Off to The Blue Bean

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 26 Jul 2004, 22:49

Dadaist wrote:wait for it ......

"one man and his dog from the BBC"

laugh? i nearly xxxx myself

What about a "A one man and his Dog, Clothes Show Special"?

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 26 Jul 2004, 22:55

Now that's a good one

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 27 Jul 2004, 00:12

Does anyone else remember some years back when the cafe was run by a couple of women,

Yeah, it was a women's co-op and then it got contracted out. The really stupid thing (apart from the whole concept of contracting out obviously) is that the major selling point of the cafe was the view it afforded out to sea. The refit meant that several window tables were lost, as was the whole community feel to the place. This is a prime location for a coffee shop/bistro in Portobello and is a real opportunity missed.

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 27 Jul 2004, 01:08

We have to have a board members meet-up in the Blue Bean.

It could be like a convention, with badges and that.

And we could snigger because they wouldn't know who we were.

scossie5 · Post by **scossie5** » 27 Jul 2004, 12:35

Can I just say I like the cafe, enjoy the banter and the brownies and the mix of people that are in there, from old guys catching up to family groups including small kids (who seems to be well tolerated, but maybe I'm just there on good days?)

I have always had good service in there as well, and even a few laughs, which is quite rare on a Sunday morning when still feeling groggy.

I will concede that the coffee is not the best, but i will extend that criticism across all of Porty.

I would be quite sad if there was a sniggering group of secret operatives in there - clique springs to mind. Maybe I am just wanting more good vibes than carping snipes from my local forum.

Sorry if I have ruined the tone here.

nicky · Post by **nicky** » 27 Jul 2004, 13:17

you beat me to it in your post myra...I was just typing summat similar!

Nicky

nicky · Post by **nicky** » 27 Jul 2004, 13:29

Marya

sorry...completely typoed your name and managed to come up with some one else altogether!!

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 27 Jul 2004, 14:39

Mrs Dadaist will hopefully help me out here and verify that, with the exception of when I asked for her hand in marriage, I have spent my adult life avoiding seriousness and with my tongue pretty much implanted in my cheek.

Beach Babe · Post by **Beach Babe** » 27 Jul 2004, 15:35

I concur with Dadaist's last post

his tongue is either firmly embedded in his cheek

or his head's up his arse

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 29 Aug 2004, 18:21

Popped into the BBC a couple of times over the weekend. We hadn't been in for a long time.
Porty, I don't think the Americano is like dishwater at all. Perhaps its improved since you last tried it. The black pudding roll I had this morning was fab and the service was fine.
Nice one Flearoy, if that was your good self serving us!

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 29 Aug 2004, 21:45

What time were you at the BBC this morning? I was there also, arrived about 12. It was busy, Flearoy was serving (her last day) and Bruce was in the kitchen washing up. Its a weird but nice experience to be served by your own kids. Flearoy cocked up my sandwich order, i wanted a toastie but she forgot. I still left her a tip.

I don't think you had an Americano it was possibly a cafe creme. Flearoy almost always advises her customers against an Americano.,

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 29 Aug 2004, 22:29

Porty,
We must have just missed you. We left just before 12.00pm to get a quick walk in before the boxing final.
I definitely had an Americano and added my own milk.
Saw Bruce as well, lurking at the back!!
I'll try the Big Breakfast next time I think.

flearoy · Post by **flearoy** » 30 Aug 2004, 21:36

Sorry porty but i didn't get your order wrong at all. It was actually mum's but i still didn't muck it up. I gave her what she ASKED for- a tune sandwich- even though she MEANT a toastie. mind-reading ain't my area.

Yeah that would of been me ECM- i'm the girl! I may not of been on my finest form that morning due to a hangover and a bollocking for talking to much to the customers. ( a row on my last day!)

sad to go though really got to know loads of porty people and it's always nice when they appreciate a little bit of banter.

that's me folks i'm off on my holiday tomorrow and will shortly after be going to uni. I might still log on at uni to speak to the family

cheers for the good company and if you still haven't spladoosed me you might never!

there really can't be that many people left?!

bye bye everyone!

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 30 Aug 2004, 21:52

adieu from me, mrs dadaist and neo-dadaist

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 30 Aug 2004, 22:36

Flearoy,
I wouldn't have guessed you were hungover at all.

Good luck at Uni - have fun.

Oh, and how come you can get away with saying "bollocking" but I can't say "bollocks" without it coming out as "jings"?

Post by **administrator** » 30 Aug 2004, 23:01

She can't. Happy now?

(Moderators never sleep - we're on round-the-clock surveillance)

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 31 Aug 2004, 06:08

She can't. Happy now?

That'll be me got my "ticking off" then!

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 31 Aug 2004, 12:05

Have a great Fresher's Week Flearoy and tell us all about it! (Well the bits you don't mind your folks knowing about anyway

)

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 09 Oct 2004, 12:05

** UPDATE **

Mrs Dadaist, Neo-Dadaist and myself have just been barred from the Blue Bean Cafe and told not to come back.

Mr Bean says it's because of the comments on this thread. I asked him if he thought he wasn't lumping me in with everyone on the board, to which he replied that he was going to find out who all of you are.

