Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
Caramba: Discovery Bay, Hong Kong; an Eclipse concept
One thing that impresses Spice 'n Slice about the HK mega- group Eclipse is that they keep their concepts simple. We like that.
Hong Kong's restaurant industry is dominated by a relatively small number of companies that each contain a large number of brands. Eclipse is one of these companies. They have a keen eye for the core idea of a concept and create brands that are so highly defined they are concept stereotypes.
The recession has hit restaurant chain operators hard in HK. Eclipse oversees (we don't honestly know what they own outright and what they have management contracts for) Coyote, Fogo Samba, Cafe Siam, McSorley's Ale House, Boca, the Curry House, McSorley's Fish & Chips and Don Gilato (this info taken from their own website). Three properties are in the hard-hit Venetian Macau.
Despite what must be financially a very tight time the Caramba is clean and well maintained. The staff are working hard. Its obvious they're trying to get through the recession by keeping the payroll close to the bone. That said they were friendly, well trained and very attentive. We were there during a very busy rush and were very well taken care of.
Caramba is unapologetically chips 'n guacamole. It's exactly what you want from a good nacho joint from the "wall of fire" to pitchers of ritas. Prices are fair for HK and the food given. Portions are large. The Nachos are really good, better than most dishes on the menu. They earn the Spice 'n Slice award for being the best nachos in China. Beijing to Hong Kong we've never had a more satisfying plate of nachos. Chipotle chili is a nice touch and they don't skimp on the cheese. At 98 HKD its a really good deal...
One more item of note: If you spend more than 100 per person you can get a free ferry ride back to HK.... the promotion is through the discovery bay management. We are not sure how long it lasts. Call the outlets to inquire (2987 2848 discobay@caramba.com.hk)
related links:
http://www.caramba.com.hk/
http://www.eclipse.com.hk/
Hong Kong's restaurant industry is dominated by a relatively small number of companies that each contain a large number of brands. Eclipse is one of these companies. They have a keen eye for the core idea of a concept and create brands that are so highly defined they are concept stereotypes.
The recession has hit restaurant chain operators hard in HK. Eclipse oversees (we don't honestly know what they own outright and what they have management contracts for) Coyote, Fogo Samba, Cafe Siam, McSorley's Ale House, Boca, the Curry House, McSorley's Fish & Chips and Don Gilato (this info taken from their own website). Three properties are in the hard-hit Venetian Macau.
Despite what must be financially a very tight time the Caramba is clean and well maintained. The staff are working hard. Its obvious they're trying to get through the recession by keeping the payroll close to the bone. That said they were friendly, well trained and very attentive. We were there during a very busy rush and were very well taken care of.
Caramba is unapologetically chips 'n guacamole. It's exactly what you want from a good nacho joint from the "wall of fire" to pitchers of ritas. Prices are fair for HK and the food given. Portions are large. The Nachos are really good, better than most dishes on the menu. They earn the Spice 'n Slice award for being the best nachos in China. Beijing to Hong Kong we've never had a more satisfying plate of nachos. Chipotle chili is a nice touch and they don't skimp on the cheese. At 98 HKD its a really good deal...
One more item of note: If you spend more than 100 per person you can get a free ferry ride back to HK.... the promotion is through the discovery bay management. We are not sure how long it lasts. Call the outlets to inquire (2987 2848 discobay@caramba.com.hk)
related links:
http://www.caramba.com.hk/
http://www.eclipse.com.hk/
Friday, May 1, 2009
First Confirmed Swine Flu Case in HK
Hong Kong govt confirms first swine flu case
The Hong Kong government on Friday confirmed the city's first case of swine flu on Friday in a Mexican traveller.
Chief Executive Donald Tsang told reporters the Mexican travelled on a flight from Mexico to Hong Kong with a stopover in Shanghai.
This is the first case of swine flu reported in Greater China since the outbreak of the disease in Mexico in March.
Reuters
from: http://www.worldbulletin.net/news_detail.php?id=41067
This is the first case of swine flu reported in Greater China since the outbreak of the disease in Mexico in March.
