap in front of GR2 (inside the entryway) and I was seeing red... He also hit Black Market. Maybe s/he thought s/he was doing us a fucking favor, but it's not cool. It would be even more uncool to tag the walls of the restaurant. You might as well just take a shit on the welcome mat while you're at it.

[slackerbot]

all in the name of art.

just post a sign..

taggers, vandals, and "artists" who are caught defacing these walls will be caned and then sodomized with the same cane.

[fmstlr]

or deep fried with green tomatoes and served as an menu item.

[Eric Nakamura]

Any unauthorized graffiti isn't welcome. It's the same as what you'd probably want at or in your house. maybe.

A sign would be nothing but ironic since I'm friends with some graf folks here and there. Imagine if there was a sign like that, I'm sure that would breed more graf, and speaking of graf, is graf only unauthorized? It's vandalism, but allowed vandalism isn't vandalism, so maybe it's no longer graffiti. And even on that subject, is Banksy even graffiti? And what's the difference between graffiti and art? And is art, just painting a wall one color? Rothko kind of did that. And if I painted a wall purple in an unauthorized place, or on some random private lot, is that graffiti?, or am I just painting a purple bar? Or is my purple bar art? Then we get to the food, and is that art? It seems like it's a creation, but it's just food. It's good food, I think, but then again, I'm not sure if that means that it's special or not. Adult and kids could get anything, even though it's only in one sized portion, but I'm not sure if the size of the dish is considered for adult or for children. Who says either is what it is? And then the chairs, there's thirty of them, and they are olive green herman miller eames side shells. Those are in museums displayed as a design milestone, but if it's in a museum, is it art? Because space invader has a few pieces unauthorized in the Louvre, and that's graffiti, but it's been there for years, but maybe it's art because it's in there. And when we open, even though the doors are open does that make it the grand opening? Because most places open first for maybe a month, and then they celebrate a grand opening once they have their system down. I'm not sure for which day a reservation is wanted, even though we're not taking any reservations.

[sanjay]

lotsa words, but what's on the menu dude?

[fmstlr]

jitters


inthe air

[slackerbot]

i think the menu will be ameri-euro-asian fusion cuisine. hipsters from all over will flock to the grand opening and there will be a 3 month waiting list for reservations.

[randall fairbrook]

i hope you guys will serve peanut butter and banana shakes

[dragon chic]

nice pic fmstlr! hot bunz!

suggestion: please make it kid friendly w/kick ass cool, better-than-denny's kids menu, cool pics to color, the works!

high chairs and boosters, please.

[invictus]

No reservations, Popunk is not equipped to be a maitre d', just a busboy...

[Eric Nakamura]

Monday! we should barring any issues, be open on monday 12-3 siesta time then 5-10

It's not the grande opening, that'll come later after we work out more kinks. etc.

eric

[slackerbot]

what's on the menu?

[fmstlr]

it better has a giant wooden spoon + fork up on teh wall.

[slackerbot]

and a wooden spork.

[Eric Nakamura]

we're tryin...!

[shammy718]

Originally posted by Eric Nakamura
Monday! we should barring any issues, be open on monday 12-3 siesta time then 5-10

It's not the grande opening, that'll come later after we work out more kinks. etc.

eric


^ooh i'll just miss it this time. will be back soon :) .

[Eric Nakamura]

Explaining the food. It's mixed stuff. Hard to explain but the same time simple. There is a hamburger but at the same time, there's a tofu burger. Pastas, chickens, salads, fish, etc.

[slackerbot]

as long as you got ranch dressing for the salad. :)

i'll try to make it down there for lunch.

[Eric Nakamura]

Ranch?! sorry!

[slackerbot]

ok, i'm not coming then.

[Eric Nakamura]

awww

[stinky]

Good luck guys. I hope to someday venture to the best coast to spend a day GRing.

[Eric Nakamura]

wow thanks. where r u at Stinky?

