Guest 664- Registered: 23 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,039
Purely in the interests of research, I paid a visit to the Port of Call's opening night this evening.
Judging by the large number of revellers it is going to go down a storm. A mixed crowd were enjoying the lie music and spilling out onto the tables outside.
Great to see a micropub with a a cafe culture angle - with the new multiplex planned and more micropubs imminent, is Dover turning a corner, entertainment-wise?
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Certainly turning a corner Andrew - for the better of course.
A friend of mine (yes I have one) went there this evening, so will be interesting to hear his viewpoint.
I wouldn't go to a pub on my own just to drink, but if I knew people who were going there, then I'd go for a chat - and a drink.
Roger
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
As a none drinker and we do not go to the town centre only to shop it will not be our port of call.
But it all looks very nice from the outside it has a great name keep the unwanted out and yes it should do well I hope it does we need all our drink and food outlets and indeed shops to do well.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
I thought the main problem with the Quay was the people who frequent it - you can hear them from quite a distance sometimes.
Spending £30,000 won't make any difference to the clientele, I wouldn't have thought.
Roger
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Hadn't realised that was still a problem there, i can remember the alfresco swearing competitions outside under the previous management but after it got tarted up the offers changed from "2 shots for the price of 1" to filled baguettes and coffee being served.
From what i can see it doesn't need any money spent on it.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Saw lights in the PoC this afternoon so I put my nosy hat on and knocked on the door. A gentleman by the name of Jean-Pierre has taken it over and plans to reopen on Friday in 2 weeks time. It will be a bistro rather than a bar (although he has installed a bar!) and the existing beer cold room will be used for hanging hams, ripening cheeses, etc.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Good to see it will reopen albeit as a bistro. all seems to have happened rather quickly, maybe the owner knew the Port of Call would close a while back.
Reginald Barrington- Location: Dover
- Registered: 17 Dec 2014
- Posts: 3,201
I see Chapter 8 has a new sign up "Macfair Bar & Bistro" must be catching!
Arte et Marte
Judith Roberts- Registered: 15 May 2012
- Posts: 632
I like the sound of Jean-Pierre's bistro. I assumed that Chapter Eight would be Chinese again, but I know from a friend in the wine trade that Chinese and Indian restaurants seem to be the ones struggling at the moment.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Michael and Tony who are reopening Ch8 as Macfair are both of Chinese extraction (although Tony has a Geordie accent!) and I'm told the menu will have an Oriental twist. Things being held up by the need for planning permission for a new canopy.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Andy B- Location: dover
- Registered: 10 Nov 2012
- Posts: 1,719
I must try it out sometime.I used to go there quite often when it was Chapter 8 and i always found the food good but its no surprise that Chinese is struggling as theres so many of them.A good friend of mine has a well established takeaway in town and the last year has been the quitest he has ever known.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
I knew someone of chinese extraction, had a tooth out in Beijing.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
At tooth-hurtee in the afternoon no doubt?
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 711- Registered: 1 Mar 2011
- Posts: 194
Looked through the window of The Port of call today and was welcomed inside by the chef, Steve, and offered a coffee on the house,which was very good.
They are already operating a soft opening.
Will go back with my husband to try the food soon.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
I thought it was going to be a French style bistro but open under its old name and what's on offer seems very similar to before.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Meanwhile just down the road the former D'arvilles suffered vandalism, plenty of DNA left behind.
Guest 664- Registered: 23 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,039
Anyone heard news on this pub? Been closed for weeks.
Paul M- Registered: 1 Feb 2016
- Posts: 393
I've not heard anything. It's a terrible shame, I've enjoyed many summer nights sitting outside nursing a few beers. I really hope it reopens.
Guest 1831- Registered: 1 Sep 2016
- Posts: 395
Persons in Deal actually own it all.
It will re-open.
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