637966 Mon Jul 20 09:47:25 -0700 2009 22 12 Greater Boston Area 0 4874049 Apparently the landlord tried to jack the rent and they couldn't work it out. Sorry to see my local lunch eatery leaving. Mon Jul 20 09:47:25 -0700 2009 267874 Paladin5 1 4874216 NO WAY!!?? Ugh. Such a bummer. It's been a mainstay for me for years.... pizza, il panino subs..chicken parm... (And never mind me, where will all the Cambridge Police eat!...(sigh)) That is just lousy... that whole block is a mess of empty retail spaces due to rents being hiked. Mon Jul 20 10:39:01 -0700 2009 4874049 244785 MissCheese 2 4874305 Damn, that place was pretty reliable. I hope they reopen elsewhere nearby. Mon Jul 20 11:01:39 -0700 2009 4874216 152667 Ralphie_in_Boston 3 4875172 real bummer- nice lady worked the register there for years and years. tasty chicken parm, pizza.... Mon Jul 20 14:56:57 -0700 2009 4874305 323567 mrwhiskers 4 4875460 Yeah, she is the sweetest lady. Anybody remember Roka Sushi? couple doors down the street, same deal happened about four years ago, the unit is still empty. And next to Panino was the Friendly Eating Place...had a fire about a year and a half ago, tenant either was kicked or left and the place is also still empty. Not sure what the landlord is trying to accomplish. Mon Jul 20 16:33:39 -0700 2009 4875172 267874 Paladin5 5 4876537 yeah, roka was actualy below il panino. the first or one of the first upscale japanese restos in cambridge. also there was a cvs next to il panino which was the only drug store between harvard and central sq. of course, the orson wells theatre was in the roka/ il panino space years ago but im dating myself. il panino didnt show repo man, but it was tasty enough for a long time. Tue Jul 21 05:11:45 -0700 2009 4875460 323567 mrwhiskers 5 4883335 I think Friendly has been closed for more like 3 years. And Loony Tunes is gone too. I can't imagine what landlords are thinking trying to charge ridiculous rents these days. Thu Jul 23 05:23:49 -0700 2009 4875460 14253 Joanie 6 4883585 Yeah, it's been a long time. It looked like they were trying to come back for a while, but now it's completely empty. Thu Jul 23 07:15:19 -0700 2009 4883335 111910 jgg13 4 4883458 Probably a different person you're thinking of, because the one I always encountered (the blond older woman, who I believe is related by family to the owners of the Il Paninos in the North End) was always surly beyond repair. Auntie Yabai even had a name for her, "Miss Congeniality." That aside, this is sad news, has been a mainstay for me since it opened in the late 80s/early 90s. Quality had gone steadily downhill from its glory days, but just slowly enough that it was always worth a stop for a Panino sandwich, some Linguini Puttanesca or a slice of pizza. Hours were curtailed also, in the beginning it was open until 1:00 AM or so, and slowly cut back until it closed at 10:00 PM. I really do not understand what the landlord is thinking. Roka has been an empty shell for years (and for years while it was open, but don't get me started on that), and the space right next to Il Panino (also at street level) has been pretty much unoccupied since the dot.com crash. Thu Jul 23 06:15:54 -0700 2009 4875172 161889 Uncle Yabai 2 4883969 Seriously...There are a lot of closed store fronts as people have noted. What gives with the raise in rent? Thu Jul 23 09:27:22 -0700 2009 4874216 11172 Bob Dobalina 3 4884039 I've figured for a while now that they want to sell to a condo developer Thu Jul 23 09:50:28 -0700 2009 4883969 111910 jgg13 4 4889277 The Garden/Cellar, liquor store, several furniture stores and other businesses are still in the spaces on that block, so they will be waiting a long while if they want to sell. Sat Jul 25 05:40:13 -0700 2009 4884039 13687 Gabatta 1 4876640 That is so sad! Any idea if they're moving somewhere else? That just stinks - greed in this economy. There seem to be an equal number of empty stores in that area as occupied ones (or at this rate, there will be soon). Tue Jul 21 06:00:34 -0700 2009 4874049 50964 mintchip 1 4881678 So sad. I loved the chicken parm sandwich, gnocchi pesto, and the veal Saltimbocca. It was always a great neighborhood dinner spot that wasn't too expensive. Man . .that block is really almost empty . . . http://jgleeche.blogspot.com/ Wed Jul 22 13:31:27 -0700 2009 4874049 423645 jgleeche 2 4883063 I'll miss Il Panino -- they had a very thin crust pizza that reminded me of some of the tastiest slices I had in NJ. It was no new age/wood fired/lobster and prosciutto slice -- just an honest tomato pie with a delicious, mild, traditional cheese. It's very puzzling why the landlord would kick out the restaurant -- the block is becoming deserted. Who else would want to rent there? Wed Jul 22 22:43:01 -0700 2009 4881678 141450 Guilty Glutton 3 4883168 Probably some New York developer will come in and build a luxury condos and charge $800K a unit. Thu Jul 23 00:38:04 -0700 2009 4883063 106250 joebloe 4 4883401 not right now, lol. Thu Jul 23 05:56:34 -0700 2009 4883168 30273 hotoynoodle 3 4883246 What a shame. I also really liked their pizza, especially for a couple of slices. The red sauce was pretty good, too. A solid place for a quick bite. Thu Jul 23 03:39:44 -0700 2009 4883063 77061 bear 1 4883794 Oh no! I walk up from Central Square every couple of weeks to get their Panino sub. That is really disappointing news. Thu Jul 23 08:33:33 -0700 2009 4874049 22331 dfan 2 4884018 We stopped by yesterday to enjoy our last meal there. They're running out of some stuff (no more veal), but we were still able to enjoy the delicious gnocchi pesto, TBM w/ proscuitto salad, and frutti di mare pasta. There was posting at the restaurant stating that City Councilor Tim Toomey is trying to petition the City of Cambridge to do something to keep this restaurant in Cambridge. Apparently Il Panino caters a lot for the City of Cambridge (City Hall is just down the street). http://jgleeche.blogspot.com/ Thu Jul 23 09:44:02 -0700 2009 4883794 423645 jgleeche 3 4884026 For once I'm with City Hall on this one. Their cleaning day towing policy, not so much... Thu Jul 23 09:47:02 -0700 2009 4884018 161889 Uncle Yabai 3 4884077 Thanks for the update. I really hope something can be worked out. I could cry when I think of not being able to get their pizza or an il panino sub (or an il panino lady!) anymore. (boo hoo.) Thu Jul 23 10:00:32 -0700 2009 4884018 244785 MissCheese 1 4888579 Apparently tomorrow (Sat, 7/25) will be the last day.There's a notice at the counter that the Assistant City Manager is holding a meeting at City Hall 5:00 Monday to discuss whether the city can do anything to keep the restaurant there. Couldn't get many details on why it was closing, other than about the landlord. I just returned from dinner there-- busier than usual. We'll miss the place-- very reliable, better than fast food but reasonably priced and hefty portions.It will leave a real hole, literally and figuratively Fri Jul 24 17:28:41 -0700 2009 4874049 1096475 ciir1