San Diego Closed restaurants from the Down Economy
I think we should keep track of this and what opens in their place.
Here are some closed restaurants so far:
Chive Restaurant
Gemelli Restaurant
Gemelli Pizza
Side Bar
Cafe Cerise (although it closed before the economic dip)
Ole Madrid
Crudo - Little Italy
Little Italy Bar and Grille
Exy Restaurant
Commonwealth Cafe
Galileo 101
Tesara - Gaslamp
Bully's La Jolla
Turf Club (although I think it moved)
Wine Encounter
Jade Theater
Visions
There are many more I am forgetting.
Please add to thread any I am missing, and what is going to open in its place.
Thanks!
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Beauty Bar calls it a day
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Sad news.
[insert chowhound worthy of needling name here]'s favorite is bankrupt.
This time our sad tale belongs to Claim Jumper. http://bit.ly/9wA9Qb
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Claim Jumper Restaurants
5500 Grossmont Center Dr, La Mesa, CA 91942›6 Replies-
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re: stevewag23
Not closing anything yet:
"The company's Chapter 11 documents cite debts totaling as much as $500 million; they are looking to sell the chain and hope to keep restaurants open in the meantime."
I see that same publication called them the world's unhealthiest restaurant chain earlier this year:
http://eater.com/archives/2010/04/20/...
Maybe one of the more downscale buffet places will buy them out. Or not. San Diego hardly seems like an ideal market for that type of place, yet I always see a pretty good crowd at the Carmel Mtn Ranch location.
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re: RB Hound
Have you ever seen the portion sizes at Claim Jumper!! There's a reason they've earned the moniker "unhealthiest" eatery in the world. Their claim to fame was the ultra supersize on most of their items. You could feed a small army on one entree portion.
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Claim Jumper Restaurants
5500 Grossmont Center Dr, La Mesa, CA 91942
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Wow, take a look at the number of posts on this thread!! 570 in about 18 months. Granted a bunch of them are from we the peanut gallery and not actual closings, but still, it's a shame that the longest thread (or at least one of the longest threads) is about restaurants that no longer exist :-(
If ever one needs a reminder that the economy drives business and that restaurants are a business, this thread has got to be it.
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re: littlestevie
The Albertson's location on El Camino Real in Encinitas closed more than a year ago. The Daphne's and Baja Fresh there have since closed, although I don't particularly miss them.
Currently, most of the strip mall is like a ghost town, which is apropos considering the architecture is pseudo old western. Of course, Kaito's still there.
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After less than 3 months, Tikul on Prospect in La Jolla (famous mexican seafood restaurant from Puerto Vallarta) has ceased doing business. Sign says "circumstances beyone our control". My guess...economy could not support their prices (except for HH) and their landlord is infamous for being outrageous.
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re: foodiechick
Wow -- that was QUICK.
Speaking about soon to be out of biz in La Jolla, popped into Bull & Bear Bar & Grill for dinner tonight with my family of 5. Was appalled by the lack of service and the crummy menu. Split within 30 seconds of sitting down and made a beeline for Sushi on the Rock II where we scored a large booth on the outside deck. Everyone was MUCH happier with the choice.
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Bull & Bear
1271 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037-
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re: SDGourmand
It's interesting how you can pick up a vibe about a place that you just KNOW it's going to be a bad experience. We ALL got that feeling loud and clear from the moment we walked up their unfinished staircase (with no handrails), to the lack of anyone to welcome and seat us, to the dining tables that had huge cracks in the plastic tops, to the uninspired menu. Thank God we acted on the vibe and split before we made a BIG mistake! Sushi on the Rock II is not my favorite sushi place by a long shot, but it was light years beyond B&B.
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re: bizzwriter
SDGourmand is right. Bull and Bear is really just the watering hole for the local hardcore drinkers - as well as the hangout for the restaurant service types when they get off their shifts (especially George's). The landlord of the old location tried to figure out a way to kick them out for years because there were so many drunk and disorderly complaints. However, with the new location comes a really snazzy ocean view that seems to be luring in the tourists, every time I walk by the place is packed.
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re: foodiechick
Tikul closed already? Amazing. How does that happen? I mean, the owner has other locations right, so not an inexperienced newbie. I imagine they poured a ton of money into remodeling that location. They got a lot of helpful play in the press. What do the hounds call it; SD Hype Machine? See, that's not just reserved for Cohn restaurants. :>) Anyway so where do you think they missed the mark? Misgauged the economy, skimped on market research, or??
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re: MrKrispy
It seems like the San Diego restaurant scene is back on the upswing with new restaurants opening (Banker' Hill, new Burger Lounges, The Smoking Goat to name a few). It seems like these closing may just be the natural order of things - some restaurants will close even in good economic times.
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re: cstr
If you read my post, you will see that I did not say the economy was good right now, I said that some restaurants will close even in good economic times. However, on the restaurant front here in San Diego, it does appear there are more restaurant openings than closings unlike during the time of the beginning of this thread. That being said, not all restaurant closing that did occur during the worse of the economic downturn was due to the economy. As many have posted throughout this thread, some of the restaurants would have closed regardless of the economy, due to bad leases, bad location, poor management, under capitalization, etc., etc..
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re: MrKrispy
oops maybe it is. Kemo Sabe is closing in Hillcrest. I was a big fan of that place when I was younger and less worldly haha... so I am a bit sad it is closing down regardless of what I think of it these days.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/20...
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Kemo Sabe
3958 Fifth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103
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Sad to see that Sante on Herschel in La Jolla has closed (website still on). Appears that a Hennessey's Tavern has already moved in.
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Hennessey's Tavern
4650 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109›4 Replies-
re: bizzwriter
Yes, Mr. Buonsante sold the property a couple of months ago. The new Hennessey's just slapped some flat screens on the walls and threw in green, plastic furniture. Fairly depressing. I will be interested to see how they do since it is a few blocks away from the main tourist walking areas (and not exactly "destination dining").
