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The Dish

The fantastic affordable Feenie: no joke

ALEXANDRA GILL

From Wednesday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 5:53 PM EDT 24/07/08

Feenie's Cactus Club Café recipes raise the bar for the casual fine-dining chain ...Read the full article

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  1. lary waldman from Qualicum Beach, Canada writes: I have worked in and out of this Industry for some 30 years. I can say that the stamina it takes to keep it up is well mind boggling. Although I feel he can be a bit smug, for the most part he is a talented individual who brings a fresh feel to otherwise tired ideas. I applaud and hope the Rob Feenie succeeds, and no I am not related to him, or do I own stock in Cactus Club.

    Lary Waldman
  2. Winston Smith from Canada writes: Fennie is an over-rated celebrity chef.
  3. Woman of Reason from London, Uk, Canada writes: I tried Feenie's a couple of times and thought the food was generally passable, with some real highlights, and certainly worth the price. However, the whole idea of a chain restaurant is a complete turn off for me when there are so many good, independent restaurants to choose from. And what's with the name: Cactus Club? Could it be more inappropriate and stupid for a restaurant chain started in Vancouver.
  4. Antonio San from Canada writes: This need to prop up Rob Feenie on a regular basis...
  5. Able Bodied Man from It's NOT 'VICTORIA' Island, Canada writes: 'This being the Cactus Club, the servers are, of course, all women - young, perky, mostly blond, extremely thin women in tight skirts. But in all fairness, the ones I met were extraordinarily friendly and well versed in the menu.'
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Yes... there is a certain perkiness that's obvious right up front on the female waitpersons. This perkiness draws me in and delights my eye at the CCC in Nanaimo.

    I once sent in one of their comment cards noting the glandular ambience. I'm sure head office was pleased I noticed. The decor at CCC Nan is augmented by a sense of humour.
  6. Wise Guy from BC, Canada writes: I was told CC owns Shelter Restaurant in Tofino, a more fitting name for our climate. Though if you go there try the halibut at Sobo restaurant: Phenomenal ...
  7. The Nuts from who cares, Canada writes: Has anyone ever tried the Wildwood Bistro in Whistler? ... I was just there and thought it was amazing.
  8. Bob Seven from Edmonton, Canada writes: Isn't Catus Club Cafe part of the earls domaine? I remember when it was rolled out in Edmonton at old earl locations and fell flat on it's face (then again, the white and black cow theme really didn't take off!). Joey Tomatoes (another earl off shoot) is doing quite well in Edmonton. Feenie is a good chef who happens to be out in the public eye. Good catch by CCC - this will definately bring up their food to at least the standards of their eye candy!
  9. Jennifer Rollison from Canada writes: gill refers to her partner as 'the fiance'...nice...not my fiance, typical of her...after reading many of her reviews it is still 'all about her'...as for feenie...he is passable...an overblown...

    as for the women working at CC...guess what, it turns some women customers off to be served by half naked, no nothing young women...and, aside from what gill says, most cannot even pronounce the names of the wines they serve...whew...
  10. Anger Equals Danger from Canada writes: I miss Mardi (Feenie's assistant on Feenie's Classics) She always knew when to put him in his place. (hey Rob, these dutchess potatoes would really be so much better with ketchup!)
  11. shoshana berman from Canada writes: It sounds dreadful. In fact when you speak of the food, you haven't given any of it a good review. You seem to dwell more on your memories than what you have described which is an overpriced franchise restaurant. With 19 locations, serving cheap food, I seriously doubt that the artworks are originals. And what you have described of Mr. Feenie's involvement is glorified, what was it, food concept architect for a chain restaurant, exactly. I'm sure he could make lots of money owning a McDonalds too, and putting some signature touches on his franchise. it doesn't make it good food. MMM pasta sauce that tastes like can and dried herbs. Yuck.
  12. Francois Hunter from Canada writes: Just what is this piece of shameless promotion by proxy, 'full disclosure' notwithstanding ????
  13. Puzzled One from Canada writes: I am with Jennifer-- I will not visit CC because I am so put off by the servers, let alone bring my children there (and it is partially billed as a family restaurant). Earl's used to be similar, but has since become slightly more restrained and has hired a few men. If I want breasts with my meal, I will order chicken.