[stinky]

arizona

[Eric Nakamura]

close by! sort of, but thanks. hope u like the stores and all that. thanks.

[floater]

OOoooOOOo... i'm excited! i can't wait! =) especially for those enoki mushrooms! hahahahah~

[Hap]

GR/Eats webcam!

[Liver_on_a_Stick]

Who's the chef/cook?

Will there be a feature on the restaurant in an issue of GR?

[Eric Nakamura]

Nelson Magana, he's in the mag a little this issue... maybe we'll do something on it...

[Hap]

12-3 / 5-10 Everyday?

[TypeFiend]

It would be keen to see the menu online. Regardless, we'll be there soon to check it out and have a fun meal :)

[invictus]

I'm going to get some lunch before they close up until dinner!!!

Should I get one of their massive salads or the tofu burger?

[sanjay]

food reviews please! i can't go till maybe tomorrow...

[invictus]

I went with the veggie paella, which for a vegan who hates vegetables is a really big deal! It probably has almost a dozen different kinds of veggies in it, but it's amazing that nothing overwhelms the other. It tastes really fresh, light and as colorful as it is. It's got purple potatoes, yellow squash, gigantic mushrooms and lots of other things I probably wouldn't ever eat indivudally for fear of being healthy, but taste really, really good in this dish.

[Eric Nakamura]

12-3 5-10... hmm, not sure if it's every day, but we're open for lunch on the weekends too. Trying to somehow match the GR store hours...

Our first lunch went off without too many disasters. Actually not many at all. I didn't really publicize it except for here and word of mouth. But we're trying our best to get shit straight.

The restaurant thing is pretty diff than a store. It's pretty humbling at times. What do you do when a fridge breaks down? Instead of the DIY thing, it's call and get help, but then it's sooo expensive to get anything fixed.

We'll have a grand opening at some point soon.

Thanks for all of your support!

I also still have to make the website. Even if it's just a page. I'll get to that eventually.

[ja.net]

So what was it like? Did you get a lot of people? Did you actually have a problem with the fridge? I bet the guys over at Surfas/Van Rex can recommend a repair guy, if you don't have one already...

[Eric Nakamura]

We have one. The fridge works, the oven didn't but our fridge guy fixed it. We didn't get a lot of people, but then again, we didn't really get the word out yet. I'm afraid for the kitchen folks. I don't know if they are ready for it to be really busy, but we'll be sending the info out this week in our weekly email. Plus who knows maybe word of mouth will happen.

One question I have. The parking lot. It's about 6 cars or so. But strangers park it in all the time. There are signs, and it's pretty obvious that you're not supposed to be parking in there.

When do we tow? It's lame to give a warning since, that means, I have to stand there and wait for them to come back to their car. We've been leaving paper notes on the cars, but in the end, there's just another car who's park there instead. We wrote a note to the businesses telling them to let their customers know... So I don't know what else to do...

[ja.net]

I think the usual procedure is to poke your head into the neighbor's business 9or call them) and let them know that the Ford with plate 1234567 is about to be towed, and they had better come move it. That gives them a chance. Pain, though.

[akuma]

Originally posted by Hap

You guys have a liquor license?

Originally posted by stinky
i wonder if they have a liquor license.


?????

[slackerbot]

i hear it can be a pain to get a liquor license.

[Eric Nakamura]

but the problem is, around here, which business do we ask?

No liquor or byob allowed. you need 2 bathrooms, a M and a F to have a chance at it... even then you might not be able to get it.

eric

[akuma]

damn...



no matter about the booze, i know yall will have killer eats to bring the peeps.

[angoraphobia]

Eric....

You are going to learn that over time you will know what you can and can't fix. It just takes time. It's a good idea to find out good service people in your area. Become friendly with the other reputible restaurants in your area and ask them. Especially for refrigeration, sewage issues and grease trap maintenance/problems. Those for some reason end up being quite regular over time.