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Could have some effect on suite & tender:
Se San Diego Joins Hundreds of Hotels Falling Into Default
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re: stevewag23
Se San Diego Operator 5th Avenue Partners Enters Bankruptcy
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100628-709089.html
Is the Se San Diego in Danger of Closing?
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Saw on another forum (and on Yelp) that the House of BBQ on India Street is gone. I suppose the economy may not be the reason for those have eaten there or that remember the post about it.
The new place opening up is called the Regal Beagle Ale House and Sausage something or other. 70s polyester suits required?
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Not a restaurant closing but Nathan Coulon (most recently heading Quarter Kitchen) is leaving SD to open a restaurant in OC. We had some of his creations at different opportunities and really liked them. He will be missed in SD.
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re: honkman
With the Hyatt management now in control at Andaz (formerly Ivy Hotel), there were bound to be changes in the kitchen. Executive chef Nathan Coulon will move on May 6. Next stop, Fashion Island in Newport Beach where he’ll oversee the new True Food Kitchen (a Phoenix import) due to open mid-July. Buzz has eaten at the Phoenix restaurant–its good-for-you menu is based on Dr. Andrew Weil’s principles of an anti-inflammatory pyramid of foods–and the food flavorful and interesting. When Coulon leaves Quarter Kitchen he’ll be in Phoenix for six weeks working with executive chef, Michael Stebner. Yes, that Michael Stebner who owned the well-received-ahead-of-its-time-Region restaurant that focused on locally sourced ingredients with a menu based on Slow Food principles. When Stebner left San Diego he went to Phoenix and ended up working for Fox Restaurant Concepts who created True Food Kitchen. Now San Diego loses another talented chef.
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I heard that When in Rome in Encinitas might close soon. Does anybody know if it is true ?
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Found out today that Trattoria Acqua is closing doors on March 13 after 15 years in La Jolla. Could not come to lease terms with landlord. Similar to Pasquale on Prospect situation, except we were there two weeks ago for dinner and the only empty tables were outside in the rain. It's getting pretty morbid in La Jolla.
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re: foodiechick
WTF?!?!
This is very sad..
I can't believe the owner won't negotiate with Victoria and Mike..
Wouldn't you want your commercial real estate filled with your long term loyal tenant vs. an empty 4,000+ sf restaurant?
Thats what % leases are for..where is a new restaurant going to get capital for a new place..no one is lending..especially to one who doesn't have a proven track record.
Doesn't make business sense?-
re: Beach Chick
Business isn't always about business. With big numbers comes big egos. Despite the sky falling around him, he could be like a landlord I know in Point Loma who thinks because it is his building, it is more valuable than any other building and will be leased. This kind of thinking had led him to loose a successful 11 year business and now he's struggling to lease it!
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re: foodiechick
I was not positive where it was, so I went on their website which is still up, and lo and behold there were two quotes on the website singing the praises of Pasquales. One was from Ex-NBA nutjob Dennis Rodman and the other was from the advertising guy at the UT, Wolf Verkaaik. Gee no suprise this place tanked.
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Surf & Saddle - Solana Beach CLOSED
From yelp:
"Went there earlier tonight to find that they had been shut down indefinitely! There was a letter on the window from the owner telling a great story---a morning bartender was selling drugs and happened to sell to an undercover officer! The way that licenses work, it puts the bar owner 100% at fault!
Bummer"
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re: phee
I'm not surprised. We stopped in for a glass of wine and a snack before a movie one night. Crummy wine selection & the appetizers looked/tasted like they came from a freezer bag. Powerful mildew smell in the bar area, and all the bottles & glasses behind the bar were dusty. All around gross experience.
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Walked past Bondi, the Australian place in the Gaslamp last night and it had a notice from an Eviction law firm posted regarding a hearing that day. Place was closed and dark, and appears to be history. That was a place with lots of square feet in a prime location and a big investment in decor.
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re: Josh
Probably the same vendor that sold them the kegs in the first place will take them back and resell them. As long as it was untapped, it's most likely returnable. If there are creditors looking for payment on unpaid or overdue bills, they'll be looking to get credits or liquidate as much inventory as possible to pay creditors.
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re: mcgrath
Devastating failure, but not too surprising.
Bondi was built during that time period when The San Diego Hype Machine was saying "San Diego is the Next South Beach!!!!!" and "San Diego is like Vegas at The Beach!!!!"
We have soon found out that san diego has neither the international money/models/fashion industry or gambling revenues to support those absurd statements.
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re: mcgrath
Back in the mid 80's Olivia Newton John opened an Aussie restaurant up in the Melrose area of LA. The place was an absolute failure. I was kinda wondering how long Bondi was going to last. Yes I know that Sydney is becoming a dining destination due to the immigrant influx, but still Australian food?
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re: littlestevie
Sydney actually has incredible food. Light years ahead of san diego.
I think the failure was more the economy on this one. It was built when prices where at their highest.
Sadly, Bondi was actually one of the better places in the gaslamp.
Although that is saying as much or as little as you can imagine.
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re: stevewag23
My Australian dining experience is sadly limited to the aforementioned Koala Blue, which was pretty bad. Cute clothes though, and watching old Paul Hogan TV show [this was way before he made it big in the U.S.] The shows jokes revolved around you guessed it Foster's six packs and shrimps on barbies.
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re: mjsp1
Good night, mates. Bondi, the Australian-themed “bar and kitchen” that opened in downtown’s Gaslamp Quarter with a big splash in 2006, has shuttered its doors, according to one of our far-flung correspondents. The Fifth Avenue hangout was apparently yet another casualty of the cruel economy. A recorded message says the eatery has shuttered its doors, an event that comes several months after one of the original owners and investors sailed back to smoother waters Down Under …
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Daphne's Greek Cafe - just filed Chapter 11... they will try to restructure but with $19,000,000 in debt and crappy food.... good luck.
