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Well, I was wrong on 3 of 4 counts for predicted restaurant failures for 2007. I would still put money on West Main and the Nook.
My top 5 predictions for 2008:
1 One of the downtown wine shops will go out of business due to too much competition. It’s a tie between Tastings and Siips.
2. Belmont will get a bar in the Saxx’s location. If this place doesn’t have the power to replace Blue Light, something else will.
3. One of the local publications or blogs will try to expose Thor and Lilith. They will be wrong and we will tell them to shove it.
4. We will be thoroughly disappointed by whatever replaces the hardware store. If it’s an irish bar, it will die most quickly.
5. At least one of Charlottesville’s major real estate development projects will go bankrupt, or decide against additional building plans.
What are your predictions?
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Tagged as: Charlottesville, Questions, Restaurants, Restaurants/Bars
I predict this site will be hosting midget on donkey porn within 6 months
Tastings will definitely not go under.
Agree completely on #5.
The Gleason Condo project and the Nook have similar investors…. maybe that’ll mean something for your projections.
I would totally agree with the Nook going down. It’s just a matter of time — i stopped going there a couple of months ago after I noticed some suspect behavior. My favorite observation was watching (a manager?) spray paint their patio furniture during the middle of the Downtown lunch rush during a windy spring day — basically spraying paint on everyone eating outside at other places nearby. real classy.
Here is one man’s take on another man’s lst. 1. Tastings has been around a long time, while I have never been there, I don’t see this happening. Lots of loyal customers. If you ever met the Siips owners, you will see that their passion and business acumen will keep them in their business for as long as they want to have it. A disclosure; they are clients of mine, which would not keep me from giving an honest assessment of their chances for success. 2. I don’t know Saax, but I know the location, it’s a great one. 3. OK. 4. I’m not sure if a restaurant is in line for the Hardware Store space, Irish Bar I wouldn’t think so. A disclosure, the owners of the building are friends of mine and I was an agent in the transaction. I too will miss the restaurant and especially the candy store, but the Epsteins wanted to retire and nobody stepped up to buy it/run it. You can’t blame them for selling, they worked too hard over 30 years. 5. Bankrupt is a specific term, but what your getting at is no big strectch considering the global economy. Thor thanks for your effort, I’ll ponder predictions of my own, as this was your motivation for the post. One more note, I can’t fathom Thor’s hatred of The Nook?
Thanks, Stuart!
I agree about Tastings. It is a wonderful wine purchasing experience even for a non-loyal such as myself.
Where is the Irish bar hating coming from? For my answer to anti-Irish-bar-ism, see here and here. I went to my home town’s Irish pub a couple of times over the holiday, and I love Harp and Photohunt and hold ‘em!
Oh, and to whoever wants to out us, all I have to say to you is: nooooo! Remember the Code. It’s as prolific as the Golden Rule. And also the slide rule.
I want to make a correction– if you do find out, I probably won’t tell you to “shove it.” I’ll find a really creative way to flick you off or something, though.
I forgot to ask. Is this Nook Stuart, by chance? I know we have had two Stuarts come through. Fantastic name, by the way.
Yes, Nook Stuart, if that’s what you want to call me.
1. agree
2. agree
3. for sure
4. who cares, the Hardware store food was gross, candy bar will be missed
5. Duh
The Nook always looks busy whenever I’ve been by, so obviously they are doing something right.
As for the Hardware Store — I can’t believe people actually miss that place. Overpriced par food and horrible service. What’s to miss?
As a once-in-a-while West Main visitor, I have to once again wonder why you forecast its failure. This is not a new restaurant. As with Tastings, it seems to have a loyal following. It might not be popular among the people who most frequently post here, but it’s popular with plenty of others in town.
Upstart: I think that’s pretty much it. Those places aren’t considered ‘cool’ by the following here, they can’t understand why people would go, so it’s easy to make a “this place will fail” prediction.
You want to bet on a place going out of business? Salad Creations. They simply can’t compete with the Blue Ridge Country Store on quality, quantity and price, their location is lousy. I really question if they did any sort of research before opening there.
I don’t think Tastings is going anywhere, unless Bill Curtis decides to retire. He’s been a successful restauranteur for longer than some of us have been alive.
Tastings isn’t going anyway, and while I’d love for something to replace West Main, those guys must have some cash as they were able to renovate Jaberwoke into Three (I refuse to add the period) - I guess that’s the kind of money you can make when everything you serve comes frozen off the Sysco truck (or at least tastes like it).
As for the other predictions, I don’t think Siips has a chance and I fear that our fearless leaders will be outed.
