Remedy Cafe
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Hachiro Ramen Bar – North Vancouver
October 21, 2019
Russell Hendrix finished a supply project in Honolulu, Hawaii called Uncle's Fish Market & Grill. RH provided Quest Standard Equipment, Custom Quest Equipment, Under-counter Refrigeration, Garland Fryers, Vollrath smallwares, Alto Shamm, Duke Equipment and Town Food Equipment pieces. We were able to sit down with owner Bruce Johnson to get his opinion of the process and feedback on working with RH.
About the Restaurant
Uncle’s was created by fisherman Bruce Johnson as a tribute to his mentors and heroes, Uncle’s Fish Market & Grill is located on Pier 38 in Honolulu. The restaurant features a variety of fresh seafood dishes and award-winning menu items. By using their parent company Fresh Island Fish, Uncle’s is able to serve the freshest fish from Hawaiian waters. Their focus is to produce an unpretentious seafood experience based in classic European and Asian cuisines.
A few of the restaurant’s most popular fish items are Uncle’s Award-Winning Garlic Ahi and Fresh Onaga, which is pan seared with a luscious lobster mushroom sauce. Besides high-quality local fish, Uncle’s flies in other top-notch seafood from around the world, including live Maine lobster. With menu items like these, it’s no wonder they were awarded the distinction of being ranked the fifth best seafood restaurant in the nation by the readers of USA Today.
Interview with Bruce
Director of Operations Brian McKelvey, Executive Chef Geoff Arakawa & Owner Bruce Johnson
1. How did you hear about Russell Hendrix?
I have a friend who is a restaurateur in BC named Brent Davies, he owns several restaurants in Vancouver (The Sand Bar Seafood Restaurant, The Tea House in Stanley Park and Cardero’s Restaurant in Coal Harbour). Brent introduced me to David Townsend who is an ex-employee of Quest and is one of the best kitchen designers I’ve ever met. [David] introduced me to Quest and Russell Hendrix and should get all the credit for that relationship. I owe him a lot, he’s an amazing person.
2. What made you decide to go with our company vs a company closer to your location?
I love Canada and spend a lot of time there, I found the quality was superior to what I could get in Hawaii, and I trust and enjoy working with Canadians.
3. What are some of the challenges with buying equipment internationally?
Logistics is the main hurdle. It’s very difficult for the average person, I’m very experienced in this from my other businesses of import-export.
4. How does the equipment measure up to equipment you've seen or used in the past?
Equipment and design were superior, as I mentioned quality was a big factor for me. All custom equipment can have some flaws that need to be fixed, but Quest is an honourable firm and stood behind everything they sold me. That’s huge in the world of production companies and honestly is hard to find.
5. Anything unique about the process you would like to mention?
Only that we appreciate all the companies involved, Acorn and others were also part of the entire package, everyone should get credit for a good job done!