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re: mjsp1
Wow this thread takes a long time to load. While at the SD Wine Co. saw Boll Weevil has closed and Bangin' Burgers is opened in it place, ordered the All American special to go while I shopped, not bad, a step up from the Weev, but not a destination burger spot, no other burger options in the area. Good lunch crowd, mostly office folks. Appears they do some beer events on premises (saw old fliers).
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re: mjsp1
Went to Karinya Thai in PB tonight, our local go-to Thai with very nice staff, and a sign on the door said their last night is tomorrow. Talked to the main waitress and she said they just weren't getting enough business and so they are closing. They've been there so long and the food is always good. It's too bad. Now PB is officially only filled with burgers, pizza and mediocre sushi joints.
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French 101 in La Jolla has closed. Owners spent a ton of money in tenant improvements remodeling the old Hard Rock Cafe. We were fairly excited about the possibilities, but the two meals we had there were disasters. I don't think they were open even 6 months.
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re: foodiechick
...and the subject of this thread, 'closed because of the economy' is, again, not relevant.
Too many of the above named restaurants closed because they did not have good food, not because of the economy.
{I didn't mean to imply anything to you about your post, FC. This thread/its title has been bugging me for a long time and I just had to say it}
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re: Cathy
"Too many of the above named restaurants closed because they did not have good food, not because of the economy."
A restaurant doesn't close because of bad food. (If that was so, every McDonald's would be closed).
A restaurant goes out of business because of economics.
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re: stevewag23
Even if the economy was thriving, almost half of the above named restaurants would have closed. They served poorly prepared food.
People will not return and pay for food that is not good. If you want to call that economics, fine. The title of the post refers to the "down economy" and not economics directly.
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re: Cathy
Good point, most definitely applies to some of these restaurants.
I worked at the now defunct Reidy O'Neil's many years ago. The owners blamed the demise of their little brainchild on the economy. Strangely, they failed to realize that bad atmosphere ( white tablecloth dining area with a loud bar), combined with the comping hundreds of dollars worth of food and high-end alcohol MIGHT also affect the bottom line.
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re: Dagney
I think what you're all describing is partly economy, but mostly poor management of the resources, whether it be food, labor, location. You have to understand how to run a business - i.e. the nuts and bolts, profit and loss, etc - in order to make an indy resto work. A restaurant is about so much more than the food, and if the ownership doesn't understand the other pieces, it won't stay around that long. The stagnating economy exposed those restaurants with poor business models and management and hurried their demise. A strong economy and free flowing money prop up the flawed businesses and tend to extend their shelf life, even after the "use by" date has gone by.
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re: Cathy
"Even if the economy was thriving, almost half of the above named restaurants would have closed. They served poorly prepared food."
Pure speculation. And half of them thrived when the economy was good.
"The title of the post refers to the "down economy" and not economics directly."
It is impossible to tell with out a doubt "why" a restaurant closed.
Lets get over the title on the most posted upon thread. It was written a year ago.
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re: Josh
It may suck to you, and is not authentic Italian in any way, but it is food, consistently prepared across our Country, and that is a source of comfort for a lot of people. who don't know what a CH is or that this site exists.
I was speaking more of the closed local restaurants having unimaginative/copycat menus made with burned/charred/under or over-seasoned product served in small portions... or stretched with cheap/unquality ingedients to make large portions along with high prices, poor service and/or loud/partylike atmospheres.
Even in this economy, people of all incomes still go out to eat and would rather spend their dollars at OG than some frou frou pretentious bad value place.
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re: Cathy
I think it depends on the people. I wouldn't eat at Olive Garden unless my only other choices were fast food joints. I would absolutely choose a "frou frou pretentious bad value place" over corporate chain grub. I think it's really, really weird that you'd imply these places that closed all have either burned and charred, and/or under- or over-seasoned product, or small portions.=
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re: Josh
I never said all. Many people alluded to 'bad experiences' at some of the closed restaurants. I know mine. The bad value part of the equation can be in relation to any, all or a combination thereof. People may not complain about the experience here, but will not go back and will try to stop others if they ask if they should eat at certain places.
The chains have their place in our society. The consistency of preparation and familiar foods. It's a comfort. When I was in Italy in 1985, there were 6 women I traveled with who only ate at the McDonald's on the Navy base with their husbands, never venturing off. Things really never change.
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re: Cathy
I don't see it that way. I think chain restaurants are an inherently problematic proposition, from the bad food (not in terms of taste (though I'd argue that point as well), but in terms of it's generally low quality, nutritional content, and industrial production), to the lack of sustainability, to the dumbing-down of palates the world over. Honestly, I couldn't care less if an American overseas is denied their Big Mac fix. If that McDonald's wasn't there, perhaps they'd venture out of their comfort zone and try something radical like a panino.
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re: stevewag23
There weren't paninis in Naples/Palermo in 1985. Pizza was an appetizer, not main course, just bread with olive oil and a minimum of toppings,all piled in the center; antipasti was a plate of sliced cured meats and olives and chunks of dry cheese (no lettuce); seafood (shrimp with heads!), pasta bolognese (veal) only and very few other proteins-no garlic:that's Northern Italy. Wine was $1 a bottle(no cork; they just carried the bottle back to the kitchen and refilled it), mineral water $2 a bottle and a (small) bottle (no cans) of coke was $3.
Fortunately, The Mister and I were more adventurous(real anchovies!, espresso for desert) but were in the minority.
When I find a McDonalds with Filet O Fish Fridays and order two or three. Its a comfort and a craving.
I've said it for years: people will spend money on quality food and service, but not to help a place pay rent for having a good view. That is why a good 1/3 to 1/2 of the above places are closed, not because of the economy. They all would have closed anyhow. Because they went into business to make money and tried to do it by skimping on quality ingredients and/or preparation and/or service.