And for new ones - something “midtown” will go under… my guess is Maya as they spent sooooooo much money on the renovations, but Horse and Hound will struggle until it’s warm enough to use their patio again so it’s a toss up. And Salad Creations just plain needs to go under for their stupid hats alone. Otherwise I expect interesting things once The Jefferson reopens, as we have to be nearing the point at which this little town can’t support all these music venues. Also, cville is due for some new food craze a la the dumplings when Marco and Luca first opened - I don’t know what, but my guess would be something asian or mexican (the taco truck maybe if it decides to be less elusive). I’m still hoping for a noodle shop…
Oh well for my “be nicer in the new year” resolution.
Totally agree with Chad. Salad Creations should be on death watch. I’d put that one waaaaay out in front of any dire predictions for Tastings, et al.
Re: Hardware Store, I liked it for a while. It took about three years of their being “out of” salmon salad and salmon cakes for me to realize they probably would never be available. Also, all of their wraps were pre-made and could not be made to order, which was kind of funny in terms of wait time. But so what? They had sweet potato fries, goopy honey mustard, and a pickle bar to fill the time! It was kitschy, family-run, and relatively inexpensive. And didn’t fraternity guys used to go and order meter beers or something, too? Something for everyone…
Salad Creations… still no avocado? I haven’t been back to know. I wouldn’t begrudge most salad bars for that, to be fair, but… it would make them my #1 salad spot if they did.
Stuart, I’ll be in this week! You guys have amazing biscuits, by the way.
I liked the onion rings on a pole . . . and the clever little condiment box.
I don’t have any hatred of the Nook, I just want them to do better with the food. They have a sweet location and a nice ambiance, but it’s food that matters.
and P.S. that review on the nook was written by one of our readers, not moi.
seems like i’m the only one who ever has anything good to say about salad creations…i swear i don’t work there or anything.
lilith, they do have avocado now, but it costs extra. probably not worth it.
yes, their prices seem a little steep, but if you broke it down to a per-pound price, i would wager it would be cheaper than blue ridge, especially if you have the 10% off card.
blue ridge does have the advantage of not charging more for meat, so if you want to add some of that, blue ridge is definitely going to be a better deal.
i like both places. if i am hungrier i go to salad creations because i always end up with a bigger salad for the same price (also, if you have the punch card and the 10% off card and go 10x, you are effectively saving 20% each time you go). if i want to add some chicken and those awesome crunchy funny shaped things, i go to blue ridge.
but, it does seem like salad creations is doomed, but i will be bummed when it happens. despite the silly hats, the people are really nice and i dig the food.
Lys, I’d venture that most restaurants in town get supplies from Sysco. Obviously, it’s great to buy local, but we’d be kidding ourselves if we thought everything being served to us is coming from “Mom & Pop” type businesses.
Unfortunately a locally owned restaurant takes some time to get things right. Applebees just opens the doors and replicates what they have been doing (albeit poorly) for years in other units. The Nook will never use anything less than quality products. That is not to mean we won’t burn it, over or under season it and even forget your applewood smoked bacon on your bacon cheeseburger. Warning, real humans at work. But, we will start with quality ingredients and strive to make a difficult business (long hours, high rent and low margins) succeed. And, unlike Zocalo, no fabuolously educated, skilled and experienced chef/owners putting it on the plate everynight.
I feel for salad creations, they got sold a “bill of goods” they would have more success at a better location. (maybe a large mall like short pump or a downtown location in a major city with more density)
I think Thor and Lillth will eventually get out-ed (it will be an inside job, keep your friends close and your enemies closer as the saying goes) I also think, nobody will really care as long as the site stays alive. That should be paramount to those at the top of this blog.
The Nook post-countdown was the best idea I’ve had in 2008.
Seems to me that quality has skyrocketed subsequent to their re-opening a while back. I was loving their 36-hour open door deal during New Year’s Eve.
Also, where else do you run into Oy himself and share matching bacon-tomato-grilled cheeses? Did seem, though, that Oy’s suspect head lesions came from an over-enthusiastic poker round. How are you holding up?
Stu, thanks much for the after-hours bubbly!
TheUpstart - you’re right, but it’s not the buying from Sysco I have an issue with, it’s the buying premade items I rally against. Everybody is going to buy canned tomatoes in bulk so who cares if it’s Sysco or Sam’s Club. And most places are even going to buy their salad dressing, canned chicken stock and frozen pre-cut french fries to cut costs/time (even though they are all easy to make).