    I also heard a rumour that the restaurant fires employees older than 25...
  14. Oakville Curmudgeon from Canada writes: Such a lot of snarky people. Rob Feenie is a personable individual with a tremendous skill. Why can't we be happy for him in his new venture.

    Obviously his prospects are currently limited by a non-compete agreement. Cactus Club will offer a pleasant, and profitable, respite until he can dazzle us with another 5 star restaurant.
  15. simon little from Vancouver, East Hastings., Canada writes: I think Feenie lost all credibility when he started doing Whitespot ads.

    'oh, hey Rob Feenie! What's up?'
    'Hey guys, just dropped by to grab some of your premium ingredients! well, see you later!'

    I wonder if Cactus Club's new Food Concept Architecture includes Tripple-O sauce?
  16. Wandering Willy from Kelowna, Canada writes: Are you kidding me!! Lets call it what it is.......an upperscale hooters and a darn fine place to people watch.....perfect! The food is good, the restaurants are clean and inviting and yes.....the women servers are usually very hot. It appeals to a certain crowd and most definately fills that niche. 'The Keg' was the male version of Cactus Club for a long while but since has made the transition to 'Family' orientated. My wife and I love going to 'Cactus Club' because it is full of 30-50ish nicely dressed patrons who don't mind plopping down some cash to enjoy the experience. Always remember there are other places to go if you do not like having more breast on your server then on your plate......I personally like it thank you very much.
  17. Stephen Duke from Vancouver, Canada writes:

    I was jumpin for joy to see the braised short-rib sandwich on the menu at Bentall 5. The only thing better is Roquefort on Ribsteak.

    Keep on keeping on' at the Cactus. The evolution and innovation there is heroic. In fact, it is probably a very good reflection of Vancouver's trajectory in taste. Where Cactus goes, others seem to follow.

    Casual restaurants are sort of a barometer for the common denominator, and Cactus certainly makes us all look better compared to some others....(won't point fingers, but Toronto doesn't have anything close).

    Rob Feenie is no doubt going to be instrumental in raising Vancouver's casual dining socks. Casual dining doesn't have to mean frozen patties any more. The Cactus-Feenie strategy proves it.
  18. Let me tell You How It Is from Seattle, Washington, United States writes: There are many other great restaurants in Vancouver with amazing foods that are never heard of. Feenie meets expectations because he's been around forever. Shine the light on some other up and comers for once. I mean just because he made it big in the US on Iron Chef years ago doesn't mean anything now.
  19. Marley B from Vancouver, Canada writes: Vancouver is the capital of mediocre, corporate chain restaurants. Milestone's, Earl's, Cactus Club, The Boathouse, Moxie's etc... I am not sure if it is a chicken and the egg thing though. Do we in Vancouver embrace the cookie cutter Mc restaurants or have they in turn created the buzz through a 'Starbucks' style saturation?

    Feenie joining a restaurant chain where bridge and tunnel 20 something couples come downtown to feel hip and then barf it up on Granville street a few hours later would have been unheard of previously. However, the former poster is quite correct: when Feenie did those White Spot ads it was the beginning of the end.

    This has nothing to do with food snobbery(although chains like Cactus Club and Milestone's just assemble pre-made food and then heat it up and call it cuisine) but everything to do with globalization and the blandification of every aspect of our lives. Good thing is we have choices and so did Feenie.
  20. L M from Vancouver, Canada writes: I've had friends who worked there. They ask you what your size is, then give you one size smaller. Hence, the tight clothes.
  21. Pal Hal from Canada writes: Feenie & Suzur on food. Bruce Mau, that Karim dude & Gehry(sp?) on design & architecture. Starting to get sick of the same old same old!