Try to buy your food items, restaurant equip wholesale (the restaurant equip is many times better to buy refurbished or second hand from hotels, auctions and ebay). It's a good idea to interview various distributors, see who has good prices and who carries quality products.

Be sure to track your inventory. This is a monthly and year end thing. This way you can tell what you are spending on stuff and what you should keep and get rid of. Also it helps you when youre buying, so that you know how much you are spending per pound/ounce/napkin/gallon etc. and it lets you find better ways to purchase and sell.

Unfortunately being the owner means you have to be kind of a hard nose. You have to make sure your workers aren't wasting (throwing away silverware, handing out too many napkins/condiments) or stealing money or food. If you have signs posted and someone is parking in your lot, you have to tow, especially if you are freaking busy out of your skull and don't have time to run over to your neighbor's business and tell them that someone needs to move a car.

A restaurant is a tough thing, but if you are selling a good product, once the reviews start pouring in, it's addictive!

Good luck man!

[slackerbot]

so when's the first health inspection? i only eat at restaurants with a "B" rating. :D

[fmstlr]

hire someone to patrol your parking lot equipped with this

http://www.yorkjitsu.org/graphics/weapons/kusari_gama.jpg

it works wonder.

[Eric Nakamura]

someone got their car towed....

[Johnney5]

Originally posted by Eric Nakamura


One question I have. The parking lot. It's about 6 cars or so. But strangers park it in all the time. There are signs, and it's pretty obvious that you're not supposed to be parking in there.

When do we tow? It's lame to give a warning since, that means, I have to stand there and wait for them to come back to their car. We've been leaving paper notes on the cars, but in the end, there's just another car who's park there instead. We wrote a note to the businesses telling them to let their customers know... So I don't know what else to do...

i'm surprised you haven't assigned me that task...I could be Poppunk the Parking Lot Protector...
I just request a special GR hat with a plaid robot on a black hat.

[slackerbot]

maybe the signs aren't clear enough? does it say something like "unauthorized cars will be towed at owner's expense."? if it just says, "no parking", then that's not enough of a deterrant.

technically, you can call a tow truck the very second the driver steps out of the car. but i think 10 - 15 minutes is fair.

[Eric Nakamura]

The are legal signs there. There's three, then there's a supplemental one that we made under it under all three. People just park and bail like it's a public lot.

[slackerbot]

just keep calling the tow truck. the visual presence of a tow truck will make people realize that the signs really mean 'no parking'. people will get the hint eventually.

btw, please don't tow my car while i'm in the bathroom washing my hands or something. :p

[Jook Sing Vegas]

Buy a couple of car boots and charge for removing them if you wanna be an ass, since parking is tight around there. But as a business owner you would rather not waste a lot of time worring about the parking lot.

[Eric Nakamura]

Yeah there's already some bad blood between us and some neighbors. I can honestly say, we're pretty cool about parking etc, and they're nazi tyrants about it. The places have their own lots with many spaces, but it's a pain getting in and out, so people use ours instead. If we park in one of their many spots, they'll tow us in a sec. So now their customers are parking in our lot.

You're right, I don't want to mess around with parking, but people have to follow the laws of the land.

This part isn't fun.

I just make a kick ass website for gr-eats.

gr-eats.com

[Johnney5]

i love it!
although i think it should at least have a gr/eats sign graphic.

but leave everything else.

[Eric Nakamura]

how? well when i figure out how to do it....

[fmstlr]

best website ever.

[Eric Nakamura]

I added an extra page, now it's deluxe.

[invictus]

Fancy website..... you're putting this one to shame!

[evillilgirl]

i wish we lived there..my fiance can downsize any cost of anything needed for or in the kitchen and cook fantabulous meals out of nothing and you think you are eating a 100 bucks a plate food. good luck eric maybe one day we will get to eat there!!
best wishes
love,ebil

[stinky]

so anyone been yet? reviews??