# Cool Restaurant Names. Help me pick one out **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 12, 2006, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-restaurant-names-help-me-pick-one-out/348081 "2006-03-12T21:16:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![fifty-six](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@fifty-six](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fifty-six)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-restaurant-names-help-me-pick-one-out/348081/1 "2006-03-12T21:16:55Z")
I purchased a small restaurant this week. I am quite excited and will be opening in about a month or so. I have just been having problems picking out the name. I dont want to stick with the current name for many reasons. Here is the info to help in choosing a name. It is gonna be on the [Homer](http://www.homeralaska.org/) Spit. If you have never been here or heard of it it is a great place. Views of several volcanos and the currently avtive [Augustine](http://www.avo.alaska.edu/activity/Augustine.php), eagles, fishing, trails, otters, wales, moutains. I could go on for a long time about the things you can see and do in The Spit. But I wont you can do a little search and ask questions if needed. My restaurant is kinds small like most of the others on the spit. I do have one of the best views of the active harbor. The board walk it is on is called Harborview Boardwalk but this is not labled as such and most of the locals dont even know it. Most of the available food on The Spit is Fish and Chips, Pizzia and Burgers. I was planning on departing from that and going a bit more on the fresh side and hints of a city type bistro. Panini, fresh shucked oysters, wide range of salads; green, pasta, grain, fruit, exc, fresh squessed juices and mostly daily specials. I have been stumped a bit on the name though. The following have been considered. “Bistro on the Spit” “Harborview Cafe” “Harborview Bistro” “Homer Spit-Fire Grill” I want to sound fresh and inviting. But not at all pretensious. I also dont want a name to box me into any one type of food or cooking. The names I have thought up are ok but not really getting me there. At the end of the day it wont really matter all that much as The Spit is packed with people for over 100 days and I could call it Sector 56 and sell hotdogs on tridents and still do just fine. And suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-restaurant-names-help-me-pick-one-out/348081/2 "2006-03-12T21:39:10Z")
“The Spit Swallow.” But seriously, how bout “The Augustine Bistro?” Or “The Volcano Grille.” ---
**Author:** ![athelas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@athelas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/athelas)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-restaurant-names-help-me-pick-one-out/348081/3 "2006-03-12T21:46:18Z")
Harborview Cafe sounds good. Straightforward, to the point. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-restaurant-names-help-me-pick-one-out/348081/4 "2006-03-12T21:56:58Z")
On the _Homer_ Spit, huh? How about **“D’OH!”**? ---
**Author:** ![Olive\_The\_Other\_Reindeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Olive\_The\_Other\_Reindeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olive_The_Other_Reindeer)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-restaurant-names-help-me-pick-one-out/348081/5 "2006-03-12T21:59:48Z")
How about “Club Baby Seals at the Harbor”??? Olive ---
**Author:** ![foxymoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d26b3c/32.png) [@foxymoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foxymoron)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-restaurant-names-help-me-pick-one-out/348081/6 "2006-03-12T22:00:50Z")
I like Spit-Fire Grill (but would leave off the “Homer” part). Is the name Kachemak Cafe taken? That one’s fun to say. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-restaurant-names-help-me-pick-one-out/348081/7 "2006-03-12T22:07:17Z")
There was once a place in New Orleans called The Psyche Deli. I’ve always liked that one. ---
**Author:** ![fifty-six](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@fifty-six](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fifty-six)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-restaurant-names-help-me-pick-one-out/348081/8 "2006-03-12T22:07:47Z")
Wow! Great! Keep them comming. I have a deadline of Tues. Wednesday to pick one out. 50% off for all Dopers ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-restaurant-names-help-me-pick-one-out/348081/9 "2006-03-12T22:11:17Z")
Since you’re near a volcano, how about ‘Caldera’? ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-restaurant-names-help-me-pick-one-out/348081/10 "2006-03-12T22:30:45Z")
I like the _Spit-Fire Grill_ idea. Maybe go a little big further, and be less descriptive: you’re in Alaska, and you’re next to a volcano. How about _Ice and Fire_? Implies fresh seafood and grilling in addition to the geographical features. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-restaurant-names-help-me-pick-one-out/348081/11 "2006-03-12T22:47:17Z")
_Robin’s Nest_ How about _Respite_ ---
**Author:** ![Tabula\_Rasa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9adbd/32.png) [@Tabula\_Rasa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabula_Rasa)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-restaurant-names-help-me-pick-one-out/348081/12 "2006-03-12T23:20:26Z")
How about The Odyssey Bistro? ---
**Author:** ![foxymoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d26b3c/32.png) [@foxymoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foxymoron)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2006, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-restaurant-names-help-me-pick-one-out/348081/13 "2006-03-13T00:29:25Z")
Bistro on the Bay Congratulations on your new venture, by the way. Are you going to be open all year, or just for tourist season? ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2006, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-restaurant-names-help-me-pick-one-out/348081/14 "2006-03-13T01:05:37Z")
Hot Stuff on the Harbor Imagine the advertising potential 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Caractacus\_Pott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@Caractacus\_Pott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caractacus_Pott)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2006, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-restaurant-names-help-me-pick-one-out/348081/15 "2006-03-13T01:59:51Z")