    zzzzzzzzz...
  22. 1938371 1938371 from Vancouver, Canada writes: Feenie was an unknown name to me until his recent press related stories. North Shore Earls is an awesome family restaurant. Earls on Smithe and Nelson has great women servers, beautiful, nice and also very friendly. The food is excellent but recently the prices have shot up for the average working person (but it is over-flowing with white collar workers daily) based on $12 roughly for meatless pastas and salads and add $5 for meats/fish/pork/chicken plus tip is a bit expensive for lunch based on the food alone, but considering the total experience perhaps not. Kittos are renovating their Granville at Robson location so who knows what the new menu will be like, but when it closed for renos great lunches for $12 including tip. Packed most everyday is the Thai House on Robson near Therlow, Soup, Spring roll, rice and meat/chicken/fish dishes all for $11 inlcuding tip. Never seen a better lunch menu in 20 years. Would love to see the Catcus Club be a drawing card. The few times I have been there, the staff were excellent and the food was fine but not enough to draw me back unless others chose the place - Mr. Feenie may make the difference!
  23. Graham Brown from Sarnia, writes: This thread is useless without pics.
  24. Rain Couver from Canada writes: Funny that there should be a review of Feenie's contributions to the Cactus Club menu when, for the last two or three times I have gone, there has only been a fancy burger. It was good, better than the average burger, but according to the wait staff, that was his only real contribution. The other stuff that this reviewer mentioned was on the menu before Feenie ever joined Cactus Club. By the way, the tuna is bland and needs more seasoning.

    As just an aside, the Cactus Club in my neck of the woods seems to have abandoned their employment policy as the wait staff are gloriously and beautifully representative of the rest of society. No tight clothes as it appears there seemed to be no uniformity as it appears they are allowed to buy their own clothes, as long as it is all black.
  25. J Y from Vancouver, Canada writes: I was going to give the new Catcus Club a try until I read this article. I guess I won't go until they hire a few tall and handsome young waiters to attract some female customers!
  26. Johnn Baraka from Victoria, Canada writes: Wow, some really jealous people here. Can't handle when someone else becomes successfull, again?
  27. Stephen Duke from Vancouver, Canada writes:

    A company like Cactus can provide a lot of things to Urban work/life. For example, they have the capital and brand equity to establish restaurants in locations that independants could never afford (Bentall 5). They certainly take food trends to the burbs, which has its benefits (I won't go into).

    Another thing they do is bring new trends forward to the masses (I expect we will see more of this soon).

    If not for Cactus in certain locations downtown, there would be an absence of quick, casual, iconic food, and we would end up eating in Hotel "dining rooms" again. The alternative is the food court.

    Not all of us want to go to the downtown eastside to drink vintage wines and eat food prepared in a questionable (can you call it a kitchen behind that velvet curtain) facility, while homeless people surround the place - just to support the little independant guys that think they know something about food because they have so many tatoos. Talk about a dichotomy. Fine dining in blood alley - are you kidding?
  28. Jennifer Rollison from Canada writes: Stephen, maybe the dining room is in Blood Alley because no where else is affordable. I worked on the west side of Vancouver a few years ago...there were homeless there all the time. Look around Steve, Point Grey is not immune to homeless and neither is Gastown, nor, for that matter is Lumiere. If you want homogenized cities...good luck. If you want good food, try Blood Alley. And, by the way, try to find one of those girls at CC without a tattoo-good luck with that, too.
  29. Wandering Willy from Kelowna, Canada writes: Jennifer Rollison from Canada writes: *SNIP* by the way, try to find one of those girls at CC without a tattoo-good luck with that, too.

    I know it was not your intention....but somehow what you wrote just made my pulse quicken just a little bit. Sorta like a REALLY fun easter egg hunt.
  30. Jennifer Rollison from Canada writes: Willy, good luck on your 'hunt'...you are and always will be a bad boy...bet those beaches in Kelowna have been great for you...J
  31. Anger Equals Danger from Canada writes: Puzzled One from Canada writes: I also heard a rumour that the restaurant fires employees older than 25...
    ==============================

    It's called a "corrective dismissle", but yeh, they more or less do. They schedule you for fewer and fewer shifts until you get frustrated and apply somewhere else.

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