WERE YOU BORN IN A TENT

Tuesday, 27 August 2013

THE CURRY CLUB

396 Bridge Rd, Richmond

Visited: 26th August 2013

Design: Well this is a first (for this blog), a door that pulls out to the street instead of a push in. Just to be sure you get the message there a 3 different PULL signs stuck at various positions on the door. To be honest I didn't see any of these when I opened the door. At first I was a little uncertain of the pull design, then I realized the reasoning behind this. In fact it was absolute brilliance, for within the restaurant the owners had built a draft barrier wall for the surrounding tables. This consisted of a tinted glass L-shaped wall framed in black timber. As customers opened the door none of the surrounding tables were bothered by the wind from outside. LOVED IT! To be honest, this door didn't need it as it had a smooth fast return with the hydraulic arm. The only problem with this concept was the aesthetic value was lost as the arm was visible as you entered. I liked the V-shaped entrance that guides you in a subtle way to the door. The vertical louvers are a nice touch at the top. A great door, all in all, black wooden frame and nice to see a brass mail slot built in. This added convenience seemed to create a touch of homely quality to the design. The door had a great full squeak that followed on the complete open and close and went through a range of tones. A nice little touch on the right window as you entered was the quote, "We're cooking all day, so you don't have to."

This was not curry in hurry, but papadam with a rustic charm.

Door resistance: 2

Closure mechanism: Hydraulic arm

Draft: Minimal

Squeak level: 3

Change return time: 15 sec

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PROFESSIONAL DOOR REVIEWER

Searching the world for the perfect door to eat behind.

First impressions are always important, especially for a restaurant or cafe. So many people are focusing on the food these days that I felt there was a hole in the reviews world. No one was looking at the most important thing, THE DOOR! Everyone complains when it is left open, death stares are exchange when the unsuspecting group of friends having a fun night enter the premises from the cold only to walk straight in and go straight to their table totally oblivious they have left the door wide open to allow an arctic strength gale force wind to cut through the previously warm interior. Like a scene from a western film where everyone in the premises stops what they are doing and cuts down the new comers with a deathly stare. Occasionally you will get the confident diner who gets up, walks across the restaurant and closes the door with a BANG! Just to let the new comers know they have done wrong and to NEVER, EVER DO IT AGAIN!!!!! This individual makes their way back to the table staring at the newcomers, just to make sure they got the message. The only problem is, is that 5 minutes later another group come in and do the same thing and he/she feels obliged to continually do this for the rest of the night.

Well hopefully this blog puts a light on the owners of these establishments and encourages them to lift their game and create doors that allow diners to sit and enjoy their meal, to give the diner an experience before they enter the building. It is also a thank you to the makers of quality doors who care about craftsmanship.

I have developed a scoring system based on,

DESIGN:

This is assessed by the materials the door is made from, whether the door is themed, cluttered or minimal and whether there is an element of surprise or not.

DOOR RESISTANCE: 1 to 5

1 = light push

5 = heavy push

CLOSURE MECHANISM: Manual, automatic or

hydraulic arm

DRAFT: Minimal, medium or high

SQUEAK LEVEL: 0 up to 5

0 = No squeak

5 = Ear piercing

Then the last assessment is the,

CHANGE RETURN TIME:

This is the amount of time it takes to get my change once I have given the waiter the money for the bill. Last impressions are always just as important as first.