There are other details but that's the main gist - Beach Babe may fill in some parts of the narrative as I need to have a bit of banana loaf and a coffee as Mr Bean came over to our table and took away our scones.....

Beach Babe · Post by **Beach Babe** » 09 Oct 2004, 12:30

hmmmmm........

have to say that it's the first time in my life that I've been barred from somewhere

it was also news to me that this website belongs to Dadaist (multiple references to "your website"), but hey, every day is a school day

Mr Bean has only been able to identify us due to my problem with strong lattes (although we'd been having take-away lattes from there several times a week since neo-dadaist was born and this was the first one that I'd had a problem with).Thus, it was us that bore the brunt of his wrath

the general gist of it was that he feels that all of us who post here have got nothing better to do with our time and that this board is extremely negative towards local business people.

in general, I feel that this board is a positive place and much good has come out of it. Also, where good service/food hs been received, no-one here is shy about saying so. I hope that the majority of you agree with this.

we did ask Mr Bean why he has not replied on this board but this answer was not on his agenda. Nor was accepting that there may be some value to be gained in listening to any grumbles from regulars

having re-read this thread, I think most of it was very much tongue-in-cheek and, again, I would hope that most of you would agree with that.

having been regular customers there for over 5 years and enjoyed the food and atmosphere, I suppose that we are a bit upset that we won't be back but I'd much rather go somewhere that valued both their customers and any feedback that they may receive, be it positve or negative

bearcub · Post by **bearcub** » 09 Oct 2004, 13:02

Beach Babe wrote: in general, I feel that this board is a positive place and much good has come out of it. Also, where good service/food hs been received, no-one here is shy about saying so. I hope that the majority of you agree with this.

I believe the number of positive comments here far outway the negative ones and, yes, none of us are slow in praising good businesses when we see/use them.

Have to say I'm considering never setting foot in the BBC if that's how he treats his customers.

Beach Babe · Post by **Beach Babe** » 09 Oct 2004, 13:15

Marya wrote:
I asked him if he thought he wasn't lumping me in with everyone on the board, to which he replied that he was going to find out who all of you are.

But most of us say quite nice things about the "Blue Bean"! Has he read the thread do you know?
It must have been really quite embarrassing for the three of you. I'm rather daunted by the prospect of being chucked out too now - even though I've never said anything negative

it was quite embarrassing. I wasn't going to post this but, in the last hour, I've actually got more irritated by the whole thing so I will....

we waited for our cofffee and scones and I was getting suspicious as other tables who had come in after us had been served. Then we got our scones and Mr Bean began his diatribe whilst taking our scones away. And this is what particularly annoyed me, he suggested that we should be looking after our new addition instead of posting on "your website".

On the other hand, Mr Bean may have been annoyed and embarrassed too when he read this thead. However, after this morning, I have no desire to go back there

but I would certainly welcome further comments from Mr Bean as I know he'll be reading this at some point

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 09 Oct 2004, 13:16

I don't think the owner has done himself any favours - I will be giving BBC a wide berth.

nicky · Post by **nicky** » 09 Oct 2004, 13:43

Oh dear. This is not a pleasant way for any of those involved in this to spend a Saturday.

There have been positive comments about the BBC and negative ones. Which are the greater I'm not sure as I don't think it's important for me to count. Two ways a business can measure its success are by customer comment and its profit level. The BBC are privy to this and so they should be.

What I do see here is an opportunity for the owners of the BBC to comment publically if they wish. BBC and its customers are part of our community. Already the BBC serves the community for various reasons. This forum serves the community for various reasons too, it is invaluable and I would argue this vehemently.

There is clearly some misunderstanding and this has resulted in bad feeling and experience all round. It could be ignored and we learn nothing from the experience and are left with a bad feeling and possible misinterpretation or, there is further considered discussion and the potential for issues to be resolved and move forward in a positive way for all.

Nicky

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 09 Oct 2004, 14:12

I am lost for words that any Trader never mind a local Trader should take such action - It's juvenile, unhelpful and ultimately not good for his business. Mr Bean, more like Baby Bean!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 09 Oct 2004, 14:24

I think we are all waiting with great interest to see what Porty's take on this is.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 09 Oct 2004, 15:07

I fear we are talking Mr Has Bean.

I genuinely don't know what to make of this? Obviously what Mr B has done is totally and utterly out of order. What I don't understand is why? No business in Portobello can afford to lose good customers.

I totally concur with Nicky's evaluation of the situation and what needs to be done.

I re-read the thread and tried to imagine what it must have been like for Mr Bean to visit and read for the first time? Initially it must be difficult for Mr Bean to take the comments anything other than personally and he possibly dis-likes being referred to as Mr Bean?He probably doesn't understand that the association is with his business and not the comic character. It is a term of endearment for people who don't know the chap's name (David). If David started reading the thread in a negative frame of mind then perhaps the red mist descended? If so, his analysis is woefully unjust. The thread is overall most positive about the BBC and if anything denigrates the competition.

