Back when we first found out the former Michael’s Bistro team had decided to launch a new restaurant, we knew something good was in the works. Enter 12th Street Taphouse, located on Main and, you guessed it, 12th Street.
With some cash from the Coran, the team has renovated the former Northern Exposure space, adding wood floors, new tables, new paint and some better lighting. It feels cleaner and more delightful than before. Parking shouldn’t turn you away either, because you can usuually find something on the street, in front of Kane’s or around the corner in that art store parking lot. You might be hard pressed to find a sign for 12th Street, but you are probably an idiot if you can’t find the building.
The 12th Street interior is large and daunting, especially when you need to figure out how to ask for a table. This building has always had this problem. The long, narrow entry-way doesn’t end up at an obvious host station, so just make sure you wander aimlessly to the bar and look effectively confused. Someone will address you eventually.
Drove by the old Boheme space today. And as it had been suspected, it is now an Asian restaurant of sorts. It is called “Asia Specialties“. All I could see while driving was a Coke fridge… suggesting that they’ll probably deliver.
We got an updated tip from a reliable birdie who has some friends in the business: There is some meat to the rumor that Coran Capshaw’s restaurant group, including Blue Light Grill, Enoteca, Mas, Mono Loco, Ten and Three Notch’d, is actually on the auction block.
The birdie points out that times are very tough for food and beverages businesses, especially high end places like Starbucks. With ATO Records successful signage of new artists, do you think the Coran empire is tired of running local restaurants in tough times? It would make sense and we have a strong feeling this is the truth.
If anyone has seen the former Northern Exposure building that had a brief occupancy by now the deceased Spry’s Barbecue, you would know that something’s going down. The building looks like crap right now, having been stripped of almost every exterior sign, awning, etc.. Some of us thought it was time for demolition, but one of our birdies brings a new rumor to the table. Thanks, Echo:
12th Street Tap [Ale?] House. Supposedly in the old Northern Exposure building. I want details. Internet, go.
Is it the time when Coran Capshaw will sell off the restaurant business? Our birdie thinks so…
Is the restaurant group up for grabs? I heard something…
His restaurants include: Blue Light Grill, Enoteca, Mas, Mono Loco, Ten and Three Notch’d. T’would make sense considering the expansion into music mogulhood.
In the never ending churn of restaurant and food rumors in Charlottesville, we’ve got a particularly chatty birdie who has sent in enough gossip to fill a 5 days of post. We’ll add a tidbit or two each day this week. Here are your Escafe and Bistro rumor..
Escafe has sold to “Dancing Queen.” He has some nice ideas that we have been trying to implement for years… which will def make escafe a strictly bar scene… bring the food back?
Clyde Clive who was the original Chef of Boheme has moved to Micheals Bistro