I don't begrudge nor try to change anyone for their food choices (or anything else for that matter). They have to do it for themself.
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re: Cathy
Perhaps we could ask the moderators to change the title to "San Diego - Closed restaurants". In the end it is not possible to know why a restaurant closed (and I agree that a large number of them didn't close (or will close) only because of the slow overall economy) but it is of interest for all CH to have a good source for restaurant closings.
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re: foodiechick
I'm not surprised, I go by this place everyday, mostly empty. There was nothing to catch your interest on the menu plus, the monthly rent must have been a chocker. Makes me wonder how much thought chef/owners put into a business plan. Like doctors, chefs are great in their 'trade' but, lousy runing a business.
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re: stevewag23
"Four years of work went into this, and unfortunately, we were victims of the economic times and other unfortunate events," Brennan said. "It seems like this project got off on the wrong foot and was doomed from day one. There were certainly warning signs I didn’t heed."
"Obviously, we put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into this project so it's disappointing when it doesn't work out."
Universal-Dish opened in April 2008. The total cost of development was more than $4 million.
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Went to Wired the first time in a few weeks and saw that Chicago On a Bun next to it is gone and replaced by a burger place (a real surprise in SD in the moment). Unfortunately Renaissance Produce in the same mall is also gone - they had certain croatian cookies which I only have seen from time to time at North Park Produce
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re: stevewag23
Agreed, never thought I had a trip to Rainwater's that amazed me. I would have a better experience at Fleming's for less money, and they always folded my napkin when I went to the bathroom. Never got that at Rainwater's haha.
I don't think it was just a SD Hype Machine, always saw them listed in the fake "Best Of" ads in the airline magazines.
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re: MrKrispy
Good point.
Here is my expert analysis of the fall of an Icon:
1. Restaurant has good reputation. Cultivates following of lawyers,city officials and san diego locals too provincial to know outstanding food. (I heard it was actually good up until the mid-late 90's, although that is debatable.)
2. Advertise in fake "Best Of" ads in the airline magazines.
3. Product goes down the tubes (late 90's). But because of "iconic" status and The San Diego Hype Machine, continues to do business.
4. Lose local following but keep pumping fake "Best Of" ads in the airline magazines.
5. Economy soars. People visit san diego. See fake "Best Of" ads in the airline magazines, and eat at Rainwaters regardless of quality.
6. Economy crashes. People no longer visit san diego. People no longer see See fake "Best Of" ads in the airline magazines.
7. No local biz. No traveler biz.
Place folds.
I wonder what will open in its place?
Another steakhouse?
A Brian Malarkey/ Stingaree team up? (fedora and Ed Hardy shirt dress code?)
Only time will tell.
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re: Beach Chick
I grew up in Peoria IL where Mercedes restaurants is based and all their restaurants have always been this disappointing. Their steakhouse in Peoria that was a nice place when I was in high school now serves drinks in plastic cups while you dine on picnic plaid tablecloths.
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re: MrKrispy
Back in the day, Rainwater's was were it was at for high power business meetings and the owner Paddy ruled with an iron fist and she'd be running some serious smack on the waiters where all the customers could hear.
Started taking my clients to Dobson's where Paul has a more jovial demeanor.
They stated they were going to open another restaurant..maybe she has mellowed with age.-
re: Beach Chick
As a solo diner back in the mid-late 90s looking for a great steak dinner I recall only having three choices (not wanting to drive up to Donovan's in La Jolla) Rainwater, Bertrand's, and another I can't recall. Ended up at Rainwater having an excellent steak (if pricey) and service and some pretty good wine BTG.
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re: PolarBear
"some pretty good wine BTG"
That is where I think they went wrong in the later years.
The wines by the glass started at like $12, then next up was like $15 and then up from there.
It was like the wine by the glass menu was designed to make you feel like a chump for ordering a $12 glass of wine.
Side note: this is the 400th post on this thread.
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re: PolarBear
"I think the glass price was in the $7-8 range for the best stuff back then."
Yeah, I think they got caught up in the Greed of '05.
The gouge mentality, when san diego thought it was going to become the next Las Vegas, Miami Beach and Amsterdam all wrapped up into one.
Thank goodness that ridiculous talk is over.
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The past few times that I have gone by Deli on 5th it has had paper over the windows. I always thought it seemed like a strange business and it never seemed to be busy, although I never did try it. Another place that looks like it may be gone is Ramak Hookah. I don't smoke hookah but when I stopped in there after they first opened they claimed to be making homemade persian food. I didn't make it there too so I can't comment on the food. Again, it seemed doom from the start.
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I was driving up 5th in the GL and saw that Mangu and the cigar shop is gone. Not surprised, looks like another restaurant is going in.
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After 57 years of continuious operation in SD, Nicolosi's is closing. Sunday is their last day of service. For those of us that grew up here, this is kinda sad. Nicolosi's could always be counted on for familiar and fairly good Italian-American food.
Current location is on Adobe Falls Rd. between Allied Gardens and SDSU
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I read in the UT that Decanter Lounge on Del Dios Highway closed. It was at the foot of the Il Cielo development. I have no idea how the food was, it was just so out of the way I never went there. I know that they spent some bucks on the place. It looked like it was trying to be one of those poser kind of places sorta like the place that took overt the old Scalini spot on VDV. Oh well.
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ciro's hillcrest closed?
- walked by ciro's pizza next to dish (which is still closed/undergoing its "makeover") last night and it was definitely not open. no mention of this location on their website either. unfortunately, if the recent reviews on yelp are true, it's no big loss.
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Just got an e-mail from the owners of Appertivo in North Park that they are closing....... Very suprised I live axcross the street & they seemed to have a really steady stream of business. However we were worried about them because another location of Arrivederci is opening across the street & would really split the business.
