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Enterprises
The dish on DISH
Thu May 20, 2010 Miss Vicky
Miss Vicky has always thought the space at the corner of Wellington West and Fairmont is underutilized. It just seems like the perfect place for a coffee shop or restaurant of some sort - there's potential for a patio, it's convenient to the church and the community centre... and heck, it's a nice building. The space has been papered over for some time, and recently a notice appeared in the window advising the community about an application for a liquor license permit for DISH.
That would be DISH catering, Miss Vicky assumed. DISH has been operating out of the back of a Wellington West building for some time - they do great event catering and are all-round good people. So she emailed them to find out the scoop about the new space. She got a quick reply from owner Erin Clatney.
DISH is moving their catering operation to the carriage house (the space on Fairmont beside the corner). As for the corner space, she writes "is a private dining room and event space coupled with 'DISH It Out' pre-ordered party food to go". They'll be offering a standard seasonal menu of locally and DISH-produced food, a "Party in a box" - easy and tasteful options for folks hosting events without having to deal with the full-on catering experience.
As for the dining room, Erin says it "will also profile visiting Chef nights, local and not- perhaps once a month, communal table."
So, not a full-on restaurant at the moment, but a great option for event hosting and some food-oriented evenings. The license would allow for expansion or adjustment of the business in the future, but that's the plan right now. Erin is open to ideas of the kinds of things we'd like to see happen there. The key for DISH will be distinguishing themselves from others (like the Urban Element), carving out a niche.
So good news (DISH in Hintonburg - Yay!) and not-so-good (no coffee shop or regularly-open food-oriented gathering space). What think you, Kitchissippi foodies? Any ideas for DISH?
Some people were moved to reply
Really glad to hear that they're moving in, it's a great location and they're a fantastic business. But I'm sad to hear that there won't be a front store with coffee, treats, sandwiches, etc. I would've used that a lot. Hopefully they'll reconsider!
I totally agree. It will be wonderful to have Dish here but am still hoping for a nice coffee shop , like Raw Sugar, to drop into here. It is great to have Cyclelogik and Wellington Sandwiches during the day, but in the evening it is pretty slim pickings in eastern Hintonburg. Hoping for a nice independent!!!
Erin sent me a note to clarify a few things:
"Although the location is zoned for our use, the owner of the property would not lease to a restaurant or any food ‘service’ business because of an existing non-compete clause with a current restaurant tenant.
Our focus of continuing to build our brand of full-service catering and events, while introducing DISH It Out, our retail party food concept, is conducive within the legal limitations.
To those that desire a wine bar\ patio\ restaurant etc…It is my goal, once our feet are planted and rooted (perhaps next year) to request a patio variance with the city of Ottawa, and, should the current restaurant tenant agree, we would amend our lease to allow for an operation that would be more inclusive.
Also, I feel that we have, in fact, created a niche. Our DISH It Out retail take-away is in response to the many requests we have from existing clients for prepared party platters, which we can not provide in our current location.
Our private dining room is simply a natural extension of DISH."
Thanks, Erin! It's good to understand the constraints you have, but also good to know you're planning to grow your business gradually
There's also the Hintonburger that's got quit a discrete sign up at the former Persian restaurant diner locale.
Fantastic News! I will be lining up to use Dish and will attempt to "invent" an occassion to rent out the new dining room.
Welcome to the neighbourhood Dish and Erin!