Last year I covered the 2009 Bite of Burnsville and how ridiculously stupid it was. Instead of showcasing everything decent about Burnsville’s restaurants, they did the exact opposite and highlighted everything that was wrong with it. Even though I claimed it would be a huge and catastrophic failure, according to the documents provided by VenuWorks for the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, the 2009 Bite of Burnsville sold 500 tickets! An impressive feat and obviously one which the Burnsville Chamber would want to repeat this year.
Well, they apparently listened because in 2010 they are doing nearly the exact opposite (foodwise) of what they did last year and have some of the better restaurants around town on the docket for this year’s event. Now, while I still don’t see the value in paying $40 to eat Buca, Med Cruise Cafe, or bd’s Mongolian Grill while listening to the horrendously boring comedysportz group (BTW, I’ve seen those people twice now–both work functions–and they weren’t exactly fit for a food event) I suppose it’s a lot better than eating subs, Chipotle knockoffs, and chain BBQ.
While they have changed their lineup of food, thankfully, they have not updated their awful and outdated website and they haven’t lined up any sponsors worth noting. Personally, if I were a sponsor and I was still listed under the heading of 2009 I’d be mighty upset. What does my expensive sponsorship do for me other than tie my name to bad web design and very little press in publications like Thisweek’s Thisweekend insert? Nothing.
So, with names like Chateau Lamothe, Chianti Grill, Red’s Savoy, and Roasted Pear do you agree that they’ve stepped up their game over Famous Daves, Let’s Dish, Milio’s, Qdoba (which closed anyway) or do you think that this is just as worthless as it was last year? Whatever you have to say about the 2010 Bite of Burnsville go ahead and comment on as I’d love to hear what you have to say!
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January 18th, 2010 at 11:09 am
Heeey why you hat’n on Comdy Sprotz.. they’re alright.. sort of amusing improv.. improv is hard.. my whole life is one big improv sketch believe me.
January 18th, 2010 at 11:31 am
Chateau LaMothe and Chianti Grill are definite upgrades from last year. I was there last year and have been to a number of them over the years and would agree that last year’s food was disappointing. The venue at BPAC is also a big improvement over past years (Northwest Health Club, Basement of City Hall, Soccer Blast, second floor at Market Place or whatever it was called). Keep in mind that it is not just about food and price – it is equally a business networking function and charity fund raiser.
January 18th, 2010 at 11:36 am
Red’s Savoy is best pizza in town by my taste. Too bad they didn’t do more of a sit down place with beer.
January 18th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
todd, what charity does it raise funds for? I don’t see any specific mention of that on their poorly done website.
January 18th, 2010 at 12:41 pm
sponsors? I don’t really get it. shouldn’t the restaurants be the sponsors???
January 18th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Interesting to see that on the Food and Beverage page for the Bite of Burnsville – Dakota County Steakhouse
http://www.hiburnsville.com/dakota_county_steakhouse/index.cfm
http://burnsvillechamber.com/Bob/FoodBeverage/FoodBeverage.htm
I suspect that the Dakota County Steakhouse will not be serving any alcoholic beverages at this event unless they pay their past due taxes. They are on the State of MN -Delinquent tax list as of 1/10/2010.
http://www.taxes.state.mn.us/taxes/collection/other_supporting_content/liquor_posting_list.pdf
January 18th, 2010 at 1:00 pm
I guess this goes to show that when you are a “Bite of Burnsville Silver Spoon Recipient” it doesn’t do much for your business. Perhaps that’s why participation is fairly low?
January 18th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
When one considers the total number of tickets sold at last years event and the number of members of the Burnsville Chamber of Commerce, which at last year’s count was approx 600, I would consider the event a failure. The chamber does expect their membership to purchase tickets. Another interesting note regarding the membership of the Burnsville Chamber of Commerce is that approx 20% actually own a business within the city boundaries and also reside within the city of Burnsville. And now for the most important question. Is this a “paid” vendor event or another “FREE” event being held at Performing Arts Center?
January 18th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
TL, I’d be interested in knowing if OTHERS can sell alcohol for those that are on the tax list.
Will, while I don’ t know for sure, I’d be willing to put money down that says the Chamber paid for the right to use the building. There’s no way that the city would have maded ~$3200 on 500 tickets like they did last year if it was free.
January 18th, 2010 at 7:16 pm
FYI, the funds raised are for the Burnsville Chamber, not any form of charity, unless you count the fees paid to the PAC for use of the building! Actually that really isn’t fair as of course the PAC needs to be paid for use of the facility. The PAC incurs cost as well to host the event- salaries, cleanup and turning on the lights and heat. All that said, the venue was indeed a big upgrade from previous years
Chateau LaMothe was there last year, Chianti Grill had been involved every year since they opened but skipped last year; not sure why. I will be curious to see how BD’s represents their menu as on site cooking is not allowed inside the PAC.
Regarding the liquor sales, the PAC only allows “Authorized Vendors” to cater inside their doors, which would include the cash bar at such events as the Bite. I think last year Kraemer’s Catering had the concession for a small bar, but that memory is pretty hazy. So only the restaurants/caterers that greased the runway with some cash are allowed. Rumor has it that this is set to change as the Venue Works group struggles to react to public opinion.
January 18th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Reading the list of auction items is interesting too.
Five cubic yards of Ready-Mix? What the hell am I going to do with that; bury someone in my garage?
A foursome from Brackett’s Crossing? Um, didn’t know they offered *that* service there. I think they’d get more members if they advertised it.
TBD from the Burnsville Police Department. That could go a lot of different ways.
January 19th, 2010 at 4:36 am
[...] long and thoughtful profile of Dave’s Brewfarm, Bill Roehl turns his hairy eyeball upon the 2010 Bite of Burnsville, photos by Katie from Grecco’s on the St. Croix, why carp isn’t (but may soon be) [...]
January 19th, 2010 at 12:14 pm
“Five cubic yards of Ready-Mix? What the hell am I going to do with that; bury someone in my garage?”
Best laugh i have had in a few days, well done Tim.