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re: modfood
not surprising. The Arrivederci has been threatening to open in that spot for a couple of years with little-to-no work being done so that definitely wasn't the problem.
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Fuddrucker's downtown is closed.
Very strange, as I was just there late last week for lunch, and when I went to drop by today, not only was it closed, but the place looked trashed on the inside. Everything had already been ripped out. The tables, cash registers, the fridges and kitchen area. All gone, with no notice whatsoever.
Very strange.
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Just Burgers in Little Italy has closed. It's a tough location (formally Bud's Louisiana Cafe). It's being replaced by a Santanas.
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re: MrKrispy
What's better, waterfront or burger lounge? I've been to the BL in La Jolla, and it was decent. But I hear about Waterfront quite often (has anyone had burgers at Nunus? my friends rave about it but it wasn't anything special ... the dive bar itself was cool though)
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re: deeznuts
LOVE Nunu's and yes, the burger is good..especially after a few cocktails..
One of the best dives in SD..60's decor with the drinks strong and the naugahyde flowing.
Waterfront is one of my favorites too..burger is great but the fries blow. -
re: deeznuts
I don't get why people rave about Waterfront. Commodity meat on commodity bread - what's the fuss all about? You can get that burger a million places - the only thing unique about it is the atmosphere of the venue.
Burger Lounge is a good-tasting burger, but what makes it special to me is that they use much better ingredients than your typical burger joint. So even if the burger itself isn't unique, the fact that it's made from good stuff is what makes it worth eating.
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re: stevewag23
Not surprised. the re-opened version of Chilangos didn't quite live up to the original incarnation. To bad, sad to see it finally go. That stretch of Uni is pretty hard. The corner has been a million different things, the upscale animal store didn't make it, Chilangos has been several different things. Not a lot of real longevity there between 2nd and 1st
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re: daantaat
Sounds like it might be related to the Gaslamp Strip Club. I guess Donovan's and Fleming's (as well as the Ruth's Chris 5 or so miles up the 5) just weren't enough to service the UTC hotel crowd.
I pretty much lived right above Trophy's for two years, and never went in that time, You'd think that a decent sports bar / brewery could make a go of it in the area, but I guess not.
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re: DougOLis
I know they had a fire recently so maybe it is remodeling related to that. I saw that Zetouna's Cafe on Washington in Mission Hills is closed. There is a sign that says 'temporarily closed' but there is another sign that says the restaurant is for sale by owner. I never made it there but heard mixed reviews. It never seemed to get going.
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The Little Fish Market in Mission Valley is closed. There is a liquor license application on the window, so I guess another restaurant is opening there. I will have to stop and read the posting. I will miss the lobster salad sandwich.
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re: Divamac
I phoned the Fish Market corporate office to find out if maybe the Little Fish Market was simply moving, but NO! It's gone. Will miss the casual ambiance and crab-stuffed avocado as well as spicy red chowder with sourdough. Good location and prices much lower than at the "big" fish Markets.
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Hawthorne Restaurant and Lounge on University looked like it was closed when we drove by today.
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re: honkman
I walked by Hawthorne today. The sign said something to the effect of "Closed for painting and cleaning".
So, they are either taking the time to do a menu-overhaul and interior re-design (a la Laurel->Cucina Urbana), or they really are just doing some simple painting and cleaning.
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re: stevewag23
Really? Can't see that spot working out any better for El Camino. It's a dead spot. Much like Barrio Logan was for the Guild, and that stretch of University was for the Better Half. It may have proximity to other interesting things in the area, but the fact that there is ZERO foot traffic on the street, no decent non-metered parking, and the fact that the corner is invisible when on any of the busier cross-streets around it, makes it very risky. Not to mention that the Lucha Libre taco shop is nearby, with the exact same theme, and cheaper.
However, if El Camino inherits Airport Lounge's full liquor license, then at last that place will be able to serve a proper Margarita. It is absolutely pointless to be a sitdown Mexican joint in this town (or any town for that matter) and only be able to serve Margaritas with Agave wine.
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re: cookieshoes
"It's a dead spot."
Don't forget, from 2004 to 2006 Airport lounge was arguably one of the hottest spots in town (a respectable run, until competition exploded in this town: Stingaree, Ivy, Hard rock, Se Hotel, Confidential, etc)
"no decent non-metered parking"
The used car lot across the street folded. They might be able to use that. Columbia is a block away.
"if El Camino inherits Airport Lounge's full liquor license"
They will. El Camino and Airport have the same owners.
Although, I do agree it is risky , this place has the potential to be a restaurant that transition into a nightclub successfully (a trick that no place in san diego has ever done).
But odds are against that trick.
I
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According to the UT and another well placed source, Modus Supper Club in Banker's Hill closed a week ago friday. "Was working on another concept, but didn't pan out."
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re: foodiechick
I am surprised Modus lasted that long.
I read somewhere that they were trying to change the name to Modus Gastro Bar.
Biting off Jaynes Gastropubs style.
I think the thing that drove the steak through the heart of Modus Supper Club was when Starlite Lounge opened.
It split the local population (Bankers Hill, Middletown, Mission Hills) in half (at best).
There was no point in going to Modus, when Starlite served similar food, possibly better food.
It is sad that Modus closed. It was a place that tried to do good late night dining.
They found, like many other places, that people in San Diego do not eat late.
No matter what.
Their food was also a little to advanced for peoples tastes in this town.
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For those residing in the culinary non-mecca of East County, I think Vinny's Brooklyn Pizza in Alpine just went under. Their phone number was disconnected last week.
Vinny was making excellent pizza and thus by default became one of maybe three places out here that was acceptable.
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Months of rumors have finally proven true. Jack's La Jolla was closed sometime this week, all doors are locked up, no explanation signage.
