The Bankhouse Diner (and quirky crafts) formerly B H Grill, Bean Encounter & B H Wine Bar.

Frontal

Well-Known Forumite
And yet still no chips.
Why does he think that people want a gourmet burger but without a handful of gorgeous handcrafted chips on the side?

He had chips on the menu as a side for half a year. They didn't sell very well.

Tbh, as a big guy with an appetite to match, I always found his burgers (the veggie ones) extremely filling. Same with the Pizza's he did, and with the Nachos. Rarely walked away hungry, and I have a ravenous appetite.

Maybe it's because I'm used to more time abroad, but most countries beside america don't have the same obsession with serving a side of chips alongside a meal as we have over here.

My Mrs was horrified when she found out Lasagne is commonly served with chips here.
 

Carole

Well-Known Forumite
Maybe it's because I'm used to more time abroad,
.

But we’re not talking about abroad, we’re talking about Stafford.

I don’t want to get into a competition about it, but I’m also used to “abroad.”
I spent 22 years traveling the world, going to far flung places and getting paid for it.

One could say that I’m extremely well travelled.

I’m just saying that most people (in Stafford) would like the option of chips with their meal. Even if they actually choose something else.

Which Is why most establishments offer them.

Even those with a Michelin Star.
 
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OJK

Well-Known Forumite
Sorry, it’s taken me over 18 months to reply to you.
No, I haven’t ever owned one, but I’ve been a customer in many restaurants spanning a period of over 45 years.

Why did you ask?

I’m only asking because ages ago I queried his business plan, and I queried his opening hours and his apparent lack of business sense.

I felt that you thought that because I hadn’t actually owned a business myself then I wasn’t in a place to pass judgment.

And yet, 18 months down the line, you too are mocking him.
I’ve changed my mind. You were right. He is lacking business sense. But he’s still in business in some guise after a significant period of time, so he either is doing something right (?) or he has a substantial amount of capital to keep losing (?). Either way, I enjoy his delusion.

Well done with your memory too. I asked if you had ever done so because it wouldn’t disqualify your opinion at all, but it would add another dimension of qualified experience to see both sides of the coin.
 

OJK

Well-Known Forumite
Nice to see you backing a local business person, Stafford style.
I left stafford last year to live in Cornwall. After owning a business and living in Stafford town centre for 5 years, I was done. I now keep an interest in affairs from a far more macabre stance. I couldn’t give two hoots from a regional pride perspective if a delusional Stafford restaurant owner with a limited amount of success thinks his burgers are of a Michelin star standard... I just find it amusing.
 
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rudie111

Well-Known Forumite
I left stafford last year to live in Cornwall. After owning a business and living in Stafford town centre for 5 years, I was done. I now keep an interest in affairs from a far more macabre stance. I couldn’t give two hoots from a regional pride perspective if a delusional Stafford restaurant owner with a limited amount of success thinks his burgers are of a Michelin star standard... I just find it amusing.

What was your business?
 

flossietoo

Well-Known Forumite
I’m always delighted when I see an alert for this thread. I can’t wait to see what madcap menu and obscure opening hours he’s devised.

Though with the suggestion of Michelin starred burgers (served between 11.25 and 11.40am on Thursdays, except in May) it occurs to me that maybe he’s begun trolling us?
 

OJK

Well-Known Forumite
I’m always delighted when I see an alert for this thread. I can’t wait to see what madcap menu and obscure opening hours he’s devised.

Though with the suggestion of Michelin starred burgers (served between 11.25 and 11.40am on Thursdays, except in May) it occurs to me that maybe he’s begun trolling us?
:clap:
 

Tilly

Well-Known Forumite
A few minutes ago, Jonathan said -

Hi All,

Sorry to disappoint, but I will be closed tomorrow and Thursday day. We will open for Valentine's dinner.

The reason being, I have laryngitis. I could not even do the radio show today, no voice. I know what everyone is thinking - finally, something shut me up!

So, I am taking time to rest my voice and prepping up for the exciting new dinner menu, which starts on Thursday at 5:30.

There are a few tables for Valentine's available, be one of the first to find out what I have been up to in the kitchen. The culinary bar has been raised!

Cheers,
Jonathan


 
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Frontal

Well-Known Forumite
I’m just saying that most people (in Stafford) would like the option of chips with their meal. Even if they actually choose something else.
.

And again, I say he trialled it, for around half a year, and sold comparatively few so it wasn't cost effective to keep doing it.

I mean I don't even know where to begin with the 'he should offer it for people who don't want it' angle.

That said, not a fan of his recent price hike - puts it in the ballpark of actual restaurants, but still best cup of coffee in town centre.
I think he should stick with the 'good quality bite to eat and good coffee' rather than entering the restaurant niche.
 

Carole

Well-Known Forumite
And again, I say he trialled it, for around half a year, and sold comparatively few so it wasn't cost effective to keep doing it.
I mean I don't even know where to begin with the 'he should offer it for people who don't want it' angle.
.

But hasn’t he tried all different kinds of foods for around half a year and sold comparatively few?

The reason perhaps being because he can’t decide when to open, he can’t decide what he wants to sell.
Nobody really knows what it is. Which is such a shame.

I would dearly love this restaurant to succeed, but until he stops faffing around, does some market research, keeps regular opening hours and starts selling food that the majority want to eat then I can’t see that happening.
 

Frontal

Well-Known Forumite
But hasn’t he tried all different kinds of foods for around half a year and sold comparatively few?

I'm not sure he has sold comparatively few of anything?
Been in 3 times the last fortnight with all but 1-2 tables full each time, and not at traditional peak service times ( I try to avoid them as I prefer a quieter cuppa)
 

Carole

Well-Known Forumite
I'm not sure he has sold comparatively few of anything?
Been in 3 times the last fortnight with all but 1-2 tables full each time, and not at traditional peak service times ( I try to avoid them as I prefer a quieter cuppa)
In that case I stand corrected.

I walk past on a very regular basis, and have done for the past few years.
I walk past in the daytime because it’s in between where I park my car and going into town.

I walk past in the evening because I’m either working at the theatre or paying to go to the theatre.

I’ve never ever seen more than four people in there.
Walked past last night, theatre was sold out so the nearest restaurant should have been buzzing.
2 people in there.
Walked past today twice, no one in.

Out of curiosity, when is he full, because I’ve never seen it busy?
 

Frontal

Well-Known Forumite
Walked past today twice, no one in.

Out of curiosity, when is he full, because I’ve never seen it busy?

Was in today around 2pm (mrs was in town having a tattoo, so I snuck out the get a coffee and bring her back a greggs vegan sausage roll). Only 1 table free when I left (2, including the one I vacated)
 

Lucy

Well-Known Forumite
I'm off there for brunch today. It's a nice option for something like that, but as I only ever go at the weekend I don't get caught out by the irregular opening times.
 

OJK

Well-Known Forumite
Was in today around 2pm (mrs was in town having a tattoo, so I snuck out the get a coffee and bring her back a greggs vegan sausage roll). Only 1 table free when I left (2, including the one I vacated)
Completely unrelated, but why do vegans have to say they’re ‘going for a vegan sausage roll’? What relevance or implication, does the fact that the sausage roll was vegan, have in any way?

Vegans do this all the time. I think it’s a fantastic ethical choice and a very healthy choice at that. But good lord do these vegans look for a pat on the back at every available juncture.

Anyway, im just going to grab a vegan glass of water.
 
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