My issue is with places that buy frozen hamburger patties, frozen cakes they microwave and sell as fresh desserts, canned soup they simply reheat or folks that go so far as to buy the entire frozen entree like chicken kiev - if I wanted a microwaved meal I’d have gone to Harris Teeter. For example, most places that serve cole slaw buy the pre-sheddred slaw mix of cabbage and carrots and the jarred sauce, so all the cooking they did was stirring. It just stricks me as dishonest and 100% not worth my money.
That’s why I support places that I know cook from scratch, even if it means I pay more for a sandwich. Do I expect everyone to be able to afford this - of course not. I just happen to spend my money on food instead of CDs, clothes, a nice car, etc. (and I also don’t have kids, which helps). Some people go out to eat because they don’t want to cook - I go out to eat because I want to have somethng I can’t make myself.
thanks EE - went to bed at 8 last night, got up at 9 this morning. That, however, could be as much to do with “last day of 2 weeks off work gotta go back in the morning” depression as with the knocked noggin’.
Those Nook grilled cheese sammiches were the shiznit, as the kids used to say in the day.
Spent much of the past day or so reading The Omnivore’s Dilemna - great (if a little long winded in parts) read. It’s got me wanting to try one of the local restaurants that use Polyface food - EE, you still up for dinner? I’m thinking Cassis (they’re on the Polyface site - as is Fleurie, but I just ate there last week).
Speaking as the reader who had the original post on the Nook, that was just the snapshot I had from way back in June. I admit the review was colored as much by my heightened expectations as by my actual dining experience. However, 6 months can be a lifetime in the resto business and I’d be happy to find out if they have found their legs and are now executing their better-sourced food with more consistency. I’m still not quite sure what kind of place the Nook wants to be, but I am encouraged by the idiosyncratic promotions like the Bosox viewing and NYE promotions. Like my original post mentioned, the actual space and the DM location have incredible potential.
Right now my casual “dinner out with the wife and kids” money is being spent at South Street, Continental Divide, Guad and even Court Square. It would be nice to include another downtown place in that rotation.
Just trying to keep the nook, The Nook. Again, like The Hardware Store, nobody stepped up to keep it going, except us. It would have been easier and far more profitable to turn it into an Italian Restaurant or some high brow (read low food cost) entity. We serve eggs, sandwiches, awesome meatloaf, etc. No pretense, Kids menu on page 1.
Not trying to be anything. No tofu, no martini menu. Just operating a restaurant with serious issues. No back door, crazy high rent, not enough room for a large walk in, no room for Keg beer, etc.
i gotta agree with stu….no one really cares who Lillith and Thor are as long as the site keeps rollin’. a lot of us know each other already, and it’s a lot ballsier to post when people know your real identity.
From my bar and restaurant experience, I can appreciate that it’s an incredibly difficult business to survive in, much less flourish. Given that and taking your desire to continue operating the Nook at face value, um, is this kind of a “pro-bono” project? Is there is some future hope to address those issues? I mean, you do hope to make money at this, right :)?
Eventually I expect to get my children’s college education fund back out of The Nook (as I put it all in) Fortunately, I have 10 more years before the first one is ready for college. As to attacking some of our issues with the facility, we try to improve it everyday. We don’t own the building, but we put all we can back in it. Eventually we expect to have a back door, full sized walk-in cooler, draft beer, etc.
Stuart, you’re closed today! So. On that “outting” note, any cVillains at BRCS just now?
I worked at an on-the-mall restaurant with some of the similar building woes you’ve detailed. It’s hard to repair a leaky sink when you do two meal shifts five or six days a week, you know? A great way to hear what kind of shape downtown buildings are in is to tour the Paramount with house staff. It has a fascinating history.
I can be there in 20 minutes…
You buyin?
Nope, I’m out, I’m done, but thanks!
Im sensing a distinct lack of “predictions” as this thread devolves…
i predict that in a mere 50 years, computers will be twice as powerful, 10 times as expensive, and large enough to fill my entire house.
I predict that parlie will tell someone “Welcome to the internet.”
Re 34:
Us, digress? Nooo…
Thor, I really can’t comprehend your forecast for West Main two years in a row. I also don’t understand the “college Bar” description. My goal, almost four years ago was to bring something “sceneless” to the downtown area. A major issue of mine was the lack of even one tv in the bars I frequented downtown. Now that midtown has become a “scene” itself, we are in an even better position than we were those first couple of years. One could argue that I used the exact opposite logic for three.
Lys, I hear that “prefab” kind of thing all the time. I think it comes with the territory when you serve American fare like I do. The only prefab stuff we use is what you would expect, like french fries. I would be more than happy to give you a tour of any of my kitchens. This is not a joke and I am not bitter at all. I have never posted here before, but I do enjoy reading the comments…and yours just struck me as one that could be solved pretty easily.