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re: foodiechick
Gone but still glittering
Tony DiSalvo, who formerly helmed the kitchen at the now shuttered Jack’s La Jolla, is cooking to rave reviews at Whist at the Viceroy hotel in Santa Monica.
Source:
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Looks like Lucky D's is on the ropes in the "hip" east village.
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It looks like Casa de Madera has closed for the second time. After struggling for a while they closed a few months ago and then recently I noticed that they had reopened with a cheaper version of the menu. Now they have closed again and there is a sign saying that a new place called Banana Leaf will be opening. It is supposed to be Southern Indian food.
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re: sdnosh
Yep.
I think the san diego one is probably one of their better preforming ones (top chef hype, good reviews on here, word of mouth, lack of competition in gaslamp etc)
Although that is just a guess.
Wow, if that place closed in san diego, san diego would be lookiing very circa 90's.
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re: pickypicky
Confirmed?
If it is, it doesn't surprise me.
Tough location, high price point, food probably too advanced for SD and opened just as the economy plummeted.
It is really just a question of how big a bankroll they have to stay open.
Every time I rolled by it seemed empty.
It got good reviews on this board and 4.5 stars with a lot of reviews on yelp. Really shows how difficult a restaurant enviornment San Diego is. Especially for higher end food/ enviornment.
If it is indeed closed, this is another "high profile" chef with some pedigree that has gone down.
2nd Wolfgang Puck alum to go down as well. Jason Siebert being the other (who had a really good restaurant called cafe cerise.)
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re: foodiechick
They closed as of this evening. Confirmed to me from several employees. They let go of they're sommelier 2 weeks ago and business has continued to be dead so the plug was pulled. Employees complained about location being dead after dark and no easy parking in front of restaurant. Ate there a couple of times and food was wonderful. Really sad for SD food scene.
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re: The Office Goat
"I pray it is replaced with a solid Vietnamese pho/sandwich place."
That would be great.
But I wouldn't hold my breath, the rent in that space has got to be high.
My bet is it stays vacant for a while, until another brave chef steps forward.
Either that or another fudruckers.
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re: Fake Name
"You try to hold on as long as we can," McIntyre said. "We have gotten great accolades and great response from people in San Diego. But it didn't make sense anymore. We are a small time operator and we are not backed by a big corporation that can wait out the downturn."
http://www.signonsandiego.com/enterta...
I wonder if Jai in La Jolla is next.
Could this be a San Diego Wolfgang Puck Curse?
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re: stevewag23
Wolfgang Puck’s venture into San Diego with JAI at the La Jolla Playhouse, may soon be short lived. It seems that they miss their after theater audience by closing at 10 pm, and there’s no lunch service that might catch people looking for a quiet place to meet. For many San Diegans, traveling to a university campus to see a play or eat dinner, is more than they can bear…
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Word on the street is that Dish in hillcrest closed.
Can anyone confirm this?
If it is true, then another piece of the stingaree empire has crumbled.
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re: DiningDiva
"common knowledge the Stingaree empire has collapsed under it's weight in debt"
That and horrible concepts, a bad low quality to high price ratio, lack of beautiful people when they touted themselves to be a place for beautiful people, and lack of mortgage brokers in striped shirts from the mall to fit the bill.
"Corporate Cool" is finished.
At least for the time being.
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re: sdaints
I had the same thought too since Terra is closed on Monday and it's just down the street from Dish. That's why I said I couldn't really confirm if it was officially closed or not. It would not surprise me if it was. I've stopped in a couple times by have never actually eaten there. I get a weird vibe in the place, like they're not really interested in having anyone over 35 in the place.
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re: DiningDiva
I was definatly a clubby sort of place. I took a peek on a Friday or Saturday somewhere around 6:00pm. Not only were there no patrons, the place looked closed and there were no employees around, but the place was completely open. After strolling around for a while, some guy walked through and said they the usually don't get really busy until after 9 or 10pm! I kind of reminded me of the space that is currently/formerly Aubergine and all of it's incarnations. The restaurant was just a way to get you into the club, not a complete thought unto itself. BTW, is Aubergine still in existence?
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re: neener41
Good follow up article on Laurel and SD dining:
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/storie...
"Gone are the striking red chandelier and crystal candleholders, and so too is the whimsical, Parisian-style decor that had come to define San Diego's Laurel Restaurant."
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Anyone else get the e-mail from Urban Kitchen's that Laurel is going to be history by the end of the week. To be replaced with a new concept by the end of June?
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re: Fake Name
I agree the change is long overdue. The last couple of times I was there I got the impression that there was talent in the kitchen but that it was being challenged to execute a menu that was at the top of their culinary skill set, so while things were generally good, I always got the impression that they could have been done better. Or, in other words (I think) the skills in the kitchen didn't always match those need to fully execute the printed menu. And at the prices they were trying to achieve, it didn't always match.
I liked the bar and I liked the room, hopefully, the new concept can take advantage of both.
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re: DiningDiva
"And at the prices they were trying to achieve, it didn't always match."
It almost never matched.
The prices were sky high last time I was there (which was a while back when the kitchen closed on me at 9pm on a friday, after I ordered a bottle of wine).
I remember entrees being $33+.
When you get to that level, your food better be top notch, or you might as well fly to SF or NYC and eat better food at a lesser price.
And get better service.
And meet a Model Girl on your way out (NYC).
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re: DiningDiva
I personally LOVE Laurel the way it is now. My fiance and I had it at the top of our list for our wedding reception venue. I have faith in Tracy that she will make the new concept awesome, but it still makes me a little sad to see that this incarnation will be gone.
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Parallel 33 CLOSED????????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! First Region, now Parallel, I had not heard they closed. This sucks.
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re: phee
The operator of the Cotton Patch stores (and many of the bankrupt Boll Weevil locations is the daughter of the original owner of Cotton Patch and Boll Weevil restaurants. Somehow she was able to get access (despite closing for bankruptcy) and convert them under the new name. Not her first go around with Boll Weevil bankruptcy either.
