Rainforest Cafe and ATMOSPHERE!!!!

Hi,
Having kids,I confess to eating at many Rainforest cafe locations..and liking much of their food! Rasta Pasta etc.! But oh the Disney-type atmosphere.Got me to thinking..a wise person once said that coffee tastes better out because you are just that...out! How much does atmosphere add to the experience..and does it affect how you feel about the food?
How about your favorite places to eat for atmosphere..another one that comes to mind in the "chain" category is The Cheesecake Factory.
Any thoughts on atmosphere and food?
Lee

I was at the Rainforest Cafe in Atlantic City on Thursday. I liked my meal well enough (the Mediterranean chicken, with the kalmatta olives). I enjoyed looking at the reef tanks. The moving animals, I could do without.

I don't look at a meal in a restaurant as being all about the food; it is an experience that encompasses food, atmosphere, service, people, pesonalities... it is a dance with a stranger. It is an engaging art form. Food is at teh center, but it is only part of the picture.

The number one enhancer of a meal is good company. I'd say ambience and service are tied for second. As far as "best" ambience, I think it depends on the where and who and what as much as anything else; BBQ eaten in a roadhouse with old friends should have a different ambience than fine dining with prospective in-laws. Breakfast room service has its own special ambience, especially when the kids are left home and it's "just we two".


Tom

I took a girlfriend and her kids to Mars 2112 in a mall in Chicago. Very cool inside, kinda like you were on another planet (i was that night ) so it was really a trip! Waiters dressed like aliens etc. Food was absolutely horrible! Place is gone now.

My experiencehas been that, in general, the quality of the food is in inverse proportion to the magnificence of the view provided by a restaurant's location. Mariner's Harbor on the Hudson near Highland, NY has fantastic river views but the food is indifferent, at best. The famous Lodge at Yellowstone National Park, offers great views of geysers, has great ambience in its public rooms, and was the scene of one of the worst meals I've ever eaten- not just bad food but also bad service from non-english speaking eastern European students. There are exceptions to the rule; Abbotts in Noank, Ct has great views and serves great lobster rollswith excellent, if minimal, service. Lake Mohonk, here in New Paltz, is a magnificent place, gardens, lake, rocks, Catskill views, etc, and in recent years, after a long history of being indifferent to the food they served, they have hired CIA trained chefs, and serve excellent meals nowadays.

As to "Rainforest". We ate at one once, and once only, on Sanibel Island, Fl. The food was atrocious and the damn fog, rain and animal noises made the experience even more distasteful. If I want a zoo, I'll go to the one in the Bronx, thank you...

Cheers, John

I started this tread..and I thought of a prime example.
Years ago I took one of my student trips to Paris. One night we ate at a fast food Burger place along the Seine river right across from the Eiffal Tower. Looking out the window from our table was the most spectacular view...the tower all aglo at night and the cruise boats lit up going by. Greatest view I've ever had anywhere, and I was eating a dollar burger and a weak coke!!!!That's atmosphere!!!

quote:

Originally posted by seafarer john


As to "Rainforest". We ate at one once, and once only, on Sanibel Island, Fl. The food was atrocious and the damn fog, rain and animal noises made the experience even more distasteful.

Ditto. I was dragged to the local Rainforest for my birthday last year, so at least I didn't shell out any of my dough for that sideshow BS extravaganza. I'm a local hole in the wall, neighborhood joint type of guy. I don't need the entertainment and overly perky waitbots.

At least my friends who hosted me know me well enough to not arrange for the staff to sing happy birthday. (I will get up and walk out and call a cab to take me home) I witnessed a fellow diner being subjected to Rainforest's special hand clapping take on happy birthday, and it ain't pretty.

Unfortunately, the Rainforest Cafe in Phoenix is located at the Arizona Mills Mall. The last place I would want to take my kids. The mall is a hangout for bad elements.

DD

I took my grandkids to the Rainforest Cafe in Chicago. After waiting 45 minutes {although it was Wednesday night}, so they could "force" us to spend money in the gift shop, my 3 year old granddaughter was scared to death, so we had to box our food and leave. She kept saying "This place is cweepy".

