WERE YOU BORN IN A TENT

Wednesday, 14 May 2014

SHORT ROUND

731 High St, Thornbury

Visited: 26th April 2014

Design: Once again the old aluminium black frame comes into play. I do prefer the simple metal panels in the centre to push rather than the L-shaped handles normally attached to these doors. They have kept the doors free of clutter, a beautifully crafted wooden hexagon OPEN and CLOSED sign, a simple CLOSED MONDAYS to the right without all the hours for the rest of the week confusing the view. Lastly, a great little disabled sticker to the bottom right indicating an entrance around the corner. You can't get more minimal than that. I do love the vertical louvers of these doors which appears to be a common theme for this design. The black frame with the blue tiles works really well and also helps to frame the beautiful timber floors and decor colours inside.

Normally I only like to review the front door but wondering around the corner I came across the back entrance used for the disabled entrance that I couldn't let go unnoticed. The simple grey arch continuing through what I think is called the Triglyph, marries the stained glass panels in the top with the wood panels and the two narrow side windows. The wooden frame surrounding the door, appears to have been sanded back and restored creating a warm feeling of rustic Victorian comfort. I'm not usually a fan of red brick, but in this instance works well with the historical reference to the building. The combination of the modern elements of the steel support railings, natural timber panels and the planter boxes filled with brilliant green herbs, merge effortlessly with the original features and gives a personal touch that would otherwise be just a back entrance.

Door resistance: 2

Closure mechanism: Hydraulic arm

Draft: Minimal

Squeak level: 0

Change return time: 28 sec

Front Door

Back Door

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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.