Friday, 01 May 2009 16:02
The Hong Kong government on Friday confirmed the city's first case of swine flu on Friday in a Mexican traveller.
Chief Executive Donald Tsang told reporters the Mexican travelled on a flight from Mexico to Hong Kong with a stopover in Shanghai.
This is the first case of swine flu reported in Greater China since the outbreak of the disease in Mexico in March.
Reuters
from: http://www.worldbulletin.net/news_detail.php?id=41067
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Ticker Shock: Four Reasons Why Starbucks Could Give You a Buzz
Starbucks never ceases to amaze.... first they say "we aren't buying the cheapest coffee beans in the world!" In fact, they are. Now they are saying "we aren't charging $4!" Hmmmmm........Marketing, Marketing, Marketing...... McDonald's is winning every coffee challenge... even our own. The gains recently are purely due to them dumping a bunch of locations everyone knew were losing money. Here in HK they are getting their butts kicked by McDonald's and Pacific Coffee.
from: www.minyanville.com
Starbucks (SBUX):
The one-time high-flying seemingly indestructible coffee chain that sports those insanely delicious (and addictive, I might add) “fraps,” was out with its second-quarter earnings last night after the bell.
At first blush, they looked like a train wreck. Revenues came in at a little over $2.3 billion, which was down from the more than $2.5 billion it put up in the comparable period last year. And EPS came in at $0.03 versus $0.15 in the comparable period last year.
However, at the end of the day, there were a few tidbits of good news that I think deserve a mention.
1. Excluding items, it put up $0.16, which was (hallelujah) a penny better than expectations.
2. It's cutting costs, which I think a lot of folks wanted to see. In the release, it said : “In the second quarter of fiscal 2009, the company delivered $120 million in cost savings, exceeding the targeted $100 million for the second quarter, and resulting in year-to-date cost savings of approximately $195 million.”
3. There was also some upbeat information regarding free cash flow. The following line in the release caught my eye: “...as announced in March, Starbucks fiscal year 2009 cash from operations is expected to exceed $1 billion, with resulting free cash flow in excess of $500 million.”
4. It seems the company is adamant about changing the perception people have of it. Reuters quotes its chief executive on a call as saying: “Starbucks coffee does not cost $4.” I think this is smart, and will make it better able to compete with the likes of Dunkin' Donuts and McDonald's (MCD).
But will this be enough to really draw in investors? The jury's still out. I have this sense that the tide is starting to turn at Starbucks, but I’m cautiously optimistic. Note that its comp-store sales were off a stomach-churning 8%, which isn’t something to write home about
from: www.minyanville.com
Starbucks (SBUX):
The one-time high-flying seemingly indestructible coffee chain that sports those insanely delicious (and addictive, I might add) “fraps,” was out with its second-quarter earnings last night after the bell.At first blush, they looked like a train wreck. Revenues came in at a little over $2.3 billion, which was down from the more than $2.5 billion it put up in the comparable period last year. And EPS came in at $0.03 versus $0.15 in the comparable period last year.
However, at the end of the day, there were a few tidbits of good news that I think deserve a mention.
1. Excluding items, it put up $0.16, which was (hallelujah) a penny better than expectations.
2. It's cutting costs, which I think a lot of folks wanted to see. In the release, it said : “In the second quarter of fiscal 2009, the company delivered $120 million in cost savings, exceeding the targeted $100 million for the second quarter, and resulting in year-to-date cost savings of approximately $195 million.”
3. There was also some upbeat information regarding free cash flow. The following line in the release caught my eye: “...as announced in March, Starbucks fiscal year 2009 cash from operations is expected to exceed $1 billion, with resulting free cash flow in excess of $500 million.”
4. It seems the company is adamant about changing the perception people have of it. Reuters quotes its chief executive on a call as saying: “Starbucks coffee does not cost $4.” I think this is smart, and will make it better able to compete with the likes of Dunkin' Donuts and McDonald's (MCD).
But will this be enough to really draw in investors? The jury's still out. I have this sense that the tide is starting to turn at Starbucks, but I’m cautiously optimistic. Note that its comp-store sales were off a stomach-churning 8%, which isn’t something to write home about
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