In hindsight, it wasn't the greatest idea. Considering the age of the kids would have been a good idea. she is five now, and still easily spooked.

quote:

Originally posted by seafarer john

My experiencehas been that, in general, the quality of the food is in inverse proportion to the magnificence of the view provided by a restaurant's location. Mariner's Harbor on the Hudson near Highland, NY has fantastic river views but the food is indifferent, at best. The famous Lodge at Yellowstone National Park, offers great views of geysers, has great ambience in its public rooms, and was the scene of one of the worst meals I've ever eaten- not just bad food but also bad service from non-english speaking eastern European students. There are exceptions to the rule; Abbotts in Noank, Ct has great views and serves great lobster rollswith excellent, if minimal, service. Lake Mohonk, here in New Paltz, is a magnificent place, gardens, lake, rocks, Catskill views, etc, and in recent years, after a long history of being indifferent to the food they served, they have hired CIA trained chefs, and serve excellent meals nowadays.

As to "Rainforest". We ate at one once, and once only, on Sanibel Island, Fl. The food was atrocious and the damn fog, rain and animal noises made the experience even more distasteful. If I want a zoo, I'll go to the one in the Bronx, thank you...

Cheers, John

As a rule, I agree with this theory. However, several years ago I was (happily) forced to eat my words. We were on vacation in Australia. Just on the outskirts of Brisbane is a park with a mountain that you can drive up, and the views are spectacular. We were there during the day, did the drive, and discovered a restaurant at the summit. I was convinced the food had to be terrible because the views were so panoramic, they could serve whatever they wanted and still get customers. Nevertheless, I made reservations for that night. Well, the restaurant was the best we found in a trip where we ate very well almost everyplace we went, and the views after dark were stunning.

I forget what movie this line was from but it fits here " I can't eat ambience "

I have eaten at Rainforest locations in Philly (my home), Orlando (both Disney locations), and Dallas and have been underwhelmed on every occasion but one. I had a decent lunch at the Downtown Disney location once, but it was some time ago and the lunch was quite early - (before the throngs arrived, so it was fairly quiet). If I were a child, I would probably be enchanted with it. But many of them are too dark so reading the menus is a real challenge. The prices are outrageous, IMHO. I do enjoy browsing the stores because some of the items are unique and I enjoy the animal theming.

quote:

Originally posted by sk bob

I forget what movie this line was from but it fits here " I can't eat ambience "

Wasn't that from a Horn & Hardart (???...the Automat Chain) commercial?

quote:

Originally posted by seafarer john

My experiencehas been that, in general, the quality of the food is in inverse proportion to the magnificence of the view provided by a restaurant's location.
Cheers, John

In general, I agree. However, if anyone really wants to experience an exception, then go to Peter Kelly's X2O in Yonkers, NY. It is on the second & third floors of the restored city pier that juts out on the Hudson River. The restaurant has three glass walls...one views the George Washington Bridge & Manhattan skyline, another shows the Palisade Mountains & the third is the Tappan Zee Bridge & Hudson Valley. And the amazing thing is that the food outshines the views!

Went to my first Rainforest Cafe a couple of weeks ago in the Mall of the Americas in Minneapolis. I was with my sister and her kids killing time before their flight home. We were able to make a reservation in advance, so didn't have to wait at all for a table. I wasn't enthralled with the atmosphere (hard to call it ambience!), but it was fun for the kids, and kept them entertained while we waited for our food. The meals were pretty good, but overpriced. I wouldn't go again for myself, but all in all it wasn't a bad experience, and it suited our needs at the moment.

The Rainforest Cafe at the Mall of America was the first one. I would say it is kind of a place you might want to go once just for the novelty. When I go to the Mall of America my favorite luncheon place is the Twin Cities Grill. I love to go there just to walk around since I spent three years of my working life helping to create the place.

no it was a movie. i can see the scene it my head, but i can't place it.

It never once occurred to me to go there for food quality...I went for the novelty. I can honestly tell you I have no earthly idea what I ate, nor if the price was reasonable or not. Figure that was less than a year ago, I'm guessing the food wasn't anything to write home about. But I do know for a fact we went there because it looked "neat", according to my guy. It was, in fact, neat. Mission accomplished.

I agree...many people are being too hard on this place....The food isn't high class...but it's ok..even good (rasta pasta is my favorite!)It's sort of a TGI Fridays on steroids!!!!!!It's a family friendly fun place!

I've been probably four times to the one at Arizona Mills in Tempe Arizona. The animatronics are interesting but my daughter doesn't seem too interested. I've had good food and bad food as well as good and bad service. I'm not completely opposed to the place but find their prices to be a bit high.

