MichaelBKK

Vientianeboy, reputations take seconds to make and years to change. If you read my post carefully you'll see that I am suggesting that the popular conception of Lao Airlines is not accurate, and that the airline is probably better than it's old reputation. I've said good things about the flight here, and in my review on my own sites. Your scolding is misplaced.

I agree with all three points about Makphet, but why does any of them make it such a bad place. I clearly said it was "modern Lao" cuisine, and that it was probably the only place attempting that. You remind me of the Thais I was with, who were quite fuddy-duddies about food (as many Thais are). They have this quite fixed idea of what Thai food is, apparently without any understanding of what a mash-up of foreign influences (and ingredients like chilies) Thai food is. Lao food is just as much a mix, if not more so. Why resist change or new ideas?

As for Joma, I think you missed the fact that I'm in the coffee business. I even judge barista competitions. Trust me, the coffee at Joma is very good, and the barista at the fountain branch is top notch. The coffee at Cafe Lao's talad sao branch is also okay, but the shop lacks all the amenities of Joma. It's not that comfortable and doesn't have the bakery offering of Joma (I listed Joma's chocolate chip cookies as one of SE Asia's five best in 2009). It was very clear that there were very, very few locals among Joma's patrons. Personally, I suspect price has more to do with that than taste or avoiding tourists. It's perhaps not the best situation, and certainly not without business risks, but as a businessperson I would be very happy with the kind of turnover I observed at Joma.

Vientianeboy

No I got the fact you were in the coffee business. I am a coffee addict and fanatic. Believe me, Joma coffee is not great - reminds me a bit of that Starbucks dishwater.
I didn't say Makphet was bad, just that it is not authentic. What often happens is people want to try Lao food and read a Makphet review in LP or whatever. In reality they haven't tried Lao food at all.
With regard to Lao Airlines. Michael you did post "Lao Airlines has a fairly bad reputation". In fact it doesn't anymore. That was with what I took issue.

Hanuman

Micheal,

ฝรั่งอยากเป็นคนลาว!

Smeagol

VB - are you a coffee expert? maybe in YOUR opinion the coffee isn't great but Michael is a coffee expert , why do you have to be so contrary?? I think what Michael has written is well balanced but you seem bent on picking a fight (just like telling me that 92f isn't hot)
Please get over yourself and go back to giving us good insider info on Laos

Gpanda

MIchael is a coffee expert? No way! Can't be. I thought Black Canyon just paid him to wander around aimlessly dispensing useless opinions on incidental matters. Just a quickly moving part with no attachment to a business plan. It's not like the coffeee business is competitive. He hops, he pops, they flops and life goes on. Sort of a reverse bean-counter. Go get 'em Michael.

Hanuman

If you go to this web site: http://blackcanyoncoffee.com/ and look at the trade mark in the top left hand corner - that's our MichaelBKK in the cowboy hat. I can't tell if he's sipping coffee or whisky in the picture though!

Vientianeboy

"VB - are you a coffee expert?" Where did I state this except that I am a coffee fanatic. Blackcanyon coffee? I don't think too much of that either, to be honest, so I certainly hope that doesn't come to Laos. Unfortunately one of those ghastly Swenson's places and one of those Thai Pizza chains just opened in Vientiane. Expensive and mles better food available elswhere.