I also don’t want to be pampered when I go out to eat. If people know who I really am, then it kinda ruins the whole unbiased review thingy.
andy, welcome! You’ve got a loyal following, that’s for sure. So the Virginian is yours, too, right? Oh-so-many wonderful meals and memories there. That’s one of my scenes I’m bringing back in 2008.
West Main. Your bartenders are amazing! I know I’ve been twice and had new servers, and I felt for them for having me in their section.
ThorI also don’t want to be pampered when I go out to eat
Me either usually, but some of those seats are kindahard and that extra little bit of absorbant cushioning really makes a difference.
Thanks Lilith. The Virginian is mine yes, and I love it too. You know I actually worked there when I was in school. That’s how this whole thing started. I do really appreciate the business.
Oh Andy, use this as fuel for your fire to kickass in 2008. That place has a funky location and much like midtown, it’s hard to get people to wander in. You probably know how things are going better than the rest of us.
I like hard seats.
Andy - good to know. I swear I’d seen your corn flake crusted french toast in a Sysco catalog so I has assumed that you were buying it frozen - I stand corrected.
This is all happening so fast! I added to my comment #40. Sorry. Bad habit.
Also, maybe tell your brother not to hog all the pool tables at West Main - every time I attempted to play in ‘06 he and his friends were holding court downstairs and no one else could get a game in, so we just stopped going.
Our booths are padded, but I have never bought a padded barstool. I like to know where I am sitting.
Midtown can be hard for wanderers, however, I am not one of these people that fears competition. The midtown resurgence has been great for business. I hope none of the new stores close.
Patrick can be a bit of a hog. Sorry about that. He actually lives in San Francisco now though so you should be alright. We just renovated the downstairs bathrooms too.
It’s interesting that you bring up the french toast. The cinnamon is “preswirled” in the toast, but we make the batter, and encrust it. We tested numerous ways of doing this on some customers and this was the one they liked the best. It’s adapted from french toast I had in a place called the Boulevard Woodgrill in Arlington. They have a fantastic brunch.
None of the mid-town stores will change hands for sometime. In every case you have a dedicated owner operator and in some cases more than one, actually when I look they all have two owner/operators unless Andy fired his brother for playing too much pool. Also, All are younger than me, so they must have some good years left in them. Maya, H&H, Zinc, Orzo, WM, Blue Moon…Fortunately Escafe is blessed with an awesome GM to compensate for the lack of OO.
I also predict that parlie’s head will explode. Turns out, I was right.
I like the Nook. I knew what I was getting before I went in there the first time. Nothing too fancy, just exactly what I was looking for.
And the Meatloaf at West Main…mmmmm….meat loaf.
I predict the end of Bang! why haven’t they finish decorating that place? and cleaning the cobwebs out from the corners of the room? Gross.
stuart, are you talking about Chip @ Escafe? If so, agreed. Awesome.
Yes mam.
Personally, I see all of the restaurants mentioned sticking around. I think Stu’s point about owner/operators is right on the money.
Re: the Hardware Store. In some ways, it’s almost better that it not be a restaurant, b/c whatever it is, it won’t be the Hardware Store that people grew up with and remember fondly. That’s a hard act to follow. However, next time you’re on the Mall, look through the glass. The developers have done a great job clearing that place out, and whatever does move in is going to have a sweet location.
Well, some restaurants inevitably will close in the coming year, this much we know.
Lacking any inside knowlege whatsoever and apologizing beforehand to the owners of the joints for my recklessness, I’ll go with Siips, The Flat and Fleurie.
Silverchair will occupy the upper floors
I don’t think Fleurie is in any trouble - ate there last week (on a weeknight, no less) and it was packed.
Ohhh Fleurie… If money and calories were no objects…
But to be fair to OXO (xoxo!), the setting at Fleurie skews a bit above my, hmm, “level of maturation.” I do think it’s very sweet where the flower arrangements for both it and Petit Pois come from… go and find out yourself!
funeral home dumpsters?
Enoough restaraunts! My top ten:
1. Charlottesville will change its name to Davemathewsberg and move city hall to Miller’s. The money saved watering down the drinks will cover the tax deficit from the housing slump, and the old world feel of the joint will cause the incumbants to no longer need to go to Italy.
2. The Capshaw will suffer a very slight brain annuerism, which will cause him to believe himself to be visited by the ghosts of xmas past present and future, which will then cause him to slip into disguises and just continually slip people $100 bills randomly for the rest of his life just because he can.