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It hasn't closed, but a month or so ago our Sunday brunch reservation at The Better Half was canceled. They said they aren't getting enough business to do it right now. Pretty sad, I loved the two meals I've had there and I was looking forward to trying their brunch.
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re: Pentagarn
Chef Kennedy will start Sunday brunch in the near future again but due to the cold weather they are not getting enough customers in the moment. In addition, since he is now owner and chef he resonsible for everything and is still working on business paperwork and more changes to the interior and wine menu (wines by the glass, full bottles, more half bottles etc.). He is also currently changing the menu completely (which will change more frequently in the future and will be also regularly (daily) updated on their soon new webpage) and he mentioned that he is simply happy to have a half day of on Sunday morning without the Sunday brunch in the moment. Give them 1-2 months and he will start the Sunday brunch again.
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re: honkman
No disrespect to Chef Kennedy and his establishment but perhaps, now that he is the Chef and the owner, he should surround himself by people he can delegate to.. Why is he doing the wine list? It seems to be that his plate is full and that can be dangerous.. Just a thought... but I wish them well, San Diego needs to support these type of restaurants.
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re: jaysurf12
As far as I know he has somebody who is responsible for the wine list but my understanding is that he is currently very involved in some general changes with the current concept of the wine list. (And I guess it is also for him simply a learning process how much he is involved with everything).
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re: honkman
hey honkman, since you seem quite in the know there, zubin is out completely? i did always trust his wine knowledge. that said, it was chef Kennedy's food that absolutely MADE my birthday last year (crab beignets! oh man...) so I wish him the best, he is the type of chef I hope to see more of...
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re: jdwdeville
Yes, Zubin and his wife are completely out of the Better Half.
I also recommend to get a special tasting menu from Chef Kennedy for your next birthday (you have to call him a few days before and he won't do it on Friday or Saturday when they are too busy). I had one for my last birthday and it was the best meal in San Diego last year. All dishes are always made specifically for the tasting menu and are not available on the regular menu (e.g. souffle, escagot, sweatbreads, foie gras etc.)
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Just drove by Daily's on Prospect in LJ, a new sign is up 'opening soon Joey's BBQ'. This ought to be interesting.
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That's a shame about Parallel 33. I loved that place. I live out in philly now so it's nice to get updated on closings. I come back a couple times a year and I have my list of places that are an absolute must. Cafe Chloe, Nine Ten, Jayne's Gastropub, AR Valentien, Sushi Ota, Mama's Bakery... I could go on forever. I gotta be honest I don't know how people go to Flemings. Everything is so greasy. I'm not spending 50 bucks on a steak. The sides aren't good. Most of them taste like they've been microwaved. I went twice once to the bar for apps and drinks and then for dinner. That was the last time. Definitely not worth it. There are too many other great places to spend your money.
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Yellow Coyote in the Carlsbad forum has closed. It looks like they slipped out in the middle of the night. Menus are ready, Silverware is ready and chairs are out, But there is a UPS sticker on the door from feb 6th. The place never really worked, service sucked, and the management seemed indifferent at best. I don't want to sound like T.O.M. but I am not suprised. Just curious to see what is going in. That mall has not filled the old Sushi on the Rock space. The rents must be astronomical in that mall
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According to Food Buzz SD, Parallel 33 in Mission Hills closed it's doors last Saturday night after 9 1/2 years - New owners to come.
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re: foodiechick
I wonder how many of these closings are due to the economic times as opposed to the natural order of the food business. Restaurants have the highest mortality rate of most if not all businesses even in good economic times. For example, in the case of Parallel 33 you have a challenging location with no parking combined with a chef driven restaurant who's very well know chef/owner departed a bit ago (I don't remember the timing but it was before the downturn). With the identity of the food and restaurant so closely tied to the chef, I wondered how it would fare after her departure. I think the same question can be asked of several of the restaurants mentioned in the original and subsequent posts. Another example is EXY. Huge space, sky high rent, questionable location. There could have been other factors such as a limited market for upscale fusion greek cuisine and ridiculous name. Don't get me wrong, I do believe the economy has severely hit the restaurant industry, but it is not the sole factor in the failure of all of the businesses mentioned.
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re: sdnosh
"I wonder how many of these closings are due to the economic times as opposed to the natural order of the food business. Restaurants have the highest mortality rate of most if not all businesses even in good economic times."
That was the point I made when this thread started. It's all assumption.
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re: The Old Man
I don't see a point to this list either. You can't go check out a restaurant once it's closed, and new restaurant openings are invariably mentioned in other threads anyway.
It would be more useful, albeit more difficult, to find out which restaurants are in danger of closing due to the economy and give people heads-up to go support the restaurants that they like.
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re: stevewag23
This was what I set out to do up here in the central SJ valley. Simply have an alphabetical list that anyone could update for not just closures, but also changes. Turns out posters find it easier to just report new information, no problem, once or twice a month I just copy the prior list, add the updates and repost. No great effort on my part and it seems to be serving the purpose.
Check it out at this link and let me know if there's a way to improve it. TIA
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/571492
Cheers,
Dave
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re: sdnosh
Did Amiko Gubbins leave?
We will never know for sure what "role" the down economy played.
Bottom line restaurants close (generally speaking) because of lack of cash flow in.
Sure there are other factors in San Diego: Idiotic names, retarded concepts, greedy landlords, dentists turned restaurateurs, horrible service, crap locations, overpriced food, chefs that suck.
Edit:
I guess Amiko left back in May '08
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re: foodiechick
...would have been 10 years this September. the attached bar/restaurant space Blue Lotus was an absolute favorite place of mine to hear music and eat. the chef who took over, Benjamin Moore, was damn talented. it's freakin sad, really. that place MADE the neighborhood.