I will probably speak to David about the matter and urge him to air his views here. I like his food,I like the place and I watch him in action, he can be very good with people, he can also be a bit off handed. The enigmatic character that is Mr Bean is one of the factors that makes me keep returning. I don't wish to deny any Portobello trader my custom and I will be very unhappy if I forced to do so.

Having said that, maybe Im banned also?

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 09 Oct 2004, 17:00

I'm quite stunned at all this and can only echo earlier comments from Nicky and Porty.
It must have been very upsetting for the Dada clan.
I/We don't go there very often but certainly won't be back unless there's some kind of explanation offered by the owner.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 09 Oct 2004, 19:43

I agree with everything that has been said so far, but at the same time I think that Dadaist has to accept that his sense of humour will at times cause offence. He's not alone in this. One person's idea of banter is easily mis-construed by another, particularly in an online situation where nuances in meaning are often lost.

I think as we have got to know each other we are prepared to make allowances and we can tease each other without causing offence. There's a very friendly vibe on the forum just now which pleases me no end, but I can understand how someone new to the forum might not always appreciate our sense of humour.

I'm not tryng to make excuses for the owner of the BBC. The truth is that I've never set foot in the place, but I do hope that an amicable solution can be found.

I appeal directly to the owner of the BBC. Listen mate, you don't have to tell me about this guy. I've had my fair share of problems with him, but I think he's a decent bloke really. Re-instate him and we will all be round en masse to order latte next Saturday. How about it?

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 09 Oct 2004, 21:44

Whether or not David understands Dadaist's humour or not is neither here nor there! If you're going to run a business and work with Joe Public on a daily basis (and believe me I've worked with some hum dinging members of the public!) you have to have a thick skin! You can't just go about barring people for having an opinion on whether or not they think you're providing a good service.

They are paying customers as are very many of us on this board. Personally I've never had bad service in the BBC (but I have had the odd cup of lukewarm hot chocolate - There! Am I barred now too?) but if I did I would complain without expecting to be chucked out. I'm really disappointed to hear this story and I'll also be interested to see if David would like to come into the board and put his point across.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 10 Oct 2004, 00:32

Bob wrote:I agree with everything that has been said so far, but at the same time I think that Dadaist has to accept that his sense of humour will at times cause offence.

I have to disagree. Dadaists sense of humour is not the issue here.

Dadaist told his regular readers a story, without malice, spite, judgment, denigration or even opinion, it was a story, full stop. The thing that made the story interesting was its bizzareness, not its humour. It was a story of a weird relationship between a business and its customers. In hindsight I would call it prophetic.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 10 Oct 2004, 00:37

Bob wrote: There's a very friendly vibe on the forum just now which pleases me no end, but I can understand how someone new to the forum might not always appreciate our sense of humour.

I totally agree with this statement, Bob.

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 10 Oct 2004, 10:35

Porty wrote:

I have to disagree. Dadaists sense of humour is not the issue here.

Hear, hear. The issue is the stand taken by the local Trader.
Furthermore, how can a whole group of people be banned from something when the Dadaists were not even representing the views of those people?

janetfenton · Post by **janetfenton** » 10 Oct 2004, 13:11

About 4 years ago I regularly lunched at BBC, particularly enjoying the delicious cafÃƒÂ© crÃƒÂ¨me and thought the place a blessing and a boon to Porty, serving excellent coffee (and providing job opportunities for local teenage children). At that time one item on the menu was a filled ciabatta with salad, brie and one of two kinds of meat. I think they were salami and ham, but, as a veggie, I canÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t swear to that Ã¢â‚¬â€œ they might have been chicken and pastrami. For the purpose of unfolding my sad tale of burning shame and public humiliation, I will assume they were ham and salami. The point is that one was cheaper than the other. I think the salami was cheaper than the ham.
These ciabatta were delicious. They came freshly filled on a plate with hairy lettuce and tortilla chips and were the business. Obviously as a veggie, I would ask to have them without either of the meats. It was pointed out that I would not be entitled to any reduction. Fair enough, I said, IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ll pay the same, just no dead things in ma roll please.
My love relationship with this particular lunch lasted for months and was usually serviced by one of the aforementioned teenagers who said she was going to join the army, a course of action I tried to dissuade her from which will come as no surprise to any of you who know me, or Ever Green. Lively discussions of a friendly sort occurred regularly on this topic. After she left the employ of The Beans she went to work for a sock and knicker business that had a brief (ha!ha!) life in the premises presently occupied by Acorn building services and I had to negotiate my ciabatta with Another, who I shall not name for fear of wrath and reprisal. This person took my order of said ciabatta without the salami which I agreed would not entitle me to a lower price. However, I was charged for ciabatta with ham, brie and salad. Ã¢â‚¬Å“No, no!Ã¢â‚¬Â

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 10 Oct 2004, 13:27

I find this difficult to believe. As a regular customer, why couldn't they just make you the sandwich you wanted and charge you an appropriate price?

David, I've heard enough. I withdraw my olive branch. You are clearly not worthy of our custom. Now, who wants to open a cafe with me? Child-friendly, customer-orientated, organic and fair-trade produce, nice comfy sofas, home baking, cool sounds, newspapers, board games, chill-out, stay as long as you like sort of thing?