The Name Game: preliminary runoff vote

I can't thank everyone enough for playing along in the Name Game! I've found your candid comments and suggestions so incredibly helpful in my decision making process.

I'm glad I've decided to share this process with you all. I think we've all learned how challenging it is to come up with the perfect name for a restaurant!

I wasn't surprised that Gastropod and foc i fum were not so well-received, although I was a bit taken aback by the degree to which they were wholly despised. While I found them both amusing, I was grateful to discover how honest you were willing to be in your assessments. I found the bluntness of your comments both refreshing and hysterical to read! Your clear message: humor is not really an important consideration in naming a restaurant, at least not the kind of place I am opening. I did expect imby to fare better, but again, I think your comments were spot on. It's a little to cutesy, not reflective of the kind of restaurant I'm opening. Catalina finished fourth in the voting, but I agree with those commenters who find it a little bland and too evocative of Southern California.

All in all, I had fun reading your reactions and am so grateful to have you all as my focus group. It was wonderful to discover how seriously you were considering each name. From the beginning it was clear that you truly want me to pick a great name for my restaurant. Thank you, thank you, thank you! That means so much to me. I can't overstate how appreciative I am of your contribution to this process!

So, at this point in the process, Olallie-lovers rejoice. The name lives on. Our three preliminary finalists are: Olallie, bocarte, and Ca'l Brett. As of 10:30 pm last night, 21% of the voters loved Olallie, 56% were positive (top two categories combined); 17% loved bocarte, 55% were positive; 18% loved Ca'l Brett, 50% were positive.

Choose your favorite in the poll below. I added a fourth option, "none of the above," for those who aren't crazy about any of these three names and think we can do better. Be honest. I can take it.

Remember, this is just a preliminary round of voting and the results are not binding. There are more names on the way, including your suggestions! Don't forget to leave comments.

Tune in tomorrow to meet those contestants that didn't make my final cut. I think many of you will prefer them to the ones that did! Saturday I'll list every single one of the names that you all have suggested. Then, Sunday and Monday I'll highlight those names amongst your suggestions that resonated with me.

Comments

[jen maiser]

I voted!

[EB]

What does is say that I didn't vote for our Mayor but I voted for this?!!

[Anita]

I totally grinned when I saw Olallie was in the top slot.

[Judith]

Of the 3, I like Olallie - better possibilities of signature graphics, and a name that spoke to you first. I can easily imagine a logo based on this name - not so for the others. Even though you've gone through changes, the essential you is, I suspect, still the same, albeit a bit freer and more yourself. Unless this name is deeply rooted in the past relationship, it's still you.

[Nicole]

I agree with Judith, Brett. Olallie, which I like very much, is the name you chose with your right, intuitive brain, It was a visceral reaction. The other names have often been clever , but more left brained and analytical, and haven't come close to expressing the warmth, fun, and connection to the earth that Olallie does. It's a name, for me, that really stirs up a desire for culinary adventure.

[Silversara]

Bocarte is my favourite, followed by Olallie...

[Dan Lyke]

I don't think I'd vote for it either way (and I didn't comment on it yesterday), but when it's written "Ca'l Brett" I actually kinda like it (not hugely, but kinda), when it's written "Cal Brett" it looks like some sort of state agency that I'll end up standing in line and carrying around paperwork to do business with.

[Tracy]

Not that I think it's a real contender, but just to give you an idea, here is a link to the cover of Arlene Sardine. http://www.salon.com/mwt/tisd/1999/02/11tisd.html

[kudzu]

Brett: bocarte is too close to Bogart which immediately screws up association. Olallie is just so right geographically, colorfully, euphoniously. Keep it! BTW, love the photo of your grilled porcini. This has been an extraordinary early season, with Mendo rains.

[I-Chant]

I think all three names are great. I forgot to mention on my Ca'l Brett post that in my head, I was saying it altogether, calbrett, and not two words, which I actually kind of liked.

[Lisa D. Walker]

How about--

Neighbor

The Neighbor

Neighborhood

or somethin' like that?

[Lisa D. Walker]

Uh, why not--

Sardine!

It exemplifies your approach to cooking-- your own definition of Sardine.