3. People will stop being so god damn interested in salads, which while delicious, are not the stuff of great reading on blogs whilst killing time at work. “You dont win friends with salad Marge!”
4. Thor’s hammer will indeed be revealed as made of nerf, though his identity will remain a secret. Neither will lilith be revealed, but many will claim to be her. So many so that there will be a lilithday holiday, where everyone actually *will* be lillith.
5. CYSCO SYSTEMS IS PEOPLE!!!!! GAHHHH!!!!
6. Hardware store? Leather bar. Least that’s what I heard. Obvi, tho.
7. Kmart and Blue Light will merge for obvious reasons, bringing back hipster Dickies and Rte 66 clothes amongst the wanting to appear monied set, and they take all that fake prada and armani ass shit to olive tree where I will score huge! The oysters at Kmart though, will suck.
8. Someone will finally ask “Ace” why anyone would ask anyone who refers not only to himself but also his car inthe third person anything. Dish? Curtain? Sweethoney? The question is not where did it start but where will it end? Bony Motel wants to know! Wait… damn.
9. The Rock will come out of hiding and do an evening of Frank Sinatra covers at the Pavilion once Redlight et. al. finally run out of aging rockstars that they have to wheel out on stage on a fucking dolly.
10. On the down town mall, Cville and Hook employees will have a final battle to the death dressed in full civil war re-enactment period clothing, armed only with muskets filled with smarm and daggers of self importance! The Mummer dancers will officiate. There will be much rejoicing.
I’d put my money on the Gleason Apartments tanking. Seriously, have you seen their website?
I like number 10!
Ooh, I’ve got another. The Hook will continue to write a crapload of news articles in which they interview and quote fellow Hook reporters. It will be weird.
Dave, thats called “mobius strip reporting”.
Its kinda like a zen koan. You you’re not supposed to get it until you “get it”, got it?
They’re not Mummers they’re Morris dancers.
Andy, I love West Main and the bartenders are the best in town. The bald Dead Head in particular w/ the wicked sense of humor.
No, morris dancers wear ribbons, and bang sticks, all joyful and odd. Mummers march around with deer antlers on their head to morbid recorder music, etc.
Which I find much more appropriate.
Thanks Taliesin, that’s Marc. He cracks everyone up. He hosts the grateful dead hour on WNRN if you didn’t know. Something my brother used to do.
I kind of want to go back to comment 40. One time, I was trying to research your drink specials for our happy hour piece, and I asked the poor girl what each day’s special was and how much it cost, so that was completely unfair. And Belgian beer. I should not go in to a restaurant and be like, “Is this as hoppy as …?” The other time, she just flat out said it was her first day, and she hadn’t learned the menu yet. I never ever want to be unsympathetic!
Taliesin, agreed, he’s awesome.
She could have at least directed you to the specials list we have! Sorry about that. Two visits with two different new servers…how do you do in casinos? If you want to try for a third time, I will gladly pay. I do apologize, training new people is a challenge, but certainly my responsibility.
I can supply you with a list of all of our specials if you would like. Have to be tomorrow though.
That is a very gracious offer! I’m going to decline– I really like keeping the list of those-who-know limited to people who thought they wanted to know, people who don’t live here, people who use my computer when they’re over and don’t read it, or people I’m directly related to. So that brings the total to about 3. JK. But seriously…
And I kind of disagree. It’s the server’s responsibility to know. I worked at a cocktail lounge where I was told, “Memorize.” I think two weekend nights with a cheat sheet on my tray did it for me. I can still go back there and know what my bill will come out to. {{ Nerd alert }} {{ Nerd alert }}
Prediction: Orbit will make a very big mistake. Miller’s could suddenly come back into favor as a result.
I hear you. I was just saying that if they don’t “memorize”, it’s my responsibility to know about it, and then fix it. Some people, as you know, just don’t work out.
I wasn’t suggesting that you reveal your identity to me. I imagine it’s quite fun to mess with someone when you know who they are and they have no idea who you are. It would probably be hilarious to me. I was thinking of something a bit more cloak and dagger. I so rarely get to use a trench coat.
i predict a riot.
I seriously doubt Fleurie’s gonna close anytime soon.
1. I predict McGrady’s to step into the tuesday night scene with an expansion of their trivia night. I think it’ll bring in a good group of people for some cheap drinks and fun before they inevitably head to south street. Well that’s what i’m doing.
2. There will be at least 2 shootings out the outback lodge. I will film both with a comdeic and colorful commentary, possibly sound effects.
3. Someone awesome will do something great with O’Neils.
4. Rates for water/sewer will increase by nearly 40%.