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re: foodiechick
Ric Libiran, owner of Cafe Bleu, is mixing up his color palette this summer with the opening of The Red Door. Currently undergoing a major face-lift in the Mission Hills spot vacated by Parallel 33 in February, The Red Door is expected to be up and dishing contemporary American bistro fare by late June or early July. - From the trib.
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Mellow Wine Bar in Liberty Station is RIP.
Word on the street is Wine Steals cannibalized them.
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re: stevewag23
How could Wine Steals cannibalize them? WS opened at least a year earlier. I always thought it was odd that among the first 10 or so businesses that opened in the rather limited mall, were wine bars. Could it be that the greedy landlords cannibalized them? Just a thought.
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LOT 81 will be missed, especially their Angus burger was superb; best I've had, followed by El Camino Real Grill at SE corner of La Costa Ave & El Camino Real, La Costa.
The new operatorn promises they will continue the Angus, and their BBQ will beat Phil's on Sports Arena.
Already closed is the Surfer's Grill at the P. B. Promenade, the 3rd attempt after Da Kine left after years there.›1 Reply -
Blue Coral Seafood in LJ Aventine complex is closed (may have happened long ago). New (looks almost complete) construction is under way behind a fence and the new occupant will be FL based chain "Truluck's Seafood". Ugh.
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re: stevewag23
Well, technically, and emotionally, California rolls ARE sushi. They not only meet the definition, but my grandparents (1st generation, sent to the internment camps and everything) always made California rolls, or similar, for big parties when I was little. They are really easy to make large quantities of, and are a Japanese family party classic.
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re: oerdin
"We have some great stone crabs caught right here in San Diego."
Not in any world that resembles reality.
Maybe if you import them from Florida then drop them in the Pacific and catch them.
"The Florida stone crab, Menippe mercenaria, is a crab found in the western North Atlantic, from North Carolina to Belize, including Texas, the Gulf of Mexico, Cuba and the Bahamas." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_...
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re: stevewag23
Not sure about the species but "stone crab claws" are a major part of the local crab catch according to NOAA's fish report.
Edit: They're called "rock crabs" not "stone crabs" mostly red and yellow rock crabs. My mistake.
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re: stevewag23
I had the worst ahi dish of my life at that place. It was Chain hell, I think were owned by some of the Flemings Steak peeps. And Trulucks Seafood is more of the same. Why would you bring Florida seafood to Cal. If you love Florida Stone Crabs take a trip to Miami. I just really view it as an insult, but the masses may buy into it.
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re: foodiechick
"If you love Florida Stone Crabs take a trip to Miami."
I do.
And I ship them in, which you can do with Joe's Stone Crabs.
Or you can go to Joe's in Las Vegas or Chicago.
I wouldn't look at it as an insult.
I think it is more of an Insult that a chain like Oceanaire has become the best seafood (in my opinon) restaurant in San Diego (which ships in tons of seafood from other places...and lots of east coast oysters and shellfish).
I with someone local would step up.
It is easier just to enjoy the good food.
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re: foodiechick
Hmmm, I give them a year max. the menu looks real corporate. It is one of those places that looks like why bother. they have steaks, gee you can go to flemings next door or up the street to donovans for probably a better steak. They have some southern dishes on the menu, and that never went over well in SD. Fish, well I would rather have fresh west coast stuff, than fish from the atlantic. Maybe I never grew up with stone crabs, so I don't get the allure, they seemed just ok to me when I had them in Fla. Give me a fresh Dungy any day
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re: foodiechick
The Aventine complex is like the cast of Gilligan's island - it's Japengo, Flemings (though I wonder how well they are doing in this economy), "and the rest.." Though, it seems that the Melting Pot still exists, for some reason that escapes me.
My wife and I had a few good dinners at 808 La Jolla - I was sorry to see it close.
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re: Beach Chick
Foodiechick - just to clarify, was this Wednesday or Thursday last week (February 4 or 5)? You were aware that the PGA Buick Invitational golf tournament was last week, weren't you?
Eating out in the La Jolla-UTC area in that week is a very trying, and often disappointing, experience. That's when one should go at least 10 miles away from the Golden Triangle for dining out (or better yet, simply hole up that week and be creative in the kitchen).
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Yesterday night I drove on Girard Ave in LJ and it looks like that Truffles Cafe is closed.
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The long-standing Sun Café, a popular place to grab breakfast on the cheap, is closed and slated to reopen as a Mexican restaurant, says Jimmy Parker, director of the Gaslamp Quarter Association, a trade group that promotes businesses within the district.
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re: stevewag23
Sun Cafe closed..sad..I really liked that place for a cheap breakfast.
My concern on dining is the freshness of the product..they might want to hold on to things a little longer than I would like...I am already seeing things that normally would not of gone out...I can just imagine what else is going on.
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re: stevewag23
I hope they keep the building and interior the way it is for preservation's sake. I believe the Sun Cafe has been in continuous operation since it was first opened by the Obayashi family, though it has since changed ownership. There used to be a thriving Japanese-American community clustered around Island St. and 5th Ave. There's something about that shop that reminds me of the Far East Cafe in L.A.'s Little Tokyo, though I've never eaten at either one.
In fact I was just in downtown on Saturday and noticed a new banner in front of the Sun Cafe.
Apparently the Obayashi family also opened a restaurant named Miyako in the 50's, which even featured sashimi on their menu at a whopping $1.25!
Here's a pic I took some time ago of the two Obayashi sisters in front of Sun Cafe: http://www.flickr.com/photos/akatayam...
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re: stevewag23
Is it new owners or new concept.
I don't think you really classify a restaurant with "going out of business" unless there is a change of ownership or the owner(s) walk away. If a venue closes and reopens as a different concept but with the same owners, they've simply just reinvented themselves and we all do that all the time. In fact, I'd venture to guess that the operations that weather the economic storm the best will those that are adept at recreating themselves in order to stay in business.
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