If we're going to be blowing money on a place to eat with animatronics I'd rather blow it at Showbiz Pizza(RIP).

quote:

Originally posted by desertdog



Unfortunately, the Rainforest Cafe in Phoenix is located at the Arizona Mills Mall. The last place I would want to take my kids. The mall is a hangout for bad elements.

DD

There are worse malls in this town

quote:

Originally posted by Davydd

The Rainforest Cafe at the Mall of America was the first one. I would say it is kind of a place you might want to go once just for the novelty. When I go to the Mall of America my favorite luncheon place is the Twin Cities Grill. I love to go there just to walk around since I spent three years of my working life helping to create the place.

If I'm on my own, a bag of cheese curds from Rybicki's cheese shop will usually get the nod over any food court offerings. There used to be a place there that deep-fried them, but I couldn't find it this time around. My cardiologist will be pleased.

quote:

Originally posted by Davydd

The Rainforest Cafe at the Mall of America was the first one. I would say it is kind of a place you might want to go once just for the novelty. When I go to the Mall of America my favorite luncheon place is the Twin Cities Grill. I love to go there just to walk around since I spent three years of my working life helping to create the place.

Explaib Davydd...sounds like an interesting story!!!

SRB, I don't recall deep fried cheese curds at the MOA. There big, really big at the Minnesota State Fair. Rybicki only sold white cheddar cheese curds not fried. I too always make a stop at Rybicki's when I am there.

Lee, The architectural team for the Mall of America was formed from two different firms per the direction of the developer. They split the personnel and positions exactly evenly between the two firms but they needed just one technical director for quality assurance. The two firms agreed to hire an outsider to fill that position. I had my own firm for 9 years but interviewed for the position hoping to maintain my independence but it quickly came clear I could not shoulder the liability for such a large project so I agreed to become a hired hand and ended my firm for all practical purposes. Then I spent three years on the project in a special office right across the street from the Mall. The engineering firms from Chicago and Cleveland had the same requirements. We all worked on one floor with the developer, the construction managers, and contractors. A local printing company even set up an office on our floor and the City of Bloomington set up a temporary office to plan check and issue building permits. The whole project was fast tracked in that we were building as fast as we could draw it. It was quite an experience.

When that worked wound down Target Corporation came calling on me to be on a startup internal corporate architectural/engineering team to produce store designs and construction drawings in-house. I did that the final 15 years of my career, over 1,000 stores, and retired a year ago. I like to think I worked in the glory years at Target when design became very important. I sold all my stock that grew fantastically in those 15 years at $68-70 when I retired and now it is below $45. I don't think it is because I retired but I do like to think had I not retired early I might be still holding that stock. I lucked out. It was fun and I gave it all up because a year ago when I got behind the wheel of my campervan I said to myself I really don't have to work anymore if I don't want to. The lure of pursuing breaded pork tenderloin sandwiches fulltime got to me in that one weak moment.

Facinating story...yes,I'd say you were lucky......Thanks for sharing this story!!!!!

I went to the Rainforest Cafe one time in the Jersey Gardens Mall in Elizabeth, NJ some years ago. I enjoyed my meal (salad and spilt a few appetizers) but I really could have done without the animatronic animals and trees. Kids seemed to like it though...

Atmosphere is great in a restaurant, but I will avoid at all cost disneyesque anything. I look for more genuine atmosphere even if its a crusty waitress with an attitude

I have eaten at the rainforest Cafe in Menlo Park Mall and it was one of the worst burgers I have ever had. I also hate the atmosphere in there with the monkeys yelling and all that nonsense so it might have actually contributed to the burger being so bad. I like the atmosphere of the bonefish grill a lot. I think it adds to the eating experience

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Originally posted by sk bob

no it was a movie. i can see the scene it my head, but i can't place it.

The movie was Local Hero, one of my favorites.

I haven't been here since my youngest daughter was about four years old. We were doing the obligatory wait , so we could visit the gift shop, and I was carrying here. My back was turned so I didn't see it, but a big mechanical snake dropped down from the ceiling and scared her so bad she almost strangled me. We made a quick exit, and I've never been back.

quote:

Originally posted by fattybomatty

I have eaten at the rainforest Cafe in Menlo Park Mall and it was one of the worst burgers I have ever had. I also hate the atmosphere in there with the monkeys yelling and all that nonsense so it might have actually contributed to the burger being so bad. I like the atmosphere of the bonefish grill a lot. I think it adds to the eating experience

I like the atmosphere of our local Bonefish Grill. It has the feel of a classy place...and the food is very good!!!