Fifty-six, I visited the Spit last April, just before the season opened. Seeing what your competition is, I’d go with a classy name so the customers like me would know you’re not serving the same greasy carnival food as the rest of the boardwalk. I’m partial to Harborview Cafe or Augustine Bistro, the latter having more cachet. Please DON’T use The Eagle’s Nest. And I hope to visit when I figure out what to do for the summer. PS-Do you have outdoor seating? If so how do you keep the eagles away? ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2006, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-restaurant-names-help-me-pick-one-out/348081/16 "2006-03-13T02:26:15Z")
If there’s otters in the vicinity, why not run with that? Everybody likes otters. Maybe something like “Otters’ Romp,” or “Otters’ Raft.” Or perhaps “The Otter’s Nose,” which suggests discriminating olfaction, and might also earn you points from anyone familiar with **Monty Python’s Life of Brian**. Plus the otter theme would present an easy choice of decor. Empty spot on the wall? Just slap up another picture of an otter! Easy as pie, and the kids will love it. Or in keeping with the volcano theme, how about “Pyroclastic Flo’s?” ---
**Author:** ![cormac262](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@cormac262](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cormac262)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2006, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-restaurant-names-help-me-pick-one-out/348081/17 "2006-03-13T03:08:23Z")
I’ve been to the spit a couple of times. For cute: The Spit Tune (get it ?) Hawk-a-Luigi’s Most certainly NOT “eagle’s nest”. But how about The Puffin’s Nest ? much more appropriate I think. I was also thinking of something along the lines of the “Tip of the Kenai”. You mention not wanting to sound pretentious, but to me, anything with “bistro” in it is a little pretentious. ---
**Author:** ![fifty-six](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@fifty-six](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fifty-six)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2006, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-restaurant-names-help-me-pick-one-out/348081/18 "2006-03-13T03:26:00Z")
> [@Happy Lendervedder](#): > > “The Spit Swallow.” > But seriously, how bout “The Augustine Bistro?” > Or “The Volcano Grille.” Wow! Three great ones. “Spit Swallow” I will now answer with that during The Shorebird Festival when approached with the question, “What kind of bird is that?” By the way I use to hunt Double Breasted Sap Suckers but now I just admire them. > [@Olive](#): > > How about > “Club Baby Seals at the Harbor”???Olive Hmm… > [@foxymoron](#): > > I like Spit-Fire Grill (but would leave off the “Homer” part). > Is the name Kachemak Cafe taken? That one’s fun to say. Kachemak Cafe’ is a great name but unfortunatly a variant is taken by a good friend of mine. K-Bay Cafe’ I know it is kinda different but he is a great friend. > [@Tabula Rasa](#): > > How about The Odyssey Bistro? Funny you mention that name. There use to be a restaurant/Bar on the Spit named the Odyssey. When I first moved here I was a drunkard and hung out there all night. It was open for one season and burned down right after summer. I have been sober now for 8 years. I think I will leave the Odyssey behind. > [@foxymoron](#): > > Bistro on the Bay > Congratulations on your new venture, by the way. Are you going to be open all year, or just for tourist season? I will likly be open just for the tourist season. The Spit really closes up during the winter. I will stay open for as long as feasable though.A full month before and after the Tourist season or maby a little more. > [@Caractacus Pott](#): > > Fifty-six, > > I visited the Spit last April, just before the season opened. Seeing what your competition is, I’d go with a classy name so the customers like me would know you’re not serving the same greasy carnival food as the rest of the boardwalk. I’m partial to Harborview Cafe or Augustine Bistro, the latter having more cachet. Please DON’T use The Eagle’s Nest. And I hope to visit when I figure out what to do for the summer. > > PS-Do you have outdoor seating? If so how do you keep the eagles away? Well That is why I am gonna depart from the Fried Food and Burger and “Carnival” food. Thanks for the input. Dont worry I wont call anything Eagles Nest or the like. The eagles are fat and happy. I have never heard of an eagle taking anyones food. There are stories of them eating small pets. I do have outdoor seating. > [@Terrifel](#): > > If there’s otters in the vicinity, why not run with that? Everybody likes otters. Maybe something like “Otters’ Romp,” or “Otters’ Raft.” Or perhaps “The Otter’s Nose,” which suggests discriminating olfaction, and might also earn you points from anyone familiar with **Monty Python’s Life of Brian**. Plus the otter theme would present an easy choice of decor. Empty spot on the wall? Just slap up another picture of an otter! Easy as pie, and the kids will love it. > > Or in keeping with the volcano theme, how about “Pyroclastic Flo’s?” I want to first thank you for taking the time to post here and offer up your suggetions. You may verry well be right about the otters and the attraction they command. I on the other hand have had quite enough otter depictions. I still get excited seeing one in the water but that is about enough I could not work in an otterfied envoroment. If I could I know it would be successfull. I have an Artist friend… Pyroclastic Floe’s Is clever ---
**Author:** ![Saltire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saltire/32/553_2.png) [@Saltire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saltire)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2006, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-restaurant-names-help-me-pick-one-out/348081/19 "2006-03-13T03:33:57Z")
Since Homer is on an arm of the Cook Inlet, how about “Chef on the Cook”? “Food from the Cook”? Ah, there’s something there, but I’m not clever enough to come up with a good suggestion from it. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2006, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-restaurant-names-help-me-pick-one-out/348081/20 "2006-03-13T03:38:28Z")
Memories… I used to camp on the spit every Easter. Nobody there and colder than a Wiccan’s mammary, but a great place to relax and be one with your soul. But a place to get a decent nosh would have been appreciated. The Ilium Cafe Cassandra’s Cafe On a Clear Day You Can See Seldovia [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-restaurant-names-help-me-pick-one-out/348081.md?page=2)