Last 5 Weeks
« Previous Post | Main | Next Post »
So far, at least, there's only been one incident of confusion regarding the name of the new restaurant, Strip Club, in St. Paul. Co-owner Tim Niver told me that one day two guys walked in with dollar bills in their hands and asked, "Where's the other room?" (The guys, likely non-native English speakers, apparently didn't realize the name is a pun on strip steak. Neither did my friend's fourth-grade son, who, when his father felt compelled to explain what strip steaks and strip clubs were, responded, "Why would anyone want to see somebody take their clothes off? That's gross.")

Niver says they chose the name because they thought it was funny and memorable and that, so far, only one neighbor has raised concerns about the name's appropriateness, citing concerns about the area's troubles with prostitution. We've seen this question raised in the past regarding Chino Latino's ad campaigns: Where's the line between cheeky and offensive?
Those who find the name in poor taste should at least be happy to know that googling "Strip Club" with "St. Paul" now brings up only mentions of the restaurant on the first page, which certainly wasn't the case when I tried that a month ago.
Posted by Rachel Hutton at March 5, 2008 11:14 AM
« Reporter's Notebook: Sarah Master | Main | Kitchenwarez : Garlic Zoom »
I like my breasts medium well.
Posted by: Helm Matthews at March 5, 2008 5:10 PM
I think it is a stupid name, and I wouldn't even think to go there if I was looking for a restuarant. We drive around a lot and eat at places that seem appealing. My husband wouldn't even ask me to go there with him if we drove by, he would look the other way.
Posted by: terri smith at March 6, 2008 9:34 AM
It's a restaurant, period, exclamation point! I refuse to believe that the people the name might offend do not watch R rated movies (swearing, brief nudity, violence) or read love stories, have a cocktail, wear lingerie, watch reality TV, use swear words or make love to their spouses.
Please everybody, take a deep breath, loosen up.
If you keep your eyes and mind open you might find that the reason this restaurant is good is because of the passion for food and fun in life that the restaurant purveys. It is a romantic setting with a beautiful view of St. Paul from a building built in 1885. This restaurant serves grass fed meats from local farms and farmers that treat animals and the enviroment with respect. We use organic vegetables and other high quality ingredients and serve them with a style that is uniquely old school St Paul.
This once affluent neighborhood needs a new culture for it to move on and away from the negativity and perception that all that exists in this part of town is drug dealing and prostitution. Our name embraces the humor in life. One of the restaurant's goals is to enrich and eliven this historic neighborhood.
Come in despite your doubts, we are here to serve you.
Posted by: NIVER at March 7, 2008 10:46 AM
Wow, his prose shifted from 3rd to 1st person. Ahhh, advertising...
Posted by: Helm Matthews at March 10, 2008 4:51 PM
Jesus Christ, Terri Smith, get a life. You would pass up the chance to try a great restaurant because of the NAME? That's like saying "My husband and I were in Napa Valley and we passed this restaurant called the French Laundry...but I don't really like French people...and I hate doing laundry so I would never go there, the food must be terrible"
I really hope you are not an East Sider, or for that matter even live in St. Paul. I grew up in St. Paul and presently live on the East Side. Growing up, we had a few good restaurants to go to...Yarusso Bros., Serlin's, Magnolia's, Obb's. We have never had anything like the Strip Club. This is a place where you can get amazing dishes like Foie Gras with citrus and olives, Swedish meatballs with mashers and truffle gravy, an amazing grass fed NY Strip steak with your choice of many toppings. This restaurant is such a positive thing for our neighborhood, yet we have ignorant people like you posting negative things about it because you are offended by the name. Here's an idea - get your lame husband and take him there some night. You may be surprised by the great food...and the fact that there are no nude women there.
Posted by: Step at March 14, 2008 12:20 AM
Oh, who needs her?
Tim - you and Dan took wonderful care of us the last time we went. The views are stunning and the food was extraordinary. We will be back soon. Thank you!
Posted by: JoyEstelle at March 19, 2008 3:17 PM
The French Laundry was in a French Laundry. That is to say, it was the origin of the business. A catchy name, play on words, made to stick name is a hard call. You could open a Laplander restaurant called the Lap Dance. What would they serve? Whale and reindeer. I've wanted to name a restaurant The Fifth Quarter - after the offal which gets so little respect. Football fans would come in hoards looking for the big screens. 19th Hole anyone?
Posted by: Karlissimo at March 20, 2008 12:56 PM