Discussions

Maybe this demographic are preferring to go to the Brown Restaurant now - it is much more accessible - I always found the atmosphere at Remingtons to be cold and harsh - didn't feel comfortable in their surroundings. I agree, it is time to rethink the purpose of the Town Centre -

Another steakhouse has opened (Browns) and another trendy downtown restaurant (Firehouse) just opened two blocks away. It's just a matter of time when there's more than one business competing within the same niche, that one will dominate over the other. I wonder if the Double Decker would want the space if the lease was a good deal? I keep hearing that they want to expand for more square footage... Maybe an alternative would be taking over the Remington's space? A kick-@$$ kitchen, open spaces and a lounge space for the entertainment stage set-up could be in. Should be a good fit to be considered.  
 
I hate to see a unique eatery dissolve, but the food business is sort of an "dog-eat-dog" state of affair. Brandon has only X amount of loyal regulars, Y amount of "disposable income" customers and Z amount of seasonal "group bookings". It's always will be a finite number after the initial opening. The more options for Brandon to eat out... the thinner the numbers will be for those less popular locations. I think our city has hit a saturation point in regarding to restaurants, long ago.  
 
Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

snowman5 said "Another steakhouse has opened (Browns) and another trendy downtown restaurant (Firehouse) just opened two blocks away. It's just a matter of time when there's more than one business competing within the same niche, that one will dominate over the other. I wonder if the Double Decker would want the space if the lease was a good deal? I keep hearing that they want to expand for more square footage... Maybe an alternative would be taking over the Remington's space? A kick-@$$ kitchen, open spaces and a lounge space for the entertainment stage set-up could be in. Should be a good fit to be considered.     I hate to see a unique eatery dissolve, but the food business is sort of an "dog-eat-dog" state of affair. Brandon has only X amount of loyal regulars, Y amount of "disposable income" customers and Z amount of seasonal "group bookings". It's always will be a finite number after the initial opening. The more options for Brandon to eat out... the thinner the numbers will be for those less popular locations. I think our city has hit a saturation point in regarding to restaurants, long ago.     Just my opinion, I could be wrong. "

this would definately not be a great setting for the Double Decker - as I think it has its unique flair now, with the building they are currently in. I believe if the Double Decker was to relocate - they too would soon be out of business - as it would not have the same Vibe!!! That is huge in the restaurant business.

I always think it's sad when a business has to close. Nobody wishes that on any business.  
 
Last experience there was about 2 years ago. Out of town company executive comes to Brandon and a small group of us decided on Remington's for an evening dinner, as we like to support a local dining establishment vs. a chain.  
 
I'm afraid to say the meal was super expensive for the quality. Company was footing the bill, so price was not a personal issue, but it was a very disappointing meal for all. Medium-well steaks were more than well done, dry, and extremely salty (and I like a nicely seasoned steak). Portions as compared to other dining establishment were so tiny, the meal was not that hot, and there were very few people in there. Since none of us are complainers, we just sucked up the poor meal experience. We should have diplomatically mentioned our disappointment, which is something regretful.  
 
Since then, I never went back. I had had ok meals there previously. Just nothing to write home about. I'd just about go anywhere for a great meal...location wasn't an issue.  
 
I'm sorry to see Remington's closing, but there was nothing that compelling to keep wanting to return.

myhandleistrain said "With all due respect, I would call it run-of-the-mill at best. Clancy's is unique. Do they still have steak and kidney pie? Yum!! "

Didn't Clancy's close a couple years ago? And now is The Dock on Princess?  
And I disagree that the Remingtons location would be good for the double decker. It's unique the way it is, and I think that would be a terrible business move to move into town centre.  
 
 
Edited by Cheezies, 2016-04-19 13:52:30

My experience at remington's was the more expensive meals were generally good. Good is probably not good enough for an upscale restaurant though. I can't remember having an excellent meal there.  
 
The lounge/lunch food was mediocre at best. No different than at least 6 others in town.  
 
One thing that is sticking in my mind with their closing is the burgers they would serve at various locations. Most notably on cruise nights in front but I have seen them other locations as well. The burgers were out of a box boring burgers. Nothing too wrong with them exactly. Unless you are a trying to be an upscale restaurant. If I knew nothing about Remington's and I had or even saw the burgers I would never go there for an expensive meal.  
 
Opportunity lost. Serve an amazing burger as a loss leader at these events and let word of mouth do the work.  
 
With all that said sad to see them go.

While I have had the same mixed results when dining at Remingtons, for the past several years one thing (person) has been consistantly excellant, and thats Ben Hernandez. Always friendly, always professional, always willing to go the extra mile. Wherever Ben ends up will be lucky to have him. All the best to you Sir.

More at the link below from this week's Journal, where Hernandez speaks to how the business evolved over the years into being more seasonal/special occasion oriented:  
http://www.westmanjournal.com/news/local-news/hernandez-on-decision-to-close-remington-s-we-became-a-destination-location-1.2234365  

Tonight is the last night... Buffet dinner from 4:30-8:30 and then the restaurant with be closed after an approx 14 year run:  
http://m.cklq.com/index.php?id=76&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=11299&cHash=2ab1b772c4448c98d220661ac2841622

From the link below, you will now be able to find Ben H at the Green Olive. Sounds like the plan is to combine popular menu items from Remington's and from the Green Olive:  
http://www.westmanjournal.com/news/local-news/hernandez-takes-ownership-of-green-olive-1.2323652

I will now have to find a new favorite restaurant. My favorite lunch item has been dropped from the menu. I am very disappointed.

Give it a try, maybe you'll find a new favorite item.

Curious which menu item that is?

Our favourite item is off too which was the Chicken Souvlaki. It was the best in town!! Very sad to see the Green Olive go. Brandon has very few good restaurants and the Green Olive was one of them!!

Adam said " New Green Olive (soon to be Bennys) menu has been added to the dining section:   https://ebrandon.ca/menus/GreenOliveBennysRestaurantMenu.pdf     As an aside, if you have coupons for the Green Olive it's best to use them in the next couple weeks before the name changeover (for example I have a bogo in the Kiwanis coupon book) "

for future discussions of Green Olive/Benny's? Doesn't seem make sense to have it under "Remmington's" anymore.